Prayers – 06/03

PRAYERS

DIOCESE	Maidstone Deanery Interim Area Dean: Phil Goodey School: St Augustine Academy Please pray with us and for us. We are a very diverse group of parishes who are looking for a way forward to build the Kingdom of God together in Maidstone town centre. We are revisiting the Deanery plan, and preparing for a time of significant change as a number of clergy in the deanery prepare to retire and move on. We are also looking to meet as a Synod for the first time in two years. Please pray for the appointment of a new Lay Chair of Synod and for good listening to each other and the leading of the Holy Spirit as we journey into a new way of being church. Anglican Communion: The Diocese of Kigeme – Eglise Anglicane du Rwanda 8 March Maidstone Deanery: Clergy with Permission to
DEANERY	St Luke’s Church, Maidstone
RESIDENTS	Station Approach, St Lawrence Avenue, St Leonards Road
COMMUNITY	1^st Allington Brownies
CHARITY	Winter Shelter
SICK & ANXIOUS	Tanay, Kirsty, Betty Hildebrand, Gordon Lorimer, Amy Bates, Alan & Rosemary Watson, Jonathan & Sue Veira, Connie Neaves, Emma & Alex, Melvin Watts, Jo & Oscar, Hilary King, Priscilla, Peter Sturgess, Margaret Dickenson, Malcolm MacKay, Fran, Jackie, Gill Poole
DECEASED	Jasmine Kuforiji, Nicholas Buckman, Jane Excell, Eddie Roberts, Rene Beaulieu

If you have a particular need you would like us to pray for, please use the following contact details;

Email: Prayerstnicholas@outlook.com Telephone: 01622 758641

‘The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.’ Psalm 9:9-10

Thank you, Lord, that we can trust You to be in the midst of the terrible war in Ukraine, You will never desert those who call on Your name. We pray that You will bring strength to the oppressed, help them to be steadfast as they fight for their country. Please Lord give them hope for the future, rescue from the oppressor.

‘Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.’ Proverbs 19:21

Lord, you ask us to pray for our enemies, so we bring to you the Russian leaders who have orchestrated this war. We ask for a spirit of enlightenment to fall upon them, let them turn around and see the injustice of their actions. You, Lord, know the hearts of these men, only You can open their eyes. Thank you that You are ready and willing to forgive them if they turn to You in repentance. We pray for them, Lord.

We pray for all the young men caught up in fighting because they have no choice but to be in the army. We give you thanks for the compassion the Ukrainian people are showing to these young men. May it open their eyes to the reality of freedom of choice, to a life free from fear.

‘Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually!’ 1 Chronicles 16:11

We lift up to the Lord, Volodomyr Zelensky and his ministers. We ask, Lord, that you give them courage, discernment, wisdom and strength. Help them to lead Ukraine diligently, making the right decisions. May peace prevail. Thankyou for the humanity of the leaders, may they continue to show mercy to the young men they capture.

Please Lord, deliver Ukraine from this evil, have mercy on the vulnerable. May the nations of the world stand up for justice, may they give generously to aid those who have lost everything. Lord, please hear the prayers of your people worldwide that this tide of violence be thwarted and peace return. Prayer is your greatest gift to us….may we use it wisely in accordance with Your will.

‘This is the assurance we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.’ 1 John 5:14