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.
Prayers of the People:
Epiphany 2
19 January 2025
The response to the bidding, “Gracious Lord,” is “Hear us”
Lord in time and space –in the celebration of Epiphany time we give thanks for our adoption as your sons and daughters into the heritage of the Kingdom. We pray for courage and clarity of purpose to live out our baptismal promises amidst the challenges and complexities of the world. Gracious Lord, Hear us.
We pray for the Church and her life: For Sean, Presiding Bishop, and Nicholas, our bishop; for Hosam, Archbishop of Jerusalem, remembering the pastoral outreach of the Diocese of Jerusalem among a sorely oppressed Palestinian Community; for Pope Francis; for Bartholomew, Ecumenical Patriarch, and other Christian leaders. Gracious Lord, Hear us.
We pray for the world and its pressing needs: In our own land we pray for a peaceful and rancor-free transition of presidential power. As we give thanks for the signs of a lasting ceasefire in Gaza with the release of hostages we continue to pray for peace with justice to come to the Holy Lands of Israel, Palestine, Lebanon. We pray for Syria and for Ukraine. In our own land we pray for peace and reconciliation. Gracious Lord, Hear us.
We remember the earth, our increasingly fragile island home and for everyone including family and friends caught up in the devastating losses resulting from the LA fires. We pray for a strengthening of the emergency services and necessary infrastructure to meet the unprecedented challenge of increasing climate instability. Gracious Lord, Hear us.
We pray for all in need: for those whose strength is failing through ill health; whose spirits are flagging through depression; whose determination is being sapped through addiction; that they might know God’s comforting presence and healing.
We remember with love those who have asked for our solidarity in prayer: Mary, Sam, Susan and John, Debbie and those we name: [pause]. Gracious Lord, Hear us.
We pray for our own needs, together with those nearest and dearest to us, remembering especially those celebrating birthdays last week: Karen Ng, Bob Tobin, and this week Joshua Maria Garcia, and Ted Fleming.
Gracious Lord, Hear us.
Rejoicing in the fellowship of so great a cloud of witnesses, we remember those we love but see no longer, we remember all who have lost their lives in the LA fires and for others we name [pause]. We remember those undergoing the experience of loss. Gracious Lord, Hear us.
Celebrant adds a concluding prayer.