These prayers are inspired by the great Psalm of contrition, Psalm 51. The main body of these prayers are designed to be used each week in Lent, and there are different concluding prayers which reflect each week’s Gospel lesson. These prayers will work best if a brief pause is observed before the couplet.

Celebrant  Have mercy on us, O God, according to your loving kindness; in your great compassion, hear our prayers.

Intercessor  We pray for the whole church, all leaders and ministers, and all the holy people of God.

Wash us through and through,
And cleanse us from our sin.

We pray for our nation, for all the nations of the earth, and for all who govern and judge.

Purge us from our sin,
And we shall be pure.

We pray for those who hunger, those who thirst, those who cry out for justice, those who live under the threat of terror, and those without a place to lay their head.

Make them hear of joy and gladness,
that those who are broken may rejoice.

We pray for those who are ill, those in pain, those under stress, and those who are lonely.

Give them the joy of your saving help,
and sustain them with your bountiful Spirit.

In this season of Lent we pray for those who prepare for baptism, and we pray that we all might be given the grace and strength to repent and grow closer to you, O God.

Create in us clean hearts, O God,
and renew a right spirit within us.

We pray for those who have died, (especially _____ ) and who have entered into the land of eternal Light and your abiding peace.

Cast them not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from them.

We especially pray for… (the sick, those serving in conflict, etc…)

We pray for…

Concluding prayer led by the Celebrant:

First Sunday in Lent: Lord Jesus, you proclaimed the Good News in Galilee, saying that the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God has come near; grant us the strength and wisdom to repent and believe in the Good News, this day and always. Amen.

Second Sunday in Lent: Lord Jesus, you taught your disciples that you must undergo great suffering and be killed before rising again; grant us the strength and wisdom to be your followers and to take up our cross to follow you, this day and always. Amen.

Third Sunday in Lent: Lord Jesus, it was your will that your Father’s House would be a place of prayer for all people; grant us the strength and wisdom to be a people consumed with prayer and zeal for you, this day and always. Amen.

Fourth Sunday in Lent: Gracious God, because of your great love for the world you gave us your son; grant us the strength and wisdom believe in him that we would not perish but have eternal life. Amen.

Fifth Sunday in Lent: Lord Jesus, you taught your disciples that unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies it remains just a single grain, but if it dies it bears much fruit; as we prepare our hearts to remember your death and resurrection, grant us the strength and wisdom to serve and follow you, this day and always. Amen.