A candle may be lit.
1. Today is 40 days after Christmas Day.
The feast is called “Candlemas” or “The
Presentation of the Lord”.
2 It was 40 days after the birth of Jesus
that his parents presented him to God
the Father in the Temple in Jerusalem.
At his Presentation in the Temple, Jesus
was recognised for who he was by two
people - Simeon and Anna. They were
elderly and had spent their lives growing
closer to God. Now they meet him
face to face and recognise him in their
midst.
3 Simeon prays: “Now, Master, you can let
your servant die in peace because my eyes
have seen your salvation which you have
prepared for all nations to see. He will be
a light to enlighten all people.”
4. Because Simeon referred to Jesus as the
one who brings light to all nations, candles
are lit this day, and the feastday is
often called “Candlemas”.
5 The response to our prayers will be:
May your light be reflected in us.
May your light be reflected in us.
6 Lord Jesus, 40 days after your birth
you were taken to the Temple
and presented by your parents
to God our Father.
Make us aware that we are the Temple
of your Holy Spirit who lives in us.
May your light be reflected in us
7 Simeon’s eyesight grew dim,
but he recognised who you were.
Open our eyes
that we may always recognise you
in our midst.
May your light be reflected in us
8 Simeon prophesied
that Mary would be pierced
to the heart.
As Mary stayed with Jesus
in his suffering,
we pray that we may help
those who are part of our lives.
May your light be reflected in us.
9 You said
that you are the light of the world.
May your light be reflected in us.

Let’s pray for the gift
of being able to see what is needed:
Lord, there are times
when we are so concerned
about ourselves
that we don’t think of others.
We ask for the gift of your Spirit
that we may grow in awareness
of others:
- noticing when someone is unhappy,
- sensing when there’s something
wrong for somebody,
- seeing when someone feels cut off
or isolated,
- knowing when to say the right word,
- expressing thanks and compliments,
- being thoughtful when someone is ill,
- giving words of encouragement,
- helping someone to feel welcome,
- realising when someone needs the
opportunity to talk.
May we grow in sensitivity
towards others. Amen

February 4

“Lord God,
give me such love
for you and for others
that it will blot out
all hatred and bitterness.”

February 5

Let us pray in the words of Saint Ignatius:
Teach us, good Lord,
to give and not to count the cost;
to fight and not to heed the wounds;
to toil and not to seek for rest;
to labour and to ask for no reward,
save that of knowing
that we do your will.
Amen.

As it is traditional to have a moment’s
silence at football matches whenever
there has been a disaster, let us pray in
silence for a moment - for ourselves and
for those we know who have suffered
tragedies in their lives. We pray for those
who are hurt and wounded because of
the splitting up of their family, a death,
difficulties with someone, failure, betrayal,
the loss of friends, or a serious
illness. Let us pray in silence, then, for
all who suffer in their lives…
( pause …)

Let us pray:
God our Father,
teach us to distinguish clearly
between right and wrong,
that we may grow in character
and develop a true sense of values
through following Jesus,
your Son and our Brother.
We pray, too, for all
who are in positions of leadership
in our country
that they may be inspired
by the values of the gospel.
We pray that they may live
as people of integrity and honesty,
growing in a sense
of duty and responsibility,
always being aware of the needy,
and ready to be of service to others.
Amen.

“I die the King’s good servant,
but God’s first.”

Let us pray:
Lord, we ask you to open our eyes
that we may value and appreciate
all people,
recognising what we have in common
rather than focusing
on what our differences might be.
Inspire us to distinguish
between what is important
and what is not,
and open our minds and hearts
that we may always be people
of good will
who bring life and joy to others.
Amen.

Let’s pray that each of us makes good
use of our talents, and that we set out to
work well with others:
Lord, you have enriched our lives
in many ways,
and we remember with thanksgiving
all who have loved, cared for,
and supported us over the years.
Show us how best
to use the time and talents
you have given each of us,
and lead us to grow in appreciation
of the contribution that others make.
May your Spirit empower us
to work well with others
and bring out the best
in those with whom we share our lives.
Amen.

Let us pray:
Lord, lover of life,
you know the depths
of my innermost self,
and you understand me.
You protect me on every side,
shielding me from all harm.
When you put me together carefully
in my mother’s womb,
you knew all about me.
I thank you for the wonder of myself
and I stand in awe
at all that you have made.
Guide me in your ways.
(from Psalm 138/9)

Let us pray:
Father, we pray that we may live
cheerfully and patiently and positively
both in sickness and in health.
We bring before you all who are sick
and all who care for them…
Bring healing of one kind or another
to those we know
who are ill, afraid or worried.
We think of those who suffer
from constant sickness or weakness
and those who never get well.
Father, be with them all, and be with us.
Amen.

February 12

Let us pray:
God our Father, open our eyes
that we may sense the wonder and awe
in the splendour of all your creation -
from the stars
that are large and far away,
to people and the tiniest creatures
near us each day.
Help us to become more aware
of how every living thing is special
and to be treated well.
Lead us to respect and value every person
as unique and important,
made in your image and likeness.
We ask this prayer through Jesus,
who became a human being
because you love our world so much.
Amen.

Let us pray:
God our Father,
the Bible reminds us
that your love for each of us is great
and that you are faithful for ever,
never letting us down
or forgetting your promises to us.
Inspire us to value friendship and loyalty,
that we may be faithful
to those who love and trust us.
We pray that we may live in such a way
that we may make others feel
welcome and secure.
Show us how
to look upon other people
in the same generous way
that you look upon each of us.
Extend our horizons
that we may understand better
those who are far from us.
Amen.

Let us pray:
Father, we read in the Bible
that the best way to describe you
is to use the word “Love”.
Your love for mankind is so great
that you sent Jesus, your Son,
to live as one of us.
We pray that we may appreciate
and value one another.
God of love,
lead us to grow in love. Amen

Let us pray:
God our Father,
there are many difficulties
and challenges in life,
and we see or experience
more of them
each day we live.
Give us the power of your Holy Spirit
that we may have courage and
determination,
and may live in such a way
that we encourage one another.
Enable us to transform
whatever is negative,
and remain positive in attitude
throughout our lives.
Lighten our darkness
and keep us safe. Amen.

Let us pray:
Lord Jesus,
as you touched
the eyes of the blind man,
touch us
so that our eyes may be opened
so that we can “really see”
the many wonderful things around us
and in our own lives.
Amen.