Prayer

Prayer in the Benefice –Sunday 6^th to Saturday 12^th September

Please join us in prayer this week, either by adding the topics to your usual daily prayers or by praying the specific prayers suggested below. If you would like us to pray for something, or someone, then please contact Jill Perry ([email protected]).

Sunday: The Global Week of Prayer – A prayer by 24-7 Prayer: www.24-7prayer.com/weekofprayer

Father, we come before you with hearts deeply moved—moved by the sheer magnitude of all the trouble, suffering and lostness we see in our world. But we know even this sense of overwhelm – when we feel smallest and the task feels largest—is actually a sacred moment that leads us directly to you.  Because, in the end, you are the only person who can truly transform our nations and our cultures. 

Lord Jesus, you are exalted to the highest place. Your name is above every other name —every ruler and principality and power in heaven and on earth and under the earth. 

So today we pray in the name of Jesus—that every knee would bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord. Not because we have the strength to make it happen, but because you do. Not because our plans are sufficient, but because your power is limitless. The places that overwhelm us are the very places you came to save. 

Come, Lord Jesus. Transform our nations. Transform our cities. Transform our neighbourhoods. Let your name be proclaimed throughout the globe.  In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, Amen.

Monday: The United Kingdom

 Sovereign Lord, thank you for our country and the freedom we have within it. We ask for a new and better nation in which people strive not only to gain their rights, but to fulfil their responsibilities. Give everyone a deeper sense of duty, to You and to one another, so we reflect Your kingdom values not of wealth and power, but of service and faithfulness. Amen.

Tuesday: Todber

 Loving Lord Jesus, please bless all who live or work in Todber. As plans for the future of the church building are progressed, we ask for your guidance, your influence and your provision. May the church be a hub for the village and a place where you are worshipped, honoured and made known. Amen.

Wednesday: All who are ill or bereaved, especially those listed on the first page of the newsletter we have specifically been asked to pray for; those who have died.

 Merciful Lord, we commend to your loving care those who are ill or suffering. May they realise how much their patience and cheerfulness can influence others for good. Strengthen them and help them to see beyond the pain to the glorious future you have prepared for them.

Hear us as we remember those who have died, recently or long ago, especially those who cared about us, challenged us, cheered us up, or otherwise influenced our lives for good. Have mercy on them and grant them a share in your eternal kingdom. Amen.

Thursday: The Persecuted Church in North Korea – A prayer from Open Doors: www.opendoorsuk.org

Heavenly Father, we can’t imagine what life is like for our family in North Korea, but You know – indeed, You are with them. Awaken this powerful truth in their hearts today, pouring fresh strength and hope into their spirits. Protect believers and secret gatherings, and give Christians courage and ingenuity in their faith and witness. Soften the stance of the Kim regime to enable the country to be helped and influenced by the wider world. Amen.

Friday: Celebrities and those in the spotlight

King of Kings, we pray for all on whom the media spotlight falls, both those who seek fame and those who have fame thrust upon them by the circumstances of their lives. Give them perspective and keep them humble. May their words and their actions be a force for good in the world, reflecting your values and your will.  Amen.

Saturday: Ride and Stride

Lord of All, we thank you for our historic church buildings, for the sacred spaces they contain and the Christian symbolism they enact in their neighbourhoods. Show us how we can make best use of the buildings, and how to fund their upkeep. Please bless anyone doing the ‘ride and stride’ event today. Keep them safe, and encourage many people to sponsor them. May the money raised be used for your glory and in line with your will. Amen.

Prayer in the Benefice –Sunday 30^th August to Saturday 5^th September

Please join us in prayer this week, either by adding the topics to your usual daily prayers or by praying the specific prayers suggested below. If you would like us to pray for something, or someone, then please contact Jill Perry ([email protected]).

Sunday: Church Events: Services in the Benefice especially the Wedding and Baptism and Stour Provost and the Benefice Songs of Praise Service

Glorious Lord, we are humbled as we wonder at Your greatness and power, Your gentleness and love. Help us to worship You in our words, in our thoughts and in our lives. Bless all the church services happening today, in our Benefice and throughout the world.

We pray especially for the Benefice Songs of Praise this morning, for the wedding of Annabel and James on Friday, and for the two people to be baptised at that wedding. May those services be a time of joy, thanksgiving and worship for all who attend. May Annabel and James be blessed throughout their lives together, growing continually in love and faith and bringing their children up to know You as their Lord and Saviour. Amen.

Monday: All in authority

 Lord of Lords, we pray for all in positions of authority in the world, the church, businesses, and our local communities. Rid them of selfish ambition, jealousy and prejudice. Give them good judgement, vision and wise advisers. May they show grace, mercy and compassion. Grant us insight to know where and when we can influence for good, and courage to do so. Amen.

Tuesday: Stour Provost and Stour Row

Sovereign Lord, please bless all who live or work in Stour Provost and Stour Row. Increase the existing unity and engagement between the two villages. Encourage the residents of Stour Row to feel part of the parish, and inhabitants of both to engage with church services and events in both locations. Make all the people aware of your presence and draw them to you. Amen.

Wednesday: All who are ill or bereaved, especially those listed on the first page of the newsletter we have specifically been asked to pray for; the unemployed.

Merciful Lord, may your blessing rest on all who are in trouble, sorrow, sickness, and need. Bless those who try to help them. Fill them with encouragement and peace. We also pray for those who are unemployed. May they not grow despondent or lose their self-worth. Protect their families and their finances. Help them to employ their gifts in other directions and find fulfilment in service to others. Amen.

Thursday: Our churches – A prayer by David Adam

Sovereign Lord, reveal in us your glory, stir in us your power, renew in us your kingdom, develop in us your faith. Show in us your way, open in us your love, strengthen in us your hope. Work in us your miracles, revive in us your resurrection. Abide in us yourself. Amen.

Friday: Teachers – Adapted from a prayer by Thomas Aquinas

Father, whose Son, our Lord taught the crowds and the disciples, may all who work in our schools, colleges and universities be inspired to teach with skill, imagination and impartiality, guiding all students into a search for knowledge and truth, that in turn will lead them to find You.

We pray especially for Mr Deane, the new Head at Stour Provost School, that he may be a blessing to the pupils, the staff and the wider community. Guide and encourage him in all he does. Amen.

Saturday: Ourselves

Lord of light, shine on us; Lord of peace, dwell in us; Lord of might, succour us; Lord of love, enfold us; Lord of wisdom, enlighten us. Amen.