Lenten Day of Prayer & Fasting

Throughout the year we set aside certain days to devote ourselves as a church family to prayer and fasting. Fasting reminds us of our need for the Lord and connects the spiritual work of prayer to our physical bodies. If you have never fasted before, check out the resources below.

During the day there will be several opportunities to pray with others as well as a prayer guide for praying and fasting for our church and the world. Pray on your own, with your household, and together at one of these times.

Peace,

Father Trevor & the Parish Council

Download Prayer Guide Here

For the Church

Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your Name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world. We pray:

• For church unity in witness and service; for our Anglican church family around the world, for our Aurora church family throughout the city
• For our Bishop Stewart Ruch and Mama Katherine, our Pastor, Father Trevor and Pastor Bonnie and their children (Nora, Finn, Gus, and Wells), our Deacons, Deacon Casey and Erika and their children (Evelea, Therese, Sitota, and Carter), Deacon Eduardo and Ashley, and all the people of this Diocese of the Upper Midwest
• For brothers and sisters in Latino, African American, and immigrant churches in Aurora, that we would find partnership and unity in Jesus.
• That many peoples from many diverse backgrounds would become one family with one Father at City of Light.
• For growing in unity, diversity, and maturity that we may go deeper in our union with God in Christ and our union with one another.
• For our City of Light leaders on the Parish Council
• For our group leaders at City of Light
• For every household at City of Light
• For every child and student
• For every marriage to be strengthened

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

For Our Country and Our City of Aurora

Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations, in the ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good. We pray:

• For Joseph Biden, the President of the United States
• For the Congress and the Supreme Court
• For all who serve the common good
• For our mayor, Richard Irvin, aldermen and women,
• For those who serve the poor in our city
• For racial reconciliation in our country, city, and in the church
• For Hill Elementary, Principal Beth Smith, and the surrounding neighborhood
• For Jimi and Kate Allen who own Bureau Gravity and their heart to be a light of the Gospel in the Aurora community

Almighty God, kindle, we pray, in every heart the true love of peace, and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth; that in tranquility your dominion may increase, until the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Those Who Suffer

Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit; give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation. We pray:

• For the hungry and the homeless, the poor and the oppressed
• For the sick, the wounded, and the crippled
• For all those impacted by Covid-19, who have lost a friend or family member, and who have lost work or face other challenges
• For the country of Ukraine as they are being invaded by Russia
• For those in loneliness, fear, and anguish
• For those who face temptation, doubt, and despair
• For the sorrowful and bereaved
• For prisoners and captives, and those in mortal danger
• For immigrants and refugees

For these specific prayer needs in our church family:

Gracious God, the comfort of all who sorrow, the strength of all who suffer: Let the cry of those in misery and need come to you, that they may find your mercy present with them in all their afflictions; and give us, we pray, the strength to serve them for the sake of him who suffered for us, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Salvation of Others

Let us pray for all who have not received the Gospel of Christ;

• For those who have never heard the word of salvation
• For those who have lost their faith
• For those hardened by sin or indifference
• For those who are enemies of the cross of Christ and persecutors of his disciples
• For those who in the name of Christ have persecuted others
• For those in different cultures, religions, ethnic groups, or socio-economic situations than I am
• For our disciple-making groups and one-on-one disciple-making partnerships
• For my friend, relative, acquaintance, neighbor, or coworker (FRANC) named _________. Jesus, draw _______ to yourself. May they seek to know you. May they hear and believe the Word of God. May you give me and others opportunities to begin with prayer, listen, eat with, serve, and tell the story of the Gospel (BLESS). May they repent, believe the Gospel, be baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit.

Merciful God, creator of all the peoples of the earth and lover of souls: Have compassion on all who do not know you as you are revealed in your Son Jesus Christ; let your Gospel be preached with grace and power to those who have not heard it; turn the hearts of those who resist it; and bring home to your fold those who have gone astray; that there may be one flock under one shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.