Praying Together 2021

128 Gather Light a candle as a sign of God’s presence and sit quietly. Ring a bell or chime to start the prayer. The love of God be with you! And with your spirit. COLLECT Today we keep the memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Virgin Mary and grandparents of Jesus. Let us pray for our grandparents. (pause) Through the intercession of Saints Joachim and Anne, O God, we seek your blessing on our grandparents. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the first letter of St Paul to Timothy 2:1-4 First of all, I ask you to pray for everyone. Ask God to help and bless them all, and tell God how thankful you are for each of them. Pray for kings and others in power, so that we may live quiet and peaceful lives as we worship and honour God. This kind of prayer is good, and it pleases God our Saviour. God wants everyone to be saved and to know the whole truth. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. RESPONSE Gathered as members of God’s family, let us pray for the needs of the world. For our parents and grandparents: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For world leaders who work for peace: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For those people who must face life alone: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For all people who need God’s help today: (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 God’s Holy Spirit fill us with joy. 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. “First of all, I ask you to pray for everyone.” Monday St Joachim and St Anne 26 July 2021