Suggestions for the mens' prayer group for Wednesday 6-1-2021
HAPPY NEW YEAR
The new year is often a time for considering changes - maybe a time for renewal
- Psalm 51 vs10
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me
Opening prayer
Heavenly Father, as we gather together, we praise You for this day and Your
purpose for it. Help us to chose the path You have planned for us this day.
For You assure us that where two or more gather in Your name You are here
with us and will hear our prayers. We ask that Your Spirit will guide and
direct our thoughts and prayers during this time when we are apart yet by
Your grace, together. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
A confession
Lord God we have sinned against you: we have left undone those things which
we ought to have done; And we have done those things which we ought not to
have done: we are sorry and repent. Have mercy on us according to your love.
Wash away our wrongdoing and cleanse us from our sin. Renew a right spirit
within us and restore us to the joy of our salvation: through Jesus Christ
our Lord and Saviour.
If we confess our sins He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins
and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1 vs 9
We believe
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe
in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord who was conceived by the power of the
Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was
crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he
rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the
Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the
Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of the saints, the
forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Amen.
Collect for today - The Epiphany January the 6th
O God, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only-begotten Son to the
peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know thee now by faith, to thy presence,
where we may behold thy glory face to face; through the same Jesus Christ our
Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
for ever. Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be
done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our
sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but
deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now
and for ever. Amen.
Praise
Heavenly Father you are everything to us: You hear our prayers: You comfort
us when things are not going well: You grant us Your grace to keep our eyes
open to the life You would have us live: You forgive us: You love us with a
love deeper that we can understand: You are always faithfull and will never
let us go.
Let's count our many blessings and be thankful for them all
Worldwide Issues...
Let's pray for all the peoples of the world as we are affected by Covid-19.
Pray for all involved in caring for those infected that they may have wisdom
and stamina, for those infected that they may recover quickly and fully. Pray
for all countries affected by new and more virulent strains. Pray that vaccine
distribution may be organised well worldwide.
Let's pray for areas where there is still conflict in the world in particular
in Tigray, Ethiopia. Give thanks for the signing of a document in Quatar which
should bring more peace to the region.
Link to 'Wars in the World'
Closer to home
Let's pray for our NHS at this time - some areas may fill to breaking point
with the new variant Covid-19. Let's pray that the vaccine roll-out will be
well organised and that any delays in giving the second dose will not impact
peoples' health or public safety.
Let's pray for all who are facing difficulties with the latest version of
lockdown; for Boris Johnson and all the politicians who have people clamoring
for tighter restrictions and others campaining for fewer. Let's pray for all
in authority and public service - police, ambulance etc.
Let's pray for the people of St Johns and Woking: that we may be a light to
show the way and a blessing to those around us that people may see past our
sinful nature to Jesus who has saved us. Let's remember our neighbours in
prayer that difficulties during lockdown may be few and that we may be ready
to help if needed.
Our church
Let's give thanks for and continue to pray for Glyn and Peter and all who work
hard to maintain our services and livestream during lockdown. Let's pray for
the children who normally come to church that they may still find spiritual
encouragement.
Give thanks and pray for all who view the live streamed services both here and
overseas.
Sadly Iris Clark passed away last Saturday: Pray for her family - Steve and
Susan and their children in Byron Bay, Australia working for YWAM and for
Andy and Claire and their family in Horsell.
Link to YWAM Byron Bay
Let's pray for our mission partners...
Matt and Andrea, Sam, Ellie, Hannah, and Daniel Vaughan in Malaysia
Brendan and Jo, Lydia and Elias in South Asia
Josh and Cathy, Ben, Erin and Matthew Hooker in Namibia
Claire Dent, UCCF working with students remotely
Robbie and Lizzie, Lola, Caleb and Mia Bellis with a church plant in Belgium
Continue to pray for each other - see the email heading for the list. In
particular those in need known to us including Robin who is still in hospital,
Hein who is having difficulty arranging injections for Carol. The Royal Bromton
is ready to treat Roger's pulmonary fibrosis but is awaiting some further tests:
please pray that these tests will be carried out soon despite all the other
problems the NHS is coping with at the moment. Roger's son is coming to the end
of chemotherapy which appears to have shrunk the tumour and he is now more
comfortable: please pray that the next stages of treatment are wisely chosen
and promptly started.
The grace...
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship
of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore. Amen.