“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2
Pray to the Father through the Son in the power of the Spirit for:
MONDAY 1 For the work of the Mothers’ Union in Victoria Nyanza, Tanzania, with which we have a diocesan link.
TUESDAY 2 White Waltham: David Atallah - Vicar, Carole Perkins. For the beginning of our Identity Course running after the Easter services, for visitors and newcomers to hear the good news of Jesus. For the Bible teaching in church (Philippians) to build us up in partnership, that we may know better how to live out our faith in the world and glorify God. For the leaders of our children's groups and toddler group, for continued enthusiasm, creativity and love.
White Waltham CE Academy.
WEDNESDAY 3 Maidenhead St Luke: Sally Lynch, Phyl Sopp, Sam Fiordelisi, Terrie Robinson. That participants on our Alpha course might be blessed by God’s Spirit. For continued growth in ministry with children and families.
St Luke’s CE Primary School.
THURSDAY 4 Risborough: David Williams - Team Rector, Peter Godden, Tony Bundock, Andrew Walmsley, Sue Hughes, Michael Hunt, Sally Prendergast, Graham King, Ted Kent, Averil Stephenson, Tony Eccleston, Alex Rees, David and Nancy Wallace, Steve and Rose Williams, Nick Moloney, Jenny Deverill. For applicants for the Parish of Bledlow, Saunderton and Horsenden that is in vacancy. For our team churches as they celebrate Eastertide.
St John’s CE Primary School, Longwick CE Combined School, Monks Risborough CE Primary School, Speen CE School.
FRIDAY 5 Old Windsor: Adel Shokralla - Vicar, Lynne Thorogood. For our church reordering process, involving practical tasks and a preparatory phase where we ask what needs to go, what needs to grow, and what needs to be reformed, so our church can become a place where we can be with God, each other and the wider community. For our planning to begin Messy Church and relaunch the all-age service after a long pause.
St Peter’s CE Middle School, The Royal CE School.
SATURDAY 6 Dedworth All Saints, Windsor: Paul Walker - Vicar, Adam Wingrove, Jacki Thomas, Mike Thomas, Michelle Sturgeon. Give thanks for the church growth seen, increased giving and the joys of making Jesus known together. For the five local schools and 14 charities using the Church Centre. For our life groups. For discerning God’s longer-term mission plan together. For wisdom for the growth and vision team.
MONDAY 8 Bicester and Islip Deanery: Gareth Miller - Area Dean, Andrew Foran, Diana Glover, Tina Shaw, Jane White, Matthew Clements. For the Shelswell Benefice, seeking to appoint a house-for-duty priest. For the Ray Valley Benefice, preparing to appoint a new priest-in-charge.
TUESDAY 9 Akeman, Cherwell, Oxon: Gareth Miller - Rector, Nick Ktorides, Paul Clifford, Bob Wilkes. For our PCC awayday when we will be considering how we can further/better engage and impact our parishes and local communities. That this can be a valuable time of meeting and produce some fruitful outcomes. For the health and wellbeing of members of our ministry team and our ability to meet the challenges of our seven churches going forward.
Bletchingdon CE School, Chesterton CE Primary School, Kirtlington CE Primary School.
WEDNESDAY 10 The Ray Valley, between Bicester and Kidlington: Associate clergy - Lisa Holmes, Lucy Thirtle. For faith, patience and mutual support through a period of substantial change. For the appointment of a priest-in-charge to the Ray Valley Benefice and all involved in the process.
Charlton-on-Otmoor CE Primary School, Dr South’s CE School.
THURSDAY 11 Bicester with Bucknell, Caversfield and Launton: Peter Wright - Team Rector, Ian Biscoe, Sarah Mortimer, Chris Hunt, Erika Biscoe, Judith Ryder, Roger Winson, Emma Carter, John Rodgers, Philip Wilson, Christopher Young, Colin Cockshaw. For work with children, families and schools in the team, especially for St Edburg’s CE Primary School and Launton CE Primary School. For ministry to our rapidly-growing new communities across Bicester.
FRIDAY 12 Shelswell (between Bicester, Brackley and Buckingham): Alice Goodall - Rector, Penny Wood, Sam Mortimer, Liz Welters, Carolyn Oley, Liz Thompson. For recruitment of the right person to join us as a house-for-duty priest. For the Benefice Day on 12 May, when we hope to bring together both young and old as Yvonne Morris uses the Space Makers resource to help us connect with God and with each other. For our link with the Wulu Diocese in South Sudan and for the tentative plans for representatives from the benefice to visit later in the year.
Finmere CE Primary School, Fringford CE Primary School.
SATURDAY 13 Cherwell Valley: Helen Barnes - Team Rector, Lex Bradley-Stow, Kath Cooke, Phil Cooke, Andrew Foran. That the new members of the ministry team will settle in and that we will continue to be effective as a ministry team together. That the Revd Helen Barnes will have a blessed and refreshing sabbatical. That our churches continue to be a source of community identity and places of worship and support for the villages we serve.
Fritwell CE Primary School.
MONDAY 15 Rousham: Richard Smail - Priest-in-charge. For the church community and for the wider community of visitors to Rousham House and Gardens.
TUESDAY 16 Aylesbury Deanery: Jonathan Hawkins - Area Dean, Tim Harper, Richard Phillips, Graham Strachan, Jan Lemos, Tania Dovey. For our three parishes in vacancy, some of which have been too long, and a fourth soon to go into vacancy, that recent advertising will be fruitful. For our parishes that are increasingly struggling to fill key posts of churchwarden, treasurer and safeguarding officer.
WEDNESDAY 17 Bernwode: Gemma Beesley - Rector, Jenny Edmans. Give thanks for the growth of Lego Church and Walking Church and pray for God's vision for our children and families worship across the benefice. Pray that the pop-up socials will be life-giving places for neighbours to gather in our villages over the spring and summer. For Imogen, our new benefice facilitator, and her work with grant applications and the PCCs.
Brill CE school, Ashfold school, Bruern Abbey senior school.
THURSDAY 18 Waltham St Lawrence and Shottesbrooke: For the benefice in vacancy and the process of finding a new vicar.
FRIDAY 19 Wychert Vale: Cassa Messervy - Rector, Clare Joyce, Phil Groves, Nigel Featherston, Jonathan Hawkins, Trich Mander, Olive Kuhrt, Richard Smith. For our ministry to children, young people and their families, especially our youth group Chill In, ministry in our five schools and the upcoming Lighthouse holiday club in August. For Café in the Park, toddler groups and Monday Club.
Cuddington and Dinton CE Primary School, Haddenham St Mary’s CE School, Stone CE Combined School.
SATURDAY 20 Bedgrove: Martin Kuhrt - Vicar, Tamara Zimmerman. Give thanks for the growth in our congregation. For more people to help with children’s and youth ministry and for a new children’s and youth minister to join Tamara and fill the vacant role.
MONDAY 22 Broughton: Phil White - Vicar, Shirley Bull. For Phil as he retires in May and for the benefice as they prepare for the recruitment of a new vicar.
TUESDAY 23 Aylesbury: Doug Zimmerman - Team Rector, Peter Wheeler, Gareth Lane, Vicky Burton, Rainah Madzorera, Leon Githae, Gemma Moncada. For people with the right gifts to join our PCC. That we will successfully simplify our financial accounts.
St Mary’s CE School, The Aylesbury Vale CE Academy, Berryfields CE Primary School.
WEDNESDAY 24 Southcourt: For those in Southcourt who haven't given their lives to Christ. For the people who have difficulties with day-to-day life. For our schools to be centres of excellence. For guidance and fellowship for the people of Southcourt.
THURSDAY 25 Bierton and Hulcott: For the benefice in vacancy, that the right person will be found to fill the post of vicar.
Bierton CE Combined School, Buckingham Park CE Primary School.
FRIDAY 26 Worminghall with Ickford, Oakley and Shabbington: David Kaboleh - Rector. For confidence in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ to the 3,000+ souls in the benefice. For newly-elected members of the PCC growing in their roles under God.
Oakley CE Combined School.
SATURDAY 27 Long Crendon with Chearsley and Nether Winchendon: Richard Phillips - Vicar, John Walton, John Scholefield, Gill Nicholls, Darren Sampson. For the new baby and carer group meeting in Chearsley Village Hall. For the Eco Church initiative starting in Long Crendon.
Bishop David Jennings confirming at St George's School, Ascot.
MONDAY 29 Walton Holy Trinity: Andy Johnson - Vicar. Praise God for renewed growth and newcomers each week. May we increasingly be set up to receive them and be ready/able to be a “next level” church spiritually and numerically.
Bishop Gavin confirming at Abingdon School.
TUESDAY 30 Bracknell Deanery: David Brown - Area Dean, Lee Townsend, Caroline Kallipetis, Lesley Philpot, Chris Boutle. For our making and implementing of specific plans and projects in our key focus area this triennium of work with children, youth, schools and families. For how we help churches with reduced clergy capacity to cover services in the coming months, following a number of curacies ended or soon to end and one church having said goodbye to two full-time clergy, and one other full-time minister, who have moved on.
Prayer on Sundays
SUNDAY 7 Bishop Gavin confirming at Bampton with Clanfield Benefice and Yarnton with Begbroke Benefice. Keep our children and young people safe in the shelter of your wing, loving God. Envision, resource and grow our ministries with them in church, schools and communities.
SUNDAY 14 Bishop Steven confirming at St Peter and St Paul, Wantage. We pray for courage as we seek to reach those on the margins of our communities and parishes.
SUNDAY 21 Bishop Steven confirming at St Andrew's, Headington; Bishop Olivia confirming at Easthampstead. We pray for those called to serve: those whom you have called, those you are calling now, and those you will call in the future. May they be open and responsive to the call of serving your people.
SUNDAY 28 Bishop Tim Wambunya confirming at Basildon, Aldworth and Ashampstead. We pray for farmers here and overseas whose livelihoods are being impacted daily by extreme weather, for world leaders as they make decisions for the future of creation, and for our efforts to become a Silver Eco Diocese.
Links
Prayers from Christian Concern for One World: ccow.org.uk
Topical prayers from the Church of England: churchofengland.org/topical-prayers