Prayers of Intercession - Parish Carol Service and Blessing of the Crib

The Shepherds Went to See the Baby, Dinah Roe Kendall, 1998

Prayers written for the Parish Carol Service at St Stephen Walbrook on Tuesday 14th December 2021, spoken between verses of the carol Silent Night over an organ underlay.

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
'Round yon virgin Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Let us rejoice in the Good News that the Son of God came among us.

Loving God, we remember the night when your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ was born in a manger;
bringing light to the darkness,
calm amidst the storm,
and love to the whole world.
Still our hearts and minds that we might hear the harmonies of your heavenly joy in the silence of this night.
May the image of your tenderness, humility and beauty be borne in us today as members of your Holy Family.
We give thanks for our relationship with all those whom we hold dear and ask for your blessing upon them.
As we recall that first Christmas night we hold in prayer all who find this time of year difficult. Lord, may we find comfort in your peace, which surpasses all understanding.


Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight!
Glories stream from heaven afar.
Heavenly hosts sing Al-le-lu-ia!
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born!


Let us rejoice in the Good News that God is with us this day.

Living God, we give thanks for your presence among us in this and every moment.
May the power of your Spirit inspire us, like the shepherds, to sing aloud your praise and glory in all we think, say and do.
We pray for the protection and comfort of those without a home, with little or nothing to eat, the lonely, all who live in fear and those suffering in physical pain and mental anguish.
Guide our path so that we may become heralds of a world free of intolerance, injustice and conflict.
Grant us the courage to follow in the footsteps of your Son, in the knowledge that by your mercy, you will steady us when we stumble and catch us when we fall.


Silent night, holy night
Son of God, oh, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth


Let us rejoice in the Good News that Christ our Saviour will return in glory.

Eternal God, we look for the day when your Son will come again.
We give thanks for the promise of eternal life with you.
We remember with fondness all the faithful departed who now rest in the pure light of your redeeming grace, exalting your holy name in song with choirs of angels and all the heavenly host.
Send down your radiant beams of love,  leading us closer each day to the place you have prepared for each of us.

In the company of the Holy Family, St Stephen and all the saints, we pray.
Amen. 

Link: Nativity Paintings from Around the World (Blog Post by Victoria Emily Jones)