I hope that these emails and prayers are useful, and that you are able to spend a few minutes at noon each day, as we pray together as a church family. Please do keep sending your prayer suggestions to me, so that we can make sure we are praying around the needs, burdens and encouragements of our whole church family. One of the prayers this week has been suggested by one of the children in the church family.
From this week, we are including a link most days from Operation World, a resource organisation which collates and publishes information in order to help people to pray for the people around our world, country by country. For those of you who would like to use the information to pray worldwide, please click on the link for the day, read about the country, and pray for the needs that you see. We are hoping that this will help us to pray as a church family for the needs of our world in an informed way; do let me know whether or not you find it helpful.
Monday
Holy Spirit, bringing order out of chaos, bring order to our actions and purpose to our lives. Holy Spirit, moving in the deep places of creation, move in the depth of our hearts. Holy Spirit, breathing life into all creatures, refresh, renew, retore your people. Holy Spirit, giver of all good gifts, help us to use our talents and abilities well. Holy Spirit, giver of love, comfort and kindle hearts which without you are dull and cold. Holy Spirit, fill our hearts and minds with love, Come Holy Spirit, renew the face of the earth. Amen.
Please pray today for Germany.
Tuesday
“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” (1 Peter 2:12)
Father, through your Spirit, please help us to live lives this week that bring you glory. Please help us to treat those around us in such a loving, surprising way, that people see you in our lives and want to know you more. Amen
Please pray today for Ghana.
Wednesday
Heavenly Father, today we pray for those around the world who were struggling before COVID-19. We pray for those living in great poverty, those living in fear of natural disasters, and those under the authority of corrupt governments. We pray that you would lessen the impact of COVID-19 in these places, and provide new opportunities for employment, education and health. Amen.
Thursday
Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy in this time of uncertainty and distress. Sustain and support the anxious and fearful, be with those who care for the sick, and lift up all those who are brought low; that we may rejoice in your comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Please pray today for Gibraltar.
Friday
Lord Jesus, you brought physical healing to so many when you lived on earth, showing everyone what your kingdom was like. Today we remember all staff working in hospitals: nurses, doctors, administrators, cleaners, strategists and managers. Please protect them from the virus, give them access to the PPE and medical equipment that they need, and help them succeed in their important work. Amen
Please pray today for Greece.
Saturday
Father God, we pray for teachers today who have ended their first week teaching children both remotely and in school, learning new ways to work all over again, while trying to care for so many children and keep them safe. Thank you for their commitment and care for the children they teach. Please help them to rest well and to stay healthy. Amen
Please pray today for Grenada.