Prayers for Episcopal Relief & Development
Pray for Episcopal Relief & Development by using these resources during worship services throughout the year. In addition to a collect, proper preface and prayers of the people, you will also find links to the Daily Office and more.
A Collect
This collect may be used during an Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday or at any time a Eucharist is celebrated with special intentions for the work of Episcopal Relief & Development.
Loving and merciful God, you bestow your grace on all of your children: Remember our sisters and brothers throughout the world who, in partnership with Episcopal Relief & Development, strengthen communities, empower those who are experiencing poverty, nourish those who are hungry, heal those who are sick and uplift those affected by disaster; and continue to uphold Episcopal Relief & Development so that your Kingdom might be known to all people; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Proper Preface
For use especially during an Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday service, or any other time the Eucharist is celebrated with special intentions for the work of Episcopal Relief & Development. The celebrant may use this Proper Preface at the appointed time during The Great Thanksgiving.
Because in Jesus Christ our Lord you knit us together in love to strengthen communities, empower those who are poor, nourish those who are hungry, heal those who are sick and renew victims of disaster.
Prayers of the People
Prayers of the People- Petitions
Form I [works well just before “For all who have died in the hope of resurrection…”]
For the work of Episcopal Relief & Development, for compassionate response to human suffering in the world, and for global collaboration to bring about lasting and life-giving change, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Form II [works well between the 3rd & 4th petitions]
I ask your prayers for Episcopal Relief & Development in their mission to be the compassionate response of The Episcopal Church to human suffering in the world.
Pray for their work to manifest lasting and life-giving change.
Form III [works well between 6th & 7th petitions]
Sustain and fortify the ministry of Episcopal Relief & Development in their call to ease human suffering and embody the compassionate teachings of Jesus.
That we may work together for lasting change.
Form IV [works well between the 5th & 6th petitions]
Sustain and fortify the ministry of Episcopal Relief & Development in their call to ease human suffering and embody the compassionate teachings of Jesus; join us to them in their mission that we may work together for lasting and life-giving change in the world.
Form V [no specific suggestion; blank on page 391 is sufficient]
For the work of Episcopal Relief & Development, for compassionate response to human suffering in the world, and for global collaboration to bring about lasting and life-giving change, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Form VI [works well between the 4th and 5th petitions or after the 6th]
For the compassionate response to human suffering in the world through the ministry of Episcopal Relief & Development;
For global partnerships and all those who work for lasting, life-giving change.
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Prepared by the Rev. Heather Patton-Graham
Vicar for Formation and Chaplain, St. Andrew’s Schools
The Cathedral of St. Andrew
Honolulu, HI
Prayers of the People- Full
Leader: Dear People of God: Jesus taught his disciples that what we do for the least of God’s children we do for Christ. Let us pray, therefore, that as we walk The Way of Love with compassion, mercy, justice and reconciliation in our hearts, we may inspire the Church and the world to serve Christ in the other.
Silence
Leader: God of grace and love,
People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: Let us pray for the staff and partners of Episcopal Relief & Development as they facilitate healthier, more fulfilling lives in communities struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease. We pray that their programs truly change the lives of those they work with for the better and that you guide them as your servants in the world.
Silence
Leader: God of grace and love,
People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: Let us pray for the poor and the hungry throughout the world, that poverty and hunger in all its forms may end and that all peoples, especially the children in countries both rich and poor, may realize improved nutrition and food security.
Silence
Leader: God of grace and love,
People: Hear our prayer
Leader: Let us pray for the good health and well-being of all people, building on the progress that has been made and working to reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from pollution-related diseases as we continue our efforts to reduce the spread of all infectious disease.
Silence
Leader: God of grace and love,
People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: Let us pray for schools and centers of learning throughout the world, to ensure free, inclusive and equitable high-quality education, promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all of God’s people.
Silence
Leader: God of grace and love,
People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: Let us pray for an end to the divisions and inequalities that scar God’s creation, especially the barriers to freedom faced by God’s children throughout the world because of gender; providing women and girls with equal access to education, health care, a living wage, and equal political and economic representation; so that all who have been formed in God’s image, both male and female, might know equality in the pursuit of the blessings of creation.
Silence
Leader: God of grace and love,
People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: Let us pray for this fragile earth, our island home, that we may be emboldened to act on behalf of all of God’s creation on land, in the seas and oceans, and in the air; protecting, restoring and promoting the sustainable use of the land God commanded us to till and keep so that it will continue to bring forth the fruits of the earth in abundance.
Silence
Leader: God of grace and love,
People: Hear our prayer
Leader: Let us pray for justice and peace throughout the earth, following the way of Jesus and learning from his example, seeking to serve him in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves and respecting the dignity of every human being.
Silence
Leader: God of grace and love,
People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: Let us pray for the departed, particularly those who have died as a result of poverty, hunger, disease, violence, or hardness of the human heart and for those you wish to name at this time . . .
Silence
Leader: God of grace and love,
People: Hear our prayer.
The Celebrant continues:
Eternal God, continue to grace your people with the will to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with you as we discern your presence in all challenges we face, for we have been redeemed by your Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Prayer for Children and Caregivers
Hear our prayers, O Lord, for the vulnerable children of the earth, as they survive the harsh realities of this world.
We grieve for those living in communities of constant hardship where children struggle every day.
Let your light shine upon them and keep them from the darkness. Give strength and courage to the caregivers who nurture these children.
Walk beside them in all difficult journeys. When they are weary, carry them. Protect their bodies from ailment and heal those already sick.
Guide them to places of comfort, care and kindness. Merciful Father, open our hearts and minds to persevere in service to the needs of others.
We lovingly ask that you grant us this prayer, for the sake of your son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
– Meredith Scott & Jamie Martin-Currie