In 1 Tim. 2:1-2, the apostle Paul urges that "requests, prayer, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-for kings and all those in authority." As we mentioned above concerning the Kyrie, the church's work of interceding on behalf of the world is vitally important. After all, if Christians don't pray for the rest of the world, who will?

The Prayer of the Church is a place in the service where considerable variety can occur from week to week. It is also possible to bring added variety through the use of musical refrains, such as singing the Taize refrain "O Lord, hear my prayer" (HS98 891) after each prayer.