Praying Together 2021

108 Gather Light a candle as a sign of God’s presence and sit quietly. Ring a bell or chime to start the prayer. May the grace and peace of God be with you! And with your spirit. COLLECT In the early Church, in the generation after the apostles, Saint Irenaeus struggled for peace and reconciliation in the Church. Let us pray that there will be harmony in the Church today. (pause ) God of love, bring about understanding and peace among the followers of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Ephesians 2:13, 16-18 Christ has made peace between Jews and Gentiles, and he has united us by breaking down the wall of hatred that separated us. On the cross Christ did away with our hatred for each other. He also made peace between us and God by uniting Jews and Gentiles in one body. And because of Christ, all of us can come to the Father by the same Spirit. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. RESPONSE Gathered before God our Father and Creator, let us pray for peace in the world. For people of every race, culture and language: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For unity among all Christians: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For an end to hatred and violence: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For respect of differences in beliefs: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For the prayers in our hearts today: (pause while students offer their prayers aloud) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. DISMISSAL May the peace of God guide us. Amen. May God bless us in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Ring the bell or chime to signal the end of the prayer. Extinguish the candle. “On the cross Christ did away with our hatred for each other.” Monday St Irenaeus 28 June 2021