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Intercessions at the Eucharist

There are two patterns of intercession at the Eucharist in the 1984 Prayer Book. 

1. You are invited in the first option to compose your own prayers but on specific topics – the universal Church, the world, the local Church, the community and for individual needs.
2. The second option includes prayers that have already been written for you, however this pattern also needs careful preparation.  You may like to announce special topics for prayer at the beginning of the intercessions (as you are invited to do so by the prayer book).  (A way of doing this is to say at the beginning.....During the intercessions please call the mind the following topics for prayer, then mention specific concerns and issues…leaving silences between each bidding for the congregation to pray silently).  The prayers can also be rooted in the present by naming names of those in need or who have died recently. However the first option allows for more variety and importantly scope to earth the prayers in the concerns and needs of the day.

It is important to remember, in the two options in the prayer book, to allow the congregation to join in the prayers by taking your time and including silences.

How do I set about it?

In the group look at the set of intercessions found in The Holy Eucharist 2004 book. You will find the following categories:

1. The world wide Church, the local church and its leaders in the Parish and Diocese. The Diocese produces a prayer list or daily “cycle” of prayer which is linked with the worldwide Anglican Communion.
2. The people at the service or those who belong to the Church.
3. The needs of the world.
4. People in trouble with a variety of problems and needs.
5. Those who have died.
6. Thanksgiving for those who have been example of faith.

This is an excellent pattern to follow.

Each bidding ends with one of the responses in the Eucharist book i.e.:

Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.
Or Lord, hear us: Lord, graciously hear us.

When you write your intercessions try rewriting the sections in a way that introduces a particular Sunday theme. The different sections set out for you a pattern of prayer, and if you keep to that pattern your intercessions will be well balanced

Tips to help you write and deliver your Intercessions

It is important to remember:

• Don’t rush and allow time for silence.
• To keep the prayers simple and not overly wordy.
• Don’t go on too long – even the most pious can lose their concentration!
• Make the petitions particular, rooting them in the needs and events of church, community and the world. Try and find out if there is anything that should be prayed for e.g. a new project in the Church, people who are ill or in need, events in the community, country or world. What has been in the news in the last few days?  
• Don’t make intercessions overly specific, i.e. a weekly news bulletin to God – remember he knows already!
• Avoid:
  • preaching at the congregation
  • telling God what course of action he should take
  • letting slip your views regarding controversial issues
  • betraying your political beliefs!
• Remember to be sensitive regarding including names in your prayers, ideally try and obtain the permission of the person you would like to pray for.  Also when listing a group of people it is always easy to leave someone out and can be rather tedious.
• When praying for people avoid praying especially for Molly, Ann & George.  Rather say we pray for those who are sick including Molly, Ann & George, as this is a more inclusive approach for those who need our prayers but who names we do not have to hand.
• Use the appointed readings as a peg on which to hang petitions.  Read the readings, and if possible speak to the preacher to find out what the theme of the service will be, so that the prayer will reflect the theme and message of the service.
• Remember to prepare well, and do not be afraid of asking for help.
• Remember to be clear about your expectations of the congregation, especially during silences, the responses after each bidding, and the prayer you would like them to say at the end.

The wellspring for writing intercessions comes ultimately from the intercessor’s own daily personal prayer life.

There are may books available that have sets of intercessions for use through the year and match the Bible readings.  Some are better than others and are best used as a resource to give one inspiration for what one writes rather than reading them as set – which can result in lifeless prayer.

Remember Intercessions need to be PRAYED rather than read.

Leading Prayers for Morning and Evening Prayer.

These can be presented:

1. in a similar fashion to the prayers at the Eucharist with a congregational response running through them.
2. Self contained prayers as found in the Appendix to Morning and Evening Prayer in the Book of Common Prayer pp. 428-441 or the Alternative Order pp. 52-62.  There are various other Collections of Prayers that can be used.  The nature of these Prayer Collections means that you are jumping from page to page to get prayers on different subjects.  It is therefore essential that you have an efficient referencing system to access them speedily in a service.  There is nothing worse than long pauses while the Leader hunts through a book for the next prayer! 

Experimentation with the two styles will show which of the approaches suits you and your congregation.

Praying Extempore/Spontaneously

No Christian should ever imagine that all prayers should come out of a book! However, it is best to write down your intercessions or at least have comprehensive notes.  Only a very gifted and confident worship leader can pray straight from their heart and mind without any aids.  Remember leading prayer is not like praying out loud in an informal prayer group.  Without aids it is easy to waffle and ramble and there is also the danger of the mind going blank, which can happen to the best of us!

And finally

While you are an inexperienced public pray-er, feel free to ask the advice of your priest and congregation.  They will be happy to help if you feel unsure about your prayers and how you come across.  Once you feel comfortable writing your own prayers remember to develop your own style and be prepared to experiment and be creative.  Please read John Pritchard's The Intercession Handbook SPCK for more ideas.  However before trying out anything too out of the ordinary at a main Sunday service remember to have a word with your incumbent!