Prayers of the People

The Book of Common Prayer uses the title “Prayers of the People” for the oratio fidelium or general intercessions in the eucharist. Such prayers have a long and venerable history. Their existence was first mentioned by Justin Martyr about the year 150, and for centuries they formed a vital part of the Daily Office and eucharistic liturgy. In the early church they usually included a long series of biddings that were chanted by a deacon, to each of which the people responded with “Kyrie eleison”

At St. Martin’s, the Prayers of the People are seen as a companion to the sermon and thus composed by either the Rector or the preacher of the day and led by a member of the congregation. They seek to focus our attention on timely concerns in both our community and the world around us – channelling the power of our communal prayer to strengthen the values and expectations of God’s kingdom for the world.

Numbers in square brackets indicate the Powerpoint slide which accompanies the Prayers for those viewing via the livestream.

March 26, 2023

POP Lent 5, 26 March 2023

The response to “Lord, hear us” – is “Lord, graciously hear us”

We remember the Church and her life:

We pray for Christian leaders: For Archbishop +Justin, Presiding Bishop +Michael, and +Nicholas, our Bishop;

For Pope +Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch +Bartholomew, and other Christian world leaders.

Lord, hear us: Lord graciously hear us,

We pray for the world and its needs:

Lord, guide the leaders of the nations. Strengthen in them a commitment to work for peace with justice:

We pray for President of the United States, along with the leaders of democratic and free nations; we ask you to soften the hearts of tyrants and autocrats everywhere.

We pray for those responsible for the good governance of this nation – the members of the House of Representatives, the Senate, and state legislatures. Lord, let your abiding integrity be their template, and your wisdom their guide.

For peoples engaged in the struggle for democracy under the rule of law:

For the Palestinian people suffering under occupation and an increasing threat of annexation.
for the people of Ukraine in their brave fight against the forces of empire.
for the defense of Israeli civil society.
for resistance to military dictatorship in Myanmar Burma.
for the people of Nicaragua, Georgia, & Cuba.

We pray for communities devastated by earthquake, flood, drought, fire, industrial pollution, and famine.

For refugees, especially those on our southern border, the thousands of attempting to cross the English Channel, and migrants risking perilous sea crossing.

For the Earth, our island home. For international cooperation concerning global water security, harmful emissions, rising sea levels, and building greater climate resilience.

Lord, hear us: Lord, graciously hear us.

We pray for our community:

For those celebrating birthdays in the coming week; Hal Conner, Susan Kostas, Connie Hildesley, Sarosh Fenn, Lisa Ballou, Lina Kite, and Cathy Bodner.

We give thanks for the birth on Monday of Finlay Amber MacMullen, daughter of Laura Dennis MacMullen and Jeffery MacMullen, and granddaughter of Chris Dennis.

We remember those who have asked for our solidarity in prayer, especially Gail, Kurt, Stewart, and John,__________, together with others we name [pause.] We pray for those who are isolated and alone.

We remember those who have recently died, especially [_________ and] those we name [pause]. We remember all who mourn the loss of loved ones.

Strengthened by the prayer of Mary, the Godbearer, and Martin, our Patron – In this coming week we commemorate: [10] Richard Allen, first Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, 1831; [11] Charles Henry Brent, 1st Episcopal Bishop of the Philippines, and World War I US Chaplain General, 1929; [12] John Keble, Priest, Poet & leader in the Oxford Movement, 1866; [13 ] John Donne, Priest, Poet, & Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, 1631; [14] Frederick Denison Maurice [pr. Morris], Priest, and Founder of the Christian Socialist Movement, 1872.

Lord, hear us: Lord, graciously hear us.

(Celebrant adds a concluding prayer.)