Morning Prayer

This form of prayer will be offered at 9am each day.

We wait on God in silence, or in song, as we prepare to pray.

PREPARATION

O God, make speed to save us.

All O Lord, make haste to help us.

Until Easter Day, and after Pentecost:

Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry;

All hold not your peace at my tears.

Psalm 39.13

From Easter to Pentecost:

If I climb up to heaven, you are there;

All if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.

Psalm 139.7

PRAISE

A song, or a recording glorifying God follows, or this hymn:

When I survey the wondrous cross

On which the Prince of glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss,

And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,

Save in the death of Christ my God!

All the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,

Sorrow and love flow mingled down!

Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,

Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were an offering far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Isaac Watts

PSALM

The psalms were ancient Israel’s hymns, Jesus prayed them, and they take us to his heart. We will read from Psalm 119 and the ‘Psalms of Ascent’ each day, in succession, using the cycle of readings overleaf. Psalm 119 is the longest psalm, we pray in and with Jesus Christ that the Law of God’s love would guide us towards God. The ‘Psalms of Ascent’ were sung as the people gathered at festivals, celebrating how God had saved his people from slavery and fear. They speak of the New Jerusalem, the coming of God’s Kingdom.

The psalm may be read together; a verse each; or by a single voice.

We conclude by saying together:

All Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

BIBLE READING

Read a chapter, or part of a chapter, of the Gospel according to St Mark.

After the reading leave a time for silent reflection, then say

Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life.

All Those who believe in me will never die.

John 11.25,26

INTERCESSION

We briefly name before God those situations and people in need of our prayer, particularly in this neighbourhood, but also throughout the world.

You may pray this Litany, in part or in its entirety.

On those who live in fear… Lord, have mercy.

On those who have received much…

On the hungry and those who feed them…

On all your children…

On those who proclaim you…

On your Church in Wigan…

On our many worshipping communities…

On all who spread the gospel…

On all who long to know you…

On all schools, colleges and places of learning…

On all the disciples in this place…

On those who love their neighbours…

On all who carry heavy burdens…

On hospitals and all medical staff…

On all researching a vaccine…

On the homeless and the destitute…

On our daily work…

On those trapped in debt…

On those who are perishing…

On the young, that they would find hope in you…

On the elderly, that they would not be forgotten…

On the sick and the suffering…

On the isolated…

On those who cannot sleep at night…

On the depressed and lonely…

On the anxious and distressed…

On those tempted to crime and violence…

On all prisoners and prison staff…

On those enslaved by addiction…

On all those who are oppressed…

On the victims of crime…

On all refugees seeking sanctuary…

On those who are bereaved this day…

On those who are afraid to die…

On ourselves at our last hour…

God be in my head, and in my understanding;

God be in my eyes, and in my looking;

God be in my mouth, and in my speaking;

God be in my heart, and in my thinking;

God be at mine end, and at my departing.

All Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

As the Lord commanded us, and on behalf of all our neighbours who do not know how to pray, we are bold to say:

All Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name;

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,

for ever and ever. Amen.

CONCLUSION

May God bless us and show us compassion and mercy.