Universal Prayer – Third Sunday of Eastertide

As the sons and daughters of our Almighty Father, let us ask for His help as we travel through the joys and the sorrows that we meet along our pilgrim path.

Let us pray for Pope Francis, for our bishops and all who explain the Scriptures to us; may our hearts be set alight by the power of God’s word and may our souls be restored to their youthful vigour.

Risen Lord . . . Stay with us on our journey

Let us pray for our government, for the National Health Service and for all who provide their equipment; through mutual co-operation and prompt action, may they help to bring an end to the present pandemic and save the lives of countless people.

Risen Lord . . . Stay with us on our journey

Let us pray for the front-line workers in the fight against the coronavirus, especially the scientists working to find a reliable vaccine to protect against future outbreaks; may the Lord bless their work and reward them for their dedication and skill.

Risen Lord . . . Stay with us on our journey

Let us pray for all who have died in recent weeks, especially those in care homes and hospices; may they be safe in the tender embrace of the Father and may the pain of those who mourn for them be softened by their happy memories of the past and the sure hope of the fullness of joy their loved ones will come to know in God’s everlasting presence.

Risen Lord . . . Stay with us on our journey

Despite being unable to come together for the Breaking of Bread, let us pray for Father Emeka and our parish community; may we recognize the presence of Christ in every person and strive to accompany them in their daily lives by our prayers and our practical help.

Risen Lord . . Stay with us on our journey

Let us turn to Mary, Mother of Christ and Mother of us all, and ask her to walk with us each day: Hail Mary . . .
Let us make our own petitions to the One who always hears us.

Father, in a world filled with fears, uncertainties and bewildering challenges, but with faith in the truth of your promises, we place our lives in your hands and rest in your unending love. We make this prayer through Jesus, our Saviour, our Lord and our Brother. Amen.

Universal Prayer for Second Sunday of Eastertide

Rejoicing in this day made by the Lord, let us make our petitions to the Father with deep faith, constant hope and fervent love.

For the Church led by Pope Francis under the guidance of God’s Spirit, that the people of God will proclaim their faith in the Lord by their generous and loving service to their most vulnerable brothers and sisters: we pray to the Lord.
Hear us, Lord . . . You are our strength and our song.

For world governments, that the present pandemic will lead to a new understanding and recognition that all peoples are united in the one human family in which every person must be valued and supported: we pray to the Lord.
Hear us, Lord . . . You are our strength and our song.

For the victims of the coronavirus, that the dead will receive the inheritance of eternal life in heaven, in all its fullness, and the sick will be strengthened by their sure hope in the truth of God’s promises: we pray to the Lord.
Hear us, Lord . . . You are our strength and our song.

For all who care for the sick, that their skill, compassion and courage will be richly blessed by the Lord and that they will be supported by our prayers, our self-discipline and our generosity: we pray to the Lord.
Hear us, Lord . . . You are our strength and our song.

For all who face an uncertain future in our weakened economy, that the end of the pandemic will herald a time of renewed employment, financial stability and a redistribution of the wealth of our nation: we pray to the Lord.
Hear us, Lord . . . You are our strength and our song.

For all our parishioners that we, the Church, despite our forced isolation, will continue to be a praying community, giving glory to the Risen Lord and placing all our hope in Him: we pray to the Lord.
Hear us, Lord . . . You are our strength and our song.

Let us ask the help of Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted and Queen of Peace: Hail Mary . . .

Let us make our own particular petitions for those who have asked for our prayers.

Father Almighty, hear our prayers and empower us with your love to be the community You want us to be, the Church Christ formed us to be, and the family the Spirit inspires us to be. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Universal Prayer for Easter Sunday

On this Day made by the Lord, when Christ our Redeemer rose triumphant from the grave, let us make our petitions to the Father with joy and gladness in our hearts.

Let us pray for Christians throughout the world; despite the present anxieties, may we all be strengthened in our faith and renewed in our mission to spread the Good News of the Resurrection to the ends of the earth.

Lord of Life . . . Hear our prayer

Let us pray for all those who hoped to have been baptized or received into full communion with the Church this Easter; may the Lord uplift them in their disappointment and sustain them in their faith.

Lord of Life . . . Hear our prayer

Let us pray for world governments; may they co-operate in their efforts to contain and to overcome the present pandemic and learn to work with mutual trust to restore the physical and economic health of all peoples.

Lord of Life . . . Hear our prayer

Let us pray for the countless victims of the coronavirus receiving treatment in hospitals and at home; may the Risen Lord be their strength, their hope and their trust.

Lord of Life . . . Hear our prayer

Let us pray for all who are involved in the care of the sick – doctors, nurses, scientists, paramedics and carers; may the Lord reward them for their generous and selfless service and protect them as they work.

Lord of Life . . . Hear our prayer

Let us pray for all who have died; may they now share the glory of the Risen Lord in the company of all the angels and saints and may those who mourn be comforted by the sure hope of the welcome their loved ones will receive.

Lord of Life . . . Hear our prayer

Let us pray for every member of our parish community; may we show our faith in the truth of God’s promises by the loving care and consideration we show to all our brothers and sisters.

Lord of Life . . . Hear our prayer

Let us now turn to Mary, Mother of Christ and Mother of us all: Hail Mary . . .

Let us make our own petitions to the Father.

Father, with love and gratitude in our hearts, we ask you to continue to change our darkness to light, our doubt to faith and our weakness to strength. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord. Amen.

Universal Prayer for Passion (Palm) Sunday

Following the example of Jesus, who prayed to His Father in His time of suffering, let us ask God to help all His children in this time of need.

For Pope Francis, that the Lord will give him the strength, the health and the wisdom to lead the Church this Holy Week in repentance for the sins of the past and in renewed commitment to God in the future: we pray to the Lord. (Pause)

Lord, hear us . . . Lord, graciously hear us

For world governments, that they will give priority to sharing their knowledge, their skills and their resources to contain and overcome the present pandemic: we pray to the Lord. (Pause)

Lord, hear us . . . Lord, graciously hear us

For the dead, that they might be at peace, for those who mourn, that they may be comforted and for those who are suffering, that, through the skill and compassionate concern of their carers, they may recover: we pray to the Lord. (Pause)

Lord, hear us . . . Lord, graciously hear us

For the lonely living in isolation, that Christ, who suffered the pain of abandonment in His Passion, will bless them with His comfort, His peace and the joy of His presence in their daily lives: we pray to the Lord. (Pause)

Lord, hear us . . . Lord, graciously hear us

For the doctors, scientists and engineers working together to develop vaccines and ventilators, that their efforts will rapidly bring relief to the victims of the virus: we pray to the Lord. (Pause)

Lord, hear us . . . Lord, graciously hear us

For our parish community, that despite being unable to commemorate Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection together this Holy Week, everyone will give their best time each day to praise and prayer which will deepen our faith, renew our hope and increase our love: we pray to the Lord. (Pause)

Lord, hear us . . . Lord, graciously hear us

Let us ask the help of Mary, who knew the pain of watching the suffering and death of the One she loved: Hail Mary . . .

Let us make our own petitions to our Father, who always listens and answers our prayers. (Pause)

Almighty Father, You gave us Christ to be our Saviour and Redeemer; having learnt from His suffering, may we then come to share in the joy of His Resurrection, for He is our Crucified and Risen Lord, who reigns for ever and ever. Amen.