Prayers for Love and Faith

Christchurch, Upper Tean strives to be a welcoming, inclusive and accessible community church.  Within the limitations of current Church of England law, we would like to offer Prayers of Love and Faith as part of our church ministry.

Prayers of Love and Faith are offered as resources in praying with and for a same-sex couple who love one another and who wish to give thanks for and mark that love in faith before God. To celebrate in God’s presence the commitment two people have made to each other is an occasion for rejoicing. The texts are offered to express thanksgiving and hope, with prayer that those who are dedicating their life together to God may grow in faith, love and service as God’s blessing rests upon them.

It brings together a variety of liturgical resources in a desire to give thanks and praise to God for the gift of a loving relationship between two people, to mark their commitment to one another, and to pray with and for them. Recognising and celebrating the goods in faithful, committed same-sex relationships and seeking God’s help and blessing in growing in faith, love and holiness, these prayers seek to help couples grow in holiness. The Prayers of Love and Faith are not a form of marriage service, nor do they equate the relationships brought before God to Holy Matrimony. Nevertheless, they recognise all that is good, and holy, and faithful in these relationships and enable the people in these relationships to place themselves before God and ask for God’s blessing for their journey of love and faith. The prayers are drawn from existing sources but also include newly commissioned material.

Prayer of Love and Faith can be used in private prayer and conversation as well as in regular weekday or Sunday worship.

Please contact Rev. Joe Cant ([email protected], 07592 206706) if you would like to talk further about what we can offer.