Corpus Christi - Prayers of Intercession

Corpus Christi Procession, Amadeu de Souza Cardoso, 1913

Prayers of Intercession written for the Sung Eucharist at St Stephen Walbrook on Thursday 11th June 2020. At Walbrook our principal service takes place on Thursday (because the church is closed at the weekend), so we follow the lectionary for the preceding Sunday, in this case Trinity Sunday. Today is also Corpus Christi, so these prayers draw on themes from both feasts, inspired particularly by Chapter 9 of the Didache  John 6.51-58 and Luke 22.19 and a famous prayer of Teresa of Avila. The prayers of intercession are addressed in turn to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in recognition of the Trinity. A lot of references for one service and short prayers! Hopefully it is not to much of a mish-mash!


Let us pray. 

Jesus said “I am the living bread that came down from heaven.” Lord God, our Heavenly Father, as this broken bread was scattered over the earth and was gathered together to become one, we pray for the day when all may be free to gather for worship in safety and without fear. We pray for the dispersed community of St Stephen Walbrook including the Salvation Church who worship here.

God our Father, grant wisdom to the leaders of your church. With their guidance, may we make disciples of all nations and by their teaching and example may we learn to keep your commandments. We pray especially Justin, our Archbishop, Sarah our Bishop and Luke our Archdeacon and give thanks for the ministry of Archbishop John Sentamu. 

Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer

Jesus said “this is my body, given for you”. Lord God, grant us the strength and courage to live our lives according to the likeness of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. May our hands be the hands with which he blesses the whole of creation, our feet be the feet with which he walks to do good, our eyes be the eyes with which he looks with compassion on this world. May our bodies be his body. May we give our lives to His service. 

We pray for the leaders of the world, this nation, this city and for all in positions of authority. For those troubled by the past and anxious about the future. Lord Jesus, help us to remember that each of us is made in your glorious image but have been shaped by the forces of this broken world. Help us to build a future that is not our own, but yours.

Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer

Jesus said “the one who eats this bread will live forever.” Lord God, by the power of your Spirit, comfort all who are sick and suffering. We pray especially for Patrick, Anthony, Ian, Martin and Sam, Melvyn, Dorothy, Brenda, Rowland, Amelia, Wendy, Sarah and Marie-Therese and all those known only to us.  

We pray for the repose of the soul of Jimmy Matale and for all those whom we love but see no longer. 

In the company of St Stephen and all the saints in heaven, we pray.

Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour, Jesus Christ
Amen.