Prayer

7th March 2010

In prayer this week please remember:

the people of Chile suffering after the earthquake and tsunami that have destroyed many lives and cities, especially in Concepcion (where Kathryn Thomas served the Methodist Church of Chile at their Girls' School there); our Church along with the United Methodist Church USA www.umc.org is sending funds and urgent aid
that the themes being explored in Lent, in Sunday worship and in the Big Read LENT study groups are indeed FOR EVERYONE to enjoy, savour and act upon as followers of Jesus through to Easter and beyond
to give thanks for new worship leaders in training in our Area, and pray for our ministers, preachers and worship leaders faithfully serving our churches to nourish with God's wonderful word of forgiveness, grace and transforming power
with gratitude the growing links we have with Christian ministry and mission in Uganda, especially giving thanks for the visit here last Sunday of Pastor Moses Kiwala, who mentored Richard Cave during his year with the Project Trust
to give thanks for people who serve God and the Church in faithful, quiet and often sacrificial ways; this week remembering those who look after the practical aspects - cleaning, catering, arranging flowers, printing notice sheets, attending to the heating etc
to praise God for the courage and faith shown by members who have been ill or are still undergoing investigations or treatments, and to support them in love, prayer and friendship.

28th February

In prayer this week please remember:

our Church Council meeting on Tuesday, praising the Lord for able leadership giving priority to the work of God among and through us as we seek " to serve the present age" here in Morpeth and beyond
prisoners in Acklington and Castington; the governors and staff; rehabilitation of offenders; the pastoral care of their families and especially the ministry of Christian prison chaplains and prison visitors; give thanks for the distinguished service of HM Inspector of Prisons, Dame Ann Owers who is to retire soon
members and friends of our church family suffering illness at home or in hospital, or going through times of anxiety, loss or loneliness: pray that they may know God's strong presence and healing power
to give thanks for the continuing compassionate and constructive response to the needs of the people of Haiti and for their courage in coping with the terrible trauma of bereavement and the utter devastation of their homes and livelihoods
to give thanks for the bravery of our combat troops in war-torn Afghanistan, praying that their suffering and sacrifice may not be in vain but rather sow the seeds of justice, mercy and peace in that nation
to give thanks that the risk of undermining the existing law against the murder (euphemistically called "euthanasia" and "assisted suicide") of vulnerable disabled or ill people is greatly reduced by the finalised guidelines issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions and strengthens their legal protection.

21st February

In prayer this week please remember:

to give thanks for good news - from around the Methodist Church, our District and Area - of churches moving forward and outward in discipleship and effective mission in their neighbourhoods, and for MOMENTUM, METHODIST E-NEWS, the BUZZ and the RECORDER where we can "read all about it!"
Christians in Kenya, whose leaders are concerned about proposals that could introduce Islamic Sharia law into the nation's Constitution, which, they say, in its present form defines their nation, its principals and standards
the witness and ministry of "The Steels" and the monthly workshops with our musicians seeking to enhance worship and the telling of the Gospel in different ways
several friends who are or have been seriously ill: pray for their healing and the support and comfort of their families during anxious times
victims - children and women especially - of the evil trade in human sex and slavery, praying for all who fight the criminal gangs trafficking in human misery, in particular Methodist Women across Europe, our own Women's Network and STOP THE TRAFFIK (see http://www.stopthetraffik.org/)
initiatives to improve and extend effective pastoral care both of our own members and the needs of our wider community
Christian young people among us challenged by the secular, sometimes dismissive or hostile attitudes they meet to their Christian faith: pray for their parents, mentors and other encouragers within and beyond the Church including the Mustard Tree Trust.

14th February 2010

In prayer this week please remember:

dear family members and friends undergoing serious surgery or medical treatment, especially Paul's sister and brother-in-law, giving thanks for the skills and caring of their doctors and nurses
that our Government continues to hold weapons of mass destruction: pray for an end to nuclear weapons development and Trident replacement programme which violate the international nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
the Big Read Lent groups forming across our neighbourhood, giving thanks for the Gospel of Luke, for Bishop Tom Wright's study guide and for leaders and members of the groups from Morpeth churches sharing their reading and understanding of the Bible
to continue to pray for the people of Haiti, for effective co-ordination of the gigantic task of relief and reconstruction facing the nation and its international partners, including Christian and other voluntary agencies - Christian Aid and MRDF among them - dependent upon our continuing generous support
our preachers, worship leaders and Junior Church teachers, giving thanks for their commitment to costly ministry and continued development: and to ask God how best we can support or join with them in making His Word and will plain to us in these days.

7th February 2010

In prayer this week please remember:

to give thanks for the lively fellowship and commitment to mission and service of Women's Network throughout our District; praying that there may be fresh inspiration and impetus shared by those attending the Minsteracres Retreat this month
the Methodist Church of Fiji whose leaders have been under virtual house arrest by the military government; pray that that their proscription may end and that all Christians in Fiji speak up for the freedom to live by and proclaim Jesus is Lord, and for justice and peace in their land
the Pearl of Africa children's choir from Uganda; pray that arrangements for their visit to us in September may be unhampered and that locally a warm welcome may await them. [See also METHODIST RECORDER middle pages for recent visit of Dr Richard Vautrey (Vice-Pres. of Conference) to Methodist churches in Uganda]
our minister and leaders in this congregation exploring ever more effective ways of expressing the Good News here in Morpeth, through worship, church family and the hospitality of our Church Centre for the Community: where the Spirit leads may we all follow with joyful faith
to praise God for courageous peacemakers working for peace in the Holy Land, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Yemen, Northern Ireland and many other war-torn countries
those we know or hear about who are mentally fragile or frail; praising God for the good work of Contact here in Morpeth, and praying for those losing their mental faculties and for urgent increase in funding for Alzheimer's research, prevention and care.

31 January 2010

In prayer this week please remember:

"Faith in God after the Holocaust may be hard; but faith in humanity is harder still, knowing the evil people to do one another, and the hate that lies dormant but never dead in the human heart." Chief Rabbi Dr Jonathan Sacks on Holocaust Memorial Day
with joy and thanksgiving that "the great love of God is revealed in the Son, who came to this earth to redeem everyone" Dr D. T. Niles of Sri Lanka - Hymn 45.
the on-going exploration of our individual callings as Christians in Morpeth today, and the mission of us Methodists to our neighbours and townsfolk
to pray for more helpers and leaders urgently needed by the Boys Brigade who would love to welcome new volunteers
to praise God for our Guild's timely donation to the Nigeria Health Care Project and pray for the NHCP Trustees' visit next month to review with the Methodist Church Nigeria this life-giving work presently hampered by decline in financial support
on Education Sunday (today) all young people in education, their teachers in schools, universities and training schemes and their parents, families and all who encourage them to be the best that they can be.

24th January 2010

In prayer this week please remember:

as Methodists we count among our number around 12,000 of the people of Haiti, many of whom have lost their lives, homes and livelihoods; do please also read the latest news in the METHODIST RECORDER which includes
METHODIST CHURCH PRAYER FOR HAITI

Meditate on Psalm 104
Powerful God who causes the power of the universe to create and destroy, we thank you for lives spared and miracles that have taken place in the devastated country of Haiti.
Give us grace to live with the mystery of your power that at times leaves us confused, broken and shaken.
We pray for the people of Haiti and ask that you will comfort the grieving and the injured.
We are humbled by their confidence in you in times of trouble.
May the embrace of compassion and humanity be a shelter and a refuge.
May your word feed and nourish as the world brings relief and rebuilding.
We pray for the Rev Gesner Paul and the people of the Methodist Church in Haiti. [ Gesner is the Haiti District president, Methodist Church of the Caribbean and the Americas - see Prayer Handbook Day 13]
We ask that you will strengthen them as they work to bring relief and comfort to our sisters and brothers in Christ.
This day and every day, give us the will to listen to your voice and work together to heal broken lives, build destroyed homes and establish justice for all your people. Amen.
to give thanks for the rapid response of (among other agencies) Christian Aid, MRDF, Tear Fund, United Methodist Church (USA) Committee on Relief. UMCOR's head, Rev Sam Dixon, was killed in the earthquake.

17th January 2010

In prayer this week please remember:

the people of Haiti suffering yet another disaster, this time the devastating earthquake: pray for the huge humanitarian response needed, and in particular that Christian agencies both in Haiti and here may be given the means to start the immediate relief and recovery in some of the world's poorest communities [see Christian Aid poster in Vestibule and Coffee Lounge]
to join daily with all Morpeth Christians in this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, praising God that we are witnesses to Jesus who is the resurrection and the life offered to all people: pray that together we may more effectively make Him known to our neighbours and townsfolk
to give thanks that in the midst of human suffering and sin Christians are living signs of hope and the reality of God's constant love for His creation
the individual groups (including students presently sitting exams) whom we welcome in our Church Centre through the week; may each and all add to the enrichment of our community life
that "the pursuit of love and justice should set the political, economic and social agenda" for Government: praying that Methodist and other Christians in Parliament may effectively persuade the Government in its Current Defence Review to "redirect military spending, research and development into life-giving projects that address our real security needs today".

10th January 2010

At the beginning of this New Year, please remember:

to give thanks for the children baptised into the Body of Christ in this church, for their parents and friends; and with God's help to live up to the promises we made to maintain the life and worship of the Church so that they may grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of God and of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord
Christians in Pakistan suffering violent attacks leaving many dead and hundreds of families homeless; pray for the Christian Action Forum formed by Church leaders there to address the problem and to lobby their Government to act to end the violence
that our faith is strengthened by working and studying God's Word together with fellow Christians; and that this year's Lent Study "The Big Read" in Luke's Gospel offers this through the help of Bishop Tom Wright
that recently in Zimbabwe there was a starving family who decided to boil some bark from a baobab tree to make soup; but the bark was poisonous and the whole family died - a tragic incident in a tragic country, where made-made famine has blighted the lives of most of the population; pray that they may be delivered from such bad governance
all at risk from the effects of this severe winter weather, giving thanks for good neighbours and emergency services coming to their aid
with wondering amazement God's marvellous grace in keeping His covenant with His people, coming as one of us to save such folk as we are, to transform us into the likeness of His dear Son.