Prayers



Prayers Coffee, chat and prayer on Zoom Join the Rev. Julie Doddrell for Zoom coffee, chat and prayer on Wednesday mornings at 10am. Everyone is welcome to join in, bring their own tea/ coffee and we are only sorry we can't pass the biscuit tin round . . .There will be a time to chat together, catch up on news etc. . . then a time of led prayer and reflection. We hope to see you there! Contact by email for details. Youth for Christ: Pray Through May 2021 Please pray with and for our young people. Sign up to receive a short devotional, video and prayer prompt each day: https://yfc.co.uk/praythroughmay/ Presidency calls for prayers of lament and hope Statement from the Rev'd Richard Teal, President of the Methodist Conference and Carolyn Lawrence, Vice-President of the Methodist Conference: “We know that many millions of people across the country have taken refuge in prayer during the pandemic. We join with the Archbishops of Canterbury and York in their call to set aside time each evening at 6pm to pray. There is a very great need amongst us to be able to lament the horrific loss of life and to find solace and hope during these dark days. Our prayer is that each of you will know that God is with us, sustaining us through our grief.” Richard Teal on disappointment and loss: https://www.methodist.org.uk/media/20046/pres-vp-11-jan-2021.mp3 Carolyn Lawrence on anxiety: https://www.methodist.org.uk/media/20210/pres-vp-25-jan-2021.mp3 Year of Prayer The Methodist Conference has declared 2020/2021 a year of prayer. Join others across the Methodist Church to pray together, every Tuesday from 12.45pm to 1pm. Read more and register here: https://www.methodist.org.uk/our-work/our-work-in-britain/evangelism-growth/year-of-prayer/ You can also watch past prayer meetings on the same link. A prayer for God to break through in the life of our churches: God of love, God for all, your purposes are more beautiful than we can possibly imagine. Fill us with your Holy Spirit. Help us let go of all that holds us back. Open our lives and our churches to new seasons of humility and faith, of change and growth. Shake us up with the Good News of Jesus and show us the way. Amen Weekly Online Prayer Meeting - Tuesdays at 12.45pm Join others across the Methodist Church to pray together every Tuesday from 12.45 to 1.00pm on Zoom. Register for the first Prayer Meeting here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMvdeGpqj8rHtPwCqKrcGrw17KP0OIZM4w0 Join the weekly prayer meeting on Facebook Live or view past prayer meetings from September here: https://www.facebook.com/MethodistChurchinBritain/videos/ This online experience will draw on the diversity of Methodist traditions to help the whole Church pray together. Each week, different leaders will share Scripture, offer testimony, and creatively lead participants deeper into prayer. This may include praying with images, with music, in silence, with poetry, liturgically, or in free prayer. Other Ways to Pray Wherever we are, we are called to prayer, which is “oxygen for the soul” and “a conversation of the heart with God”. For suggestions for how to pray individually: https://www.methodist.org.uk/our-work/our-work-in-britain/evangelism-growth/year-of-prayer/praying-individually/ Dial-a-Prayer Do you know someone who is not online but might appreciate hearing a prayer and to catch up on Church news? The Methodist Church offers a free phone service, updated each Thursday. Listen to a prayer: 0808 281 2514 Listen to news: 0808 281 2478 Find out more and download a print and cut sheet to hand out in your community: https://www.methodist.org.uk/about-us/coronavirus/prayers-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/dial-a-prayer/ ~~~ God of all hope we call on you today. We pray for those who are living in fear: Fear of illness, fear for loved ones, fear of other’s reactions to them. May your Spirit give us a sense of calmness and peace. We pray for your church in this time of uncertainty. For those people who are worried about attending worship. For those needing to make decisions in order to care for other For those who will feel more isolated by not being able to attend. Grant us your wisdom. Holy God, we remember that you have promised that Nothing will separate us from your love – demonstrated to us in Jesus Christ. Help us turn our eyes, hearts and minds to you. Amen. ~~~ Methodist churches are sharing weekday morning prayers online: 09:00 Wesley House, Cambridge: www.facebook.com/wesleycambridge 10:00 Wesley’s Chapel, London: www.youtube.com/channel/UCUAUqhmhevz5sqhh72LIMxA ~~~ Praying with our family during this pandemic Coronavirus is changing all of our lives, but it isn't changing our God! He is steadfast, loving, strong and full of grace. Nobody knows that better than the persecuted church. Many of our brothers and sisters have been worshipping and praying in isolation for many years. We can look to their examples of faith and strength in the midst of adversity. ~~~ Zion Prayer Chain If you would like prayer (or would like to join the prayer chain) you can contact any member of the prayer chain. This is a confidential service that anyone can use. Contact by email ~~~ PRAYERS Prayer for the day - (This will take you to 'The Methodist Church Website') PRAYER Loving God, I want to trust you, but I’m scared of getting hurt. I want to follow you, but my weakness makes me stumble. I want to soar high, but my doubts keep me firmly on the ground. I want to run far and fast but I lose strength at the first hurdle. I want to walk with you, but I grow tired so quickly. Give me the courage to face my fears. Give me the patience to follow where you lead me. Give me the stamina to keep going when things are tough. Give me a new strength. Amen Based on Isaiah 40:31; Christy-Anna Errington, Methodist Youth President, 2010/11 From ‘Run the Race’ the Methodist Prayer Handbook 2011/2012 -------- Dear Lord, Give me enough tears to keep me human, Enough humour to keep me wise, Enough setbacks to keep me humble, Enough accomplishments to keep me confident, Enough patience to teach me waiting, Enough hope to teach me trusting, Enough friends to give me love, Enough memories to give me comfort. Amen -------- DEAR GOD I want to thank you for what you have already done in my life. I am not going to wait until things in my life look better – I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry – I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears – I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves – I am not going to wait until I get the job – I am not going to wait until the job gets easier – I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief; I am thanking you right now. I am thanking you because I am alive. I am thanking you because I made it through the day. I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles. I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better. Most of all, I’m thanking you, God… because you haven’t given up on me. *THANK YOU GOD* -------- A PRAYER FOR GUIDANCE Lord, guide me in the decisions I make today, large and small. Help me to weigh the effects they will have on others; Grant me courage in those which are difficult. Give me time to think before I act. In all that I say or think or do this day, Inspire me with your love and lead me into your truth. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Open to Life - Open to God - Open to You - Open to the World | zionmethodistchurch@live.co.uk