I hope that these 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.
Monday
“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone” (Mark 12:10)
Father God, we thank you for the lives that you have given us, and we are sorry that we have not always lived them for you as you deserve, but rejected you instead. Thank you that your son Jesus died to offer us forgiveness, and although he too was rejected, he is the Cornerstone of your church. Please help us to live our lives for him this week. Amen
Operation World suggests that we spend this week praying for Asia. Please pray as you choose; however, to supplement the general prayer request, each day we will suggest one area within Asia and one person’s story will be included each day. Today we suggest praying for the Middle East; you could read this story first.
Tuesday
Lord Jesus, teacher, Saviour and friend, we pray for teachers and all those involved in the education system this week. Please would you give teachers energy and enthusiasm, so that they can keep teaching and caring for pupils despite the stresses of the pandemic learning environment, in classes with key workers children and working on-line. We pray that you will help them to support their students in so many different home situations. Please would you also give wisdom to heads and other staff in wider decision-making roles. Amen
Please continue to pray for Asia. You could pray for Central Asia and the trans-Caucasus region (including Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia) especially after the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict in late 2020. You could pray using this prayer.
Wednesday
Lord, In the midst of Winter, when the days are cold and wind can pierce,
remind us of the warmth of your love.
In the midst of Winter, when days are short, dawn comes late, and dusk arrives early,
remind us that in the darkness, your light still shines.
In the midst of Winter, when the flowers of spring still lie hidden in the earth, when leaves are off the trees, and the world can seem bleak, remind us that Easter is but a short time away.
And when in our lives we feel as if we are experiencing a season of winter,
reach out to us with the power of your resurrection, so that we may feel the warmth of your love and see your light that alone can take away the darkness of our soul. Amen
Please continue to pray for Asia. You could pray for the Indian subcontinent and remember those in this story (several months ago now but they will still value our prayers!).
Thursday
Loving Father, we pray for hospital staff who are still battling COVID-19 in intensive care wards, as hospitals struggle through the busiest time of year. Please would you help both their bodies and their minds to get the rest they need in between shifts, and help them to keep caring for their patients when things are so hard. We thank you for them. Amen
Please continue to pray for Asia. You could pray for the Far East, remembering this story in particular.
Friday
Heavenly Father,
When I feel crushed by my own worries,
lift my mind and help me to see the truth.
When fear grips me tight and I feel I cannot move,
free my heart and help me to take things one step at a time.
When I can’t express the turmoil inside,
calm me with Your quiet words of love.
I choose to trust in You, each day, each hour, each moment of my life.
I know deep down that I in Your grace, forgiven, restored by Your sacrifice, You have set me free. Amen.
Please continue to pray for Asia. You could pray for South East Asia, perhaps thinking particularly of Indonesia.
Saturday
Lord Jesus, you came to save us all, and often spoke up for the brokenhearted and downtrodden; we pray for those in our community this week who are struggling through grief and hardship. Where we can help ourselves in your name, please give us the love, time and courage to do so. Amen.
Please continue to pray for Asia.