Please join us in prayer for our church and diocese on Wednesdays at noon (or as close to noon as you can). You may use the below Midday Prayer liturgy and prayer requests, or just take some time to pray at that time. Consider also fasting during your Wednesday lunch. We will pray wherever we are, whenever we can, around lunch, so you’re praying by yourself and with the people of God—wherever we are.

Prayer at Midday

The following or some other verse of Scripture is said

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 1:3)

Psalm 113:1-4

1  Praise the Lord. Sing praises, you servants of the Lord; * O praise the Name of the Lord.
2  Blessed be the Name of the Lord, * from this time forth for evermore.
3  The Lord’s Name be praised * from the rising up of the sun to the going down of the same.
4  The Lord is high above all nations, * and his glory above the heavens.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

A Reading from Holy Scripture

(Ephesians 6:10-20 will be our theme Scripture for summer; you may read this every Wednesday, or use those below. It is a key passage for our Kid’s VBS this summer, and we’ll all be reading and praying it together.)

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:10-20)

or this

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:4-5)

or this

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

A period of silence may follow.

Prayers may be offered for ourselves and others.

Specific Prayer Requests

• Prayer for the Missionaries supported by Church of the Cross, found here.

• Prayer for the Church of the Cross staff and vestry.

• Pray for those sick or recovering from many seasonal illnesses

• Pray already for our preparations for Lent and our Celebrations of Easter

• Health and help for our church, diocese, and province

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

The Collect

Blessed Savior, at this hour you hung upon the Cross, stretching out your loving arms: Grant that all the peoples of the earth may look to you and be saved; for your tender mercies’ sake. Amen.