Diocese of Bath and Wells Prayer Calendar – October2016

Focusing on Portishead deanery

1 October

  • We pray for Caroline Mason from Holy Trinity Nailseaand Mary Duncan in Portishead who will be licensed as Readers with others today at the Cathedral.Bless them all in their ministry and bless Simon Hill as he is installed as Archdeacon of Taunton. We pray, Lord, for wisdom to see the chances to speak of your truth.

2 October – Trinity 19

  • Our hearts find solace in you alone, loving Lord. We pray for the combinedTaizé and Communion service tonight at St Andrew Clevedon. Let each heart be open to the blessing of your presence.
  • We are asked to prayfor effectiveness too at St Andrew’s Clevedon as they re-organise parish administration and begin their preaching and teaching series ‘Paraclesis’.

3 October

  • Holy Spirit, you work at the heart of all things for the coming of the Kingdom. At Wraxall and Failand benefice: we ask that the meditative prayer of the Julian group brings holy power to that community. O Christ, may our working week be shot through with your grace.

4 October

  • Faithful one, abide with your servant Revd Ruth Legg as she retires; reassure the wardens and other members in the benefice of Pill, Portbury and Easton-in-Gordano that the parishes will continue to serve the people as they await a new incumbent. Keep our minds open today for a reminder that you are with us in all things.

5October

  • Knowing you, Jesus, is to know true transformation. Situations, assumptions, relationships… all things are open to your saving grace. We pray that the Pilgrim course running in the East Clevedon benefice will help deepen discipleship.

6 October

  • As members of the congregations in Long Ashton prepare for 24 hours away together, we pray to you, God, that as you reach out to us so may there be new members come to join your faithful people there. Hear each of us as we pause for a moment to listen to you.

7 October

  • Holy Trinity, your abundance is displayed in all your creation. We rejoice in Yatton Moor Team Ministry’s continuing work to nurture young families into church life. Thank you for our own church families.

8 October

  • “Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute.” (Proverbs 31:8) May Christ, who recreates us in him, bless all those individuals, agencies, charities and NGOs during this ‘Speak Up’week of action. Help us recognise the problem of climate change and work for the solutions, Lord, as stewards of your creation.

9 October– Trinity 20

  • Let the spirit of discernment be with Flax Bourton as they establish a plan for mission today. With Bishop Peter we pray: Gracious God, may your Holy Spirit guide us into the future. Help us, throughout the diocese, to show uninhibited reliance on your grace and power as we seek the renewal of our lives. Give us courage, rigour, imagination and generosity in order that your kingdom may come and your abundant life be known by all. Amen

10 October

  • Praise God for the increase of his own. As Trendlewood Church becomes more independentfrom its home parish of Holy Trinity Nailsea we ask a blessing on Steve Tilley and all who worship there. Bless Trendlewood’s shared ministry with St Andrew's Backwell - the new 'Andy's' congregation meeting in Backwell School.

11 October

  • Holy Spirit, weaving connections, we give thanks for greater collaboration between the parishes of Tickenhamand Christ Church Nailsea. Bless plans to complete the reordering of Christ Church and form us, the Body of Christ, to grow in grace and action.

12 October

  • Master, tenderly gather us up at the last. We pray for the new Children and Families Worker in Portishead, Fran Smetton, as she encourages the teams there. We look to see this work grow. As children, we look to your guidance, to your purpose for each of our lives.

13 October

  • ‘Thank Your Vicar Week’ begins today. Father God, thank you for those who work to your glory, ministering to us as friends and leaders. Strengthen them with the knowledge that they point us to your heavenly Kingdom.

14 October

  • In Yatton Moor Team Ministry and in all the world we pray that the name of Jesus be known and exulted. As a new study group on the theme of the Eucharist begins as well as an Alpha Course running jointly with the local Methodist church there, we ourselves pray to learn something new each day of your ever-revealing person.

15 October

  • As Diocesan Synod meets this morning, we thank you for your heavenly rule and pray that your wisdom inspires the proceedings. May we be responsive to your love and obedient to your call.

16 October– Trinity 21

  • We pray for the people of Clevedon St John, as they prepare to re-advertise their vacancy.Trusting in your generosity, Lord, may they may remain in good heart as they wait for the right person to come forward to be their new priest.And as we await you in each moment, may our deeds draw us nearer to you.

17 October

  • We trust in the peace of the Lord, now and forever. We pray for St Andrew’s Backwell and their bid to expand the graveyard which will soon be full. We pray for rector Revd Margi Campbell, that she is refreshed by her sabbatical. We pray for Revd Peter Bailey and all the visiting clergy who will preside at St Andrew’s and St Bridget’s services in Margi’s absence. May we find moments of stillness and peace in our busy lives.

18 October – St Luke the Evangelist

  • Lord, thank you for the Gospel of your servant Luke all involved in the work of healing today. We ask a blessing on the new initiative in Long Ashton to seek and discover new ways to servingtheir community for collaboration with the Doctors Surgery and Village Cafe to help the vulnerable.

19 October

  • Lord, you came before us as a servant to demonstrate your glory and might. We ask that you invigorate and re-affirm all those people who serve the deanery of Portishead in many and various ways. Inspire us to know your will and respond to your love.

20 October

  • Lord, be alongside Revd Richard Greatrex and all those working in Flax Bourton.Comfort all who have lost loved ones or are lonely or who find it hard to love. May your suffering unite us in our sorrows and transform our minds to know life in your Kingdom today.

21 October

  • Lord, bless Revd Rob Eastwood Dewing, the new Team Rector in Portishead, as he continues to settle in the parish. May he know comfort and companionship there and be a light that blazes to your glory, leading the faithful and guiding the lost. Grant that we share in your glory and share your unconditional love in the world.

22 October

  • Father God, bless the prayer of St Peter’s Clevedon and hear us now as we join with them, saying: We seek to be empowered, committed to the service of Christ, to see individuals transformed by the experience of Christ, and to demonstrate God's love to the community through our service to it.

23 October– Trinity 22

  • Yesterday, today and forever, you are the same, Lord of mercy and love. Bless St Mary’s Church in Walton which has offered up sacramental worship for over a thousand years. Thank you for the building’s beauty and grace as it stays open all day every day to provide a sanctuary of peace in the parish.

24 October

  • We marvel how you are known in each and every generation, Jesus Christ. Let all those doing the Alpha course with Clevedon Churches Together discover something new in you, Lord. Bless the Christ Church building shared by Anglicans and Methodists and bless all our Christian sisters and brothers around the world as we pray the prayer you taught us now: “Our Father…”

25 October

  • Thank you Lord for the work of all those called to service. As vocations to ordained ministry increase, so may we hear your voice ever more clearly calling each of us to the fullness of life in you, in serving and loving.

26 October

  • Lord, bless the parish of Weston-in-Gordano with the riches of your Spirit as they offer choral worship and develop other forms of music and ministry for today.In the noise of busy lives, help us discern the chords that sing out your praise.

27 October

  • There are fifteen Church schools in Portishead deanery: bless them all Lord with your laughter and wisdom! Keep us learning more about you each day.

28 October

  • Spirit of Life, with Walton-in-Gordano we celebrate their ministry of welcome and pastoral care. In their active and fun church life may onlookers be intrigued to know more of your loving and subversive nature, Lord Jesus.

29 October

  • Thank you, Lord, for all David Commons’ work with Open Doors in Christ Church Clevedon, supporting Christians in countries where faith in you is illegal or oppressed. As he steps down, we pray for a replacement link person. May the persecuted know you share in their pain. May we profess faith in you more openly.

30 October– Trinity 23

  • Take six breaths. Exhaling on the seventh breath, know that the day itself blesses God and that Christ is Lord of All. Go in peace!

31October

  • Loving Lord, as the week begins, we ask a blessing on all who work in Portishead deanery – that their endeavours are fruitful and joyful. We each ask to know the joy of life with you in whatever we do today.

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