We will begin by making the sign of the Cross Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. All: Amen We pause to think of any special intention we want to pray for today. We light our Form Candle for all our prayers today.

Third week of Lent This weekend Bishop Malcolm has sent a pastoral letter and information on proposals for the structure of our diocese. Benedict XVI Pope Emeritus said in his last public audience at St Peter’s that the church is not a organisation but a ‘living body, a community of brothers and sisters in the body of Jesus Christ, who unites us all.” Bishop Malcolm in his address to priests in February called on the schools to continue their role in bringing children and young people to Christ but to look at new ways to make stronger links with our parishes. We will use the prayers for our diocese from the Diocesan Assembly in 2004 and our Year of Faith prayer.

Monday 4 th March 2013 Reader: “The Lord listened and had pity. The Lord came to my help. O Lord my God I will thank you forever.” (Psalm 29:11-13) Together let us pray: Father, we labour in the fields of the world, to reap the harvest you have sown. You call us to step out of the boat, to walk upon the water, to risk all for your Gospel. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

Tuesday 5 th March 2013 Reader: Peter went up to Jesus and said: ‘Lord how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? As often as seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times.’ (Gospel of Matthew 18:21) Together we pray: Father, may we work together for your kingdom, walk together on your pilgrimage of hope, in what we do and say, may our lives speak to everyone of your all embracing love. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

Wednesday 2013 Reader:“I tell you most solemnly, whoever listens to my words, and believes in the one who sent me, has eternal life, without being brought to judgement, they have passed from death to life.” (The Gospel of John 5:22) Together we pray: Father, help us to leave behind all that weighs us down, to carry with us all that lifts us up in hope, so that your church in our diocese will gather in a rich and fruitful harvest for your kingdom. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

Thursday 7 th March 2013 St Pertpetua and St Felicity Reader:Perpetua was a young Roman girl and Felicity her slave. Both were martyred for their Christian faith in the public stadium in Carthage in 203 AD Reader 2:Come in, let us bow and bend low; let us kneel before the God who made us for he is our God and we the people who belong to his pasture, the flock that is led by his hand.” (Psalm 94:2)

Let us pray together: May Mary, woman of faith, through whom Christ came into our world, inspire us and pray for us; may we, like her, welcome him into our hearts, so that, in our worship and our work, we may bring Christ to all whom we meet, sharing with them by our words, deeds and example the gifts of faith, hope and love. (Nottingham Diocese Prayer for Year of Faith)

Friday 8 th March 2013 Reader:The Lord says, "I will bring my people back to me. I will love them with all my heart; no longer am I angry with them. I will be to the people of Israel like rain in a dry land. They will blossom like flowers; they will be firmly rooted like the trees of Lebanon. They will be alive with new growth, and beautiful like olive trees Reader 2:They will be fragrant like the cedars of Lebanon. Once again they will live under my protection. They will grow crops of grain and be fruitful like a vineyard. They will be as famous as the wine of Lebanon.” (The Prophet Hosea 14:4-6)

Together we pray: Father, we pray that we may live our faith more clearly that you may be glorified in your faithful people. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. (Nottingham Diocese Prayer for Year of Faith)

School Prayer Prayer of Saint Benedict We pray Lord, that everything we do may be prompted by your inspiration, so that every prayer and work of ours may begin from you, and be brought by you to completion. Amen Saint Benedict – Pray for us