There are many ways in which each week's petitions can be inserted into the prayers of the people. The prayers of the people are appropriately led by a lay person or deacon (cf. BCP, pages 322 and 354). The more personalized the prayers, the more meaningful they will be to the congregation. Personalize the prayers by including proper names of the bishop, the president, the governor, people or places currently enduring natural disasters or other trials, the celebrations of birthdays and anniversaries in the church, and the ill or recently deceased.
We also commend to the faithful the regular practice of praying for Christians who are suffering because of their faith and the remembrance of those witnesses who have lost their lives for the faith. According to some sources, more people have lost their lives for Christ in the 20th century than in the rest of Christian history.
The 2006-2007 Cycle of Prayer includes entries for each Sunday. Each entry begins with a large listing of the date of that Sunday. Each parish in the Diocese appears twice in the course of the year, as do other Diocesan Ministries.
There are many different ways you can incorporate the petitions into whichever form you use. Below are several examples that used the petitions for November 25, 2007. In the examples, the designated petitions appear in bold type, indicating what will change each week. Remember, these are only suggestions; your church may use the cycle differently.
Some examples:
Rite I, BCP page 328
Let us pray for the whole state of Christ's Church and the world, remembering today in the diocesan cycle of prayer Trinity Church in Greeley, St. Michael and All Angels Church in Denver, the Front Range Region of our Diocese, Our Diocesan Chancellors, and Our Diocesan Standing Committee.
Rite II--Form I, BCP page 383
For Katharine, our Presiding Bishop; for Robert, our Bishop; and for all clergy and people, remembering today in the diocesan cycle of prayer Trinity Church in Greeley, St. Michael and All Angels Church in Denver, the Front Range Region of our Diocese, Our Diocesan Chancellors, and Our Diocesan Standing Committee.
Rite II--Form II, BCP page 385
I ask your prayers for God's people throughout the world; for Katharine, our Presiding Bishop; for Robert, our Bishop; for this gathering, and for all ministers and people; remembering today in the diocesan cycle of prayer Trinity Church in Greeley, St. Michael and All Angels Church in Denver, the Front Range Region of our Diocese, Our Diocesan Chancellors, and Our Diocesan Standing Committee. Pray for the Church.
Rite II--Form III, BCP page 387
We pray for Katharine, our Presiding Bishop; for Robert, our Bishop; for Trinity Church in Greeley, St. Michael and All Angels Church in Denver, the Front Range Region of our Diocese, Our Diocesan Chancellors, and Our Diocesan Standing Committee. We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons.
Rite II--Form IV, BCP page 388
Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours, remembering today in the diocesan cycle of prayer Trinity Church in Greeley, St. Michael and All Angels Church in Denver, the Front Range Region of our Diocese, Our Diocesan Chancellors, and Our Diocesan Standing Committee; and grant that we may serve Christ in them, and love one another as he loves us.
Rite II--Form V, BCP page 390
For Katharine, our Presiding Bishop; for Robert, our Bishop; and for all bishops and other ministers, and for all the holy people of God, we pray to you, O Lord.
In the diocesan cycle of prayer we remember today Trinity Church in Greeley, St. Michael and All Angels Church in Denver, the Front Range Region of our Diocese, Our Diocesan Chancellors, and Our Diocesan Standing Committee... we pray to you, O Lord.
Rite II--Form VI, BCP page 392
In peace, we pray to you, Lord God, remembering today in the diocesan cycle of prayer Trinity Church in Greeley, St. Michael and All Angels Church in Denver, the Front Range Region of our Diocese, Our Diocesan Chancellors, and Our Diocesan Standing Committee.
or
For Trinity Church in Greeley, St. Michael and All Angels Church in Denver, the Front Range Region of our Diocese, Our Diocesan Chancellors, and Our Diocesan Standing Committee. For Katharine, our Presiding Bishop; for Robert, our Bishop; and for all bishops and other ministers;
or
We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life, and remember with thanksgiving today in the diocesan cycle of prayer the ministries of
Trinity Church in Greeley, St. Michael and All Angels Church in Denver, the Front Range Region of our Diocese, Our Diocesan Chancellors, and Our Diocesan Standing Committee.
