Prayers for May
Sharing God’s love with our community
“…thy kingdom come”
This is the focus of our prayer this month as we continue our journey through the Lord’s Prayer. And we are not alone for later this month we join in the global ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ prayer initiative. Let this desire infuse all our prayers in this Easter season.
Mark’s Sabbatical – Please continue to hold Mark and his family in prayer throughout his well–earned break from parish life. Ask God to refresh and renew him in body, mind and spirit. Pray too for Carys as she leads our worship and provides pastoral support in his absence.
Almighty God, we give you thanks and praise for our former organist Rita Sandell on her passing to glory and ask your blessing on her family and friends as they mourn. Be with us as we come together in church on 8th May to celebrate her long life of faithful love and service to you.
The Bible Course continues – please pray for all those attending as they seek to better understand God’s word and apply it to their lives.
We continue to pray for peace in the Middle East, thinking particularly of our brothers and sisters in our link Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf. We pray for all nations affected by the US/Israeli war on Iran and for Gaza. We remember too the ongoing wars in Ukraine, Sudan and elsewhere.
Gracious God, all of us carry a number of suffering people in our hearts – the sick, the disabled, the lonely, the discouraged and those that mourn. As we pray for them now, we reach out to them in love, knowing that you love them and reach out to them too. May they each know the presence of your Spirit.
Please pray for our local businesses – the shop, the pub, the garage, Sundial House, all the local farmers – and also the many who work from home. Thank God for their contribution to our village life.
This month’s specific prompts for prayer are:
4th-10th May – In this Deaf Awareness Week we pray for greater awareness of the common signs of deafness and hearing loss in children, so they and their families may get the right support as soon as possible.
7th May – UK Local Elections – Loving Lord, we commit to you today’s elections being held across the country. We pray that the successful candidates will be servant-hearted men and women who uphold justice and righteousness and care for their local communities.
9th May – This year’s World Fair Trade Day has as its theme: ‘Together we are the Business Revolution!’. Pray that all businesses, large and small, may adopt the 10 Fair Trade Principles for the good of all people, society as a whole and for the benefit of our planet.
10th May – On National Children’s Day we think about the importance of a healthy childhood to give our children and young people the best possible start in life. We pray for all children we know, who live in our village or attend our school, that they may know God’s blessing.
10th May – On Rogation Sunday, we thank you God that you made the land fruitful. May you bless the land and those who work it. Help us to be conscious of how to be sustainable and generous with the resources you have given us.
10th-16th May – In this year’s Christian Aid Week, we focus on the help being given to families to escape the cruel grip of urban poverty, including helping them grow vegetables for themselves and to trade.
11h-17th May – In this Mental Health Awareness Week we pray for action to help address our country’s mental health crisis, especially for a reduction in the long waiting times for essential treatment. Surround those suffering, Lord, with your healing presence – may them know they are loved.
14th May – Ascension Day – Risen Christ, you have raised our human nature to the throne of heaven: help us to seek and serve you, that we may join you at the Father’s side, where you reign with the Spirit in glory, now and forever.
14th–24th May – ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ – Pray God’s blessing on his church around the world as we reflect on his presence with us through his Holy Spirit. We also pray for more people to come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Ask God to show you who you should be praying for at this time and come pray with us in church on 20th May.
21st–23rd May – Heavenly Father, we give thanks for the Devon County Show and its celebration of all that is good about this part of your world, praying for all who work in agriculture and the production of food. Bless the church stand, that they may reach out to many who don’t yet know you and encourage rural communities to support their local church.
24th May – Pentecost – Holy Spirit, sent by the Father, ignite in us your holy fire; strengthen your children with the gift of faith, revive your Church with the breath of love, and renew the face of the earth, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
31st May – Trinity Sunday – Almighty and eternal God, you have revealed yourself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and live and reign in the perfect unity of love: hold us firm in this faith, that we may know you, three Persons yet one God.
31st May – Otter Vale Mission Community Joint Service – may God bless us as we come together in worship and fellowship from all of the parishes in the Otter Vale, that we may grow closer in unity of mission.
This month please pray for the residents of Hayne Hill, Hayne Park, Seaway Lane and Hayne Close.