Prayers 04/12

PRAYERS

DIOCESE	Advent Wonder: Second Sunday of Advent ‘Zechariah said to the angel, “How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man and my wife is getting on in years.”’ (Luke 1:18 NRSV) Look … As you look at the picture, what do you notice? Reflect … We often ask the ‘how’ questions when something seems impossible. Have you ever found yourself asking the question, ‘How on earth …?’ What happened next and what did you learn about God? Pray … We wonder – Lord, we wonder how you will make a way when every path seems blocked. We wonder how you will fulfil your promises when everything seems to be going wrong. We wonder how we will find our way when all around we see darkness. When confusion and bewilderment leave us lost for words, Draw near to us and help us believe again. Amen. (Advent Wonder written by Lyndall Bywater – Diocesan Changing Lives Prayer Network Co-ordinator)
DEANERY	Praying for the Deanery discerning how to move forward in a time of change and transition
RESIDENTS	Keswick Drive, Kilndown Close, Kingfisher Meadow
COMMUNITY	Bower Mount Medical Practice
CHARITY	Winter Shelter
SICK & ANXIOUS	Tanay, Betty Hildebrand, Rosemary Watson, Connie Neaves, Jo & Oscar, Hilary King, Priscilla, Peter Sturgess, Fran, Jackie, Wendy, John Larcombe, James Birt, Alan Bird, Jill, Tina & James, Elsa Harrington
DECEASED	Joyce Cripps, Ron Firth, Brian Lloyd, Elizabeth, Breda

 

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‘The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.’ John 1:9

 

Lord, as we look forward to celebrating Jesus coming into the world we pray that we won’t be distracted by trivial things; that we will be attentive to what truly matters. We pray for discernment in the midst of the busyness to focus on Your purposes for our lives. May we have the grace to rest, to be aware of Your presence and to enjoy time spent with You.

 

‘Be strong and take heart all you who hope in the Lord.’ Psalm 31:24

 

Lord, we need your joy and peace in the world. You are Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace; we pray for all those who still need to find Your peace. You have promised rest for the weary, peace for the anxious, acceptance to all those who call on Your name. We know, Lord, that peace can only come when all hearts find peace with You. Please Father reach out to those who don’t know Your peace, open their eyes and ears to hear Your voice.

 

We lift up to you all those who work so hard to make our lives easier, the police who work all hours to keep our homes and streets safe; medical staff, working unsocial hours at times; the postmen and women who deliver our mail in all weathers; the delivery drivers who keep our shelves stocked; the farmers, manufacturers. So many people who seek to make our lives run smoothly. We give you thanks for each and every one of them.

 

‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine.’ Isaiah 43:1b

Thank You, Lord, for bringing us into Your Kingdom. Give us the grace to act wisely in accordance with Your thoughts, to have compassion on those who are struggling, to have integrity, discernment and wisdom; to show Your love in this Advent season when the world is more concerned with material goods than the gift of Jesus.

We thank You for our spiritual leaders, bless them at this busy time of year; fill them with energy to bring Jesus into this season of Advent. May their words be filled with Your power to point the lost to You. Thank you for preparing our hearts to receive Jesus.