A prayer affirming the prophetic calling of chaplaincy
This prayer is also available as a PDF download
Divine Source enabling life,
Creative Spirit permeating the whole creation,
Disturbing Saviour liberating the downtrodden,
we give you praise for your justice-demanding goodness.
You inspire goodness in me and call me to challenge injustice.
I reflect on times when I have done this well…
and times when I have kept quiet…
You inspire goodness in our church communities and call us to challenge injustice.
I reflect on times when my own church has done this well…
and times when we have avoided doing what is right…
You inspire goodness in those who serve you beyond the church walls.
I give thanks for those who represent you in diverse and varied contexts…
particularly giving thanks for the ministry of chaplains
who often recognise their call to be prophets, to demand justice,
to journey with the marginalised and oppressed,
and to give voice to God in speaking truth to power.
May you strengthen all who work for your realm here in earth
that together we may be part of your transformation of the world. Amen.
Written by Gary Hopkins for the Methodist Prayer Handbook 2024-2025
Praying for Chaplains
This prayer is also available as a PDF download
God of the whole world,
We give thanks for
and celebrate the ministry of chaplains.
We rejoice that through this ministry,
people are able to respond to your calling
and join in with your mission in the world.
We are encouraged by the stories from chaplains
of how you are working in so many different places:
isolated farms, bustling shopping centres, hectic school corridors,
quiet prison cells, new housing estates, busy hospital wards,
stressful workplaces, challenging places of conflict,
happy care homes, lively party zones, universities, colleges,
and in an endless list of places where people are.
We pray for chaplains,
that they may be strengthened by your love,
and encouraged by others.
We pray that their daily living out of vocation,
being present to and for others,
is recognised as one of the greatest acts of love and faith.
We celebrate that through great small things,
as mustard seeds are sown,
you nurture with love and bring growth
and transformation for the redemption of the world. Amen.
Written by Gary Hopkins for the Methodist Prayer Handbook 2023-24
A Prayer of Commitment for Chaplains
Loving and generous God,
I give you thanks for the calling you have placed on my life:
for the opportunity to minister to others through chaplaincy.
I recognise the privilege to serve you in this way:
to meet people where they are
and to love others with generosity.
I pray that you may strengthen me in all that I do,
that I may notice your presence in the ordinary,
and recognise when you are nudging me to respond.
May I live a life that attracts people to your goodness,
and demonstrates good news for all people.
Grant me the wisdom to know
that your reign is built through small daily actions,
where love can grow and wholeness be known.
Holy God,
I commit to being part of your transformation of the world:
use all that I am and all that I have
as you redeem your creation. Amen.
Written by Gary Hopkins
What does the Lord require of us?
What does the Lord require of us?
To love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love our neighbours as ourselves.
What is love? It looks like Jesus.
Lord, help us to be more patient and kind, remove jealousy, envy, anger and rage from us.
Let us not be boastful in ourselves and our possessions, but to give away freely what we have freely received.
Love is not self-seeking, but looks after the needy, poor, lonely, and the widows and orphans.
Love looks to forgive those who have hurt us and doesn't keep a record of wrongdoings. God is love and God's love always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres.
God's love never ends. Amen.
Written by Karen Jennings (Area Support Chaplain, MHA) for the Methodist Prayer Handbook 2024-25
Chaplains and Caravans
Loving God, thank you that you are with those who minister and meet people on caravan parks and park home sites.
Thank you, God, that you are there when they share a smile, wave a hand, offer a short greeting to strangers; when they listen to people along the way; on occasional visits to people's homes.
At those times when they see no-one, but know that they have been seen; when people turn away and avoid them.
You are with them in the meetings they attend with caravan park operators, community, volunteer and health services; as they share in laughter and sadness at weekly leisure groups, and are a presence at garden centres and shopping centres.
Loving God, it's your constant presence that enables them to carry out this ministry.
Thank you. Amen.
Written by Pam Luxton, (deacon, Capela Caravan Chaplaincy Lead) for the Methodist Prayer Handbook 2024-25
Equip us for words of truth
Lord God, we praise you for all the opportunities that have arisen through the Warm Spaces initiatives up and down the country:
People gathered, welcomed, fed, entertained and kept warm.
Relationships built, laughter shared, stories told, games played and new skills learnt.
Safe spaces where faith journeys have begun because your people were brave enough to share their knowledge of you, Lord.
Yet among the excitement and opportunities, there is the frustration, anger and devastation of seeing and sharing people's struggle to live well. Show us again, Lord, how we can challenge effectively the injustice and inequality we see and experience every day.
Equip us with your Spirit to speak words of truth to those who hold more power than us.
Where we hold power, Lord, help us to use it wisely and with humility to empower those around us. Give us confidence and courage to stand out and speak up for the building up of all in your name. Amen.
Written by (Ellie Griffin, deacon, Woodchurch Methodist Church, Wirral Circuit) for the Methodist Prayer Handbook 2024-25
A prayer for those who serve in the Armed Forces
Thank you for those who serve in the UK Armed Forces, working around the clock for our protection and helping to secure peace.
We know very little of what they do or sacrifice on our behalf, but you see everything.
As dangers quickly shift and grow, we thank you for their training and wisdom.
Protect and guide them today, whatever dangers they are facing.
May you turn enemies into friends, and weapons into tools that bless.
We lift to you our chaplains, those colleagues who are intentionally present with these dedicated people.
May you strengthen the chaplains as they witness to the God of love and peace who laid down his life for all of us.
In Jesus' precious name we pray, Amen.
Written by Phil Maltby (Forces Development Officer) for the Methodist Prayer Handbook 2024-25