Interceding with the beatitudes

Here’s a set of bidding prayers based on the beatitudes with an Advent feel to them. On first use the response was replaced with a sung Taizé Kyrie. They are formal and meditative, and follow the structure of Matthew’s text.

Let us pray for all God’s church,
that we in our place and time,
may help people know and see the presence of God,
and prepare the way for his coming.

For those who are poor in spirit,
that God will make them rich in his mercy and love,
and welcome them in the kingdom of heaven,
let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy

For those who mourn,
that God will bring them his comfort,
let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy

For those who are lowly and humble,
that God will give them the earth for their heritage,
let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy

For those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
that their hunger may be satisfied
with a just share for all,
and their thirst quenched with the waters of peace,
let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy

For those who are merciful,
that they may draw out compassion from others,
bless those in need, and find mercy in return,
let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy

For those who are pure in heart,
that they may enrich our lives
with the presence of God,
and hold fast in faith till they see him face to face,
let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy

For the peacemakers in all their work,
that the children of God
may prove wiser than the servants of evil,
and receive their recognition and reward,
let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy

For those who are attacked for doing right,
those who are slandered for speaking truth,
those who are condemned for being merciful,
that God will come to their aid
and honour them with the saints in his kingdom
let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy

Lord of all blessings,
may we seek your will on earth
in the hope of heaven’s kingdom,
and bless you in all things,
who are our God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

If anyone wants to use or adapt them, could printed versions please include a copyright acknowledgement © Doug Chaplin 2009. Thanks.

Tagged as: beatitudes, intercessions