Prayer

 
Praying HandsPrayer is simply “talking with God”. 

Prayer can be words or silence,
      it can use written texts or be extempory,
            it can be “out loud” or “in our hearts”,
      it should involve listening to God
            as well as talking to him.

Above all, prayer should be the foundation of all that we do as Christians and as Parishes. Therefore we hold a Prayer Lunch most weeks - all are welcome to these (see our groups and diary pages for more details).

If you would like us to pray for you (or someone or something that you care about) please contact one of the clergy (see our Contacts page).  Please note that these prayer requests will be used only among the parish clergy unless you make it clear that they are to be included in our public services.  

A Prayer for our Group of Parishes:
Loving Heavenly Father,
we worship you in towns and villages where sea meets land
and ask that our churches and fellowships be places where
earth meets heaven and people meet God;
may your Holy Spirit delight us like warm sand under bare feet
and protect us like dunes ranged against the storms;
in the name of him who walked and taught on land, beach and sea,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  
 
Other prayers you might like to use:

The Lord’s Prayer
(“traditional” version)

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass
    against us;
and lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power
and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer
(modern version)

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin
    against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

For someone who is ill

Lord Jesus Christ,
who heals in body, mind and spirit:
have compassion on (person's name)
now suffering from sickness.
Restore them in your mercy to
health and strength.
Give them the assurance of your love
and compassion;
may they know your presence
and your peace in their heart;
for your name’s sake. Amen.

For someone who is grieving

O Heavenly Father,
whose blessed Son Jesus Christ wept
  at the grave of his friend, Lazarus:
look with compassion upon those who
  mourn the death of (person's name).
Comfort them, O Lord,
  with your gracious consolations;
help them to know that all things work
  together for good to those that love you;
and grant them sure trust and confidence
  in your fatherly care;
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For God's help in our life

Lord, help me to remember
that nothing is going to happen today
that you and I together can't handle. Amen.

O Lord, support us all the day long
of this troublous life,
until the shadows lengthen,
and the evening comes,
and the busy world is hushed,
the fever of life is over,
and our work is done.
Then, Lord, in your mercy
grant us safe lodging,
a holy rest, and peace at the last;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Living in God's love

God, my Father,
May I love you in all things,
    and above all things.
May I reach the joy which You
    have prepared for me in Heaven.
Nothing is good that is against Your will
and all that is good comes from Your hand.
Place in my a heart a desire to please You,
and fill my mind with thoughts of Your love,
so that I may grow in your wisdom
and enjoy peace.  Amen.

For help in worship and prayer

O God of truth,
you are worthy of higher praise
   than we can offer,
and of purer worship than we can imagine.
By your Holy Spirit, assist us in our prayers
and draw us to yourself,
so that what is lacking in our thoughts
    and actions
and in our words and music, 
may be supplied by your overflowing love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.                 

At the end of the day

Lighten our darkness
we beseech thee, O Lord,
and by thy great mercy
defend us from all perils and
dangers of this night;
for the love of thy only Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.  Amen.