Help and Inspirations for Prayer
Prayer is talking to God – you don’t need to use long or special words (unless you want to). God will know what you mean, whatever you say! Just talk to Him and let Him talk to you in the depths of your heart.
Prayer can change the world – but even more amazingly, it changes us.
Below are a selection of prayers that you may find helpful.
Be still and know that I am God.
(Psalm 46.10)
The Lord’s Prayer
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.
In times of trouble
Throughout the history of the church, in times of trouble and need, Christians have prayed in the words of the psalms – the ancient prayers and hymns of God’s people.
Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Psalm 121
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
from where will my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber
4 He who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
8 The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time on and for evermore.
Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
3 though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
6 The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 ‘Be still, and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth.’
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Lord Jesus Christ,
you taught us to love our neighbour,
and to care for those in need
as if we were caring for you.
In this time of anxiety, give us strength to comfort the fearful, to tend the sick,
and to assure the isolated
of our love, and your love,
for your name’s sake.
Amen.
Merciful God,
we entrust to your tender care
those who are ill or in pain,
knowing that whenever danger threatens your everlasting arms
are there to hold them safe.
Comfort and heal them,
and restore them to health and strength;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
A prayer for those in isolation
God of compassion,
be close to those who are ill, afraid or in isolation.
In their loneliness, be their consolation;
in their anxiety, be their hope;
in their darkness, be their light;
through him who suffered alone on the cross,
but reigns with you in glory,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
We are the people of God
We are not people of fear:
we are people of courage.
We are not people who protect our own safety:
we are people who protect our neighbours’ safety.
We are not people of greed:
we are people of generosity.
We are your people God,
giving and loving,
wherever we are,
whatever it costs
For as long as it takes
wherever you call us.
Amen
Wait patiently for the Lord.
(Psalm 27.17)
For Guidance
Father, I need help now with the way ahead with my life;
I am hesitant and uncertain, but will you, O God,
watch over each step of mine and guide me.
Amen.
Lord Jesus, take me this day and use me.
Take my lips and speak through them.
Take my mind and think through it.
Take my will and act through it,
and fill my heart with love for you. Amen.
(Everyday Prayers)
Seeking God’s Forgiveness
Merciful Father, you care for each of us and for our happiness
and when we turn from you and hurt one another your heart is grieved.
For my lack of understanding and for bitterness I often feel;
For my forgetfulness and neglect of others and for the suffering I cause;
For my failure to pardon; I seek your pardon.
I thank you for the assurance you have given in Jesus
that you accept me as I am and are ready to forgive me.
Fulfil that promise now, that I may be released from past failure
and may venture a new beginning through Jesus Christ.
Amen.
I lift up my eyes to the hills.
(Psalm 121.1)
For those suffering or troubled
This is my prayer to thee, my Lord:
Give me the strength lightly to bear my joys and sorrows.
Give me the strength to make my love fruitful in service.
Give me the strength never to disown the poor or bend my knees before insolent might.
Give me the strength to raise my mind high above daily trifles.
And give me the strength to surrender my strength to thy will with love.
(Rabindranath Tagore)
For Family
Father, from whom every family receives its true name,
I pray for all members of my family;
for those who are growing up, that they may increase in wisdom and love;
for those facing changes, that they may meet them with hope;
for those who are weak, that they may find strength;
for those with heavy burdens, that they may carry them lightly;
for those who are old and frail, that they may grow in faith.
(More Everyday Prayers)
For Peace and Justice
Hear my prayer, O Lord,
for my many brothers and sisters in other lands who are under the shadow of poverty and hunger;
for all who have to live with injustice and for those who have been broken and disabled by war.
Grant that those who are called to leadership among the nations may never cease in their attempts to find peace;
and enable me to play my part in working for justice and righteousness.
Amen.
For those who mourn
Lord Jesus help me as I mourn,
comfort me with the knowledge of your love which is stronger than death.
Enable me to trust you for the future of my loved ones and myself.
Help me to cast all my care on you, knowing that the grave holds no power over those who trust in you.
Amen.
For those who have died
Bring us, O Lord God, at our last awakening into the house and gate of heaven
to enter into that gate and dwell in that house where there shall be no darkness nor dazzling, but one equal light;
no noise nor silence, but one equal music;
no fears nor hopes, but one equal possession;
no ends nor beginnings, but one equal eternity;
in the habitations of thy glory and dominion, world without end.
Amen.
(John Donne)
Perseverance
Lord God, when you call your servants to endeavour any great matter,
grant us also to know that it is not the beginning,
but the continuing of the same, until it be thoroughly finished, which yields the true glory;
through him who, for the finishing of your work, laid down his life for us,
our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
Amen
(Sir Francis Drake)
Before I go
Eternal God and Father,
Help me to entrust the past to your mercy,
the present to your love
and the future to your wisdom.
In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord
who is the same yesterday and today and forever. Amen.
(Source unknown)
Let the peace of this place surround you as you pray.
Let the hurry and worry of life fall away from you.
You are God’s child: He loves you and cares for you.
He is here with you now and always.
Speak to him thoughtfully and allow him to speak to you.
Amen.
All shall be well,
and all shall be well,
and all manner of things shall be well
(Julian of Norwich)
God bless you, and all whom you love, now and forever.
Amen.