‘Do not be afraid’ — words of the angels
Prayers of Intercession
This was originally written for a worship service marking the opening of a week-long Angel Festival. It might be used during Advent, particularly at a Blue Christmas or Longest Night service.
The word ‘angel’ is not always popular, or sometimes over-popular! How can this ancient term denoting those who proclaim God’s messages be used thoughtfully in modern worship?
Reader 1:
‘Those who desire life and desire to see good days,…
let them turn away from evil and do good;
let them seek peace and pursue it.
For …God’s ears are open to their prayer.’
Pray with us.
Reader 2: God, open our hearts,
to be ready for the messengers you send to us.
Help us to find your message,
in a world that needs it more than ever.
Reader 1:
Open our ears and hearts to the message of the angels, ‘Be not afraid.’
Reader 2:
Grant courage and comfort to those who are afraid:
the abandoned and forgotten,
the victims of violence and oppression,
the hungry,
the poor.
Reader 1:
May they hear the angel’s voices saying,
‘Be not afraid.’
Reader 2:
Grant true courage
to those who are afraid to be vulnerable,
to bullies and tyrants, even world leaders,
to people trying to be big
by making others small,
to people grabbing for more
fearing they will not have enough,
to people driven by greed and fear.
Reader 1:
May they hear the angel’s voices saying,
‘Be not afraid.’
Reader 2:
Grant courage to those from whom much is expected,
upon whose care we are dependent:
doctors, nurses and all in our nation’s health services,
firefighters and police officers,
social workers, teachers and carers,
environmentalists and activists,
parents and grandparents.
Reader 1:
May they hear the angel’s voices saying,
‘Be not afraid.’
Reader 2:
Grant us courage to look at the world
with wonder, hope and trust,
rather than fear, anxiety and worry.
Reader 1:
Open our ears and our hearts to the angels’ voices,
calling to all who will listen,
‘Do not be afraid.’
