The Prayers of Love and Faith are a series of prayers commended by the Church of England’s House of Bishops to be used to pray with and for a same-sex couple who love one another and who wish to give thanks for and mark that love in faith before God. They include prayers of dedication and thanksgiving; prayers for guidance, for companionship, for God’s blessing, and for the couple’s home and families. Click here to read the Prayers of Love and Faith.
The Prayers of Love and Faith can be used in private prayer or as part of a regular service. It is important to note that they are not a form of wedding service. In the context of a public worship service, the Prayers of Love and Faith can, under the authority of a minister with cure of souls, be offered by an ordained or lay minister, including those who hold the Bishop’s Permission to Officiate.
Click here to read our set of FAQs about the use of Prayers of Love and Faith and here to read the Church of England’s more detailed Pastoral Guidance.
Offering the Prayers of Love and Faith is at the discretion of each incumbent minister. If you would like to receive the prayers, please contact the Bishop’s Chaplain (bishops.chaplain@leicestercofe.org) for a list of ministers who are planning to offer them.
If you would like to discuss the Prayers of Love and Faith with your PCC or wider church, there are several resources which can help you do so:
- The five-session Living in Love and Faith course explores the themes of identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage through Bible readings and personal stories. If you would like someone from outside your community to facilitate the course with you and your PCC, please contact the Bishop’s Chaplain (bishops.chaplain@leicestercofe.org).
- Within the Living in Love and Faith course materials, two pieces of guidance may be more generally helpful for discussions about the Prayers of Love and Faith: the Short Guide for Facilitators and Braver and Safer: Creating spaces for learning together well.
- Each session of the Living in Love and Faith course begins by looking at one of the Pastoral Principles for Living Well Together, which aim to support the quality of our relationships as church communities whilst together we hold different convictions on matters of sexuality and marriage. The six Pastoral Principles can also be explored in their own five-session course or discussed using the cards.
- The Difference Course is a free five-session course which equips Christians to discover the power of reconciliation amidst conflict and division. It focuses on three habits that help us encounter others well and bridge divides: Be Curious; Be Present and Reimagine.
If you are unsure of how to proceed, please speak to your Archdeacon.