Prayers



Prayers 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. Prayers for RoadHoG Pray for every young person who has visited the bus this academic year. Pray for the Year 7 pupils from Haven High Academy who were part of the Easter lessons on the bus. † Give thanks for the way that the new Swineshead stop has grown in numbers. † Give thanks for every team member, and ask God to bless them during this time of uncertainty. † Pray that God would continue to provide the financial resources RoadHoG needs. † Pray for wisdom for LYM Directors and the local Management Group. † Give thanks for the way that local churches work together to make RoadHoG happen. † Pray for our nation and our world, that God might bring good out of the current crisis. Sabbath prayer Holy God, eternal source of life, love and all that is good, we praise and thank you at the beginning of this special day for the gift of Sabbath. As this Sabbath day unfolds, we pray that you will help us to find rest and refreshment in you; and to take time to delight in you, in each other and in all that you have made. Help us to view this day differently, that we might glimpse you and the world as you created it to be. Help is to reconnect with you and with each other and in so doing to welcome your divine presence in each and every moment. We ask this, and all our prayers, in the name of Jesus. 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. * God is present wherever we are, and however we meet as church family, and He is always at work to build His kingdom. Let’s lean into this new season and see what God does! Please pray: † For Pastor Huang and his church, that they would continue to grow in faith and fellowship during this crisis † For those churches who are having to find other ways to meet, or whose members are isolated due to COVID-19 – pray that God will make a way to keep them in contact with each other † That God would bring good worldwide from this pandemic, and that the church would be a light in the darkness. God in Love Unites Us https://www.methodist.org.uk/about-us/the-methodist-church/marriage-and-relationships-2019/god-in-love-unites-us-prayer-guide/ ‘God in love unites us’ is the Report of the Marriage and Relationships Task Group 2019, discussed extensively at the 2019 Methodist Conference and commended for study and prayerful discussion throughout the Church. Please pray for: † Those who will meet, debate and vote in Synods † The members of the Conference as they make the final decision † All who will be affected by the outcome: those who rejoice and those who are saddened by the Conference’s actions † Those who will minister to all affected by the outcome † The unity of Christ’s Church Please pray for the Stops in February (Woad Farm, Fishtoft, Swineshead, Kirton, Sibsey, Butterwick, High Street, Tunnard Street), the Management Group meeting on Tuesday 18 February and the Team Leaders and Management Team meeting on Saturday 29 February Please pray for Kev, John and the other directors of Lincolnshire Youth Mission (LYM) for wisdom going forward Pray for Tony as he goes into schools. Pray for inspiration in planning and energy and wisdom in teaching, leading assemblies and clubs Give thanks for those who work ‘behind the scenes’ doing vital work to keep the ministry going: re-stocking the Bus, cleaning, producing the newsletter, maintaining the Bus, providing training, safeguarding, fund raising and in many other ways. Give thanks for team members and drivers Prayer Hand Book The theme for the 2020/2021 Prayer Handbook is ‘the earth is the LORD’S’ (Psalm 24:1). Prayers are welcomed of thanks, penitence, intercession and resolve that, with God’s help, we may take responsibility for our actions and, as stewards of God’s gift to us, participate in the healing of creation. Please email your contributions, by 13 January 2020, to: prayerhandbook@methodistchurch.org.uk Thy Kingdom Come 2020 Thursday 21 May Happy New Year! We are so excited about Thy Kingdom Come 2020! Between 21 May and 31 May 2020, millions of Christians worldwide will unite in praying that more people would come to know the amazing love of Christ. Sign up on the website to help us light up the world in prayer: https://www.thykingdomcome.global/lightuptheworld 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. Brexit discussions The Westminster Parliament continues to struggle with the Brexit process. Like no other issue of our time, Brexit has divided our politics, our society and our communities. The coming days and months harbour uncertainty and even fear. We know that faithful Methodists hold a spectrum of views on Brexit, as they do on many other issues that shape our country and world. We do not minimise the challenge of responding to this hugely emotive issue. Yet we believe that, as Christians, we are bound to one another in Christ, whatever our differences. And we are called serve to our communities even, perhaps especially, in these troubling times. Churches around the country have been providing safe spaces of welcome, reflection and conversation. Places where name-calling and abuse are not acceptable, but where differing views can be heard. Offering such a gift of welcome to our communities is not always easy. We hold each other in prayer as we try to serve others at this time. We also pray for the politicians and civil servants, in this country and in the EU, who are at the centre of this storm and must make important decisions. We pray for those with whom we disagree as much as those who share our personal views. While we may feel at sea, blown about by a chaotic political process, we believe that we have an assurance that flows from the faithfulness of God. And therefore we can offer love, practice compassion and speak justice to the communities we serve. Rev Michaela Youngson, President of the Methodist Conference Mr Bala Gnanapragasam, Vice-President of the Methodist Conference Prayer as a revolutionary act The Revd Michaela Youngson, President of the Methodist Conference, shared this reflection at a prayer breakfast at this week's Labour Party Conference. https://sacredwells.blogspot.com/2018/09/prayer-as-revolutionary-act.html “To pray is to be intentionally present to God, as God is always present to us. It is to be open to the prompting of God’s Spirit in our hearts and minds, to be at one with the divine love at the heart of all creation – if that’s not revolutionary, I don’t know what is!” PRAYER MEETINGS Prayer – prior to the Sunday morning service It has been the custom for the preacher and stewards to meet in prayer prior to the Sunday morning service. An invitation is now extended to all those who wish to join in prayer. Room 3 at 10.15.am. At Centenary: Monthly prayers for Boston and Zion in the lunch club room at on the 1st Friday of each month from 10.30am If you have a specific prayer request for the prayer chain or prayer wall, please speak to John H. or one of the stewards 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

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