Liturgy & Prayers - Sunday, 22 February 2026 – First Sunday in Lent, Year A
Liturgy in One Document
Opening Sentence
After the one sin came the judgment of ‘Guilty’;
but after so many sins,
comes the undeserved gift of ‘Not guilty!’ (Rom 5:16)
OR
Just as all people were made sinners as the result of the disobedience of one man,
in the same way they will all be put right with God
as the result of the obedience of the one man. (Rom 5:19)
Prayer of the Day (Collect)
Traditional
O Lord, mercifully hear our prayer,
and stretch out your mighty hand
to defend us from those
who rise up against us;
through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Modernised Traditional
Lord, in mercy listen to our prayers.
Stretch out your mighty hand
to defend us from all the evil we face.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Alternative
(Let us pray for self-discipline and obedience. [silence])
Almighty and merciful God,
your Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days in the desert,
and was tempted as we are,
yet without sin.
Help us to discipline ourselves
in obedience to your Spirit,
so that, as you know our weakness,
we may also know your power to save.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
New
(Let us pray for strength in temptation. [silence])
Almighty and merciful God,
your Son fasted in the desert
and was tempted as we are,
yet without sin.
Protect us when we are tempted,
and help us to resist the devil
by trusting in your word.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Alleluia Verse
Use either the verse given in the order of service or the following verse.
No one lives on bread alone,
but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. (Matt 4:4)
Prayer After the Gospel
This is the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Thank you, Lord Jesus,
for resisting and overcoming the devil.
Strengthen us in our temptations.
Amen.
Offering Prayer
Merciful God,
you have forgiven us and brought us new life
though your Son Jesus.
Help us to live in thankfulness,
and to give of ourselves in serving others.
Amen.
Prayer of the Church
Services with Holy Communion
Preface
It is indeed right and good,
Lord God, holy Father,
that we should at all times and in all places
give thanks to you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
He has taken on himself our sin,
so that we might die to sin
and live to righteousness.
And so, with angels and archangels,
and with all the company of heaven,
we adore and praise your glorious name:
Communion Invitation
Every time we eat this bread and drink from this cup
we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
(Thanks be to God.)
Come, everything is ready.
Prayer after Communion
Let us pray.
Heavenly Father, as you did not spare your own Son,
but gave him up to die on the cross for us all:
Grant that we who have received
his body and blood in the sacrament
may live in him and he in us,
so that, as your children,
we may walk in your ways
and serve you all the days of our life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
OR use the third prayer of the day (as listed above) at this point. It may be modified as follows.
Almighty and merciful God,
your Son Jesus Christ resisted the temptation
to turn stones into bread when he was hungry,
but he has fed us with the bread of life.
Help us to discipline ourselves
in obedience to your Spirit,
so that, as you know our weakness,
we may also know your power to save.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.
Dismissal
This seasonal blessing is used together with (i.e. before) the usual blessing in the order of service.
(May) Christ our crucified Saviour draw you to himself,
so that you may find in him the assurance of sins forgiven
and the gift of eternal life; . . .
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. You have righteousness and life through Christ.
Thanks be to God.
OR
In the name of Christ. Amen.
