Bishop's Note: Prayers of the People

Bishop Eric Menees

Dear brothers and sisters, 

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I pray that this Bishop’s Note finds you safe and well! Today we are continuing our examination of the 2019 Book of Common Prayer’s Pastoral Rites section. Last week, as we examined the Burial of the Dead we looked at the Apostle’s Creed, today we look at the Prayers of the People.

The Prayers of the People have been a part of our Anglican worship since before the Reformation, but they’ve changed quite a bit in recent years. This section is where the congregation as a whole lifts their individual concerns before God, but for the longest time the prayers were said by the priest with the people praying together silently. The 1979 Book of Common Prayer was the first to have multiple options for the Prayers of the People, and rather than the celebrant the prayers were to be led by a deacon or lay leader. Many of the options also had spoken responses by the congregation as a whole. This really drives home that the prayers aren’t just being offered by the priest celebrating the Eucharist, they’re the prayers of the congregation as a whole, as one body.

These prayers differ from the normal ones to reflect the needs and concerns a congregation has during a funeral. They’re not just about entrusting the deceased to God, they’re a recognition of exactly what’s happening in this situation and how the promises of God speak to it. The Christians gathered for this funeral aren’t a few individuals coming together unaware of what lies ahead, they’re a smaller portion of the larger body of Christ who have been baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection. Whenever we forget that, praying through these prayers is a great way to remember the hope we and all our fellow believers have as Christians!

I pray you all a blessed Fourth Sunday in Lent!

The Prayers of the People

The Deacon or other person appointed says the following or other appropriate prayers.

Let us pray, saying, “Hear our prayer.”

Almighty God, you knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord: Grant, we pray, to your whole Church in heaven and on earth, your light and peace.

Reader Lord, in your mercy:

People Hear our prayer.

Grant that all who have been baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection may die to sin and rise to newness of life, that through the grave and gate of death we may pass with him to our joyful resurrection.

Reader Lord, in your mercy:

People Hear our prayer.

Grant to us who are still in our pilgrimage, and who walk as yet by faith, that your Holy Spirit may lead us in holiness and righteousness all our days.

Reader Lord, in your mercy:

People Hear our prayer.

Grant to your faithful people pardon and peace, that we may be cleansed from all our sins, and serve you in faithful obedience.

Reader Lord, in your mercy:

People Hear our prayer.

Grant to all who mourn a sure confidence in your fatherly care, that, casting their grief on you, they may know the consolation of your love.

Reader Lord, in your mercy:

People Hear our prayer.

Help us, we pray, in the midst of things we cannot understand, to believe and trust in the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, and the resurrection to life everlasting.

Reader Lord, in your mercy:

People Hear our prayer.

Grant us grace to entrust N. to your never-failing love; receive him into the arms of your mercy, and remember him according to the favor which you show to all your people.

Reader Lord, in your mercy:

People Hear our prayer.

Grant that, increasing in knowledge and love of you, he may go from strength to strength in the life of perfect service in your heavenly kingdom.

Reader Lord, in your mercy:

People Hear our prayer.

Silence may be kept.

The Officiant concludes with the following or some other prayer

Almighty God, grant us, with all who have died in the hope of the resurrection, the fullness of life in your eternal and everlasting glory, and, with all your saints, to receive the crown of life promised to all who share in the victory of your Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.