Hark the Herald prayer

by: Sam Hargreaves

This prayer was written for our church's Carol Service 2014. It is based on themes from the Carol 'Hark the herald angels sing', and is designed to be used after the talk. It touches on themes of response, but is also outward looking towards the needs of the world. Feel free to adapt as it works for you.

You can display the words on the screen, or print them out, or simply explain that each time you say "Hark the herald angels sing", the congregation can respond "Glory to the newborn King."

God, today we choose to "Hark",

to listen to your voice,

to be still and know that you are God with us.

Hark! The herald angels sing,
RESPONSE: Glory to the newborn King.

God we hear your promise of "peace on earth",

but we know that the nations have not yet embraced your peace.

God we pray for Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan,

[pause here for people to silently add other places and situations]

and all other places where there is war, anger and broken lives.

Hark! The herald angels sing,
RESPONSE: Glory to the newborn King.

God we hear about the "incarnate Deity",

that you were pleased to dwell with us in flesh and blood.

May we know you as Emmanuel, God with us,

and may we share your presence with those around us.

Hark! The herald angels sing,
RESPONSE: Glory to the newborn King.

God we hear that Jesus was "born that we no more may die."
Be with those who are grieving at this time.

[pause for silent prayer for people grieving]

Help us to embrace your promise of second birth and resurrection,

and live it out even here on earth.

Hark! The herald angels sing,
RESPONSE: Glory to the newborn King.

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Thanks for this prayer - I'm just planning a carol service for this coming Sunday and was looking for a response prayer, especially as I don't have time to write one myself. This is very fitting for where our church is right now, particularly the last section.

Chloe - 2:49am - 17 Dec 2014

Thanks, just sorting prayers for Crib service tomorrow and this fits the bill.

John - 9:17am - 23 Dec 2014

Love this. Will use it at out midnight mass

Joe - 3:27am - 21 Oct 2015

I used and adapted this as a framework for intercessions this week. Having just referenced various points from Hark the Herald in my sermon, this fitted really well. Thank you

Ken - 6:05am - 30 Nov 2015

Hello! Iâ€™d really like to use this at Midnight Mass - but the file is read only, so I canâ€™t edit â€˜todayâ€™ on the first slide to say â€˜tonightâ€™.
Can you possibly provide an evening version?
Many thanks!
Frances

Frances - 12:10pm - 16 Dec 2018

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