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.
Most days also include a prayer link to 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
“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9)
Father God, as we look at the world today we see so much violence, intolerance and pain. Please would you help each of us to find ways to bless people around us, both those nearby and those we can support who are further away. Please help us to see where we can repay evil with compassion, love and humility, and give us the strength to do it by your Spirit. Amen.
Please also pray today for Guatemala.
Tuesday
Loving God of justice and of forgiveness, we pray today for continued easing of tensions at the protests against racism around the world. We pray for reconciliation between communities, and for willingness to make changes where they are needed, both in minds and hearts, and in institutions. Thank you that many people feel that they have a voice now when they didn’t before. Please would you be with community and political leaders, helping them to listen, to right wrongs and to build relationships across cultural divides. Amen
Please also pray today for Guinea.
Wednesday
Almighty and eternal God, have mercy on those who are sick. In their days of weakness strengthen their faith, lead them to repentance, and teach them to live the rest of their lives in your fear and to your glory, so that at the last they may live with you in life eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thursday
“Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: ‘Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? … We [all] hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!’" (Acts 2:5-11)
Holy Spirit, when you first came to the disciples at Pentecost, you gave languages to bring people ‘from every nation under heaven’ into your kingdom. Please would you help your church to be people who show your great plan, for glorious diversity united in Christ, to the world. If there is anything we don’t see in our own hearts that makes us dismiss or exclude anyone, for any reason, help us to see it, and to change; help us to meet with and welcome all people as valued and respected children of the one and only Creator God. Amen
Please also pray today for Guinea-Bissau.
Friday
Loving God, as restrictions ease but the virus is still active, please would you continue to protect those who are shielding, and help those who are beginning to live as before to make wise decisions. We pray that as communities open again, we can continue to put others first; please help us not to lose our care for those around us as things get busier, but to continue to love those we meet. As we look forward to opening our church buildings, we pray for wisdom for those who make the decisions; meanwhile please keep building us, your church, together by your Spirit. Amen
Please also pray today for Guyana.
Saturday
Heavenly Father, you know the cares and fears of your children: grant that we will remember that your care for your people is never in doubt; teach us to cast all our cares on you; give us quietness of mind; and fill us with your peace which passes all understanding; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Please also pray today for Haiti.