An Intercession for the Church

From Wednesday at the Sixth Hour

I believe in one holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church ;
And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Let us pray :

For the Church Catholic.

For the holy Catholic Church from one end of the world to the other, let us beseech the Lord ;

Lord, have mercy.

That she may be established in peace, immovable and unshakable upon the rock of her faith ;

Lord, have mercy.

For particular churches that are persecuted and suffereing ;

Lord, have mercy.

For them that are rich or poor or weak or tempted ;

Lord, have mercy.

For our own church ;

Lord, have mercy.

That she may offer herself a pure sacrifice of prayer and lowly service ;

Lord, have mercy.

That she may be truly catholic in faith and love ;

Lord, have mercy.

That she may use her freedom for the ministry of Truth ;

Lord, have mercy.

That she may be at peace within her borders ;

Lord, have mercy.

For all who love Christ and pray with us, yet are in separation ;

Lord, have mercy.

The Lord be with you ;
And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

GRACIOUS Father, we humbly beseech thee for thy holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth ; in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purge it ; and where it is in error, direct it ; where it is superstitious, rectify it ; where anything is amiss, reform it ; where it is right, strengthen and confirm it ; where it is in want, furnish it ; where it is divided and rent asunder, make up the breaches of it ; O thou Holy One of Israel. Amen.


Let us pray :

For the Church Apostolic.

That we may continue steadfast in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in the prayers, we humbly pray :

Lord, hear us.

For our fathers the bishops and rulers of the Christian Church ;

Lord, hear us.

That they may be blameless, vigilant, and holy ;

Lord, hear us.

For the priests and shepherds of Christ's flock ;

Lord, hear us.

That they may burn with the love of souls, and be mighty to convert;

Lord, hear us.

For the deacons and ministers of the household of God ;

Lord, hear us.

For those who have heard and answered the call to Holy Orders ;

Lord, hear us.

That their hearts may be kindled, and their minds enlightened in the days of making ready ;

Lord, hear us.

The Lord be with you ;
And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

O GOD, who dost ever hallow and protect thy Church : Raise up therein, through thy Spirit, good and faithful stewards of the mysteries of Christ ; that, by their ministry and example, the Christian people may abide under thy protection, and be guided in the way of truth ; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, ever, world without end. Amen.

Let us pray :

For the Holiness of the Church.

That everywhere and at all times, in the power of faith and the ministry of love, she may show forth Christ, by inward spirit and outward deed;

We beseech thee, O Lord.

For the faithful in every land;

We beseech thee, O Lord.

That they may be strengthened and confirmed in sacrament and prayer, and in every good work ;

We beseech thee, O Lord.

For those pledge to the perfection of Jesus, under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience;

We beseech thee, O Lord.

For all guilds and confraternities devoted to the building up of Christian life;

We beseech thee, O Lord.

The Lord be with you;
And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

VOUCHSAFE, we beseech thee, O Lord, to strengthen and confirm all thy faithful, and to lift them up more and more continually to heavenly desires ; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Let us pray :

For the Unity of the Church.

That the bitter grief of a sundered Church may pass away ;

Lord, hear us.

That the Holy Spirit may bind us in new fellowship to seek peace and ensue it ;

Lord, hear us.

For a new and living faith in the communion of saints ;

Lord, hear us.

That the unity and clear vision of those at rest may help our blindness ;

Lord, hear us.

That our broken fellowship on earth may not mar our share in the perfect fellowship above;

Lord, hear us.

The Lord be with you ;
And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

O LORD Jesu Christ, who didst say to thine Apostles, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: Regard not our sins, but the faith of thy Church, and grant her that peace and unity which is agreeable to thy will ; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Our Father . . .

O GOD of unchangeable power and eternal light, look favourably on thy whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery ; and by the tranquil operation of thy perpetual providence carry out the work of man's salvation ; and let the whole world feel and see that things which were cast down are being raised up ; that those which had grown old are being made new ; and that all things are returning to perfection, through him from whom they took their origin, even our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

E. Milner-White & B.T.D. Smith
Cambridge Offices and Orisons
1921