Prayers for October
Sharing God’s love with our community
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people”
1 Timothy 2:1
This month please pray for the residents of Tipton Main Street, Chrystel Close and Barton Paddocks.
We pray for the families and friends of long-time village residents Carol Weaver and Hugh Rudham as they mourn their passing.
5th October – Celebration of Licensed Lay Ministry – As 8 new LLMs are licensed in the Cathedral today we give thanks to God for all they do across our Diocese, especially Caroline and David here in our parish. May God bless them and us and may he continue to call members of his church to serve him and us in this way.
5th October – Father God, on World Teachers’ Day we give thanks for those who educate us and our children, thinking especially of everyone working in our own village school. May all teachers be valued and have a voice in the debates on the future of education in our country, for the benefit of society.
6th October – Homelessness Sunday – Loving God, we ask you to comfort all who find themselves living on the streets, or are on the brink of doing so. May the help they receive from charities like St Petrock’s be a turning point for them – enabling them to look ahead to a safe, secure future.
7th October – Anniversary of Hamas attack on Israel – As the conflict in the Middle East becomes ever more likely to develop into a regional war we hold before God all those affected over the past year on all sides – those mourning the loss of loved ones, those awaiting news of hostages, those who have fled their homes and are lacking food and water. We pray especially for all working for a lasting peace.
10th October – On this World Mental Health Day we pray that workplaces may recognise the need to provide environments that support good mental health just as they do for physical health and safety.
13th–20th October – In this 50th anniversary year of the Week of Prayer for World Peace we hold before God those parts of the world where peace is fragile and broken. We think of Ukraine and the Middle East, where so many innocents are caught up in conflict, but there are many other countries ravaged by war. Come Holy Spirit – bring peace.
16th October – We join with the Diocese in praying for the Otter Vale Mission Community, our clergy Lydia Cook, Mark Ward and David Carrington, LLMs Caroline Poultney and David Williamson, and all who live and worship in Alfington, Colaton Raleigh Feniton with Escot, Harpford, Newton Poppleford, Ottery St Mary, Payhembury, Tipton St John with Venn Ottery, West Hill and Wiggaton.
17th October – As we gather tonight in Tipton Church for our autumn Prayer Meeting ask God to inspire us in our prayer and in our action.
18th October – Father God, on this Anti-Slavery Day we pray for help in defeating this appalling global trade that destroys millions of lives. We pray for greater efforts to convict the perpetrators and to care for the victims. We give thanks for organisations leading the response to this injustice, such as the Salvation Army and the CofE’s Clewer Initiative.
Gracious Lord, we hold up to you all those we know who are sick, in body, mind or spirit at this time. Bless all who are afflicted in any way – that your healing power may be at work in their lives. We remember before you those we love living in care homes, those in hospital or recovering at home, those awaiting a diagnosis or waiting for treatment to start.
27th October – Bible Sunday – Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: help us so to hear them, to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them that we may embrace and for ever hold fast the hope of everlasting life, given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
27th October – All Souls’ Service – Father, you know our hearts and share our sorrows. We are hurt by our parting from those whom we loved: comfort us in our grief, that by your Spirit at work in us we may discover new hope for the future, trusting in the eternal love of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
29th October – On International Day of Care and Support we recognise the care provided by both paid and unpaid carers. It is estimated that by 2030 there will be 2.3 billion people in need of care. Pray for those we know who are struggling to look after loved ones at this time and in need of help from a Social Care system under strain.
“Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tyre?”
Corrie Ten Boom