Prayers
No form of prayer is "wrong", but sometimes we need encouragement and inspiration. The formal prayers offered daily in the Cathedral serve to encourage the worshipper by offering a way of praying together with other people. If you would like to join us in our prayer please visit the worship section of the website.
JANUARY PRAYER
Charles Wolfe, author, poet and priest died on 21 February 1823. He is commemorated in a marble and bas relief monument in the south transept.
If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (1 Thess. 4: 14, AV)
Father of mercies,
you dispel the shadow of death with the dawn of eternal life.
Give us grace to press on towards Jesus
so that, after our earthly course is run,
we may come to his nearer presence;
through him who died and rose again,
the same Jesus our Lord. Amen.
FEBRUARY PRAYER
2 February is the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, sometimes called The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or Candlemas. The Presentation is depicted in a panel in the centre light of the south transept window.
Suddenly the Lord whom you seek will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight is here, here already, says the Lord of Hosts.
(Malachi 3:1)
Almighty God,
as your Son was presented in the Temple of the old covenant
and acclaimed by Simeon as the Light to lighten the nations;
grant that we, who are the temple of the Holy Spirit,
may bear witness to that light with pure hearts;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
MARCH PRAYER
17 March is Saint Patrick’s day. The first installation ceremony of the Knights of Saint Patrick took place on this day in 1783. A window in the north transept depicts King Cormac of Cashel, ‘bishop, warrior and scribe’. He wears a helmet and chain mail armour.
‘Put on the full armour provided by God, so that you may be able to stand firm…’
(Ephesians 6: 11)
Almighty God
clothe us in your heavenly armour
that we may stand firm in faith.
Inspire us with your holy Word
and defend us with the helmet of salvation,
that we may win the crown of victory by your mighty power;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
APRIL PRAYER
On 13 April 1742 the members of the Cathedral choir took part in the first performance of the oratorio Messiah, by George Frederick Handel.
‘I know that my Redeemer liveth’ (Job 19: 25; and words of a Soprano air in Messiah.)
All-powerful God,
your Son Jesus Christ is risen from the dead
so that death is swallowed up in victory;
We praise and thank you for him who redeemed us to you,
in whom all are made alive,
the same Jesus Christ,
who sits upon the throne for ever and ever. Amen.
MAY PRAYER
9May is the Ascension Day. The Joynt memorial window in the north aisle depicts an angel pointing heavenwards. The inscription reads He is not dead, He is risen!
Hail the day that sees him rise, Halleluia! (from a hymn by Charles Wesley)
Lord Jesus Christ,
on the day that sees you rise,
bestow your blessings on your Church below;
and grant that we may rise and follow to be with you
far above the azure height,
where you live reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit
now and for ever. Amen.
JUNE PRAYER
The Pakenham window in the Lady Chapel depicts Melchizedek holding bread and a chalice.
Then the king of Salem, Melchizedek, brought food and wine. He was priest of God Most High.
(Genesis 14: 18)
Almighty God,
you have called us into the fellowship of your Church
in which you have appointed you Son Jesus Christ to be the great high priest;
Grant that we, in our vocation and ministry,
may be witnesses to your love in need and deed;
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
JULY/AUGUST PRAYER
On 6 July 1690 King William III attended a Thanksgiving Service in the Cathedral. The chair that he used on this occasion is displayed in the Lady Chapel.
I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, with my whole heart. (Psalm 9, v.1)
You have delivered us from death, O God,
and opened before us the place of your dwelling;
Have mercy on us in your great goodness,
that we may continually give thanks
from hearts overflowing with love for you,
Now and for ever. Amen.
SEPTEMBER PRAYER
One of the Plunket windows in the South Quire Aisle depicts Dorcas tending the poor. The inscription reads: Dorcas this woman was full of good works and alms deeds.
Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter ino the kingdom of heaven;
but he that doeth the will of my father which is in heaven. (Matt 7:21)
Lord of Lords and High King of heaven,
grant that we who call upon your name
may be faithful to your commandments,
and constant in seeking to do your Father’s will;
that at the last we may be called to your heavenly kingdom
where, with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
you live and reign, for ever and ever. Amen.
OCTOBER PRAYER
At harvest time the Cathedral is especially richly decorated by the Flower Guild whose craft combines two of God’s gifts: the work of nature and human skill.
He bringeth food out of the earth and wine that maketh glad the heart of man: and oil to make him a cheerful countenance and bread to strengthen man’s heart. (Psalm 104: 15)
Almighty God and Father
we praise you for the beauty of nature and for the gift of human skill;
increase our capacity to delight in these things
and to see in them the splendour of your glory;
that we may thank you with gladdened hearts
and serve you cheerfully in all our ways;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
NOVEMBER PRAYER
Archbishop Narcissus Marsh died on 2 November 1713. His monument, by the sculptor Grinling Gibbons, is in the south east corner of the south transept. Marsh was a distinguished scholar in mathematics, natural science, linguistics and history. The library he founded in 1701 still flourishes as an internationally renowned centre of learning.
How sweet are thy words unto my throat: yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth.
(Psalm 119, verse 103)
Eternal God, source of all truth and wisdom;
help us to keep your word,
and to find true understanding in your commandments;
that, like your scholarly servant Narcissus Marsh,
we may show forth the splendour and truth of the Christian religion;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
DECEMBER PRAYER
25 December is Christmas Day. The carved head on the east side of the main entrance door to the Cathedral represents Dean Pakenham, who restored the Lady Chapel in 1850, and was Dean at the time of the Guinness restoration of the Cathedral. He died on Christmas Day in 1863.
The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in: from this time forth for evermore.
(Psalm 121, verse 8)
O God, whose love was made known to us in the birth of Jesus our Lord;
open our hearts to welcome him,
and grant us grace always to make room for his entry;
that we may be preserved in all our ways,
from this time forth and for evermore. Amen.
To learn more about the worship offered at Saint Patrick's click on one of the following links
Daily Services • Special Services • Monthly Music & Service List • Archived Music & Service Lists
Sermons/Addresses • Prayers • Dean & Chapter • Live Screening
