The Church will be open from 6am to 10pm on Thursday 4th September, with prayer stations to help you to pray. Please join us.
If you are able to come to the church building, please sign up for a slot here: https://doodle.com/group-poll/participate/azlvWp7d
If you can't get to church in person, you can still take part in the day of prayer at home, using the guide below. If you would like to share anything that comes up while you were praying, please email revsteph21@gmail.com or text 07902 151432 and she will add it to what people write in Church. Please use the same email address to request a copy of the guide in a Word document that you can print at home.
St Andrew’s Day of Prayer, Thursday 4th September
Praying at Home
Start your time of prayer in worship before God. You could listen to a favourite worship song, read a Psalm of praise, like Psalm 63, 103 or 84, or a passage that reminds us of all that Jesus has given us, like Philippians 2:5-11 or 1 John 4:7-12.
The following topics for prayer match the prayer stations that will be in church. Feel free to use as many as you choose, in any order.
Circle Prayer
This prayer by David Adam can be used to pray for ourselves or for the church or others. Copies will be available in church to be prayed in different parts of the building and grounds, seeking God’s protection over the various ministries that take place in different areas. At home, you could begin by praying the prayer for yourself and your family, then picture different parts of the church and community to use it to pray for them. You may like to compose additional verses using the same format.
Circle me, Lord.
Keep protection near
And danger afar.
Circle me, Lord
Keep hope within.
Keep doubt without.
Circle me, Lord.
Keep light near
And darkness afar.
Circle me, Lord.
Keep peace within.
Keep evil out.
Circle me, Lord.
Keep…… within / near
Keep …….without / afar.
Jesus Prayer
This ancient prayer is used in the Orthodox Church:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Say the prayer several times, out loud if you are able, then pause in silence before saying it several times again.
Prayer for St Andrew’s and its ministry
Please pray for:
- House groups
- Oasis Craft Group
- StAR children’s group
- Youth Group
- Men’s group
- Wiggle baby and toddler group
- Sunday worship
- Family worship on Thursdays at 3.45
- Pastoral team
- PCC
- Our partnership with Radcliffe British Legion
Pray as the Lord guides you, or you may like to use this prayer:
Loving Lord Jesus,
Thank you for the ministry of ………………………. Thank you for all those who serve as part of this ministry, those who plan and prepare to make it happen, those who turn up and take part. In all that they do, may your will be done. Please shape this ministry to your glory. By the power of your Holy Spirit, set each person’s heart on fire with your love and fill them with hope. May this ministry grow and deepen to draw more people to you. Amen.
Prayer for Individuals
Spend some time naming individuals before God and praying for them. Pray for their particular needs, or use one of these prayers:
I pray that out of his glorious riches God may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fulness of God.
Ephesians 3:14-19
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.
Philemon 6
Into the sacred three I immerse you,
Into their power and peace I place you,
May their breath be yours to live,
May their love be yours to give.
Into the sacred three I immerse you.
A prayer from the Community of Aidan and Hilda
Pray for the Parish
Find a map of Radcliffe or let your mind wander around the local area. Pray for anything that catches your eye: schools, open spaces, sports clubs, local businesses, the crematorium, any local needs or concerns you are aware of.
You may like to hold the needs of Radcliffe before God as you pray the Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
Pray for the World
In Church we will be lighting candles and placing them on a map of the world to represent our prayers for the countries where we place them. You could light a candle or candles at home as you pray for God’s hurting world. You may like to use this prayer for the Holy Land, written by The Most Reverend Dr Hosam E. Naoum, Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem:
Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: In your mercy, provide for all those in Gaza and beyond who suffer from hunger and starvation, that they may be given both physical bread to nourish their bodies and heavenly bread to sustain their souls.
By the power of your Spirit, bring a speedy end to this cruel war, the release of all captives, care for the sick and wounded, comfort for those who have lost loved-ones, and the opening of a pathway for a just and lasting peace here in the very homeland where your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, ministered during his earthly life; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Seeking God’s Will
Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labour in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
Psalm 127:1
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16
Spend some time in silence before God. Setting a timer for 5 or 10 minutes is a good way to avoid distraction or rushing away, as you will know the timer will call you back at a certain time.
You may also find it helpful to focus on a picture or a cross, or hold a holding cross in your hand.
What are the unmet needs in our community that God may be calling us to respond to? What does God want to say to me today?
At the end of your time of silence, take a moment to write down any thoughts or pictures that have come into your head, and ask yourself whether they may have come from God.