Please keep the following people in your prayers this week.
Those who are ill in body, mind or spirit:
Jean Hodgetts, Rose Ward, Nina Davies, Vicki Ellis, George Carter, James Carr, Lindsey Dawes, Fred Clarke, Ted Dodd, Chris Handley, Stephen Wright, Sam Martin, Lynn Yule, Keith Turner, John Manns, Charlotte Talbot, John Lewis, baby Frankie Rowley, Debbie Sampson, Ray Stansbie, Barbara Willerby, Lilian Freeman Natalie Price, Malcolm Wright, Lesley Beech, Colin Breakwell, Audrey Jones, Revd Peter Rainsford, Melanie Bird, Gary Walker, James Davis and Louise Calloway.
Those who have died:
Lawrie Davis, Andrew Hawkes and Abdi Mohamed.
Those who are ill in body, mind or spirit:
Jean Hodgetts, Rose Ward, Nina Davies, Vicki Ellis, George Carter, James Carr, Lindsey Dawes, Fred Clarke, Ted Dodd, Chris Handley, Stephen Wright, Sam Martin, Lynn Yule, Keith Turner, John Manns, Charlotte Talbot, John Lewis, baby Frankie Rowley, Debbie Sampson, Ray Stansbie, Barbara Willerby, Lilian Freeman Natalie Price, Malcolm Wright, Lesley Beech, Colin Breakwell, Audrey Jones, Revd Peter Rainsford, Melanie Bird, Gary Walker, James Davis and Louise Calloway.
Those who have died:
Lawrie Davis, Andrew Hawkes and Abdi Mohamed.
DAILY PRAYERS ON WEDNESDAY 16th JUNE
Lord God, we thank you that you have upheld us and brought us to the Saviour. Help us to remember this truth through your Holy Spirit, and constantly remind us while still on earth to live in heaven. Your Spirit alone can overcome our sinful nature so that we never forget to be in heaven with the Saviour now and in eternity. Amen
Prayers for our church:
Father, we thank you that we can come to you in prayer. We are comforted to know that you hear us and that you answer our prayers. Help us be content with the answers and help us to humble ourselves in our time of need. We pray for our church family and ask that you strengthen and comfort them Lord. Though some of us still cannot attend church because of shielding, we can meet in spirit. We pray that we remain as united and passionate for you. Amen
We pray for our government and our leaders:
We pray that your Holy Spirit will be kind to our government, leaders and scientists; help them to make wise decisions. Amen
We pray for those who are ill in body, mind or spirit:
Loving God, we pray that you will comfort those who are suffering. We ask that you lend skill to the hands of healers and bless the means used for cures. Give them confidence in the power of your grace, that even when they are afraid, they may put their whole trust in you; through our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
We pray for the families and friends of people who have died:
Lord, we pray for those who have died. Give them their reward, console those who loved them and weep with us for lost lives, for you are our resurrection and our life. Amen
Jesus, you said, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." We pray today for those mourning; send them your comfort now. Wrap your arms around them and hold them tight. Shower your comfort on them. Amen
We remember all those who are struggling:
Sometimes we really struggle, Lord, when we are feeling low. It feels as if the world’s moved on as people come and go. And yet, if we can just be still, we realise we’re wrong. For we have not been left alone; you have been here all along. Amen. (Anne Peterson)
For the hungry and the Food Bank:
God of faithfulness, your generous love supplies us with all that we need. We know that all we have is yours. We celebrate the work that you have done in Wednesbury through the food bank by means of the generous support of many people as well as the work willing volunteers continue to do. We are able to offer food to the hungry, a drink to the thirsty and compassion to the strangers in our town. Accept our offering of worship and service. May your Spirit empower us to be your hands and feet in our community as we continue to serve those in crisis. We pray that you bless all those who give and receive. Amen
Prayers for all of us:
We pray for all those involved in the shaping of young lives. We give God thanks for the sacrifice and commitment of teachers and all those involved in serving children and young people in education. We pray that all might be nurtured and cared for and that every needful resource will be made available; that all lives can flourish. Amen
Lord, be with our children and grandchildren who are in school, college or university. Please watch over them and keep them safe. Amen
God, please bless all parents. Fill them with patience, kindness and wisdom so that they can nurture their children. Amen
Dear Father, we come to you today asking for your protection and health for our essential workers. Without them we could not function, yet so often we take their faithful service for granted. Forgive us for the times when their work has gone unnoticed by us. Help us to be more aware of who they are and everything they do. Amen
Prayer for the Holy Land:
God of love, breathe love and compassion into our prayers with a desire for nothing other than peace: peace in our hearts, peace for all creation, and especially peace in the land that is called holy. God of hope, we lift up the city of Jerusalem, distracted and divided. God of mercy, we lay before you the hearts, minds and bodies of all those suffering from conflict in Palestine and Israel. God of the nations, give to all our people the blessings of well-being, freedom, and harmony. Amen
Today’s prayer from the Church of England:
Lord, you have taught us
that all our doings without love are nothing worth:
send your Holy Spirit
and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love,
the true bond of peace and of all virtues,
without which whoever lives is counted dead before you.
Grant this for your only Son Jesus Christ’s sake,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
WEEKLY PRAYERS (13th-19th June)
Lord our God, in the grace of Jesus Christ we turn to you, our Father in heaven and on earth, for we know your truth and your saving power. Grant that all may learn to look upward to you in faith and in trust that your will is being done on earth, even though so much seems to be the work of humans alone. In your will we are certain that everything will be made right and good, to the glory of your name. Amen
Prayer for our church:
Dear God, we pray for Fr Mark and ask that you keep him safe. We pray that our congregation can stay close to their faith. Lord, in these days of mercy, make us quiet and prayerful; in these days of challenge, make us stronger in you; in these days of emptiness, take possession of us; in these days of waiting, open our hearts to the mystery of your cross. Amen
OUR PRAYERS FOR THE SICK AND THOSE WHO HAVE DIED
Those who have asked for our prayers:
Jean Hodgetts, Rose Ward, Nina Davies, Vicki Ellis, George Carter, James Carr, Lindsey Dawes, Fred Clarke, Ted Dodd, Chris Handley, Stephen Wright, Sam Martin, Lynn Yule, Keith Turner, John Manns, Charlotte Talbot, John Lewis, baby Frankie Rowley, Debbie Sampson, Ray Stansbie, Barbara Willerby, Lilian Freeman Natalie Price, Malcolm Wright, Lesley Beech, Colin Breakwell, Audrey Jones, Revd Peter Rainsford, Melanie Bird, Gary Walker, James Davis and Louise Calloway.
God of mercy, look kindly on these people in their suffering. When Jesus was on earth, they brought the sick to him and he healed them all. Today we ask you to bless all those in sickness, in weakness and in pain. Ease their burden and make their faith strong that they may always have confidence and trust in your care. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen
Those who have died:
Lawrie Davis, Andrew Hawkes and Abdi Mohamed.
Lord, we humbly entrust Lawrie, Andrew and Abdi to your care. In this life you embraced them with your tender love; bid them now eternal rest. Amen
We pray that you will watch over Lawrie, Andrew and Abdi's families at this time. Comfort them in their sorrow. Amen
For those known only to you who have died, we pray:
Father of all, we pray for all those whom we love but see no longer. Grant to them eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon them. May the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen
Almighty and eternal God, from whose love in Christ we cannot be parted, either by death or life: hear our prayers and thanksgivings for all whom we remember this day; fulfil in them the purpose of your love; and bring us all, with them, to your eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
God our Father, your power brings us to birth, your providence guides our lives, and by your command we return to dust. Lord, those who die still live in your presence, their lives change but do not end. We pray in hope for our families, relatives and friends and for all the dead known to you alone. In company with Christ, who died and now lives, may they rejoice in your kingdom, where all our tears are wiped away. Unite us together again in one family, to sing your praise forever and ever. Amen
For the bereaved, we pray:
God of love and mercy, embrace all those whose hearts today overflow with grief. Grant them space to express their tears. Hold them close through the coming days. Amen
Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” We pray today for those mourning; send them your comfort now. Wrap your arms around them and hold them tight. Shower your comfort on them. Lord, please keep and carry these precious people in their sadness and loss. Cover them with your great wings of love, give their weary hearts rest and their minds sound sleep. Lord, lift their eyes so that they may catch a glimpse of eternity and be comforted by the promise of heaven. Amen
For the hungry and the Food Bank:
Lord, we pray for our local Food Bank volunteers who help feed the poor and hungry. You made us to know what hunger is, but also to know the goodness of your provision. We pray for those who share this earth with us, but for whom hunger is a crippling, life-threatening danger. We pray for those who have nothing and have too little to eat. Amen
God of faithfulness, your generous love supplies us with all that we need. We know that all we have is yours. We celebrate the work that you have done in Wednesbury through the Food Bank by means of the generous support of local people and volunteers. Through the Food Bank we are able to offer food to the hungry, a drink to the thirsty and compassion to the strangers in our town. Accept our offering of worship and service. May your Spirit empower us to be your hands and feet in our community as we continue to serve those in crisis. Amen
We pray for all the generous people we have in our community who have donated food to the Food Bank. May God protect you and keep you safe during this uncertain time. Amen
We remember those who are struggling:
Loving God, we pray today for those who are confronted by homelessness, sadness, ambiguity, isolation, the confusion of mental illness and dementia. We think of those upon whom they depend for attention and compassionate care. Look with mercy on all whose afflictions bring them weakness, distress, confusion or isolation. Provide for them homes of dignity and peace; give to them understanding helpers and the willingness to accept help. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Prayer for the Holy Land:
Our Father in Heaven, we pray that both sides of the conflict in the Holy Land can find a way to show love for one another. May your love shine down on our Christian brothers and sisters at this time. We pray for peace in their land, peace in their homes and peace in their hearts. Please bring healing and relief to those most in need and touch their hearts with compassion and love. Amen
Prayers for all of us:
We lift to God those we hold in our hearts – praying for their health, their well-being and their sense of hope. We ask for God’s help in our communication, our connection and our caring. Amen
Father, we seek your wisdom daily. Be with people making decisions that affect the lives and futures of our families, communities, country and the wider world. May truth and empathy be the touchstones of people setting policies for our protection. Amen
Lord, have mercy on those who hold anger or resentment in their hearts which prevent them from fullness of life; help those who find it hard to forgive others or themselves; give your healing to those who carry the wounds of broken relationships or bereavement. Amen
May Christ give us grace to grow in holiness, to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him; and the blessing of Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with us, and all those we love, this day and for evermore. Amen
Today's prayer from the Church of England:
Lord, you have taught us that all our doings without love are nothing worth: send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love, the true bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whoever lives is counted dead before you. Grant this for your only Son Jesus Christ’s sake, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Prayer for our church:
Dear God, we pray for Fr Mark and ask that you keep him safe. We pray that our congregation can stay close to their faith. Lord, in these days of mercy, make us quiet and prayerful; in these days of challenge, make us stronger in you; in these days of emptiness, take possession of us; in these days of waiting, open our hearts to the mystery of your cross. Amen
OUR PRAYERS FOR THE SICK AND THOSE WHO HAVE DIED
Those who have asked for our prayers:
Jean Hodgetts, Rose Ward, Nina Davies, Vicki Ellis, George Carter, James Carr, Lindsey Dawes, Fred Clarke, Ted Dodd, Chris Handley, Stephen Wright, Sam Martin, Lynn Yule, Keith Turner, John Manns, Charlotte Talbot, John Lewis, baby Frankie Rowley, Debbie Sampson, Ray Stansbie, Barbara Willerby, Lilian Freeman Natalie Price, Malcolm Wright, Lesley Beech, Colin Breakwell, Audrey Jones, Revd Peter Rainsford, Melanie Bird, Gary Walker, James Davis and Louise Calloway.
God of mercy, look kindly on these people in their suffering. When Jesus was on earth, they brought the sick to him and he healed them all. Today we ask you to bless all those in sickness, in weakness and in pain. Ease their burden and make their faith strong that they may always have confidence and trust in your care. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen
Those who have died:
Lawrie Davis, Andrew Hawkes and Abdi Mohamed.
Lord, we humbly entrust Lawrie, Andrew and Abdi to your care. In this life you embraced them with your tender love; bid them now eternal rest. Amen
We pray that you will watch over Lawrie, Andrew and Abdi's families at this time. Comfort them in their sorrow. Amen
For those known only to you who have died, we pray:
Father of all, we pray for all those whom we love but see no longer. Grant to them eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon them. May the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen
Almighty and eternal God, from whose love in Christ we cannot be parted, either by death or life: hear our prayers and thanksgivings for all whom we remember this day; fulfil in them the purpose of your love; and bring us all, with them, to your eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
God our Father, your power brings us to birth, your providence guides our lives, and by your command we return to dust. Lord, those who die still live in your presence, their lives change but do not end. We pray in hope for our families, relatives and friends and for all the dead known to you alone. In company with Christ, who died and now lives, may they rejoice in your kingdom, where all our tears are wiped away. Unite us together again in one family, to sing your praise forever and ever. Amen
For the bereaved, we pray:
God of love and mercy, embrace all those whose hearts today overflow with grief. Grant them space to express their tears. Hold them close through the coming days. Amen
Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” We pray today for those mourning; send them your comfort now. Wrap your arms around them and hold them tight. Shower your comfort on them. Lord, please keep and carry these precious people in their sadness and loss. Cover them with your great wings of love, give their weary hearts rest and their minds sound sleep. Lord, lift their eyes so that they may catch a glimpse of eternity and be comforted by the promise of heaven. Amen
For the hungry and the Food Bank:
Lord, we pray for our local Food Bank volunteers who help feed the poor and hungry. You made us to know what hunger is, but also to know the goodness of your provision. We pray for those who share this earth with us, but for whom hunger is a crippling, life-threatening danger. We pray for those who have nothing and have too little to eat. Amen
God of faithfulness, your generous love supplies us with all that we need. We know that all we have is yours. We celebrate the work that you have done in Wednesbury through the Food Bank by means of the generous support of local people and volunteers. Through the Food Bank we are able to offer food to the hungry, a drink to the thirsty and compassion to the strangers in our town. Accept our offering of worship and service. May your Spirit empower us to be your hands and feet in our community as we continue to serve those in crisis. Amen
We pray for all the generous people we have in our community who have donated food to the Food Bank. May God protect you and keep you safe during this uncertain time. Amen
We remember those who are struggling:
Loving God, we pray today for those who are confronted by homelessness, sadness, ambiguity, isolation, the confusion of mental illness and dementia. We think of those upon whom they depend for attention and compassionate care. Look with mercy on all whose afflictions bring them weakness, distress, confusion or isolation. Provide for them homes of dignity and peace; give to them understanding helpers and the willingness to accept help. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Prayer for the Holy Land:
Our Father in Heaven, we pray that both sides of the conflict in the Holy Land can find a way to show love for one another. May your love shine down on our Christian brothers and sisters at this time. We pray for peace in their land, peace in their homes and peace in their hearts. Please bring healing and relief to those most in need and touch their hearts with compassion and love. Amen
Prayers for all of us:
We lift to God those we hold in our hearts – praying for their health, their well-being and their sense of hope. We ask for God’s help in our communication, our connection and our caring. Amen
Father, we seek your wisdom daily. Be with people making decisions that affect the lives and futures of our families, communities, country and the wider world. May truth and empathy be the touchstones of people setting policies for our protection. Amen
Lord, have mercy on those who hold anger or resentment in their hearts which prevent them from fullness of life; help those who find it hard to forgive others or themselves; give your healing to those who carry the wounds of broken relationships or bereavement. Amen
May Christ give us grace to grow in holiness, to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him; and the blessing of Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with us, and all those we love, this day and for evermore. Amen
Today's prayer from the Church of England:
Lord, you have taught us that all our doings without love are nothing worth: send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love, the true bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whoever lives is counted dead before you. Grant this for your only Son Jesus Christ’s sake, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
The Lord's Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
SPECIAL PRAYER FOR THE REVD PETER RAINSFORD
It is with a heavy heart we have to advise you that a previous vicar of St Bartholomew’s (from 1984), the Revd Peter Rainsford, is not at all well (following several months of illness) and he has deteriorated recently. We keep Peter and his wife, Pam, in our prayers.
Heavenly Father, give strength and courage to Revd Peter Rainsford as he patiently endures the suffering and pain of his illness. Take from his heart all painful anxiety. Help him to place himself in the arms of your loving and protective care; trusting in your compassionate and tender love. We ask that you be with his wife, Pam, at this time. Please heal her broken heart. Fill her with the peace and joy we know can only come from you during this difficult time. Amen
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10)
Prayer for Remembrance Day
PRAYER FOR ALL WHO SUFFER AS A RESULT OF WAR:
Let us pray for all who suffer as a result of war and ask that God may give us peace:
We pray for all of those who have died in the violence of war.
Each one is remembered by and known to God;
May God give them peace.
We pray for all members of the armed forces
who are in danger this day,
remembering their families, their friends
and all who pray for their safe return;
May God give them peace.
We pray for all civilian men, women and children,
whose lives are disfigured by war or terror,
and we call to mind in regret
the anger and hatred of humanity;
May God give all peace.
We pray for all peacemakers and peacekeepers,
We pray for all who seek to keep this world secure and free;
May God give all peace.
And we pray for all who bear the burden and responsibility of leadership: political, military and religious;
We pray that they may have the gift of wisdom and
work in the search for reconciliation and peace;
may God grant us all peace.
O God of truth and justice,
we hold before you those whose memory we cherish,
and those whose names we will never know.
As we honour the past,
may we put our faith in your future;
for you are the source of life and hope,
now and for ever.
Amen.
They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.
A fitting end to our Remembrance Day prayers is Nelson’s Prayer:
On the morning of the battle of Trafalgar, Nelson made an entry into his journal and with it the following prayer:
“May the great God, whom I worship, grant to my country and for the benefit of Europe in general, a great and glorious victory and may no misconduct in anyone tarnish it; and may humanity after victory be the predominant feature in the British fleet. For myself individually, I commit my life to him that made me; and may His blessing alight on my endeavours for serving my country faithfully. To him I resign myself and the just cause which is entrusted to me to defend. Amen.”
