Prayers for January
Sharing God’s love with our community
“Our Father in heaven…”
Welcome to 2026 and a new year of prayer. This year we will take a line from the Lord’s Prayer each month as our prayer focus, beginning with “Our Father in heaven”. Use the monthly phrase to inspire your prayer on the suggested topics. What does it mean for God to be “Our Father” in each situation? Consider how his heavenly presence impacts on the way we come before him in prayer.
At this, the beginning of a brand new year, we recommit ourselves to the Father’s service using the Covenant Prayer:
Lord God, holy Father, since you have called us through Christ to share in this gracious covenant, we take upon ourselves with joy the yoke of obedience and, for love of you, engage ourselves to seek and do your perfect will. We are no longer our own but yours.
I am no longer my own, but yours.
Your will, not mine, be done in all things, wherever you may place me,
in all that I do and in all that I may endure; when there is work for me and where there is none; when I am troubled and when I am at peace.
Your will be done when I am valued and when I am disregarded; when I find fulfilment and when it is lacking; when I have all things, and when I have nothing.
I willingly offer all I have and am to serve you, as and where you choose. Glorious and blessèd God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are mine and I am yours. May it be so for ever.
Let this covenant now made on earth be fulfilled in heaven. Amen.
May all who mourn at this time know the comfort of the Father’s love for them. We pray this especially for the families and friends of Barry Croud and Jerry Dewhurst, whose funerals were both held in Tipton Church last month, and Chris Dunn.
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.
Sometimes the Father’s love alone is not enough. In this winter season we pray for all who are struggling to afford to heat their homes and feed their families. We give thanks for the many charities, often church-based, that are providing food and warmth.
This month’s prompts for prayer on special days are:
5th January – National Bird Day – give thanks for the beauty of the birds our Father created and pray for their protection.
6th January – Epiphany when the wise men visited the child Jesus bringing their gifts and their worship
9th January – The Baptism of Christ when the adult Jesus was baptised by John as the Father spoke from heaven: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” Mt 3:17.
18th-25th January – The theme of this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is Ephesians 4, v4: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling.” May Christians across the world be united as one in the Father’s love. Please join in with the daily reflections on the CBTI website (cbti.org.uk). At Tipton we come together in church for prayer on Thursday 22nd at 7.30pm.
19th January – known as “Blue Monday”, we pray for anyone known to us who is battling mental health issues.
24th January – International Day of Education – We remember all involved in teaching especially those at our village school.
27th January – Holocaust Memorial Day – This year’s theme is ‘Bridging Generations’.
28th January – The Confirmation of Election of Bishop Sarah Mullally as Archbishop of Canterbury takes place at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, marking the moment when she will legally become the new Archbishop. We pray God’s blessing and wisdom upon her as she takes on this enormous responsibility.
30th January – World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day and on this day we also remember the ongoing work of the Leprosy Mission.
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 Venn Ottery Road, Venn Ottery and Southerton.