Prayer for Anxious Times

A Call and Response

Leader. Lord, you have given your peace to mankind. You have given the gift of the Holy Ghost to those who follow you, opening their lips with tongues of fire by your power. Open also our lips this day, and teach us how to pray.

People. Lord, govern our life, for you are the calm harbor for those who are storm-tossed, and you show us the way we should go. Renew a right spirit within us; establish our spirits by the strength of your Spirit.

Leader. Each day, may we be guided brightly by your Holy Spirit toward what is truly helpful for us, being empowered always to observe what you have commanded us to do.

People. Which leads us to seek first your kingdom and your righteousness, the salvation accomplished by Christ. Help us not to be led astray by the worries of the world.

Leader. Strengthen us, Lord, to desire instead the delight of your future blessings.

People. For you are forever and truly blessed and praised among your saints, world without end: Amen.

Leader. I lift up my eyes to the hills : but where shall I find help?

People. My help comes from the Lord :who has made heaven and earth.

Leader. He will not suffer your foot to.stumble : and He who watches over you will...not sleep.

People. Be sure he who has charge of Israel : will neither slumber nor sleep.

Leader. The Lord himself is your keeper : the Lord is your defence upon your right hand;

People. The sun shall not strike you by day : nor shall the moon by night.

Leader. The Lord will defend you from all evil : it is he who will guard your life.

People. The Lord will defend your going out and your coming in : from this time forth for evermore.

Leader. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

People. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end: Amen.

Leader. Almighty and merciful God, in this time of great sickness, we run to you for comfort.

People. Deliver us from danger; give strength and skill to all those who tend to the sick; give success to the treatments used for their cure.

Leader. Grant that when we sense how frail and uncertain our life is, we may direct our hearts to that heavenly wisdom which leads to eternal life.

People. God of peace, you have taught us that in returning and resting in you we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence before you we will find true strength.

Leader. By the power of the Holy Spirit, lift us now to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God. Save us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties.

People. Grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of your love which is immortal, and which You have shown us through your Son, Jesus Christ,

All. Who, with you Father and the Holy Ghost, lives and reigns as God, world without end: Amen.