I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; … I bow down towards your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness; … On the day I called you answered me, you increased my strength of soul. (Ps 138 NRSV)

Lord Jesus Christ, we remember in your presence our losses and griefs, our hopes and treasures which the departed year has carried away; the disappointments we have known, the friends who are no longer with us and whose steps we shall hear no more. We pray for grace to cherish your Spirit within us who brings good out of evil, and who prevents adversities and sorrows from embittering our hearts. Give us comfort and a deep sense of your goodness in every circumstance of our lives; and when, in spite of our good intentions, we fail, be our strength and stay.

This 2025 Advent season has reminded us that you love us so much that you came as a baby to save us. May our gratitude for this precious gift cause us to live ever closer to you during this new year.

Today we celebrate the life of St Paul, and we thank you, Lord, for this man who did so much to bring us gentiles into the, then, Jewish Church. And, as we consider the uniting of Jews and gentiles, we thank you for the creation of ‘Churches Together’ – the movement that has enriched our spiritual lives so much by bringing the various Christian denominations together.

Thy hand, O God, has guided thy flock, from age to age;
the wondrous tale is written, full clear, on ev’ry page;
our forebears owned thy goodness, and we their deeds record;
and both of this bear witness: one Church, one Faith, one Lord.

Strengthen Stephen our bishop, Gaenor our priest and Judith our LLM. We thank you for Barrie; we miss him but you obviously needed him in heaven. Help us to find a new churchwarden, for it will be difficult to find a replacement for Barrie. Lord, please bless all your Church in the service of Christ; that those who confess your name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, you are the Prince of Peace. So we bring before you the nations of the world in these very troubled times; we particularly pray for the leaders of Russia, of China and of the USA. May they all, this new year, be moved to consider Your will, rather than their own power and prestige.

There are so many trouble spots in the world at present; but, because we have been praying for them recently, we single out Gaza, Israel, Iran and Syria. Lord, please bring peace there.

We pray for all who lie beyond the margins of our comfort and our security: for all who are alone; for all who are homeless and jobless; for all who are in pain of body or mind.

We pray for the children of this earth, particularly for those who are abused or neglected; and we pray for all who are victims of hate and oppression.

Bless and guide Charles our king; give wisdom to all in authority; and direct this and every nation in the ways of justice and of peace; that we may honour one another, and seek the common good.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, Help us to really look

At the people that we pass fleetingly every day,

The people on the fringe of our lives.
Help us not to be enclosed
Within the inner circle of our own friends
But to offer friendship
To those who find it difficult
To make friends.

We pray for all those who are particularly close to us – and we remember them now in the silence of our hearts.

And, Lord, help us to love and value those who we find difficult to love.

Give grace to us, our families and friends, and to all our neighbours; that we may serve Christ in one another, and love as he loves us.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

Hear us as we remember those who have died in the faith of Christ

Please comfort all who mourn the loss of loved ones.

Lord, we especially remember Mary; may she daily know your comfort and support.

According to your promises, grant us with them a share in your eternal kingdom.

Rejoicing in the fellowship of all your saints, we commend ourselves and all Christian people to your unfailing love.

Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen