Prayers for February
Sharing God’s love with our community
“Hallowed be your name”
We continue our monthly journey through the Lord’s Prayer with the second line: “Hallowed be your name”. Use this phrase to inspire your prayer on the suggested topics. What does it mean for God to be “hallowed” – i.e. “to be honoured as holy”? Consider how this affects the way we come to him in prayer, and our confidence that he hears us.
We pray God’s comfort and blessing on all who mourn at this time. We ask this especially for the family of Pat Keeley as they prepare to come to church on 9th February to celebrate her life with her friends. We praise God for her long life of love and service to him.
Following the recent flooding in Tipton we pray for all affected – for homes, the school, the garage and farms – that they may recover quickly with help from local authorities and insurers. We give thanks that the damage wasn’t greater and that no-one was hurt. We remember too others affected in our region and beyond, including our brothers and sisters in Melanesia who are suffering from devasting floods at this time.
As we pray for those who are unwell at this time, be it in body, mind or spirit, may we hold them close to our Father’s heart. We know that in heaven there is no sickness, no death, no pain and no crying. May those for whom we pray be touched by heaven and know God’s healing power at work in their lives and his peace in their hearts. We pray this especially for Lizzi and Alan at this time.
This months specific prompts for prayer are:
2nd February – Presentation of Christ in the Temple – Lord, you fulfilled the hope of Simeon and Anna, who lived to welcome the Messiah: may we, who have received these gifts beyond words, prepare to meet Christ Jesus when he comes to bring us to eternal life; in his precious name. Amen.
2nd February – On this World Wetlands Day we pray for the protection of this precious habitat and the wildlife that it sustains.
2nd February – We hold before God tonight’s meeting of the Mission Community Wardens. Pray for all with responsibility for the churches across the Otter Vale as they seek to serve all who live in their parishes.
4th February – Healing Lord, on World Cancer Day we pray for the many unique individuals and their families affected by a cancer diagnosis and the treatment that follows. Bless them all with stamina and courage.
6th-8th February – As Licenced Lay Ministers (LLMs) from across the Diocese gather in Torquay for their annual LLM Conference we pray that they may discover afresh God’s call on their lives and be filled with his Spirit. We pray especially for our own LLMs, Caroline and David.
7th–14th February – National Marriage Week – Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of marriage. Bless all married couples and those prepar-ing to marry. Unite them in their hopes and dreams, that they might lovingly support and encourage each other to fulfil the plans you have for them.
9th–13th February – Almighty God, we pray for those gathering in London for the latest meeting of the General Synod where matters being discussed include: safeguarding, racial justice, church finances and ‘Living in Love and Faith’. Bless Sarah, our new Archbishop, with wisdom as she leads the Church of England through challenging times.
9th – 15th February – Children’s Mental Health Week – Heavenly Father, please watch over all young people, protecting them from mental harm. In particular we pray that they may have wisdom in their use of social media, and that parents would know how best to support them. Where children are suffering guide them to the help they need.
Thursdays in Lent from 12th February – Pray for those attending our Lent Course, which this year is on the theme of The Wilderness. May all who attend find fresh hope and a deeper relationship with God.
16th–20th February – Heavenly Father, bless our church school comm-unity during this half-term break, that children and staff alike can find rest, particularly after the challenges of the recent flooding. Prompt those with the power to make a decision on the site for a new school building to act swiftly so that a safe future for the children can be secured.
18th February – Ash Wednesday – Holy God, our lives are laid open before you: rescue us from the chaos of sin and through the death of your Son bring us healing and make us whole in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
20th February – On this World Day of Social Justice we pray that God may grant wisdom and success to all who promote equality, inclusion and human rights. Ask how we can support them as they campaign for a fairer world, so that everyone may have access to justice.
21st February – On World Care Day we celebrate children and young people living in care or with experience of doing so. We thank God for foster carers and all who support these vulnerable youngsters that they may have positive life opportunities in spite of the difficulties they have faced in their childhood.
23rd February – We hold before God the members of the PCC as they meet this evening.
28th February – On the 4th anniversary of Russia’s invasion we perse-vere in our prayer for peace and an end to the horrific violence meted on the people of Ukraine. Pray God’s blessing on all who are suffering. We pray too that the fragile ceasefire in Gaza may continue to hold, giving the opportunity for aid to reach those in desperate need.
Draw Near is the Church of England’s theme for Lent this year with daily reflections available on the Everyday Faith app. Almighty God, by the prayer and discipline of Lent may we enter into the mystery of Christ’s sufferings, and by following in his Way come to share in his glory.
As a parish we continue to pray for Caroline Poultney as she follows the Diocesan discernment process with a view towards candidacy for the Exeter Ordination Pathway, a form of local ordination. We thank God for her current ministry amongst us and ask his blessing on her future ministry whatever shape that may take.
This month please pray especially for the residents of Coombe Vale, Lancercombe including Otter Close, and Sidmouth Road.