Prayers of the People
According to the rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer (1979), there is a great deal of flexibility with respect to the Prayers of the People. The single set form in Rite I and the six Forms in Rite II are available, but celebrants and liturgy planners are not limited to them. The only requirement is that the categories enumerated on page 359 are covered.
The links below are to alternative forms of the Prayers of the People that are keyed to the seasons and the lectionary readings of the liturgical year. They are adapted by Bishop Daniel from forms developed by Ormonde Plater, a deacon of the Diocese of Louisiana. In each instance, the Celebrant offers an introductory bidding, and the Deacon or other person appointed leads the prayers. In most circumstances, it would be appropriate for there to be some period of silence after each petition, before the leader continues with “Lord, hear us.” The celebrant reads the concluding collect.
In place of “Lord, hear us … Lord, graciously hear us” (adapted from Church of England materials), the more familiar language from Form IV may be used, if desired (“Lord, in your mercy … Hear our prayer”).
There is no form given for the First Sunday of Advent and the First Sunday in Lent, since it is customary to begin the service with the Great Litany on those occasions, and omit the Prayers of the People.
As long as all rubrics are observed, any of these forms may be adapted by, or in consultation with, the Celebrant.
Year A
Advent I
Advent II
Advent III
Advent IV
ABC: Christmas
Xmas I
Xmas II
ABC: Epiphany
Epiphany I
Epiphany II
Epiphany III
Epiphany IV
Epiphany V
Epiphany VI
Epiphany VII
Epiphany VIII
Epiphany Last
Lent II
Lent III
Lent IV
Lent V
Palm Sunday
Easter II
Easter III
Easter IV
Easter V
Easter VI
Easter VII
Pentecost
Proper 07
Proper 08
Proper 09
Proper 10
Proper 11
Proper 12
Proper 13
Proper 14
Proper 15
Proper 16
Proper 17
Proper 18
Proper 19
Proper 20
Proper 21
Proper 22
Proper 23
Proper 24
Proper 25
Proper 26
Proper 27
Proper 28
Proper 29
Year B
B:Advent I
B:Advent II
B:Advent III
B:Advent IV
ABC: Christmas
ABC: Epiphany
B:Epiphany I
Epiphany II
Epiphany III
Epiphany IV
Epiphany V
Epiphany VI
Epiphany VII
Epiphany VIII
Last Epiphany
Lent I
Lent II
Lent III
Lent IV
Lent V
Easter II
Easter III
Easter IV
Easter V
Easter VI
Easter VII
Pentecost
Proper 07
Proper 08
Proper 09
Proper 10
Proper 11
Proper 12
Proper 13
Proper 14
Proper 15
Proper 16
Proper 17
Proper 18
Proper 19
Proper 20
Proper 21
Proper 22
Proper 23
Proper 24
Proper 25
Proper 27
Proper 28
Year C
C: Advent II
C: Advent III
C: Advent IV
ABC: Christmas
C: Christmas I
C: Christmas II
ABC: Epiphany
C: Epiphany I
C: Epiphany II
C: Epiphany III
C: Epiphany IV
C: Epiphany V
C: Epiphany VI
C: Epiphany Last
C: Lent I
C: Lent II
C: Lent III
C: Lent IV
C: Lent V
C: Palm Sunday
Maundy Thursday
Easter 2
Easter 3
Easter 4
Easter 5
Easter 6
Easter 7
Pentecost
Proper 05
Proper 06
Proper 07
Proper 08
Proper 09
Proper 10
Proper 11
Proper 12
Proper 13
Proper 14
Proper 15
Proper 16
Proper 17
Proper 18
Proper 19
Proper 20
Proper 21
Proper 22
Proper 23
Proper 24
Proper 25
Proper 26
Proper 27
Proper 28
Proper 29