St Francis Church Welwyn Garden City - Prayers for Marriage & Family Life

	SUNDAY We pray for our homes and families. God, our heavenly Father, we thank you for family life, with all its joys and sorrows, for your gift of marriage to be a source of blessing. We pray for parents and children, old and young. May your presence fill our homes and our relationships with your love and peace. Pour on us your Holy Spirit, that we may truly love and serve you. Amen.
MONDAY We pray for couples beginning life together. Lord Jesus, you brought such joy to the wedding at Cana ; we ask your blessing on those who are engaged, on the newly married, on the newly committed. Support them as they learn and grow together. May their lives together be a sign of your love to this broken world. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen.	TUESDAY We pray for relationships to grow. Faithful God, we pray for faithfulness in all our relationships. Give parents wisdom in bringing up their children; uphold those who long to have children but cannot. Deepen our love in times of difficulty as well as joy. May our love draw us closer to each other and to you. Support families as their lives change. Help us always be understanding and willing to forgive. Amen.
WEDNESDAY We pray for those experiencing separation and divorce and for all involved in the pain of the situation. Heavenly Father, your Son Jesus Christ stilled the storm around and within his disciples; draw near to those who are separating or going through divorce. Cleanse their hearts of bitterness and resentment. Guide them as they plan their future lives and grant them strength and courage as they face their new situation. We pray for all involved, especially children, may they experience your comfort and peace. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen.	THURSDAY We pray for second marriages and new family relationships. Heavenly Father, we pray for all those involved in second marriages and new family relationships. Bless the children they bring with them and those newly born. Fill parents and children with your wisdom, patience and love as they grow together as a new family. Amen.
FRIDAY We pray for those without a partner. Loving God, we ask your blessing on those whose calling is to the single state and those whose longing for marriage is unfulfilled. May they know your love and peace. Channel their gift of love into caring for others and enriching their lives. Help us all to support each other. Make us more sensitive and aware of each other’s needs. Amen.	SATURDAY For those who are bereaved. Eternal God, giver of life and hope, we pray for those whose partner has died. Comfort them in their loneliness, guard them from isolation and uphold them in your love. Teach us all to turn to you in sorrow and in joy, trusting in your unfailing love for each one of us. Amen.