For God, whom I serve with my spirit
by announcing the gospel of his Son,
is my witness that without ceasing
I remember you always in my prayers.
Romans 1:9
As a benefice of our churches, daily, we hold the joys and woes of our world in our prayers.
Here are the topics uppermost on our hearts at this time.
Peace for Israel and Gaza
God of all,
of Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Isaac and Ishmael:
our hearts are broken in pieces
at the suffering and killing of your people.
Our voices cry out for peace and for justice.
Comfort those who grieve,
console and heal the injured,
be close to those in fear,
restrain with your mighty hand
those who perpetrate violence.
Send us your wisdom in all that we say and do,
that our voice may seek justice,
peace and security for everyone. Amen.
Based on a prayer by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland.
This prayer offers up all of the pain and suffering of Abraham and Sarah and Isaac's descendants - the people of the Jewish faith, and of Abraham and Hagar and Ishmael's descendants - the Arabic nations. Ishmael is revered as a prophet in the Muslim faith.
Peace in Ukraine
God of peace and justice,
we pray for the people of Ukraine today.
We pray for peace and for the laying down of weapons.
We pray for those who fear for tomorrow,
that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.
We pray for those with power over war or peace,
for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions.
Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear,
that you would hold and protect them.
We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
Amen.
Archbishops Justin Welby and Stephen Cottrell
Cost of Living Crisis
The 'we' in this prayer is for ourselves and also for all in this nation who can help ease this crisis.
God of life and love,
as you have been generous with us,
so may we richly give.
Help us to hold onto what we have loosely,
always ready to share
when we see others in more need than ourselves.
For in our love will your love be seen.
Bless our own homes
and all who enrich our lives by their goodness and love,
Lord, we pray. Amen.
Revd Katrina Hutchins
Here in this benefice one of our answers to this prayer is to support the Daylight Centre's Foodbank in Wellingborough. For more information on this, please click - HERE.
Caring for God's Creation
God of creation and Lord of life,
you entrusted us to care for our home,
which is your home too,
but in many ways we have failed in this.
Help us to realise how fragile,
yet beautiful, our surroundings are.
We are not looking after your creation
as you call us to do.
We need to be true stewards
and understand how the most insignificant of flowers,
the tiniest of insects,
and each creature - plant - person
are all part of a wondrous whole.
Amen.
Based on a prayer by Margaret Pickford
2018 Women's World Day of Prayer