What is Living in Love and Faith?

"The Living in Love and Faith process is part of a longer journey of the Church of England to listen, learn and respond to changing views in our society towards identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage. Despite big differences over the best approach to take, the Church agrees it needs to better include and support LGBTQI+ people". The Church of England

The Prayers of Love and Faith exist within the initiative of Living in Love and Faith is the term used for the Church of England’s discernment process about identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage.  The Church of England is aware that issues of gender and sexuality are intrinsic to people’s experience, their sense of identity, their lives and the loving relationships that shape and sustain them.  As such, the Church is seeking to understand what it means to follow Christ in love and faith, given these questions about human identity and the variety of patterns of relationship emerging in our society, including marriage, civil partnership, cohabitation, celibacy and friendship.  

You can keep up to date with stories and news from the Church of England here: Living in Love and Faith NewsThe Church of England's "Prayers of Love and Faith" (PLF) are a suite of resources, including prayers and pastoral support, designed for use with same-sex couples to mark their relationships, without changing the doctrine of marriage. Commended by the House of Bishops in late 2023, they can be used within existing, regular services, but as of January 2026, they require further legal authorization for standalone, "bespoke" services.

Living in Love and Faith course

There is a very helpful 5 week course for chaplaincies or individuals to participate in here:  Living in Love and Faith

Prayers of Love and Faith: Resources

You can download these here:  Prayers of Love and Faith

Pastoral Guidance for chaplaincies on the use of Prayers of Love and Faith, can be found on the Church of England website here: Pastoral Guidance

We also developed a Frequently Asked Questions guide that you may also find useful: Prayer of Love and Faith:  FAQ

Advice and Support

Bishop Robert appointed a liaison officer for LGBTQI+,  Revd Louis Darrant.  You can contact him here.

Telling people that your chaplaincy offers the Prayers of Love and Faith

As well as making it clear on your own chaplaincy website, you may like to consider doing so on your A Church Near You site.  We are grateful to Together for the Church of England for this helpful video: