Prayers for Today

The Leaves of the Trees by Peter Walker, Installation in Exeter Cathedral, 2020

Prayers selected for Morning Prayer at St Stephen Walbrook on Wednesday 23rd September 2020.

As we move into Autumn and the temperature drops, we may become more aware of how our bodies are connected to God’s creation.

Bring to fruition, Creator God
the work of your kingdom. 
Make us part of that joyful harvest
in which your loving purpose is completed.
Help us to realise
How important the smallest words and deeds are
In the context of eternity.
At harvest time, when we remember your goodness
Make us grateful also
For all we have received from the labour of others
Who have sown the seeds of faith, hope and love in our lives.

(From the Lion Prayer Collection compiled by Mary Batchelor)


Tomorrow we welcome back our Choral Scholars to church. We give thanks for the gift of music and the insights we receive from its hearing.

O Thou who through the light of nature hast aroused in us a longing for the light of grace, so that we may be raised in the light of Thy majesty, to Thee we give thanks, Creator and Lord, that Thou has allowest us to rejoice in Thy works. Praise the Lord ye heavenly harmonies, and ye who know the revealed harmonies. For from Him, through Him and in Him, all is, which is perceptible as well as spiritual; that which we know and that which we do not know, for there is still much to learn.

(Johann Kepler 1571-1630)


We hold before God all who are known to us who are sick and suffering at this time. For all who have asked for our prayers through the London Internet Church; Elsa in Canada, K in Texas and Jane and Marion in London. 

O give us patience and steadfastness in adversity, strengthen our weakness, comfort us in trouble and distress, help us to fight; grant unto us that in true obedience and contentation of mind we may give over our own wills unto thee our Father in all things, according to the example of thy beloved Son; that in adversity we grudge not, but offer up ourselves unto thee without contradiction. O give us a willing and cheerful mind, that we may gladly suffer and bear all things for thy sake. 

(Bishop Miles Coverdale 1488-1568)