Collect
Merciful Lord, Grant to your faithful people pardon and peace, that we may be cleansed from all our sins and serve you with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Hebrew 5: 1 – 10
Mark 10: 35 – 45
A litany for Peace in troubled times
God the Father, have mercy on us.
God the Son, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy and blessed Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
In these days of trouble, fear and sorrow, have mercy on us.
In our despair at the violence that seems to fill the world, have mercy on us.
In the pain of lost life and shattered hopes, have mercy on us.
In our grieving for those who have died, have mercy on us.
In our compassion for all who are bereaved, have mercy on us.
From the history of violence that corrupts every society and our own,
O Lord, deliver us.
From the greed and injustice that divide the world into rich and poor,
O Lord, deliver us.
From the urge for revenge that adds to the cycle of violence,
O Lord, deliver us.
From the fear that grows into hatred for people who are different,
O Lord, deliver us.
From being too quick to attribute blame and demand retribution,
O Lord, deliver us.
From believing ourselves safe through anything other than your grace,
O Lord, deliver us.
From dying suddenly and unprepared,
O Lord, deliver us.
For those who plan and carry out acts of violence,
Lord, hear our prayer.
For all who seek justice and ensure the rule of law,
Lord, hear our prayer.
For the victims of war and terrorism everywhere on earth,
Lord, hear our prayer.
For all who live in fear, and for refugees from violent regimes,
Lord, hear our prayer.
For courage to resist demonising and dehumanising others,
Lord, hear our prayer.
For wisdom in choosing the paths of peace,
Lord, hear our prayer.
For solidarity with the suffering of the dispossessed,
Lord, hear our prayer.
For generosity in sharing fairly the world’s resources,
Lord, hear our prayer.
For respect in conversation with people of other faiths, and none,
Lord, hear our prayer.
For honesty in knowing and confessing the sin in our own hearts,
Lord, hear our prayer.
For grace to change and be changed as you forgive us,
Lord, hear our prayer.
For rescue workers and medical teams treating those injured in conflict zones,
Lord, hear our prayer.
For aid agencies and workers, responding with practical care in dangerous places,
Lord, hear our prayer.
For the leaders of all the nations, looking for ways to work together beyond fear and suspicion,
Lord, hear our prayer.
For people of goodwill, responding generously to the needs of suffering communities,
Lord, hear our prayer.
For all who have friends and family involved in areas of conflict and disaster,
Lord, hear our prayer.
For communities that are terrified by missiles, snipers, vigilantes or death
Lord, hear our prayer.
For the vulnerable and defenceless in conflict zones, for the children, the elderly, the disabled, the sick:
Lord, hear our prayer.
For Christ to bring all the peoples of the world into one flock with one shepherd, we pray to you, O God.
For Christ to bring healing and comfort for those we love who are sick or in mourning, we pray to you, O God.
For Christ to lead us into the paths of peace, writing the law of love on our hearts, we pray to you, O God.
For Christ to bring us, with all who have died in faith, to a joyful resurrection, we pray to you, O God.
God of all peace, have mercy on our broken and divided world, and on your people who cry out to you for healing, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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How unrealistic is this, and how depressing – we need to eat and drink, and we need clothing.
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Christ’s words are given to all His people in the face of the difficulties we ourselves face in life. We claim them and are assured of Blessing. And that is all we need.
Praying Together January 25th 2026
For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Praying Together 18th January 2026
In prayer, we ask: Who is God calling to come and use their specific individual gifts to continue to build His Kingdom in the future?
His reply is clear.
“You”, He says.
Praying Together 11 January 2026
Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.
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Joseph’s example is one of love, human reaction, vocation and ultimate obedience to his Creator. So we rightly celebrate both Mary and Joseph as the chosen parents of the Christ-child. But we must also remember that they were ordinary people with human emotions who lived extraordinary lives.
Praying Together December 7th 2025
By your grace we have the gift of the Scriptures. With the help your grace, may we listen deeply to what you want to say to each one of us. May we know your gifts of endurance, encouragement and hope, so that not only our lips but also our lives may be a song in praise of your mercy.
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Praying Together 23rd November 2025
We celebrate the beginning of the story in Advent – but before we do, it is equally important to celebrate the final act of Coronation. The Gospel proclaims that Jesus is King.
Praying Together 16th November 2025
In ways, the Christian Journey is like a race – a Marathon, not a sprint. The key is endurance, Jesus says. There will be mountains to climb, tears and heartache in the depths of your soul, and it will sometimes feel like it’s impossible to carry on. But the world will continue, and end only in God’s good time.