Prayer

18th July

In prayer this week please remember:

that we can be too busy - "No time to worship, no time to pray. No time for you, Lord - no time today!" ; and to accept Christ's gracious invitation to His hard-pressed followers: "Come you apart (with Me)"
as we use our Prayer Handbook this week, the peoples of lands who so recently suffered catastrophic disasters - Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Burma, especially Burma whose tyrannical government has callously neglected the survivors of the terrible typhoon Nargis - and the valiant efforts of many Aid and Development Agencies to help rebuild stricken communities
to give thanks for committed leaders of Young People's groups - Junior Church, 13+, Mustard Seed Trust, Barnabas Youth Centre, Christian Union in schools, the B. B., Scouts and Guides; that they may see many young folk becoming Jesus' people and growing in His likeness
to thank God for our South East Northumberland Ecumenical Area (SENEA) Vision Day and for the assurance of the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the corporate life and witness of our churches, in particular in the Vision4Life programme
new arrivals in our town and/or churches; that they may receive a warm welcome, sincere friendship and an honoured place among us
to pray with Revd Leo, Chairman of our District (Day 20) and President-Elect of Conference: Gracious God, you are forever turning towards us in mercy and love. In a turning and changing world help us to find you at the centre of it all, for you have promised that in returning and rest we shall find our salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

11th July 2010

In prayer this week please remember:

to give thanks for our calling as followers of Jesus and pray that we may all be prepared to embrace new ways of being church and to enable and encourage all in positions of leadership (from our District Prayer Handbook Day 11)
to give thanks for the Year of the Bible initiative: 2011 - the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible (KJV) and pray that here we may make is a springboard for more committed, convincing discipleship and winsome Christian witness
to seek awareness of and a growing desire to support not just our own congregation but what other Methodists and Christian friends are doing around us
Action for Children (NCH) as it raises funds and trains, supervises and supports the vast network of staff, families and young people within its care
to praise God for 150 years of Methodist chaplaincy to our armed forces
faithfully to continue to support several members and friends of the church who are ill , anxious or bereaved at this time; please pray for them and their loved ones and all who serve them in the ministries of healing, comforting and companionship.

4th July 2010

In prayer this week please remember:

those who must implement the decisions of Methodist Conference centrally, regionally and locally across the Connexion; and those ministers, deacons and members of our Church whose future has been determined by Conference in unexpected ways that will change the direction of their lives, giving thanks for their faithful, committed response
as more aid workers and peacekeepers are kidnapped and killed by pro-government militias in Darfur, to pray that the call of the General Secretary of the Sudan Council of Churches for urgent resolution of the long bitter conflict may be heeded
to give thanks for the hard work and achievements of Morpeth school students over the past year, the dedication of their teachers and the support of their parents and friends
to give thanks for the recent All Partners Consultation that brought together Partners in Mission from many Methodist Churches across the world: pray that the encouragement to reach out in fellowship with one another across national, cultural and political divides may be, like "the leaves of the trees beside the river of life, for the healing of the nations" (Revelation 22.2) [see METHODIST RECORDER 1st July p.3]
what Paul wrote to the Philippians (2.5ff), and pray:
"May the mind of Christ my Saviour live in me from day to day,
By his love and power controlling all I do and say"
(Hymn 739) and ask that as the "church family" we may reflect the family likeness of the children of God.

27th June 2010

In prayer this week please remember:

to give thanks for the work of the Holy Spirit in making the love of God in Christ Jesus good news to many friends and families of the church - especially through Family and Parade Services; pray that we may follow these up with personal invitations to come and hear more Sunday by Sunday
to praise God for our brothers and sisters in the United Church of the Solomon Islands and especially for the visit to us today (Sunday) of the Revd. Bishop Wilfrid Kirapitu with former mission partner with the UCSI Elizabeth Leeming
to pray for the Committees meeting this week - Africa Partnership (today) and Pastoral Visitors (Monday) - and Church Council meeting on Wednesday: "Missionary God, help us to keep in step with your Spirit, and to be flexible in allowing ourselves to be shaped for sharing in your mission in these changing, challenging and exciting days" (from our District Prayer Handbook Day 24)
our representatives meeting in Methodist Conference in Portsmouth this week, for all wisdom, understanding, discernment and faith in all debates and decisions (Phil.1 9-11), and joy in sharing in worship with delegates from around the world
to praise God for those ordained at Conference to the ministry of the Word and Sacraments and service in the Church: pray too for continued commitment of resources to the training and equipping of ministers, deacons and all members of the Church
members suffering from illness, disability or ageing facing greater dependence upon the love and care of family, friends or professional personnel; may all who are weary and burdened be able to come to Jesus and find in Him rest, resilience and refreshment of spirit.

20th June 2010

In prayer this week please remember:

Methodist Conference meeting in Portsmouth this week; and in view of several highly contested decisions by Methodist Council, pray that the governance of our Church may be guided by humble, prayerful attention to what the Spirit is saying to us through the crying need of our nations for the good news of God's redeeming, transforming love
the new President of Conference, Revd Alison Tomlin, and Vice-President, Deacon Eunice Attwood- the latter home-grown here in the North East and pioneering in Newcastle many "fresh expressions" of the Gospel (Street Pastors, John Lewis Chaplaincy and Brunswick Friendship Group among others) and what it means to be a Christian in the 21st century
to give thanks for the inspiration and encouragement given to young Christians at Cliff College Festival to live lives of prayer and praise, taking risks as the people of God, spreading the Word of God in openness to the Spirit of God
more Methodist young people gathering at Cliff College July 9 - 11 for a great celebration of "BREAKOUT" on the theme "Connect" - connect with God, with each other and with the world
the dangerous hostility between Israel and her neighbours, born of religious bigotry, racial prejudice and illegal annexation of land; and the overt ethnic violence erupting in Kyrghystan, especially around Osh: pray for Action of Churches Together (ACT) advocating peaceful resolution of the dispute
to "be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (I Thess. 5.18)

13th June 2010

In prayer this week please remember:

to praise God for preaching and teaching that enrich our faith and equip us to "make Christ visible" in all we are and do, giving thanks for every encouragement to follow the way of Jesus
to give thanks for dear friends - saints of God - who have enriched our life as "living stones" of the Church and have entered into their rest and reward; may we likewise follow their example of Christian commitment and loving service
the people of West Cumbria shocked by the insane killings that robbed them of so many friends and family members; pray that the healing of wounds may make them an even stronger, compassionate community
the work and ministry of chaplains in the Armed Forces who share in the duties and dangers of soldiers on active service and show that the peace of God guards the hearts and minds of all who honour and trust in Him
to give thanks for the opportunities to welcome so many to our Church Centre, especially at present students sitting exams, the Sunshine Playgroup as well as Toddlers and Parents in friendly morning gatherings and older friends Dropping In for lunch
as the FIFA World Cup series unites people all over the world in their love of "the beautiful game", pray that the beauty of Jesus may unite us in celebrating and showing the surpassing love of God for all people.

6th June 2010

In prayer this week please remember:

to pray with Bishop Rosemarie Wenner, German Methodist Church:

Eternal God, today and every day tables are set in so many houses in wealthy countries. We thank you for food, clothing and housing; for schools, hospitals and nursing homes; for electricity, water and means of transport. Help us to resist the temptation to take all of these gifts for granted. But we know about people who live on the streets. We know about children who have no breakfast when they go to school. We know that the gap between rich and poor is big.

Christ Jesus, you became poor in order to share our human life. Remember us, that we may meet you in those with whom we share food, homes and care. Fill us with your love, so that we may discover your presence among those who are excluded from the blessings of a wealthy country. Equip us, so that we may set the table for neighbours and strangers.

Holy Spirit, inspire us, so that we may have a vision of your kingdom, where people from all nations and from all social groups will take part in the feast of life. Motivate us, so that we may build up God's temple on earth, a dwelling-place for all God's children and a sign of hope and reconciliation in this broken world.

God, creator, redeemer and renewer, to you be the glory today and forever. Amen.

30th May

In prayer this week please remember:

to give thanks for the induction of Revd. David Bowler as chaplain to St George's Park and Northgate Hospitals and pray for his ministry there along with all the medical nursing and rehabilitation staff
the Youth and Young Families Group's plans for the Alton Towers Weekend, giving thanks for the hospitality they will again enjoy at Ashbourne Methodist Church Gateway Centre
that in Zimbabwe thousands are still suffering from Government oppression, notably those illegally and forcibly evicted from "informal settlements" bulldozed in 2005 on Mugabe's orders: please pray for just recompense and re-housing of those victims left to survive in plastic shacks without basic essential services
older members of our church and community suffering the often hidden pain of loss of energy, mobility, independence and sense of worth, giving thanks for care managers and professionals who seek respectfully to promote the dignity and well-being of elderly people in residential and nursing homes
all engaged in the commercial life of our town in retail, services, catering and tourism, and for County and Town Councillors on planning authorities: giving thanks for every effort to preserve the unique character of Morpeth and prevent exploitation that could destroy it
to listen to what the Spirit is saying to our church through worship and preaching and through the manifest need of our society and nation for faith, hope and love.

23rd May

In prayer this week please remember:

how Jesus said: "If you, bad as you are, know how to give good presents to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him....so I say to you, ask and you will receive..." (Luke 11. 9-11)
with Methodists all over the world to give thanks for the conversions of Charles and John Wesley (22nd and 24th May 1738) and pray, praise and wait expectantly for the promised power of the Spirit to revive us again
to give thanks for Women's Network's experience of being "in transition" and, together with the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women, "moving and travelling on" in joyful response to the Spirit of our ever-living Lord
to praise God for the freshness and joy shared by young people in our District who, starting with "We will wait upon the Lord" and in response to the challenge of "Have you not known? Have you not heard....?" (Isaiah 40), are witnessing to being a "shining light" in their churches and communities (see Synod Report)
to pray for more helpers for our Junior Church and 13+, giving thanks for their enthusiastic leaders and the fruit of the Spirit in young lives and families
to praise God for all who grow and market the food we eat, the great advances in productivity and conservation of the land, and pray for many fragile rural communities undergoing economic and social stress (see the Upper Coquetdale parishes magazine)

16th May 2010

In prayer this week please remember:

that Jesus, who in Jerusalem 2000 years ago told his disciples "I am going to the Father", also said "Look, I am with you always..." - the promise his Ascension fulfils for each and all of us here and now
to give thanks for the goodwill that marks out our new Government, and to pray for our new MP and his colleagues in Parliament that they may all work together to serve the nation well and with practical concern for all humanity on our fragile planet
the "Living Letters" delegation from the World Council of Churches presently visiting Nigeria to seek reconciliation between religious and ethnic groups estranged by the recent massacres of 500 Christians - mostly children, women and elderly people - in the Jos area: Christians there are praying for "repentance, forgiveness, healing, restoration, deliverance and revival"
to give thanks for Christian Aid Week here in Morpeth and to keep faith with all involved in international, national and local programmes of aid and development so vividly described in the recent Christian Aid Magazine (copies in the vestibule and coffee room)
several members and friends of the church who are ill at this time; please pray for them and their loved ones and all who serve them in the ministries of healing, comforting and companionship.

9th May 2010

In prayer this week please remember:

that we stand "On the Edge of Pentecost" bidden by our Lord to wait and pray for the grace and power of the Holy Spirit to fill and use us to show Jesus to the world
to give thanks for those who faithfully serve the church as stewards and other office bearers, in response to the ministry of the Word and the Sacraments and committed to spreading of the gospel by word and action
to ask for God's guidance about a Children's Holiday Club possibly in association with the Mustard tree Trust, and for volunteers to commit to making this happen
give thanks for our links with Christians at work in Africa: in Uganda the Molly & Paul Foundation and Project Trust, and in Nigeria the Health Care Project (NHCP), and at this time for Dr Jonathan Morris's medical "elective" work in Tanzania
to give thanks for local Christian Aid supporters/collectors/advocates and to pray and give gladly as do Christian Aid's partners in many countries - signs of God's kingdom among communities and peoples across the world
the International Conference on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) now in session in New York: pray that the threat of nuclear holocaust be for ever banished from the world and that all nations, choosing the way of life and not of death, may live in peace and safety.

2nd May 2010

In prayer this week please remember:

to "Bless the Lord , O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name..." (Ps. 103) and praise him for the Psalms which help us express our trust in him
to praise God for the precious freedom and responsibility we have as electors to choose our new MP; and pray for our new parliament and government that they may serve the nation with justice, compassion and humility
dear ones undergoing serious surgery and medical treatments, that they may know God's safe-keeping and sustaining peace giving them quiet confidence in all whose skills and caring are devoted to their healing
visitors who come among us from time to time, giving thanks for their friendship and the privilege of making them welcome
to praise God for the progress of plans for the Pearl of Africa Choir's visit, and every story of Christian endeavour we hear from Africa; giving thanks for the many partnerships in Christian service and witness in which the Methodist Church in Britain shares across the world. (see several such stories in the latest METHODIST RECORDER 29th April)
to give thanks for every kindness received, every word of encouragement, every shared joy, every faithful act of service, every gracious gift, everything that affirms for us God's wonderful love.