Prayers

FOR RACIAL RECONCILIATION AND REPENTANCE

God and Father of all life, you have made all people to be your image bearers and to display the full array of your humanity. May our identities be fully found in you and enriched by seeing your image in those around us. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord God, you are doing the work of restoration in the world. May we recognize the royal dignity in people around us. Kindle in us a divine discontent when our brothers’ and sisters’ dignity is violated. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Our world is riven by racism and injustice. We seek your mercy and help for our nation and neighborhoods, for our own lives and relationships, that you might bring about peace and racial reconciliation amid the chaos, fear, and division of this fallen world. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We recognize that your Church has not been faultless in contributing to the sin of racism in this land. In the name of your gospel, claiming the authority of your Scripture, your people have defended and advanced the ideas of slavery, segregation, and white supremacy. Forgive us, Lord.

Search our hearts to expose in us any ungodly attitudes, actions, or words that demean other image-bearers because of ethnicity or race. Give us godly sorrow leading to repentance. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant us courage and imagination to listen with humble hearts, speak the truth in love, and action to work toward justice and reconciliation found only in our liberating Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

IN TIMES OF SOCIAL CONFLICT OR DISTRESS

Increase, O God, the spirit of neighborliness among us, that in peril we may uphold one another, in suffering tend to one another, and in homelessness, loneliness, or exile befriend one another. Grant us brave and enduring hearts that we may strengthen one another, until the disciplines and testing of these days are ended, and you again give peace in our time; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

FOR THE HUMAN FAMILY

O God, you made us in your own image, and you have redeemed us through your Son Jesus Christ: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE

Almighty God, you created us in your own image: Grant us grace to contend fearlessly against evil and to make no peace with oppression; and help us to use our freedom rightly in the establishment of justice in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

FOR CITIES, TOWNS, AND OTHER COMMUNITIES

Heavenly Father, you sent your Son among us to proclaim the kingdom of God in cities, towns, villages, and lonely places. Behold and visit, we pray, the communities of Bridgeport and those throughout Fairfield County. Renew the bonds of charity that uphold our civic life. Send us honest and able leaders. Deliver us from poverty, prejudice, and oppression, that peace may prevail with righteousness, and justice with mercy. And at the last, bring us to your Holy City, the new Jerusalem, where we shall know perfect unity and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

FOR ALL SORTS AND CONDITIONS OF MEN

O God, the creator and preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men; that thou wouldest be pleased to make thy ways known unto them, thy saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for thy holy Church universal, that it may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to thy fatherly goodness all those who are in any ways afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or estate, especially those who are oppressed because of their race and ethnicity, those whose lives are in danger due to rioting, and those suffering from COVID-19; that it may please thee to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ’s sake.  Amen.

FOR THE UNEMPLOYED

Heavenly Father, we remember before you those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work, especially those who have lost wages in this time of crisis. Guide the people of this land so to use our public and private wealth that all may find suitable and fulfilling employment, restoration of wages, and receive just payment for their labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FOR THOSE WHO SERVE OTHERS

O Lord our heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be served, but to serve: We ask you to bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of others especially the frontline workers, first responders, nurses, doctors, and all who work in hospitals; endue them with wisdom, patience, and courage, that they may strengthen the weak and raise up those who fall, and, being inspired by your love, may worthily minister to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy; for the sake of him who laid down his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen.

FOR THE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

Sanctify, O Lord, those whom you have called to the study and practice of the arts of healing, and to the prevention of disease and pain. Strengthen them by your life-giving Spirit, that by their ministries the health of the community may be promoted and your creation glorified; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FOR COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

O Lord Jesus Christ, in your earthly life you shared our toil and hallowed our labor: Guide those who maintain the commerce and industries of this land, and give to all who labor pride in their work, a just reward, and joy both in supplying need and in serving you; who with the Father and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, world without end.  Amen.

FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMING

Almighty God, we thank you for making the earth fruitful, so that it may produce what is needed to sustain our life: Bless those who work in the fields; give us seasonable weather; and grant that we may all share the fruits of the earth, rejoicing in your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

FOR SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, AND UNIVERSITIES

Almighty God, by your gift alone we come to wisdom and true understanding: Look with favor, we pray, on our universities, colleges, and schools, especially the University of Bridgeport, Sacred Heart, and Fairfield U., that knowledge may be increased among us, and wholesome learning flourish and abound. Bless those who teach and those who learn; and grant that in humility of heart they may ever look to you, the fountain of all wisdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

FOR THOSE WHO INFORM PUBLIC OPINION

Almighty God, your truth endures from age to age: Direct in our time, we pray, those who speak where many listen and write what many read; that they may speak your truth to make the heart of this people wise, its mind discerning, and its will righteous; to the honor of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

FOR OUR NATION

Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure conduct. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom, in thy Name, we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

For Quiet Confidence

O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Recovery from Sickness

O God of heavenly powers, by the might of your command you drive away from our bodies all sickness and all infirmity: Be present in your goodness with those who are sick, especially those suffering with Coronavirus., that their weakness may be banished and their strength restored; and that, with their health being renewed, they may bless your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the worried and alone

O Lord, you who entrusted the care of your mother to your beloved disciple and who promised not to leave us as orphans but instead to provide your very own body and the care and comfort of your Spirit, be with all who feel afraid and alone this day. Care for the least of these in our community and grace us to be your body in word and deed, bringing your word of peace to the friendless and the fearful-hearted. We pray this so we might behold your glory and praise your lovingkindness, in the name of the Shepherd who walks with us through darkest valley. Amen

For the Poor and neglected

Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Health of body and soul

May God the Father bless us, God the Son heal us, God the Holy Spirit give us strength.  May God the holy and undivided Trinity guard our bodies, save our souls, and bring us safely to his heavenly country; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever.  Amen.

A PRAYER FOR A TIME OF PESTILENCE

(By The Rev. W. David O. Taylor)

Oh Lord, you who are the refuge of the poor and needy,
we ask that you would save us
from the pestilence that stalks in the darkness
and the plague that destroys at midday.
Be our sun and shield.
Be our fortress.
Be our comfort this day.
May we not fear any evil
but rather trust in your might to save and your wisdom to guide,
so that we might rest  always in the shadow of the Almighty.
In the name of the One who heals our diseases. Amen.
UNA COLECTA PARA UN TIEMPO DE PESTILENCIA
(Translation by William D. Taylor and Paul Sywulka)
O, Señor, tú quien eres el refugio del pobre y necesitado,
te pedimos que nos salves de la peste que acecha en las sombras
y la plaga que destruye a mediodía.
Sé nuestro sol y escudo.
Sé nuestra fortaleza.
Sé nuestro consuelo este día.
Que no temamos ningún mal,
sino que más bien confiemos en tu poder para salvar
y tu sabiduría para guiar,
a fin de que podamos descansar siempre bajo la sombra del Omnipotente.
En el nombre de Aquel quien sana nuestras dolencias. Amen.