Durham Cathedral is set to lead the nation in prayer this Sunday as England faces its third weekend under lockdown restrictions.

Attendees are invited to say the #PrayerForTheNation for families, friends and neighbours and for all those who are sick, fearful or mourning a loved one, in an online service led by the Bishop of Durham, Paul Butler.

There will also be prayers for schools, colleges and universities and testimony from representatives from the education sector with hymns from the Choir of Durham Cathedral.

The service is being broadcast after the Archbishops of Canterbury and York called the nation to a month of prayer to coincide with the latest lockdown. 

In an address to be delivered during the online service, the Bishop of Durham will say: “In prayer we can be ourselves. We express our sorrow and contrition for our own, and our humanity’s, sin. We call out in thanksgiving and praise for the wonders of God’s creation and love seen supremely in Jesus Christ. We lament at the pain and suffering we see.

“We cry out, ‘How long, O Lord?’ when God seems absent, inactive, indifferent. We bring to God our requests; we intercede for others, and for ourselves. But above all in prayer we place ourselves in God’s presence and offer ourselves to this God of glory; this God who is the loving shepherd of his people.”

Below is the #PrayerForTheNation, to be read by the Dean of Durham, Andrew Tremlett:

Loving Father God,
be with us in our distress;
be with our families, friends, and neighbours,
our country and our world.
Give health to the sick,
hope to the fearful,
and comfort to mourners.
Give wisdom to our frontline and key workers,
insight to our Government,
and patience to us all.
Overcome disease with the power of your new life,
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.