PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

Transcription

1 Prayers of the Faithful You may use one of the following set, combine parts, adapt them to your own circumstances, or compose your own. If you choose to compose your own, those suggested for the intercessions should reflect the congregation s prayerful concern for others, including the deceased and bereaved, but also should reach out to persons in the community, the nation and throughout the world who are in need of our support. (65) Brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ is risen from the dead and sits at the right hand of the Father, where he intercedes for his Church. Confident that God hears the voices of those who trust in the Lord Jesus, we join our prayers to his: In Baptism N. received the light of Christ. Scatter the darkness now and lead him/her over the waters of death. We pray. Our brother/sister N. was nourished at the table of the Savior. Welcome him/her to the halls of the heavenly banquet. We pray. Many friends and members of our families have gone before us and await the kingdom. Grant them an everlasting home with your Son. We pray. Those who trusted in the Lord now sleep in the Lord. Give refreshment, rest, and peace to all whose faith is known to you alone. We pray.

2 The family and friends of N. seek comfort and consolation. Heal their pain and dispel the darkness and doubt that come from grief. We pray. We are gathered here in faith and confidence to pray for our brother/sister N.. Strengthen our hope so that we may live in the expectation of your Son's coming. We pray. Lord God, giver of peace and healer of souls, hear the prayers of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, and the voices of your people, whose lives are purchased by the blood of the Lamb. Forgive the sins of all who sleep in Christ and grant them a place in your kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen. (66) God, the almighty Father, raised his Son from the dead; with confidence we ask him to save all his people, living and dead: For N. who in baptism, was given the pledge of eternal life, may he/she now be admitted to the company of the saints. We pray. For our brother/sister who ate the body of Christ, the bread of life, may he/she be raised up on the last day. We pray.

3 For our deceased relatives and friends and for all who have helped us, may they have the reward of their goodness. We pray. For those who have died in the hope of rising again, may they see God face to face. We pray. For the family and friends of our brother/sister N., may the Lord console them in their grief. We pray. R Lord hear our prayer. For all of us gathered here to worship in faith, may we be gathered together in God's kingdom. We pray. God, our shelter and our strength, you listen in love to the cry of your people. Hear the prayers we offer for our departed brothers and sisters. Cleanse them of their sins and grant them the fullness of redemption. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen. (67) My dear friends, let us join together with one another in praying to God, not only for our departed brother/sister N., but also for the church, for peace in the world, and for ourselves. That all the clergy who preach the Gospel, may be given the strength to express in action the words they proclaim. We pray. That those in public office may promote justice and peace. We pray.

4 That those who bear the cross of pain in mind or body may never feel forsaken by God. We pray. That God may deliver the soul of his servant N. from the punishment and from the powers of darkness. We pray. That God, in his mercy, may blot out all his/her offenses. We pray. That God may call him/her to full happiness in the company of all the saints. We pray. That God may welcome into his glory those of our families and friends who have departed this life. We pray. That God may find a place in the kingdom of heaven to all the faithful departed. We pray. O God, Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of your departed servants, release from all their sins Hear our prayers for those we love and give them the pardon they have always desired. R. Amen. (FOR A CHILD) (68) Let us pray for N., his/her family and friends, and for all God's people:

5 For N., a child of God and heir to the kingdom, may he/she be held securely in God's loving embrace now and for all eternity. We pray. For 's friends, and those who cared for him/her, may they be consoled in their loss and strengthened in their love for one another. We pray. For 's parents (brothers/sisters) and all parents who grieve over the loss of their children, may they be comforted in the knowledge that their children dwell with God. We pray. For children who have died of hunger and disease, may these little ones be seated close to the Lord at his heavenly table. We pray. For the entire church, may we prepare worthily for the hour of our death, when God will call us by name to pass from this world to the next. We pray. Lord God, you entrusted N. to our care and now you embrace him/her in your love. Take N. into your keeping together with all children who have died. Comfort us, your sorrowing servants who seek to do your will and to know your saving peace. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen adapted from The Order of Christian Funerals, Liturgy Training Pub., Chicago, '89 (69) (Prayer Service)

6 The priest reads: Let us pray for N., his/her family and friends, and for all God s people. For N., a child of God, that he/she be held securely in God s loving embrace now and for all eternity. We pray. For N. who grieve over the loss of N., may they be comforted in the knowledge that he/she dwells with God. We pray. For family and friends of N., may God heal their pain and dispel the darkness and doubt that come from grief. We pray. For all of us, may we live our lives in service and love, and may we always have God in our hearts. We pray. The priest concludes: Lord God, giver of peace and healer of souls, hear the prayers of all gathered here in faith, love and confidence to pray for N.. Strengthen our hope so that we may live in the expectation of your Son s coming. Amen.