“The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him.” Lamentations 3:25
Pray to the Father through the Son in the power of the Spirit for:
MONDAY 2 For the work of the Mothers’ Union in Ahoada and Warri, Nigeria, with which we have a diocesan link.
TUESDAY 3 Iver Heath: Tom Plant - Rector. Give thanks for our new rector, who joined us in May, and pray for him as he settles in and begins his ministry here.
WEDNESDAY 4 Stoke Poges: Natasha Brady - Vicar, Sydney Quartey, Patricia Hegarty. For our Lighthouse Café over the summer. For our Raise the Roof prayer and praise service.
THURSDAY 5 Wexham: Andrew Parry - Rector, Jill Bell, Chris Collinge, Gordon Briggs. For those who have recently been confirmed, that God would lead them as they grow. For the leaders and members of our Young Church.
FRIDAY 6 Cowley Deanery: Geoff Bayliss - Area Dean, Millius Palayiwa, Trevor Jones. For the deanery in the light of a lot of recent changes here: for the new team of stipendiary minsters and key workers as we grow together in the service of east Oxford. That we develop clarity on how we can build a church that blesses families, children and youth.
SATURDAY 7 Cowley: Geoff Bayliss - Team Rector, Liam Cartwright, Joshua Hordern, Max Díaz-Butrón, Elwira Lubos, Mark Oxbrow. Give thanks for God’s provision as, in challenging times, he has seeded generous hearts that have reached the immediate needs of the parish. For God's Spirit to inspire us as we look at how best to tell the story of God's love in a way that touches the hearts of those who live and work in this beautiful place. St Christopher, St Francis, Church Cowley St James CE Schools.
MONDAY 9 Newbury St Nicolas and Speen St Mary: Will Hunter Smart - Rector, Joy Mawdesley, Simon Eves, Janice Macdonald, Pam McKellen, Geoff Sowden, Clare Caskie, Tania Wolak, Sarah South. For our PCCs and parish officers in both churches following recent APCMs, especially for new members and those taking on significant roles. For a two-week programme of evangelistic events and Sunday guest services at St Nicolas Church from 9-22 June.
TUESDAY 10 Headington Quarry: Emily Hockliffe Essex - Curate, Rob Gilbert, David Knight, Margaret Whipp, Andrena Palmer. For the church in vacancy, that we continue to grow in love and share in responsibility as we seek God’s vision for our future. For our children and young people, especially those who were admitted to Holy Communion at Easter, giving thanks for the volunteers who minister to them.
WEDNESDAY 11 Headington St Andrew: Jenn Strawbridge, Gordon Jeanes, Ginny Thomas. Give thanks for the appointment of Emma as the new vicar and pray for her as she prepares to come here. For those who attend Young Church, that it may continue to grow through all the forthcoming changes. For the Revd Luke Norman, who finished his curacy with us in May, and had to delay his entry to the Royal Navy to begin training as chaplain due to a broken wrist. St Andrew’s CE Primary School.
THURSDAY 12 Littlemore with Sandford-on-Thames: Margreet Armitstead - Vicar, Josh Stenner, John Findon, Felicity Blair, Benjamin Johnson III, Ross Martin, Robert Morgan, Teresa Morgan. Littlemore: Give thanks for church growth and pray that we may be able to respond according to God's guidance to the people that come to us. Sandford: For those considering the possibility of confirmation, and for encouragement of a deeper engagement in the congregation with spiritual growth. The Oxford CE Academy, Lawn Upton CE Middle School, John Henry Newman Academy.
FRIDAY 13 Marston and Elsfield: Skye Denno - Vicar, Sam Durley, Andy Gosler, Neil Barker, David Cranston, Joel Denno, Stephanie Bullock, Helen Norman. For our outreach community event on Sunday 22 June, Love Marston, Love Life, for preparation and set-up on the day. For the Revd Sam Durley, who started his curacy with us on 4 May, for the family to be settled in the benefice and for Sam to flourish in his new post.
SATURDAY 14 Blackbird Leys: For a new incumbent for our ecumenical church and for those looking after the church during the vacancy. Following the collapse of the church roof in 2018, pray for the project to build a new church and community café, hall, and affordable housing.
MONDAY 16 Cowley St John: Martha Weatherill - Vicar, David Gimson, Susannah Reide, Pamela Daniel, Sabina Alkire, Elisa Gottardi, Libby Hawkness-Smith. For our mission and ministry. St Mary and St John CE Primary School, St Frideswide CE Primary School.
Bishop Gavin confirming in the Rotherfield, Sonning Common and Kidmore End Benefice.
TUESDAY 17 Highfield: Paul Niemiec - Priest-in-Charge, James Larminie, Michael Oberuohwo, Christine Tucker. Give thanks for the many and continuing blessings God is pouring out upon All Saints, Highfield. Pray that together we can grow deeper with God, closer in fellowship with each other, and reach out further into our community.
WEDNESDAY 18 Iffley: Clare Hayns - Vicar, David Barton, Graham Low, Rachel Gibson. For the newly-established Messy Church in Rose Hill, and for the growing children and youth ministry. For the eight people being confirmed at the end of the month. For our partnership with Rose Hill Methodist Church, and for Community Cupboard.
Bishop Mary confirming at St Mary's, Thatcham.
THURSDAY 19 New Marston: Elaine Bardwell - Vicar, Alison Salvesen, Rob Gilbert, Jane Hedges. For major fundraising efforts to keep the church building from collapse. For our teenagers and young adults as they embark on finding their paths through life. St Michael’s CE Primary School.
FRIDAY 20 Oxford St Clement: Mark Hay - Rector, Joanna Tarassenko, Judith Gretton-Dann, Martha Simpson, Susie Dowsett, Beth Ruckman. That we would know God’s will as we discern a vision for the next few years. For wisdom as we explore new ways of reaching our parish community.
SATURDAY 21 Headington St Mary: Eric Bossward - Vicar, Sam Durley, David Bird, Will Donaldson. For the repairs and renovation project being carried out at St Mary’s, and for the church family as they meet at Barton Neighbourhood Centre whilst the church building is closed for the work.
MONDAY 23 Newbury Deanery: John Toogood - Area Dean, Evelyn Bracey, Paul Tame. For the Hermitage team and Greenham as they prepare to welcome Nicola and Gail as their new incumbents. For our continued focus on the vital work we do with children, young people and families.
TUESDAY 24 East Downland: John Toogood - Rector, Douglas Dales. That we can raise up labourers for God’s vineyard. For our work to care for God’s creation. Beedon CE Primary and Stockcross CE Primary Schools.
WEDNESDAY 25 Hermitage Team Minstry nr Newbury: Clive Jones, Simon Thorn, Renée Coulson, Cathy Hawkins, Margaret Fisher, Wendy Willoughby-Paul. For all who are looking after the benefice during the vacancy. For the process of finding a new Team Rector. Cold Ash St Mark’s CE Primary School, Compton CE Primary School, Hampstead Norreys CE Primary School, Yattendon CE Primary School.
THURSDAY 26 Walbury Beacon nr Newbury: Annette Shannon - Rector, Alison Dean, Jennifer Veasey, Patrick Whitworth, John Seabride, Christopher Sears, Gill Guy, Bridin Warner. That the new outdoor festival services will draw people closer to God. That the churches' links with the community group would continue to grow. Kintbury St Mary’s CE Primary School.
FRIDAY 27 West Downland: Mike Griffiths - Rector. For the formation of the new united benefice council. For Matthew and Jenny as they join us for Matthew to begin his curacy. For the end of the school year for our schools: Brightwalton CE Primary School, Chaddleworth St Andrew’s and Shefford CE Primary Schools, Welford and Wickham CE Primary School.
SATURDAY 28 South Newbury, St George, St John and St Michael: Becky Bevan - Vicar, Leanne Fowler, Gary Collins. For our work with children and young people and our new groups, Lego Builders and Sunday Smash, for our toddler groups and Sunday groups and for our preparations for this year’s Treasure Seekers holiday club. For our curate, the Revd Leanne Fowler, her priesting and our benefice celebrations. Enborne CE Primary School, St John the Evangelist CE Infant and Nursery School.
MONDAY 30 Lambourne Valley: Julie Mintern – Vicar, Christine Allsopp. For those coming along to Living Well in the End Times (spiritual care for older people), and for those leading and contributing to the six sessions. For all those preparing for marriage within the Lambourn Valley. Lambourn CE Primary school.
Prayer on Sundays
SUNDAY 1 Give thanks for the children, young people and families across our diocese and pray that, in a noisy world, they would hear God’s still small voice, and find in our churches a home where their gifts are welcomed, their questions honoured, and all generations grow together in faith.
SUNDAY 8 Bishop Gavin confirming in the Churn Benefice; Bishop Steven confirming at St Mary the Virgin, Oxford; Bishop Mary confirming at All Saints, Wokingham.
SUNDAY 15 Bishop Gavin confirming in the Ray Valley Benefice.
SUNDAY 22 For all those being ordained next weekend. Bishop Gavin confirming in Wychwood Benefice.
SUNDAY 29 For all those being ordained today.
Links
Prayers from Christian Concern for One World: ccow.org.uk
Topical prayers from the Church of England: churchofengland.org/topical-prayers