“Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.” Ephesians 6.18
Pray to the Father through the Son in the power of the Spirit for:
TUESDAY 1 Water Eaton, Milton Keynes: Catherine Butt - Vicar, Ayo Audu, Nudrat Hopper, Gill Bradley. For the Revd Ayo Audu, to be licensed as Associate Minister today. For the Revd Lewis Simonds, joining us as Curate and to be ordained Deacon at Christ Church on 5 July.
WEDNESDAY 2 For our link diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman, Southern Africa.
THURSDAY 3 Greenham: Brian Jones, Martin Cawte. Give thanks for the appointment of the Revd Gail Minter, to be licensed as our vicar in September. For Gail as she prepares to join us.
FRIDAY 4 Hungerford with Denford: Mike Saunders - Vicar, Marcia Wadham, Alison Saunders, Michael Morecroft, John Seabridge, Jane Collins. Give thanks for the Revd Mike Saunders’ cancer surgery going well and that he has been able to return to work. For the appointment of the right children's and youth minister and for raising the money for their salary.
SATURDAY 5 Shaw cum Donnington: Raymond Obin - Rector, Ed Yates. For our ministry to the five care homes in the parish as we build a team of capable lay people to make this a long-term ministry. For our Boys Brigade and Girls Association, that this will grow into a significant ministry to the young people of the parish.
Shaw-cum-Donnington CE Primary School.
MONDAY 7 Thatcham: Mark Bennet - Rector, Angela Brennan, Brenda Harland, Michael Harley. For us as we face financial challenges, including repairs to the organ and work on our building; also the challenges of new housing and filling vacancies on the PCC. Give thanks for signs of hope, including the confirmation held in June. For the parish review to consider the future shape of our ministry, and for those who are stepping up to serve the church during the vacancy.
Thatcham Park CE Primary School.
TUESDAY 8 Milton Keynes Deanery: Paul Oxley - Area Dean, Gill Barrow-Jones, Catherine Butt, David Thom, Ian Watson, Bob Scarff. For wisdom as we consider the strategic plan for Milton Keynes and where to direct our efforts and resources. For the young people of Milton Keynes - that the churches of the deanery would be safe spaces to discover faith and welcome.
Bishop Mary confirming at Pangbourne St James.
WEDNESDAY 9 Stony Stratford with Calverton: For the parish in vacancy, that the right candidate may be found soon. For the two parish representatives, David Riding and Anna Page. For the PCC and specifically for the churchwardens, Jill Barby, Deb Kidd, Richard Hearne and Marilyn Bazeley; the parish safeguarding officer, Gwen Yates; the PCC secretary, Fiona Collins; and the treasurer, Bob Scarff, as they work together to keep the pursuit of the kingdom of God alive in this lively and fast-expanding parish in the absence of an incumbent.
St Mary and St Giles CE School.
THURSDAY 10 St Mark’s, Milton Keynes: Paul Oxley - Associate Minister. For the meals team as they serve the schools at the end of the year before having a well-earned rest. For courage as we seek to pioneer new ways of reaching young people - that many would find faith and grace around our table.
FRIDAY 11 Ironstone, nr Banbury: Alicia Baker - Rector, Guy Edwards. That school services in the churches are a blessing to all. That congregations continue to enjoy worshipping together during the summer weeks.
Shenington CE Primary School, Wroxton CE Primary School.
SATURDAY 12 Stantonbury and Willen, Milton Keynes: Chibuzor Okpala - Team Rector, Samuel Muthuveloe, Helen Rouse, Colin Taylor, Stephen Fletcher, Margaret Moakes, Phil Dunning, Dave Haseldine. For the continued growth of community engagement initiatives at Stantonbury, especially as we explore new ways of connecting with families during the summer. Give thanks for the faithful worshipping community at Willen and pray for spiritual renewal as we seek to deepen our mission and outreach, especially with the Hooke Heritage Project.
St Andrew’s CE Infant School.
MONDAY 14 Adderbury, nr Banbury: Liz Simpson - Vicar, Graeme Arthur. For community engagement in summer events. For work amongst children and families to grow.
Christopher Rawlins CE Primary School.
TUESDAY 15 Watling Valley, Milton Keynes: Mike Morris - Team Rector, Barry Lotz, Kath Long, Adedayo Adebiyi, Liz Breuilly, Roger Clegg, Peter Sharrocks, Dave Talks. For Barry as he retires at the end of July. For all involved in this year’s holiday club - Wonder Zone; that it will be a time of great joy, nourishment and refreshment for all concerned.
Christ the Sower Ecumenical Primary School.
WEDNESDAY 16 Woughton, Milton Keynes: Ian Herbert - Rector, Paul Norris, Mike Davidge, Charmaine Howard. For unity as we seek a way forward. That God will make his desire known for the Woughton Ecumenical Partnership and his people.
THURSDAY 17 Bletchley: David McDougall - Rector, Ben Thorpe, Rebekah Taylor, Maryann Brooks. For our children's holiday club in August - for good spiritual outcomes and a strong team. That, following the retirement of the Revd Canon David McDougall next February, the process to employ a new rector goes smoothly.
Coldharbour CE Primary School.
FRIDAY 18 Christ the Cornerstone, Milton Keynes: Ernesto Lozada-Uzuriaga - Vicar, Krou Assoua, Grace Hunting. For God’s guidance in Christ the Cornerstone’s civic and spiritual role within the city.
SATURDAY 19 Wolverton, Milton Keynes: Gillian Barrow-Jones - Rector, Francesca Reid, Marian Ballance, Hilary Webb. Give thanks for those who have recently found a spiritual home in our churches, especially for all those who were baptised and confirmed recently. Give thanks for our grounds and the volunteers who work so hard in them to provide a place of sanctuary to many people and fulfil our commitment to be an Eco Church. For the children and young people in our benefice as we discern how God is calling us to work with them in our community.
MONDAY 21 Milton Keynes Christian Foundation: Simon Rudiger - Team Leader. For the young people we work with, who often have complex and chaotic backgrounds and relationships; for calm, wise choices about who they spend their time with and who they choose to be influenced by. For the young people across Milton Keynes as they navigate the next steps of education, employment or training, that businesses and communities recognise their potential contribution to our society.
TUESDAY 22 Deddington Deanery: Alicia Baker - Area Dean, Graeme Arthur, Marigold Short, Christopher Hurst. For the vacancies in Bodicote and St Francis, Banbury - that the appointment process goes well and is blessed by God. As schools finish for the holidays pray for relaxation and safety for the pupils and staff.
WEDNESDAY 23 Fenny Stratford, Milton Keynes: Father Victor Bullock - Vicar, Father Ian Thomas, Father Tunji Adebiyi. For the ongoing evangelisation of our parish and for our Church Growing Project. For our outreach and ministry to our children and young people.
THURSDAY 24 Walton, Milton Keynes: Matt Trendall - Rector, Alison Drury, Philip Derbyshire, John Robertson, Paul Smith, Ruth Maxey, Ian Pearce, Virginia Kagunda. Give thanks for the number of people exploring faith and getting baptised and pray that we continue to nurture them in Christ. For wisdom, vision and courage as we reach out to new estates and residents, as our parish continues to expand rapidly with new housing.
St Mary’s Wavendon CE Primary School.
FRIDAY 25 Banbury St Francis: For the PCC during this time of vacancy. For the Distraction Project for teenagers and young people.
SATURDAY 26 Banbury St Hugh: Give thanks that a new incumbent, the Revd Thomas Singh, is to join us at the end of September.
MONDAY 28 Banbury St Leonard: Kudzayi Bvekerwa - Vicar. That the Holy Spirit would awaken a desire within the hearts of our congregation to study and pray together so we can grow in faith and love. That as our congregation grows more people will volunteer to run groups that meet the needs of the local community.
St Leonard’s CE Primary School.
TUESDAY 29 Banbury St Mary: Serena Tajima - Vicar, Sarah Cotterill, Louise Adey Huish. For our new Embracing Church service which happens on the first Sunday of the month and focuses on young people and families. For our new prayer ministry team who meet monthly to pray for the work of St Mary’s Church, our community and the wider world.
St Mary’s CE Primary School.
WEDNESDAY 30 Banbury St Paul: Dan McGowan - Vicar, Steve Short, Jeannette Law. For continued growth of the new congregation of St Paul’s, Bretch Hill, which is now six months old. Praise God for new people who have already joined us from the local community. For even more local people to come and hear the good news of the new life available in Christ. For continued interest in our regular Christianity Explored courses and for those who have deepened their faith through the course recently.
THURSDAY 31 Deddington with Barford, Clifton and Hempton: Nick Fielden - Vicar, Christopher Hall, Christine Turner, Allan Doig. For Deddington’s new family communion service on the first Sunday of the month, that it would continue to attract new faces and young people to know Christ and grow our church. For the roof restoration works at Barford St Michael, which are currently in progress, and for the remaining fundraising and grant applications to be successful and allow the works to be completed by the end of August.
Deddington CE Primary School.
Prayer on Sundays
SUNDAY 6 For all those who were ordained Deacon yesterday.
SUNDAY 13 Bishop Mary confirming at Bray St Michael's.
SUNDAY 20 For all those involved in ministry and mission in our housing estates and for Nick Hill, Pete Wheeler and Paul Walker as they convene the Estates Ministry Network.
SUNDAY 27 For all those attending and running summer holiday clubs.
Links
Prayers from Christian Concern for One World: ccow.org.uk
Topical prayers from the Church of England: churchofengland.org/topical-prayers