Prayer Vigil Order of Service
Opening
Opening hymn; Nada te turbe - (Let nothing trouble you)
Opening prayer;
Leader: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Let us gather before the LORD in faith and love, seeking His Presence, His Mercy, and His Blessing upon our lives and upon the world.
ADORATION AND WORSHIP
Words of comfort;
Saint Teresa of Avila wrote the famous phrase, "Nada de turbe. " In English, the phrase means, "Let nothing trouble you," or "Let nothing disturb you."
The phrase comes from her well-known prayer:
Nada te turbe,
Nada te espante;
Todo se pasa,
Dios no se muda.
La paciencia todo lo alcanza.
Quien a Dios tiene nada le falta.
Sólo Dios basta.
A common English translation is:
Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you.
All things pass away;
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
Whoever has God lacks nothing.
God alone suffices.
The phrase is a beautiful reminder that, amid the storms and uncertainties of life, God remains constant and faithful, and therefore we need not be overcome by fear or anxiety.
As Jesus pulled panicking Peter from the stormy waters, so let us trust in the Master to pull us from the stormy seas of our life. As Jesus stood in the prow of the boat, stretched His Hands out over the tempest, and commanded peace: so, too, let us look at Jesus in the prow of the boat of our lives. As Christ brought peace to the waters, He can bring peace into our lives.
Jesus climbed into the boat after helping Peter overcome his fear at the raging waters. In the same way, let us invite Jesus to climb into the boat of our lives. It is only with the Master at the helm, that we can overcome the storms of life, steer in the right direction when we cannot see in the rain-bursts, and head home to heaven without losing our way.
Trust in God. Let nothing disturb you. We will have difficulties, sorrows, griefs, losses, bereavements, illness, pain, hunger, thirst, homelessless, many trials. But we will ALWAYS HAVE GOD.
This earthly life will not last for ever. Let us cherish every moment, as it is only in these earthly trials that we truly have the opportunity to show the Lord of All, that He is the Lord of our soul.
Scripture reading;
Psalm 95:1
"O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation."
Silent prayer;
Quietly praise God and thank Him for His Blessings.
Intercessions;
Leader: Let us praise the Lord for His Goodness.
Response: We adore You, O Lord -
- For the gift of life and salvation
- For God's love revealed in Jesus Christ
- For the beauty of creation
- For all blessings received throughout our lives.
Personal spiritual growth:
Scripture reading;
John 15:4-5
"Abide in me, and I in you."
Silent prayer;
Pray for deeper relationship with Christ.
Intercessions;
Response: Lord, draw us closer to You -
- That we may grow in faith
- That we may persevere in prayer
- That we may trust God in all circumstances
- That the Holy Spirit may guide our lives.
Repentance and renewal;
Scripture reading;
Psalm 51:10
"Create in me a clean heart, O God."
Silent prayer;
Examine your conscience and seek God's Mercy.
Intercessions;
Response: Lord, have mercy -
- For forgiveness of our sins
- For healing of broken hearts
- For those far from God
- For reconciliation in families and communities.
The Church;
Matthew 28:19
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations."
Silent prayer;
Pray for the Church throughout the world.
Intercessions;
Response: Guide and strengthen Your Church, O Lord -
- For all believers
- For spiritual leaders
- For bishops, priests, deacons, and religious
- For missionaries
- For new vocations.
Families and relationships;
Scripture reading;
Colossians 3:14
"Above all these put on love."
Silent prayer;
Pray for loved ones and family members.
Intercessions;
Response: Lord, bless our families -
- For marriages
- For parents, guardians and children
- For those experiencing family difficulties
- For the lonely and abandoned.
The sick and suffering;
Scripture reading;
Matthew 11:28
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden."
Silent prayer;
Pray for all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit.
Intercessions;
Response: Lord, bring healing and comfort -
- For the sick
- For those in hospitals, health facilities and care homes
- For health care professionals and caregivers
- For those suffering from grief and anxiety.
The vulnerable;
Scripture reading;
Matthew 25:35
"I was hungry and you gave me food."
Silent prayer;
Reflect on Christ present in the poor and vulnerable.
Intercessions;
Response: Lord, hear the cry of the poor -
- For the homeless
- For refugees and displaced people
- For victims of violence
- For all who suffer injustice.
Society and the world;
Scripture reading;
Micah 6:8
"What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
Silent prayer;
Pray for peace and justice throughout the world.
Intercessions;
Response: Lord, grant peace to the world -
- For nations in conflict
- For government leaders
- For justice and reconciliation
- For the protection of human life.
Youth;
Scripture reading;
1 Timothy 4:12
"Let no man despise your youth."
Silent prayer;
Pray for children and young people.
Intercessions;
Response: Lord, guide our youth -
- For children
- For students and teachers
- For young adults discerning their future
- For protection from harmful influences.
The faithful departed;
Scripture reading;
John 14:1-3
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in Me. My Father's House has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am."
Silent prayer;
Remember loved ones who have died.
Intercessions;
Response: Grant them eternal rest, O Lord -
- For all the faithful departed
- For those who died recently
- For those who have no one to pray for them
- For all who mourn.
Closing;
Scripture reading;
Romans 8:39
"Nothing shall separate us from the love of God."
Silent prayer;
You are invited to offer your personal intentions silently to GOD.
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.
Jesus, Climb Into the Boat of My Life
Jesus, climb into the boat of my life today,
Guide me gently along Heaven's way;
The waters are restless, thunders loudly roar,
Yet with You beside me, I fear them no more.
When dark clouds gather to hide sky above,
Shine through the tempest with Your endless Love;
When rains blind my vision and I cannot see,
Stretch out Your Hands, Lord, to encourage me.
When waves rise high and my courage grows small,
Remind me, dear Saviour, You govern them all;
No storm is too mighty, no burden too great,
For You are the Captain whom I gladly await.
When doubt fills my heart and I tremble with fear,
Speak softly, "My child, I am always near;"
Your Voice brings a calm no tempest can destroy,
Turning my sorrow to heavenly joy.
Jesus, climb into the boat of my days,
Direct all my choices and guide all my ways;
When pathways are hidden and dangers abound,
Lead me by faith on secure, holy ground.
When life's long voyage at last reaches shore,
And I see heaven's homeland forevermore,
May I enter the portal with gladness and light,
For You were my Pilot through every dark night.
So stay in my boat, Lord, wherever I roam,
Safely conduct me to my heavenly home.
Through sunshine and storm, through calm sea and strife,
Jesus, climb into the boat of my life.
Final blessing
"Lord Jesus Christ, Who walked upon the waters and calmed the raging sea, stretch forth Your loving Hand over all the peoples of the earth.
Bless those who are weary and burdened, those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, those who mourn, those who are lonely and those who are afraid. Bless those who carry hidden crosses known only to God. May Your gentle Voice speak peace into every troubled heart and bring comfort to all who long for hope.
Bless the poor, the sick, the forgotten and the refugee. Bless the prisoner, the hungry, and all who cry out for mercy. Send faithful servants to assist your peoples, generous hearts to support them, and heavenly Grace to sustain them.
Bless our families, our friends, our communities, and our nations. Guide our leaders in wisdom and strengthen peacemakers in courage. Dear Saviour, inspire all people to walk in justice, compassion, and love.
Lord Jesus, bless each one of us upon our earthly pilgrimage. When the winds of adversity blow fiercely and the waves of uncertainty rise around us, may we never lose sight of Your Presence. When the night seems dark and the shore far away, may we remember that You Yourself are in the boat with us.
Lord Jesus, take the helm of our lives and guide us safely through every storm and tempest. Heavenly Master, steer us through the rain and fog when we cannot see the way ahead. Gentle Redeemer, preserve us from the rocks of sin and despair. Lead us always by the Light of Your Truth.
Dear Son of God, when the voyage of this life is ended, bring us at last into the safe harbour of Your eternal Kingdom. There every tear is wiped away, every wound is healed, every sorrow is forgotten, and all God's children will rejoice forever in Your glorious Presence. May I be one of them!
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
