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We offer comprehensive information for the bride and groom considering marrying in the parish of Swaythling
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Please choose up to 4 of these prayers. (Click on the red links)
One from 1 or 2 - Thanksgiving
One from 3 to 9 - For Spiritual Grace
One from 10 to 13 - For faithfulness
One from 14 to 17 - For children, families and friends
If you wish, you can also write a prayer of your own, expressing what you would like to be said on your wedding day - we can help you write it if you would like.
For Faithfulness:
Father of all,
in Jesus Christ you open to us
the treasures of your kingdom;
guide us by your Holy Spirit
that we may receive your redeeming grace
and reflect the perfect unity of your love,
for you live and reign
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.Amen.
God of love,
we thank you for the gift of marriage and for the joys it brings.
Bless us as we share in this wedding.
We thank you for the love
which has brought N and N to each other
and for their desire to share that love for the rest of their lives;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.
For the home:
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
who shared at Nazareth the life of an earthly home:
reign in the home of these your servants as Lord and King;
give them grace to minister to others as you have ministered to them,
and grant that by deed and word
they may be witnesses of your saving love
to those among whom they live;
for the sake of your holy name.Amen.
For the Holy Spirit:
Almighty God,
you send your Holy Spirit
to be the life and light of all your people.
Open the hearts of these your servants to the riches of his grace,
that they may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit in love and joy and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.
For grace to live well:
Faithful God,
giver of all good things,
give N and N wisdom and devotion
in the ordering of their life together.
May they dwell together in love and peace
all the days of their life,
seeking one another’s welfare,
bearing one another’s burdens,
and sharing one another’s joys;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.
For discipleship:
Eternal God,
without your grace nothing is strong, nothing is sure.
Strengthen N and N with patience, kindness, gentleness,
and all other gifts of the Holy Spirit,
so that they may fulfil the vows they have made.
Keep them faithful to each other and to you.
Fill them with such love and joy
that they may build a home of peace and welcome.
Make their life together a sign of Christ’s love
in this broken world,
that unity may overcome estrangement,
forgiveness heal guilt, and joy conquer despair;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.
For a glimpse of eternal love:
Eternal God, our maker and redeemer,
as you once enriched the wedding at Cana
when your Son turned water into wine,
so by his presence now bring your joy to this day.
May we drink deeply from your boundless love
and know in our hearts the delights of your Holy Spirit.
As we honour the union of a man and a woman,
let the love we celebrate today be a sign of your eternal love,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.Amen.
For the gift of love:
God of wonder and of joy:
grace comes from you,
and you alone are the source of life and love.
Without you, we cannot please you;
without your love, our deeds are worth nothing.
Send your Holy Spirit,
and pour into our hearts
that most excellent gift of love,
that we may worship you now
with thankful hearts
and serve you always with willing minds;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.
For marriage as a sign to the world:
Almighty God, in whom we live and move and have our being,
look graciously upon the world which you have made
and for which your Son gave his life,
and especially on all whom you make to be one flesh in holy marriage.
May their lives together be a sign of your love to this broken world,
so that unity may overcome estrangement,
forgiveness heal guilt,
and joy overcome despair;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.
For Faithfulness:
God of all grace,
friend and companion,
look in favour on N and N,
and all who are made one in marriage.
In your love deepen their love
and strengthen their wills
to keep the promises they have made,
that they may continue
in life-long faithfulness to each other;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.
For faithfulness:
Gracious God,
as you have brought N and N together in love,
enable them through the power of your Holy Spirit
to make and keep the solemn promises of marriage;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.
For faithfulness and peace:
O God of love,
look mercifully upon N and N in the new life
which they begin together this day.
Unite them evermore in your love.
Keep them faithful to the vows they have made one to the other.
Strengthen them with every good gift.
And let your peace be with them,
now and always;
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.
For daily following of Christ:
Heavenly Father,
we thank you that in our earthly lives
you speak to us of your eternal life:
we pray that through their marriage
N and N may know you more clearly,
love you more dearly,
and follow you more nearly
day by day;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.
For children and home:
Heavenly Father,
maker of all things,
you enable us to share in your work of creation.
Bless this couple in the gift and care of children,
that their home may be a place of love, security and truth,
and their children grow up to know and love you in your Son
Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.
For children and family:
Lord of life,
you shape us in your image,
and by your gracious gift
the human family is increased.
Grant to N and N the blessing of children.
Fill them with wisdom and love
as they care for their family,
so that they and their children
may know and love you;
through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.
Where there are already children
God of all grace and goodness,
we thank you for this new family,
and for everything parents and children have to share;
by your Spirit of peace draw them together
and help them to be true friends to one another.
Let your love surround them
and your care protect them,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.
For the support of friends:
Holy Spirit of God,
you know our strength
and have compassion on our frailty.
Be with N and N
in all they undertake.
And grant that we their friends,
with all who become their friends,
may sense and understand their needs;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.