Diocese of Bath and Wells Prayer Calendar – September2016

Focusing on Glastonbury and Quantock deaneries

1 September

  • In a world made smaller by communications but more divided by fear of difference, we pray that you bless all humanity, heavenly Father, with the wisdom that we are all your children. We thank you for the benefice of Street with Walton, for its local ministry and for Jane Tompsettthere who is now in post as our diocese’s World Mission Adviser.

2 September

  • Lord, you give life and you are life. We join with those in Cannington, Otterhampton with Combwich, and Stockland in giving thanks for the new rector Revd Alison Waters. Bless her future work in opening communities to your transforming presence.

3 September

  • Lord, bless the new family services starting this month in Enmore and Nether Stowey and all the work and worship there, to your glory. Keep us remembering today that we receive faith with the trust of children and must choose to live it with the valiance of warriors.

4 September– Trinity 15

  • Bless Stogumber, Almighty God, and mayBishop Ruth be a dynamising sign of your love in that parish as she preaches at the Festival Evensong there tonight. We pray for people’s minds to be opened to hearts which reach for you.

5September

  • As schools start a new year, we ask you, Spirit of Wisdom, to bless all who teach in schools, businesses, charities and churches. Thank you for their care in helping make possible what everyone who learns from them does. Be with Quantock Coast benefice’s Open the Book team as they start again their service to schools, telling Bible stories.

6 September

  • In the village of Meare, Lord, comfort those who faithfully serve the church. Bless their desire to seemore fellowship between newcomers and established residents. In relationships we find our true selves and find you at heart of everything.

7 September

  • As Bishop's Council and the Board of Education jointly meet today, we pray that authority, acumen, strategy and sensitivity are manifest in the decisions of our dedicated leaders. Refresh their tireless effort, Lord, and energise each of us to work together for your glory.

8 September

  • Generous God, thank you for the new rector of the Quantock Towers benefice, Revd Preb Angela Berners-Wilson. Bless her and her ministry team in their outreach to all ages in the community. Holy Spirit, work within and between our work, to proclaim the name of Jesus Christ with every word we speak.

9 September

  • Thank you for Quantock Coast benefice’s summer holiday club which brought together 35 children and young people. Let us marvel that each one of us knows something unique of your unchanging and eternally unfolding nature, O Christ.

10 September

  • Creator of harmony, the cosmos returns its praise of your sustaining glory. Let the 24-hour Musicathon at Over Stowey Church herald your love, raising money for the St Margaret’s Hospice in Taunton. Bless the work of hospices in drawing our eternal souls to rest in a life even wider than before.

11 September– Trinity 16

  • God of steadfast love, bless the loyalty of those parishes in the Wheathill Priory Group, now in its third year of vacancy: Barton St David, Keinton Mandeville w Kingweston, Lydford on Fosse, Thank you for the work of these congregationsin encouraging the young and their continued involvement in village life. Bless our own efforts to hand on what we prize.

12 September

  • At West Quantoxhead we give thanks for the important wedding ministry there. We pray that the congregation’s fundraising for a lavatory is prospered and that this enhances the church’s service to the community. Bless all unions, Lord - most of all our own with you. Fit us to be a part of your bride, the Church.

13 September

  • Father, guide and give your creativity at the Quantock Deanery Synod tonight at Fiddington Church. Let your people in all the nations be glad of each other as they are glad in you.

14 September– Holy Cross Day

  • This Holy Cross Day we pray for your abiding love to be known in this diocese and throughout the world. Bless Holy Cross Chapel in Watchet as the congregation continues to pray for the Associate Vicar vacancyin the Watchet and Willitonbeneficeto be filled.
  • We also pray for Glastonbury Deanery Synod tonight, discussing the diocesan strategy.Lord, you are our map, our guide, our home.

15 September

  • Thank you Lord for all who live and work in Cannington. We pray for reinvigorated children's work –would you bring leaders and helpers there. Let us speak meaningfully in all contexts of your love, given to all.

16 September

  • In the joy of church fellowship, we pray for Middlezoy and ask that you bless the home group meeting there on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Give us a sense of your love for us through our knowledge of all who love you.

17 September

  • Father of tender compassion, we thank you for the work of Nicola Sullivan in this diocese as Archdeacon of Wells. We pray that she is blessed today and in the future as she is installed as Dean of Southwell. We ask for your strength to come into her work with the people of Nottingham and that you fortify us in our own work today.

18 September– Trinity 17

  • As Bishop Peter opensLarkhall Community Hub today we thank you for churches working to serve their communities. As a humble servant, loving Redeemer, you enjoyed the love of friends despite the hate of those whose hearts were wounded and could not yield to grace.

19 September

  • Inspiring Spirit, lighten the mystery hidden in ordinary life. Be with the interfaith work in Glastonbury and with Revd Sr Diane Greenfield there.

20 September

  • As Revd Shirley Smith retires today from her role as co-ordinating chaplain at Yeovil Hospital, we pray for all who are sick or who care for loved ones. Father, you hold us closer in your love than our fears and pains can penetrate.

21 September– St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

  • Lord, pour out your blessing, encouragement and excitement on those leading and attending the Inspire Day at The Old Deanery for those working with children and young people. Give us a glimpse of your friendship in a moment of fun today, God.

22 September

  • Thank you for the opportunities we have to serve our neighbours and to tell of our love and loyalty to you, Jesus Christ. May the involvement of churches in Stogursey Arts Festival, running til Sunday, testify to the life you give.

23 September

  • Nourish our prayer life as our prayers nourish us, God of the harvest. Amen.

24 September

  • As autumn encroaches, God, we turn our minds to your infinite presence as all else passes before us. Thank you for the gold of the dying leaf, for the endless circling of life around your throne.

25 September– Trinity 18

  • Glory to God! We remember CombwichSt Peterwhere the church is closed for renovation. We give thanks for our buildings, for heritage, for fellowship, and for being counted righteous in the Lord’s sight to come before him, offering praise.

26 September

  • Lord, bless Quantock Deanery’s support ofThe Good Shepherd School in Fort Portal, Western Uganda. You came to set the captives free. Free us from attitudes which enslave ourselves and others.
  • Your abundant blessings are celebrated at Burtle’s Harvest Supper. We join them in thanking you, taking time to think on our gratitude.

27 September

  • God, your ways are unknowable. By the earthly example of your Son you have taught us the way for us to be. Thank you for blessed simplicity.

28 September

  • Christ Almighty, our hearts are filled to overflowing when we share our joys with you and our sisters and brothers. We ask that your name is glorified in Glastonbury Town next week as St John and St Benedict churches join Christians Together in a week of accompanied prayer. May this inspire us all to deepen our own prayer and to be brave enough to share with our companions.

29 September- Michael and All Angels

  • Michaelmas: we pray with those atSt Michael and All Angels at Greinton. Inspire and strengthen us, Lord, to vanquish darkness, acting on the radical grace of your singular sacrifice.

30 September

  • We have no rest until our souls find their rest in you, living Lord. Bless your servant Revd Timothy Price as he retires from the Two Shires Benefice in Ilminster today. Enliven each one of us to live and work to your glory.

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