Eternal God,
through long generations you prepared a way
for the coming of your Son,
and by your Spirit you still bring light to illumine our paths:
renew us in faith and hope
that we may welcome Christ to rule our thoughts
and claim our love;
to whom be glory for ever.
Merciful God,
you sent your messengers the prophets
to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation:
give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins,
that we may greet with joy
the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Eternal God,
you sent John the Baptist
to prepare the way for the coming of your Son:
grant us wisdom to see your purpose
and openness to hear your will,
that we too may prepare the way for Christ
who is coming in power and glory
to establish his rule of peace and justice;
through Jesus Christ our Judge and our Redeemer,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Gracious God,
whose eternal Word took flesh among us
when Mary placed her life at the service of your will:
prepare our hearts for his coming again
and keep us steadfast in hope,
that we may be ready for the coming of his kingdom;
for his sake, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Set I:
Give us, O God, such love and wonder
that, with shepherds and pilgrims unknown,
we may come to adore the holy Child, the promised King,
and with our gifts worship him,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Set II:
All glory to you, gracious God,
for the gift of your Son,
whom you have sent to save us.
With the angels, let us praise your name,
and tell the earth his story,
that all may believe, rejoice, and proclaim your love:
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Set III:
Almighty God,
you gave us your only Son
to take on our human nature
and to illumine the world with your light.
By your grace adopt us as your children
and enlighten us with your Spirit,
through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever
Saving God,
whose Son Jesus was presented in the temple
and was acclaimed the glory of Israel
and the light to the nations:
grant that in him we may be presented to you
and in the world may reflect his glory;
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Eternal God,
in whose sight a thousand years
are like a watch in the night:
guide us now and always,
as you have led us in times past,
that our hearts may learn to choose your will:
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Radiant Morning Star,
you are both guidance and mystery.
Visit our rest with disturbing dreams
and our journeys with strange companions.
Grace us with the hospitality
to open our hearts and homes
to visitors filled with unfamiliar wisdom
bearing profound and unusual gifts.
the Baptism of Christ
Loving God,
your Son came to seek the lost
and was baptised with sinners:
grant that we, who have been baptised in his name,
may reach out in love to those in need
with the mercy of Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you,
for ever and ever.
Eternal God,
whose Son, Jesus Christ, is now exalted as Lord of all,
and pours out his gifts upon the Church:
grant it that unity which only your Spirit can give,
keep us in the bond of peace,
and bring all creation to worship before your throne;
through Jesus Christ our redeemer,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Bountiful God,
through your Son you have called us to repent of our sin,
to believe the good news,
and to celebrate the coming of your kingdom:
teach us, like Christ?s first apostles,
to hear the call to discipleship,
and, forsaking old ways,
to proclaim the gospel of new life to a broken world;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
God of compassion,
you have shown us in Christ,
that your love is never ending:
enable us both to love you with all our heart
and to love one another as Christ loved us.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
May be observed on the Sunday between 28 January and 2 February.
Strong and mighty God,
Father of our Lord Jesus,
the presentation of your Son in the temple
was his first entrance into the place of sacrifice.
Grant that, trusting in his offering upon the cross
to forgive our sins
and uphold us in the time of trial,
we may sing your praises
and live in the light of your salvation, Jesus Christ.
option a: creation
Living God,
you have created all that is,
of which your Son Jesus is the firstborn:
grant that we may receive him,
believe in his name
and be given power to become your children
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
option b: proper
Merciful Father,
you have given your only Son
as the sacrifice for sinners.
Grant us grace to receive the fruits
of his redeeming work with thanksgiving a
nd daily to follow in his way;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
option a: transfiguration
Holy God,
you have revealed the glory of your love in Jesus Christ,
and have given us a share in your Spirit.
May we who listen to Christ
follow faithfully,
and, in the dark places where you send us,
reveal the light of your gospel.
OPTION B: PROPER
Continuous
Holy God,
you search us out
and know us better than we know ourselves.
As Samuel looked to Eli
for help to discern your voice,
and as the disciples looked to Jesus
for your wisdom on the Sabbath,
so raise up in our day faithful servants
who will speak your word to us with clarity and grace,
with justice and true compassion.
We pray through Christ, the Word made flesh.
Paired
Eternal God,
your Son Jesus Christ is our true Sabbath rest.
Help us to keep each day holy
by receiving his word of comfort
that we may find our rest in him,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Gracious God,
out of your love and mercy
you breathed into dust the breath of life,
creating us to serve you and one another;
call forth our penitence and acts of love,
and strengthen us to face our mortality,
so that we may look with confidence for your salvation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Holy God,
heavenly Father,
in the waters of the flood you saved the chosen,
and in the wilderness of temptation
you protected your Son from sin.
Renew us in the gift of baptism.
May your holy angels be with us,
that the wicked foe may have no power over us,
through Jesus Christ our Saviour and Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
God of all times and places,
in Jesus Christ, who was lifted up on the cross,
you opened for us the path to eternal life:
grant that we, being born again of water and the Holy Spirit,
may joyfully serve you in newness of life
and faithfully walk in your holy ways;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Lord our God,
by your Holy Spirit
write your commandments upon our hearts
and grant us the wisdom and power of the cross,
so that, cleansed from greed and selfishness,
we may become a living temple of your love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Everlasting God
in whom we live and move and have our being
you have made us for yourself,
and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you:
give us purity of heart and strength of purpose,
that no selfish passion may hinder us
from knowing your will,
no weakness prevent us from doing it;
that in your light we may see light,
and in your service find perfect freedom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Or, For Mothering Sunday
Heavenly Father,
you chose the Blessed Virgin Mary
to be the mother of our Lord, your only begotten Son,
and to suffer with him.
Help us too to bear the cross
so that we may share with her in your life for ever.
This we ask through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.
OR
God of mercies,
your only Son, while hanging on the cross,
appointed Mary, his mother,
to be his beloved disciple?s mother.
May we follow her good example
and always care for others
for the sake of Jesus Christ
our Saviour through whose name we pray.
O God,
our Redeemer,
in our weakness we have failed
to be your messengers of forgiveness and hope:
renew us by your Holy Spirit,
that we may follow your commands
and proclaim your reign of love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
God of all,
you gave your only–begotten Son
to take the form of a servant,
and to be obedient even to death on a cross;
give us the same mind that was in Christ Jesus
that, sharing in his humility,
we may come to be with him in his glory,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
O God,
your Son chose the path that led to pain before joy
and to the cross before glory.
Plant his cross in our hearts,
so that in its power and love
we may come at last to joy and glory,
through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Lord Jesus,
you have called us to follow you.
Grant that our love may not grow cold in your service,
and that we may not fail or deny you in the time of trial,
for you live and reign with the Father
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Almighty God,
your Son our Saviour suffered at human hands
and endured the shame of the cross.
Grant that we may walk in the way of his cross
and find it the way of life and peace,
through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Eternal God,
in the sharing of a meal
your Son established a new covenant for all people,
and in the washing of feet
he showed us the dignity of service.
Grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit
these signs of our life in faith
may speak again to our hearts,
feed our spirits, and refresh our bodies,
through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Merciful God,
who gave your Son to suffer the shame of the cross:
save us from hardness of heart,
that, seeing him who died for us,
we may repent, confess our sin,
and receive your overflowing love,
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
O God,
creator of heaven and earth:
mercifully grant that
as the crucified body of your dear Son
was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath
so we may await with him the dawning of the third day,
and rise with him to newness of life;
who now lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EASTER
Brightness of God?s glory,
whom death could not conquer
nor the tomb imprison:
as you have shared our frailty in human flesh,
help us to share your immortality in the Spirit;
let no shadow of the grave terrify us,
and no fear of darkness turn our hearts from you.
Reveal yourself to us this day and all our days,
as the First and the Last, the Living One,
our immortal Saviour and Lord.
Risen Christ,
whose absence leaves us in despair
but whose presence is overwhelming:
breathe on us with your abundant life,
that where we cannot see
we may have courage to believe
that we may be raised with you.
Lord of life,
by submitting to death,
you conquered the grave:
by being lifted upon the cross,
you draw all peoples to you;
by being raised from the dead,
you restore to humanity all that was lost through sin:
be with us in your risen power,
that in word and deed we may proclaim
the marvellous mystery of death and resurrection:
for all praise is yours, now and throughout eternity.
Jesus, good shepherd of the sheep,
by whom the lost are sought
and guided into the fold:
feed us and we shall be satisfied,
heal us and we shall be whole,
and lead us that we may be with you,
where you live and reign
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
O God,
form the minds of your faithful people,
that we may love what you command
and desire what you promise,
so that, amid the many changes of this world,
our hearts may there be fixed where true joys are to be found:
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
ROGATION SUNDAY
Loving God,
your Son has chosen us
and called us to be his friends;
give us grace to keep his commandments,
to love one another,
and to bear fruit which will abide;
through him who is the true vine,
the source of all our life,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Eternal and gracious God,
we believe your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ
to have ascended with triumph
into your kingdom in heaven;
may we also in heart and mind
ascend to where he is,
and with him continually dwell;
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God now and for ever.
SUNDAY AFTER THE ASCENSION DAY
Almighty God,
your blessed Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ,
ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things:
mercifully give us faith to trust
that, as he promised,
he abides with us on earth until the end of time;
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Almighty God,
you sent your Holy Spirit,
to be the life and light of your Church:
open our hearts to the riches of your grace,
that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit
in love, joy, and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
After Pentecost to before Advent
O blessed Trinity,
in whom we know the Maker of all things,
seen and unseen,
the Saviour of all, both near and far:
by your Spirit enable us so to worship your divine majesty,
that with all the company of heaven
we may magnify your glorious name, saying,
Holy, holy, holy.
Glory to you, O Lord most high.
Continuous
Almighty God,
give us such a vision of your purpose,
and such an assurance of your love and power,
that we may ever hold fast the hope
which is in Jesus Christ our Lord;
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Paired
Almighty and eternal God,
your Son Jesus triumphed over the prince of demons
and freed us from bondage to sin.
Help us to stand firm against every assault of Satan,
and enable us always to do your will;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Continuous
Almighty God,
without you we are unable to please you:
mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit
may in all things direct and rule our hearts:
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Paired
O God,
you are the tree of life,
offering shelter to all the world.
Graft us into yourself
and mature our growth,
that we may bear your truth and love
to those in need,
through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.
Continuous
O God our defender,
storms rage about us and cause us to be afraid:
rescue your people from despair,
deliver your sons and daughters from fear,
and preserve us all from unbelief:
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Paired
Almighty God,
in your mercy guide the course of this world
so that your Church may joyfully serve you
in godly peace and quietness;
through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Continuous
O Christ for whom we search,
our help when help has failed:
give us courage to expose our need
and ask to be made whole,
that, being touched by you,
we may be raised to new life
in the power of your name.
Paired
Heavenly Father,
during his earthly ministry your Son Jesus
healed the sick and raised the dead.
By the healing medicine of the Word and Sacraments
pour into our hearts such love toward you
that we may live eternally;
through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Continuous
O Lord our God,
you are always more ready to bestow your gifts upon us
than we are to seek them;
and more willing to give than we desire or deserve:
in our every need,
grant us the first and best of all your gifts,
the Spirit who makes us your children.
Paired
O God,
your almighty power is made known
chiefly in showing mercy.
Grant us the fullness of your grace
that we may be called to repentance
and made partakers of your heavenly treasures;
through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Continuous
Generous God,
we thank you that, by your grace,
you have made your Son known to us,
and have adopted us as your children,
marking us with the seal of your Spirit.
Help us to praise you with all our might
and to bless others in all our deeds
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Paired
O Lord,
you granted your prophets strength
to resist the temptations of the devil
and courage to proclaim repentance.
Give us pure hearts and minds to follow your Son
faithfully even into suffering and death;
through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Continuous
Eternal God,
author of our life and end of our pilgrimage:
guide us by your Word and Spirit
amid all perils and temptations,
that we may not wander from your way,
but may run our course in safety
until we come to our eternal rest in you;
through the grace of Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Paired
Heavenly Father,
though we do not deserve your goodness,
still you provide for all our needs of body and soul.
Grant us your Holy Spirit
that we may acknowledge your gifts,
give thanks for all your benefits,
and serve you in willing obedience;
through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Continuous
Gracious God,
you have placed within the hearts of all your children
a longing for your word and a hunger for your truth:
grant that, believing in the one whom you have sent,
we may know him to be the true bread of heaven
and the food of eternal life,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit
be glory and honour for ever and ever.
Paired
Almighty and most merciful God,
the protector of all who trust in you,
strengthen our faith
and give us courage to believe that in your love
you will rescue us from all adversities;
through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Continuous
Living God,
whose Son Jesus fed the hungry
with the bread of his life
and the word of his kingdom:
renew your people with your heavenly grace,
and in all our weakness
sustain us with your true and living bread,
Jesus Christ our Lord;
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Paired
Merciful Father,
you gave your Son Jesus as the heavenly bread of life.
Grant us faith to feast on him in your word and sacraments
that we may be nourished unto life everlasting;
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Continuous
Grant, O Lord,
that we may see in you the fulfilment of all our need,
and may turn from every false satisfaction
to feed on the true and living bread
that you have given us in Jesus Christ;
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Paired
Gracious Father,
your blessed Son came down from heaven
to be the true bread that gives life to the world.
Grant that Christ, the Bread of Life,
may live in us and we in him,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Continuous
Everliving God,
your Son, Jesus Christ, gave himself as living bread
for the life of the world:
give us such a knowledge of his presence
that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life
to serve you continually;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Paired
Holy Wisdom,
God of abundant life,
you call us to the banquet of your love.
We find you in the gifts you give;
we know you in the ones
with whom we share this holy food,
and in the bread of this table,
your Son, Jesus Christ.
Grant that we may be bread for others,
as he is bread for us.
Continuous
Everliving God,
by whose Spirit
the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified:
hear the prayers we offer for all your faithful people,
that in the ministry to which you have called them
each may serve you in holiness and truth;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Paired
Almighty and merciful God,
defend your Church from all false teaching and error
that your faithful people may confess you
to be the only true God
and rejoice in your good gifts of life and salvation;
through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Continuous
Cleanse our consciences, O Lord,
and enlighten our hearts
through the daily presence of your Son Jesus Christ,
that when he comes in glory to be our judge
we may be found undefiled and acceptable in his sight;
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Paired
O God,
the source of all that is just and good,
nourish in us every virtue
and bring to completion every good intent
that we may grow in grace
and bring forth the fruit of good works;
through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Continuous
O God,
whose word is life,
and whose delight is to answer our cry:
give us faith like that of the woman
who refused to remain an outsider,
so that we too may have the wisdom to argue
and demand that our children be made whole,
through Jesus Christ.
Paired
O Lord,
let your merciful ears be open
to the prayers of your humble servants
and grant that what they ask
may be in accord with your gracious will;
through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Continuous
God of mercy,
help us to forgive as you have forgiven us,
to trust you, even when hope is failing,
and to take up our cross daily
and follow you in your redeeming work;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Paired
Lord Jesus Christ,
our support and defence in every need,
continue to preserve your Church in safety,
govern her by your goodness,
and bless her with your peace;
for you live and reign with the Father
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Continuous
God and Father of all,
you have taught us through your Son
that the last shall be first,
and have made a little child
the measure of your kingdom:
give us the wisdom from above,
so that we may understand that in your sight
the one who serves is the greatest of all.
Paired
O God,
whose strength is made perfect in weakness,
grant us humility and childlike faith
that we may please you in both will and deed;
through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Continuous
O God,
your Son has taught us
that those who give a cup of water in his name
will not lose their reward:
open our eyes to see those who are in need,
and teach us to set no store by riches
and earthly rewards,
so that, in surrendering ourselves
to serve you in your children,
we may labour for the treasure that endures;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Paired
Everlasting Father,
source of every blessing,
mercifully direct and govern us by your Holy Spirit
that we may complete the works
you have prepared for us to do;
through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Continuous
O God,
your Son has taught us
that we must receive your sovereign rule like a little child:
help us to turn to you in faith and simplicity of heart,
so that we may receive your blessing
and enter the kingdom your Son has promised;
through the same Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.
Paired
Merciful Father,
your patience and loving kindness toward us have no end.
Grant that by your Holy Spirit
we may always think and do those things
that are pleasing in your sight;
through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Continuous
Merciful God,
in your Son you call not the righteous
but sinners to repentance;
draw us away from the easy road
that leads to destruction,
and guide us into paths
that lead to life abundant,
that in seeking your truth,
and obeying your will,
we may know the joy of being a disciple
of Jesus our Saviour;
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Paired
Lord Jesus Christ,
whose grace always precedes and follows us,
help us to forsake all trust in earthly gain
and to find in you our heavenly treasure;
for you live and reign
with the Father
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Continuous
God of unchangeable power,
when the heaven and earth were made,
the morning stars sang together
and the host of heaven shouted for joy:
open our eyes to the wonders of creation
and teach us to use all things for good,
to the honour of your glorious name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Paired
O God,
your divine wisdom sets in order
all things in heaven and on earth.
Put away from us all things hurtful
and give us those things that are beneficial for us;
through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Continuous
O God,
you give light to the blind
and comfort to the sorrowing,
and in your Son you have given us a High Priest
who has offered the true sacrifice for us
and yet can sympathise with us in our weakness:
hear the cry of your people
and lead us home to our true country,
where with your Son
and the Holy Spirit
you live and reign, one God,
in glory everlasting.
Paired
O God,
the helper of all who call on you,
have mercy on us and give us eyes of faith
to see your Son that we may follow him on the way
that leads to eternal life;
through the same Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Continuous
O God,
whom to follow is to risk our whole lives:
as Ruth and Naomi loved and held to one another,
abandoning the ways of the past,
so may we also not be divided,
but travel together into that strange land
where you lead us,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Paired
Lord Jesus Christ,
our great High Priest,
cleanse us by the power of your redeeming blood
that in purity and peace
we may worship and adore your holy name;
for you live and reign
with the Father
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
May be observed on the nearest Sunday.
Source of all being,
beginning and end,
we praise you for those who have served you faithfully.
For the sake of Jesus Christ,
replenish our hope in your eternal kingdom,
that we may have life in all its fullness,
unfettered by the fear of death.
Continuous
O God,
whose blessed Son came into the world
that he might destroy the works of evil
and make us your children
and heirs of eternal life:
grant that, having this hope,
we may purify ourselves as he is pure;
that, when he comes again
with power and great glory,
we may be made like him
in his eternal and glorious kingdom;
where he lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Paired
Almighty and everliving God,
since you have given exceedingly great
and precious promises
to those who trust in you.
Grant us so firmly to believe in your Son Jesus
that our faith may never be found wanting;
through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
O God,
welcoming refuge for the outcast,
and upholder of justice for the oppressed:
maintain the hope of the poor,
so that the time may soon come
when no one need want for food and shelter,
and all will learn to share freely
following the example of your Son,
who gave his very self;
who now lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Paired
O Lord,
by your bountiful goodness
release us from the bonds of our sins,
which by reason of our weakness
we have brought upon ourselves,
that we may stand firm
until the day of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
THE KINGSHIP OF CHRIST
Continuous
Everlasting God,
whose will is to restore all things
in your well–beloved Son, our Lord and King:
grant that the people of earth,
now divided and enslaved by sin,
may be freed and brought together
under his gentle and loving rule;
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Paired
Lord Jesus Christ,
so govern our hearts and minds
by your Holy Spirit
that, ever mindful of your glorious return,
we may persevere in both faith and holiness of living;
for you live and reign
with the Father
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.