A Prayer for Easter

(After the first letter of St Peter)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
By his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope,
through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead,
and into an inheritance which cannot perish or be defiled,
nor can it ever fade away.
So let us rejoice!
Amen.

Christmas Peace Prayer

(from Worship Now)

O God, we thank you for the message of peace
that Christmas brings to our distracted world.
Give peace among nations,
peace in our land,
peace in our homes,
and peace in our hearts,
as we remember the birth at Bethlehem
of the Prince of peace,
Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

O sweet Child of Bethlehem (Pope John XXIII)

O sweet Child of Bethlehem,
grant that we may share with all the hearts
in this profound mystery of Christmas.
Put into the hearts of men this peace
for which they sometimes seek so desperately
and which you alone can give them.
Help them to know one another better,
and to live as brothers,
children of the same Father.
Reveal to them also your beauty, holiness and purity.
Awaken in their hearts
love and gratitude for your infinite goodness.
Join them all together in your love.
And give us your heavenly peace.
Amen, Amen.

Prayer at Pentecost

O God,
by the mystery of today’s great feast of Pentecost,
you sanctify your whole Church in every people and nation,
pour out, we pray, the gifts of the Holy Spirit
across the face of the earth
and, with the divine grace that was at work
when the Gospel was first proclaimed,
fill now, once more, the hearts of believers.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Prayer for Christmas or Epiphany (Orthodox Liturgy)

What shall we present to you, O Christ,
for your coming to earth for us?
Each of your creatures brings you a thank-offering:
the angels – singing;
the heavens – a star;
the wise men – treasures;
the shepherds – devotion;
the earth – a cave;
the desert – a manger:
but we offer you the virgin-mother.
O eternal God, have mercy upon us.

Amen.