Download January 2026's Prayer Diary
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
At the beginning of a new year, we pray as a diocese to the Father, through the Son and in the power of the Spirit, for wisdom and guidance in all our life together, especially in the discernment process for a new bishop, and this day for:
THURSDAY 1 Our link Diocese of Jamaica and Cayman Islands. As we continue to respond to the devastation of Hurricane Melissa, pray that people, church and government would be united in relief efforts. Pray in particular for people in the worst affected areas of St Elizabeth, Westmorland, St James, Hanover, Trelawney, St Ann and Upper Manchester, and for those who have lost jobs in tourism.
FRIDAY 2 High Wycombe: Anthony Searle - Team Rector Wendy Bull and others, including Jonny Dade, Simon Dust, Azita Jabbari, Chris Owen and Lydia Lee. With Heather Graham’s retirement, the vacancy at St James Downley.
High Wycombe CE School.
SATURDAY 3 Hambleden Valley, Bucks: Andrew Storch – Rector, Sue Morton, Peter Viney. We give thanks for prayers answered in last year's request for a replacement Director of Music. After 14 years as associate priest here, Rev Sue Morton is leaving. Please pray for the Rector who will be looking after six churches alone and for finding her successor. Frieth CE Primary School.
MONDAY 5 4U Team (Great Marlow w Marlow Bottom, Little Marlow & Bisham): Sam Follett - Team Rector and others, including, Fiona Ellingham, Graham Watts, Tom Venables, Carol Cooper, Sami Watts. For all those affected by the consultation to propose the closure of Little Marlow CofE infant school this academic year.
Holy Trinity CE School, Little Marlow CE School, Marlow CE Infant School, Bisham CE Primary School.
TUESDAY 6 Hughenden, High Wycombe: Helen Peters - Assoc. Priest, David Tester, Chris Coyston. For the process of recruiting a vicar for St Michael & All Angels Hughenden. Continuing to reach families in our local community through the growth of Lighthouse live, our monthly afternoon service.
Great Kingshill CE Combined School.
WEDNESDAY 7 Hazelmere, High Wycombe: Mark Meardon - Vicar, Daniel Carter, Clive Collier, Jonny Goodchild, Matthew Rayer. In January we are running an Alpha course and pray that God draws in many people to explore and discover Jesus as their Saviour and King. Please pray that our youth and children’s ministries across Hazlemere church deepen and grow.
Hazelmere CE Combined School.
THURSDAY 8 West Wycombe with Bledlow Ridge, Bradenham and Radnage: Lance Sharpe - Rector, Veronica Beaumont, Ivor Cornish. For our family services which we introduced in May to grow in popularity and for new officers for our PCCs where there are vacancies, particularly Bledlow Ridge
Radnage CE Primary School.
FRIDAY 9 Flackwell Heath, High Wycombe: James Dwyer - Vicar, Gill Taylor, Helen Broadbent, Debbie Fox-Webb, Sue Simpson, Leonie Cowlard, Rebecca Hawes. That our new vision of becoming more like Jesus would take root across the life of our church. That we would be able to continue to engage with all those who we welcomed to church over December.
SATURDAY 10 Loudwater, nr High Wycombe: Danny Rodgers - Vicar, Emily Plumridge, Mark Humphries, Charlotte King, Beth Gill, Tracey Dalby, Geri Shiels, Alison Rodgers. Plans for the launch of a new service designed for young adults. The church as we enjoy a Quiet January – we are stripping back on activity and being intentionally about resting and praying.
MONDAY 12 South Chilterns Team Ministry: Mark Ackford - Team Rector, Philip Smith, Heather Ford Lark, Judy Taylor, Lucy Austin, Peter Viney. For the pupils, staff and governors of the four primary schools in our parish, in particular Ibstone CE Primary School and Cadmore End CE Primary School. For the volunteers who run and the clients that access our Community Matters Foodbank at Holy Trinity Church Lane End.
TUESDAY 13 Wooburn, High Wyccombe: Paul Cudby - Vicar, Doral Hayes. For new musicians and singers willing to work with and expand the musical side of our worship in service to the congregation. The development of our more flexible space at St Paul's, that we can be creative in how this serves our worship and our community
St Paul’s CE Combined School.
WEDNESDAY 14 Woodstock Deanery: Andrew Bunch - Area Dean, Stephanie Lacey, Maria Coonick, Mike Sinfield. Give thanks for a greater sense of awareness and cooperation between the benefices in the deanery. Pray for the Barton Benefice as they go into an interregnum. Give thanks for the generosity of all church members to sustain and develop the life of our church communities
THURSDAY 15 Eynsham and Cassington: Duncan Fraser - Vicar, Andrew Atherstone, Rabea Meango, Margaret Thornton, Laura Churchyard, Roger Aston, Steve Hellyer, Hugh Athertsone. For our youth, children and family ministry as our children’s and families worker returns from maternity leave; and for our youth worker as she seeks to support Christian students in our local secondary school.
St Peter’s CE Primary School
FRIDAY 16 Yarnton with Begbroke and Shipton-on-Cherwell: Oliver Petter - Rector, Sue Spankie, Ben Knighton, Richard Armitage, Barbara Doubtfire. For our ministry to children and young people and for those preparing for Confirmation. For our monthly Come and See all-age service in Begbroke Village Hall.
SATURDAY 17 Woodstock and Bladon: Sarah Bourne - Rector, Gemma Ferrier, Andrew Bunch, Katie Jones, Shaun Henson. For our new services reaching out to all ages, individuals and families in the community: ENGAGE - an informal worship gathering in St Mary Magdalene Woodstock; the new informal family services in St Martin's Bladon and St Mary Magdalene Woodstock.
Bladon CE Primary School, Woodstock CE Primary School, The Marlborough CE School.
MONDAY 19 Barton Benefice, West Oxon: Jane Wright - Rector, Susan Small, Stephanie Lacey, David Jackson. For everyone in the churches and villages of the benefice, giving thanks for all God's blessings to us; for Jane as she moves to a new post in February and for the period of vacancy ahead. For our family@church congregation, Middle Barton School, and other schools and organisations attended by children living in the benefice.
TUESDAY 20 Wootton with Glympton and Kiddington: Mthr Esther Lay – Rector. Those in the parish who are housebound, sick and isolated. An increase in discernment of vocations to lay ministry and the sacred priesthood.
Wootton-by-Woodstock CE Primary School.
WEDNESDAY 21 Hanborough and Freeland: Steve Stewart - Rector, Nigel Knights Johnson, Steve Bellamy, Matt Cripps. For the continuing growth of our house groups. For continuing fruitful relationships with our church schools: Freeland CE School, Hanborough Manor CE School.
THURSDAY 22 Steeple Aston with North Aston and Tackley: Harriet Orridge - Rector, Richard Bailey, Robert Gibbons. To live our vision of ‘bringing the love of Jesus to the heart of our communities'. For the launch of our outreach projects (new fellowship groups and community wellness garden).
Dr Radcliffe’s CE Primary School, Tackley CE Primary School.
FRIDAY 23 Stonesfield with Combe Longa: Ralph Williamson - Rector, Linda Soderberg. For our work with children and families, for our Sunday school in Combe and all-age worship in both churches.
Combe CE Primary School.
SATURDAY 24 Abingdon Deanery: Rob Glenny - Area Dean, Nick Weldon, Sue Scott, Sharon Derbe, Martin Steel. For all our clergy and laity, that we will continue to grow deeper in friendship with one another and with God. For our collective engagement in responding to the missional opportunities afforded by new housing and increasing ministry to children and young people.
MONDAY 26 Damascus, South Oxon: Helen Kendrick - Rector, Dov Whittle, Rosie Bruce, Alex Landsbert, Mike Murray, Tim Budd, Jack Jarvis, Ann Templeman, Peter Templeman. For the recruitment process for a full-stipendiary minister to join the parish. St Blaise CE Primary School, St Michael’s CE Primary School, Sutton Courtenay CE Primary School.
TUESDAY 27 Abingdon-on-Thames: Jennifer Brown - Team Rector, A. K. M. Adam, Gwen Bevington, Sue Holligan, Linda Hobbs. Our churches during the team vicar vacancy and preparations for appointing a new team vicar. The development of work with children and families in the parish.
WEDNESDAY 28 Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor: Catherine Schneider - Priest-in-Charge. For wisdom for the PCC as we plan a Quiet Day to reflect on God's calling and direction. For our ministry with children and young people - in our Children’s Church, the local primary school, and nursery and scouting groups.
THURSDAY 29 Radley, Sunningwell and Kennington: Rob Glenny - Rector, Anne Curtis, and others, including, Samson Kuponiyi, Glynis Beckett, Paddy Watson, Sue Sowden, Sarah McKearney. For all those exploring their faith for the first time, or for the first time in a long time - and especially those joining a Being With Group.
St Swithun’s CE Primary School, Radley CE Primary School, Sunningwell CE Primary School.
FRIDAY 30 Marcham with Garford and Fyfield with Tubney: Nick Weldon - Vicar, Philip Rowlandson, Ian Bensted, Rob Finch, Kevin Mentzel, Rosemary Siebert, Jill Rowe, Tamsin Gilbert. for the Alpha Course which starts at All Saints in January following our Christmas and Epiphany services.
Marcham CE Primary School.
SATURDAY 31 North Abingdon: Keith Dunnett - Vicar, James Whymark, Ros Steel, Paul Brombley, David Lever, Anne Taylor, Derek Walker, Colin Wood, Heather Hughes, Abi Pike, Shannon McCairns. Pray for the new Christian Union running in a local secondary school and which our Youth Pastor is supporting, that this will draw in pupils.
St Nicolas CE Primary School.
Prayer on Sundays
SUNDAY 4
For all those being confirmed by Bishop Graham at Didcot St Peter.
SUNDAY 11
For all those being confirmed by Bishop Jonathan in the Benson with Ewelme Benefice.
SUNDAY 18
It is Warm Welcome Week, when we shine a light on the UK’s Warm Welcome Spaces and the place of belonging and connection they bring. For churches running Warm Spaces and for those attending. Also, for all churches and charities supporting those struggling financially, with seasonal depression, or loneliness.
SUNDAY 25
Prayer to come.
Links
Prayers from Christian Concern for One World: ccow.org.uk
Topical prayers from the Church of England: churchofengland.org/topical-prayers