ARCHIVE - PRAYER GROUP
2023
December 2023
Lord, as we journey through Advent and prepare to celebrate Your birth, prepare our hearts and bring us closer to You and one another.
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Prince of Peace, sustain all who are affected by war, natural disasters and personal pain. May Your light shine in their darkness.
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Amen
Remembrance Prayers Nov 2023
God of truth and justice, we hold before you those men and women who have died in active service: in World War 1, World War 2 and all wars since right up to presen day. As we honour their courage and cherish their memory, may we put our faith in Your future; for You are the source of llife and hope, now and for ever. Amen
A Prayer for the Armed Forces
Almighty God, stretch forth your mighty arm to strengthen and protect the armed forces: grant that meeting danger with courage and all occasions with discipline and loyalty, they may truly serve the cause of justice and peace; to the honour of Your holy name through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
God of all justice and peace, we cry out to You in the midst of the pain and trauma of violence and fear which prevails in the Holy Land. Father, we pray for the many people whose lives have been torn apart by conflict in Gaza and Israel, especially those who have died, those who are grieving, the injured and those now without food, shelter or medical suppliess. May those who have the power to bring peace be touched by a spirit of compassion and kindness. Amen
God of peace and justice, we pray for the people of Ukraine. Remember the mothers and fathers, the innocent children, widows and orphans, the disabled and helpless, those seeking shelter and refuge, who reach out to you and to their fellow human beings looking for mercy and compassion. We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons; for all those who fear for tomorrow, and ask that Your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them. Amen. (Adapted from a prayer by Archbishop of York)
Let us confess to God the sins and shortcomings
of the world; it's pride, its selfishness, its greed, its evil divisions and hatreds. Let us confess our share in what is wrong, and our failure to seek and establish that peace which God wills for his children.
November 2023
Lord, as we remember those lost or injured in all wars past and present, we pray for a cessation of all hostilities and peace in our time. Guide world leaders with Your wisdom and enable all people to live together in love, freedom and security.
Amen
September 2023
Father God, as summer nears its end and we look to autumn beginning, we give You thanks for the changing seasons and for the beauty that each one brings. We also thank You that while change is part of life, You never do.
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Lord, as You transform the seasons, transform our lives by Your Holy Spirit, that we live as You desire and bring glory to Your name.
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Amen
August 2023
Father, You commanded us to be good stewards of all that You created, but we have failed You and the generations to come. Forgive us and guide us as we seek to restore that which we have destroyed. Comfort and strengthen all who have been affected by fire or flooding because of global warning.
2022
December 2022
"May you be filled with the wonder of Mary,
the obedience of Joseph, the joy of the angels,
the eagerness of the magi,
and the peace of the Christ child.
Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit
bless you now and forever"
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Written by Ray Pritchard
November 2022
At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we shall remember them.
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Grant peace O Lord across our strife-torn world. Where war divides and greed
and dogma drive. Help us to learn the lessons from the past, that all are human
and all pay the price. All life is dear and should be treated so; joined, not divided,
is the way to go.
(A verse from Remembrance Poem by Charles Henrywood, 2009)
October 2022
Lord, as we celbrate harvest and give thanks for the provision of our food, we pray for those who have no harvest to celebrate. Forgive us for the imbalance of resources in the world that we have created and help us to work together to share fairly all that You have provided so that everyone can be fed. Amen
September 2022
"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of God will stand forever"
Isaiah 40: 8
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God of creation, as summer fades and autumn begins, we thank you for the beauty of the earth. Thank You that though the seasons change, You are unchanging and Your love unending.
Amen
August 2022
Lord Jesus, when you walked with us on earth you spread your healing power. We place in your loving care all who are affected by Coronavirus. Keep us strong in faith, hope and love. Bring relief to our sick, console our bereaved, protect those who care for us. We lift our prayer to you, Lord and trust in your infinite mercy, as we wait for the daybreak. Amen
July 2022
Father, thank you for summer. Thank you for teachers and all they have taught children in their care during the past academic year. At the start of the summer holidays, may staff and pupils enjoy a time of relaxation and refreshment. Lord, protect all who travel, comfort those who will be lonely during these months and support those who find children being off school an added financial burden. Help us remember that you are the source of all true joy in life. Amen
June 2022
Father of the unknown tomorrows, the next bend in the road, You give us just a day at a time with its responsibilities. But along with it, You give a promise of Your love and care.
You have provided for our yesterdays; You are with us today; You will watch over us for all the tomorrows. Lord, help us to place all the perils of the future into Your hands and place Your special blessings of this day into ours.
Amen
May 2022
Loving God, teach us to recognise how much we have been forgiven and so, help us to reach out to others in turn, ready to show mercy, to forgive and to forget. And may Christ, Our Risen Saviour, be our guide. Amen
The prayers on the prayer table during May are all based on different psalms.
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Thanking our Good Shepherd - Psalm 23
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Thanking God for his ever-present presence - Psalm 46
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Focusing on God - Psalm 121
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Be Jesus cantered - Psalm 1
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Praising God for his creation - Psalm 19
April 2022
You'll have received details of the request, from Christian Aid, for concerted prayer by joining together in an act of witness to pray and light candles for Ukraine, for an end to the conflict and for all those affected by the terrible impact of war, on 3 April. A suitable prayer is:
God of all peoples and nations, Who created all things alive and breathing,
United and whole, Show us the way of peace that is your overwhelming presence.
We hold before you the peoples of Ukraine and Russia, Every child and every adult.
We long for the time when weapons of war are beaten into ploughshares, when nations no longer lift up sword against nation.
We cry out to you for peace;
Protect those who only desire an deserve to live in security and safety
Comfort those who fear for their lives and the lives of their loved ones
Be with those who are bereaved.
Change the hearts of those set on violence and aggression and fill leaders with the wisdom that leads to peace.
Kindle again in us a love of our neighbour, and a passion for justice to prevail an a renewed recognition that we all play a part in peace. Creator of all, hear our prayer and bring us peace; make us whole.
Amen
Prayer for April
When evereything was dark and it seemed that the sun would never shine again your love broke through.
Your love was too strong, too wide, too deep for death to hold.
The sparks cast by your love dance and spread and burst forth with resurrection light.
Gracious God, we praise you for the light of new life made possibe through Jesus.
We praise you for the light of new life that shone on the first witnesses of resurrection.
We praise you for the light of new life that continues to shine in our hearts today.
We pray that the Easter light of life, hope and joy will live in us each day; and that we will be bearers of that light into the lives of others. Amen
March 2022
Lord, Prince of Peace, we ask for Your healing among the nations of our broken and divided world. Banish the desire for war in the hearts of some and let Your spirit of love dwell there instead.
We remember the people of Ukraine and all who fear what could happen. Grant them courage and strength. Shine your light into their darkness.
May all decisions made by governments be guided by You. Turn despair into hope, fear into trust; hate to love and war to peace.
Amen
February 2022
Dear Lord, teach us to love each other the way You first loved us. As we build relationships with others, let them see You in the extent of our generosity, the authenticity of our kindness and the depths of our love. All of these things are only possible through You, the God who abides with us and calls us friend, Amen.
January 2022
Thank You, Lord, for a New Year, a time to take stock and begin anew. As we look to the futue which, during this pandemic, is not without anxieties, may we remember Your unfailing love and Your ever present presence with us. As we journey through this year, may we demonstrate Your love and compassion to all we meet and so bring glory to Your name.
Amen
2021
December 2021
"The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14
Holy Jesus, by being born one of us and lying humbly in a manger, you show how much God loves the word. Let the light of your love always shine in our hearts, until we reach our home in heaven, and see you on our throne of glory. Amen
November 2021
O God of truth and justice, we hold before you those men who have died in active service throughout the years, right up to the present day.
As we honour their courage and cherish their memory, may we put our faith in your future, for you are the source of life and hope, now and for ever.
Amen
October 2021
We bless you, God of seed and harvest, and we bless each other that the beauty of this world, and the love that created it, might be expressed through our lives and be a blessing to others. Now and always, Amen John Birch
September 2021
"Learn to do good; seek justice; rescue the oppressed; defend the orphan; plead for the widow". Isaiah 1: 17
Lord, guide the people of this land and of all the nations,
in the ways of justice and peace;
that we may honour one another and serve the common good
surrounded by Your blessings and love, Amen
(Pray Now Group, Church of Scotland 2015)
August 2021
In You, Lord, I put my tust and ask for Your guidance and strength in the problems I face in life, both personally and generally. May Your spirit sweep, not only this nation, but the world, touching the hearts of mankind so that Your kingdom may truly come and Your will be done on earth.
Amen
July 2021
The blessing of the Lord rest and remain upon all His people, In every land, of every tongue.
The Lord meet in mercy all who seek Him. The Lord comfort all who suffer and mourn.
The Lord hasten His coming and give us, His people, peace by all means, now and for ever, Amen
(Handley C G Moule)
June 2021
Loving God, creator of all times and places, we thank you for the gift of summertime, the days of light, warmth and leisure.
Thank you for the beauty that surrounds us everywhere we look. As we open our eyes and ears to the landscape of nature and people, open our hearts to receive all as a gift and let all the gifts we enjoy this summer deepen our awareness of your love so that we may share this with others and enjoy a summertime of re-creation.
Amen.
The swan family at Auchinstarry Quarry, 31 May 2021
May 2021
For sight to see beyond the here and now,
For faith transcending, bittered why and how
For ears to hear the song of hope ring out
Above the present dirge of fear and doubt.
For wisdom of the heart to know the sun
Will rise again when this dark day is done.
By Helen Lowrie Marshall
Loving Father, we give You thanks for the progressng vaccination programme here in Britain leading to less cases of Coronovirus and subsequently fewer deaths. Comfort those throughout the world who are still ill and struggling from this virus. We especially remember the people of India. Heal and comfort them while protecting and strengthening the health professionals on the front line. Amen
April 2021
Lord of all time, You reveal to us our fragility,
You uncover in us our treachery.
Renew us and restore us to walk with You to
Golgotha and keep watch by Your side
until that Easter moment of triumph when
You will overcome our despair and turn the groaning of Your Church into a steadfast love, that we may leave what is past in peace and embrace the future in hope. Amen
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Easter Sunday - The Lord is Risen; He is risen indeed!
March 2021
For every disappointment,
For every broken heart,
For everyone in darkness,
A light.
For every wounded person,
For every tired mind,
For hopeless situations,
A hope.
For everyone who's desperate,
For everyone who's lost,
For everyone who's fearful,
A shelter.
For every painful question,
For everyone's regrets,
For every cry of "Why God",
An answer.
The cross still stands.
The cross still towers.
His blood still cleanses.
Eternally the same.
And I bow down,
Lord I run, to the cross again,
I bow down, I bow down.
By David Hind
February 2021
What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear,
What a privilege to carry
everything to God inprayer.
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.
Lord Jesus, dearest friend,
I come within the loving shelter of your arms, while just like a child, I tell You now of all my concerns, great and small.
I believe you will hear me and answer as I trust in You and allow You to comfort me.
Amen
January 2021
Almighty God, in this month of a new year, fill us with winds of renewal and direction.
We don't know what lies ahead in the months to come, indeed what tomorrow will bring; but help us to remember whether we are joyful or in our darkest hour that You are with us and will never forsake us. May we faithfully worship and serve You in the year ahead. Amen
December 2020
Gracious God, in a year when how we celebrate Christmas will be different for many, let us remember that it's true meaning is unchanging. We thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, into the world bringing hope, peace, love, joy and light.
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Father God, may we have the faith of Mary, the commitment of Joseph and respond to the angels' message like the shepherds. Forgive us, Lord, when we do not have room in our hearts and lives for You. Help us instead to have You at the centre of our lives..
Lord, draw near to all who are lonely during this season. Let them feel Your presence and know the joy You alone can bring. Comfort the many who have been bereaved throughout the year and bring them Your peace, which is beyond all understanding.
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Living God, teach us that the glad tidings proclaimed at Bethlehem all those years ago is good news for us today, in the here and now, Amen.
November 2020
REMEMBER
Father, we remember the sacrifice of those caught up in war, and the generations of men, women and children who have died in the cause of liberty and peace; also their widows, girlfriends, parents and children who waited in vain for the return of their loved ones.
We pray for those who still bear the physical and mental scars and disabilities of their service and ask that You will grant them strength and courage.
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Ruler of all nations, we give You thanks for the freedom we enjoy in this land and pray for the wisdom and strength to build a better and peaceful world.
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Lord, we remember those who have lost their lives over this past year due to Coronavirus or any other cause and give You thanks for the lives they shared with those who knew them.
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Loving God, bless those who mourn with the comfort of Your love. Fill their empty hearts with happy memories and hope for the future.
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In Jesus' name we pray,
Amen
October 2020
Desperate Times
Lord, it's getting to be desperate times
Why do you seem to delay
In responding to my pressing needs
That I remind you of each day?
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In my mind, I know that you
Will come through in the end
But in my heart emotions rise
And I worry and fret again.
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Help me, Lord, at those times
To give it again to you,
Help me know deep in my heart
That you will pull me through.
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And that you fully understand
Exactly where I'm at,
Though circumstances do not change,
In you, I shall not lack.
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Eveything when given to you
Will work out for my good,
For when I cast my care on you,
It's then, that it's understood.
That it's just a matter of your timing
In respondng to my need,
For often it's because you're doing
A deeper work in me.
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So, all that's left for me to do
The one thing that is sure,
Is to put my trust in you each day,
For nothing matters more.
By M S Lowndes
September 2020
"I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine" -Song of Songs 6:3
My very existence springs from Your love, Lord.
Your love streams through my soul.
You know me,
You hold me,
You enfold me in the whisper of Your tenderness.
I am Yours.
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"Wait & See"
by Angela Ashwin
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Please send any requests for prayer to the church's e-mail which you can find on our website: www.boldchurch.org.uk
August 2020
Please send any requests for prayer to the church's e-mail which you can find on our website: www.boldchurch.org.uk
Lord, in the stillness, speak to us;
in the emptiness, come to us and fill us;
to our troubles, come with Your peace;
to our weakness, come with Your strength;
in our doubts and our fears, abide with us.
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Still the storms within us and let us find rest in You.
Help us to be the people You want us to be,
and to achieve what You want us to do,
that we may go out in confidence and serve You all our days.
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Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God for now and ever.
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By David Adam
July 2020
The Prayer Group remains active during the restrictions we presently have, via email and phone conference. Please send any requests for prayer to church’s email, which is on our web site, www.boldchurch.org.uk
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As the restrictions of lockdown are gradually being lifted, we give thanks, while still recognising that we must adhere to the rules that are in place and remain patient, which can seem harder the more time passes.
May you be strong with all the strength that comes from His glorious power and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints of light. Colossians 1: 11-12
Lord, we commend to Your love those who have died and ask Your comfort and strength for all who grieve, Amen.
June 2020
We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
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1 Thessalonians 1:3
As the first snowdrops of the year give us hope of emerging from winter and entering spring, we give You thanks, Father, that there are early signs of hope that we are emerging from the present pandemic.
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Grant us patience, Lord, to continue our journeys through this difficult time and strengthen our NHS staff, care workers and all essential workers as they serve others.
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In all situations, Lord, may Your healing hand rest on those who are ill. Grant your peace to the dying and your comfort to those grieving the loss of a loved one.
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In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
May 2020
Lord, I see the lighthouse on the hill,
This island out in the sea
it reminds me, Lord, of the call
That You spoke out to me
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"I am your salvation, come to Me
Let Me be your Guiding Light
Forever more to roam with Me
Never in the darkness of night
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A steady Beam I'll be for you
When you have times of despair
A constant source of Guiding Light,
Never alone, I'll always be there"
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Thank you, Lord, for Your Light
That shines on me each day
Now help me to be a light that shines
For others, is what I pray
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by Lucy A Cain
"The Lord is my Light and my Salvation - whom shall I fear or dread? The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?"
Psalm 27:1
2019
December
As part of the Christmas Tree Festival, the prayer table during December will have a "chrismon tree". The tree itself is a real tree, the evergreen representing eternal life. The lights are white, representing "Christ, the Light of the World". The decorations, which are all Christian symbols, have all been handmade by members of the Prayer Group and are in white, for the purity of Christ, or gold for His Kingship.
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For example: butterfly = resurrection; crown = majesty; sheep or shepherd's crook = the Good Shepherd; heart = love of God; dove = Holy Spirit; cradle with baby = the coming of Christ among us. These are just a few of the symbols we have used.
November
As always in November, the prayer table is dedicated to the memory of those, both service personnel and civilians, who have lost their lives as a result of conflict. We also pray that mankind will learn to live in piece.
October
Our prayers this month give thanks to God, our abundant giver, for the food that sustains us and the people who grow, harvest and deliver it. We, who have plenty, also pray that we may have loving, generous hearts to share God's adequate providing with those who have little.
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Lord of the Harvest, we thank you for your creation, for it's beauty and fruitfulness.
We thank you for blessing us with our daily bread.
Lord of Mercy, we confess to you our failure to be wise stewards of this world.
We confess to you our selfishness in not sharing the earth's bounty fairly.
(Tearfund 2017)
September
Jesus said "Let the children come to me and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14.
We often hear people say that the Children are the Church of tomorrow. In a way, it's true, for we hope that the seeds planted in them today will be nurtured and grow so that in adulthood, they will take up the baton of faith from us.
However, they are also a very important part of the Church today and so the theme of this month's prayer table is children, remembering and giving thanks to every one of them.
July & August (summer)
It is important that violinists not only look after their instruments but also their bows, which should be slackened every time after use. If this is not done, then the bow will lose it's camber (bend) because it is under tension for too long and will eventually break.
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We too will eventually break if we do not release the tension of life from time to time. When God created the universe, He rested on the 7th day and Jesus also knew the need to rest, both for his disciples and for Himself. "Come to me, get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest." Matthew 11:28
The theme of our Prayer Table for July and August is 'Summer'. Giving thanks to god for the (hopefully) better weather, longer evenings, a time during which many of our activities stop, allowing more time for relaxation and opportunities for holidays and rest.
June (Pentecost)
In the month of June, our prayer table celebrates the gift of the Holy Spirit, the third part of Trinity. We read in Acts 2: 1-13 about Pentecost, how the Holy Spirit came touching the hearts of those gathered and how the Church was born. We pray that He will again touch the hearts and souls of men and women throughout the world.
May
The book of Acts and the epistles tell us that encouragement was a major theme in the early Church. Today, we still all need encouragement, whether we are feeling confident or inadequate, inspired or confused, certain or uncertain, happy or sad and so that is the theme for our prayer table during the month of May.
Lord, come paint a rainbow bright of hope within my soul
Take the greys of weariness and inject new hues of gold.
Scarlet streaks of passion that make me come alive
Rich and royal threads that weave your kingdom through my life.
Clean away the dust of disappointment from my heart
Replace faded tones of failure, polish me up real smart.
Bright and dancing, sun streaked light that shines upon my face
Pure and radiant tones of white that radiate your grace.
(Prayer by Living Prayers)
Easter
‘He is risen, He is risen indeed!’
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The sorrow of Good Friday has passed, the joy of Easter has come. Had Jesus died and not risen again, He would have merely been another man, another teacher. The resurrection confirms that Jesus was the Son of God. Through Him death has been conquered. Love has triumphed, given us hope and the promise of eternal life for all who believe.
Lent
Our prayer table this month is centred on Lent, which is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, beginning on Ash Wednesday and ending the day before Easter Sunday. The forty days represent the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry.
Lent is a time of self-examination and reflection during which we should focus on our relationship with God. It is a tie for us to think about the choices we have to make in our daily lives and to reflect on the choices Jesus made while being tempted by Satan in the desert. We should lift our eyes to the cross, remembering what Christ endured on it at Calvary for us. Lent reminds us that we need to respond to the love of God shown in Jesus.
February
On 14 February, tokens of love are sent and exchanged.
However, we often forget that we each receive the greatest love each and every day - the love of God our Father, which is immeasurable and selfless.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son,
that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
John 3:16
January
At the beginning of a New Year, when many look to make resolutions about their lives, the Prayer Group has chosen the theme of 'New Beginnings' as the theme for the prayer table.
There you will find prayers to help you reflect on letting go of things from the past which should be left in the past and some to help you look forward to the future with hope, joy and the love of Christ.
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"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation, old things have passed away; behold all things have become new"
2 Corinthians 5:17
2018
November
In the weeks leading up to Remembrance Sunday, members of the congregation were invited to write the names of loved ones they wished to remember on paper poppies. These, along with 100 knitted poppies to mark the centenary of the end of World War 1, were then placed on the prayer table.
The members of the prayer group were heartened at the response from the congregation.