These are the notes from the team-wide prayer evening held on 3 December for those who would like to use them for prayer at home or in other gatherings.
You can download a copy for printing here.
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” (From Isaiah 61)
Come Lord, come down, come in, come among us.
Come into our darkness with your light,
Come fill our emptiness with your presence.
Dispel the clouds and reveal your glory.
Come refresh, renew, restore us.
Come Lord, come down, come in, come among us. Amen
Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24
Wait for the Lord, whose day is near,
Wait for the Lord: keep watch take heart!
Give Thanks
A time to give thanks for all that has been happening in the Lordsbridge Team of Churches.
A time to pray for our churches as we focus on Advent and the build up to Christmas
For many people to come to the special services and events and for the Good News to reach their hearts and minds. For all clergy and lay ministers leading services and ministering in this busy season, that they may be strengthened. For us all to Watch and Pray.
Praying for the diocese as the consultation process on the Diocesan strategy begins.
Where to put our resources as a diocese, and why. Praying to be generous and visible people of Jesus Christ.
We praise and thank you, God of the journey, for all your gifts to us in the past. We look to you as fellow-traveller and faithful companion on the way ahead. Shelter and protect us from all harm and anxiety; give us grace to let go of all that holds us back; and grant us courage to meet the new life you have promised us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Praying for the Middle East and other parts of the world in crisis (Lighting candles and praying silently)
Praying for those who minister to the bereaved
This is the time of year when there are a lot of funerals. Pray around our funeral ministry and also the Butterflies bereavement support group.
Praying for future events
For the School of Theology starting again in January. For Fresh Expressions – Mission and the start of something new.
Closing Prayer
Lord God, in your love you sent your Son
In your grace you called us back to you
In your mission you placed us where we are
And formed us into a team.
Call us onward into your purposes and growth
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
