Join in with our prayers below and click on links to see video or audio that has been sent from all people across CofE Birmingham.
We also have a printable version to download here.
Friday 1 December
Charles de Foucauld, Hermit in the Sahara, 1916
World Aids Day - Revd Barrie Scott and Revd Siobhan Bridge invite us to pray,
God of Promise, today we are mindful of our sisters and brothers suffering
with HIV and AIDS.We ask your healing presence on millions of people
living with the disease today, including those children who are infected
or who have been orphaned by the disease. Make of us a safe haven for
those who are abandoned, discriminated against and rejected on account of
their illness. Inspire us to speak out for a just distribution of health care and
medical aid, and for generosity in sharing our resources with those struggling
under the weight of this epidemic overseas. As we begin our Advent celebration
of waiting in hope for the birth of your Son, let us also remember those across
the world who wait in hope for a cure.
Amen.
Saturday 2 December
Oversight Area Formation Days, We pray for clergy and lay leaders of parishes
gathering to reflect and pray about forming their new oversight areas,
and for all facilitating these conversations:
Lord, you send your Holy Spirit to be the life and light of your church;
Give us your grace to bring forth the fruit of your Spirit in love and joy and peace,
to the glory of your name.
Amen.
Sunday 3 December
The First Sunday of Advent
Dear Father, in the welcoming of Advent, let us be thankful for your precious
gifts and blessings and look after our brothers and sisters. Help us to be
selfless, generous, loving, and to always remember the true meaning of
advent leading up to Christmas.
Amen
Monday 4 December
John of Damascus, Monk, Teacher of the Faith, c.749
Revd Debbie Collins invites us to pray,
Dear Lord of Light, we pray that throughout Advent you may stir the hearts
of your people to travel and experience festive delights, finding sheep (Sheep Trail),
creating Christingles (School Service) and singing carols (Carol Service). May
these experiences warm all of our hearts with your love, joy and peace. Bless
us and move us into new areas of ministry and mission as we approach Christmas,
ready to welcome you as both refugee babe and King.
Amen.
Tuesday 5 December
John Nightingale invites us to pray with CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development)
God of blessings, the universe sings of your glory. Deepen our gratitude for all
you have made and awaken in us a renewed commitment to care for the earth
and each other. Inspire world leaders at COP28, with openness to listen to those
most affected by climate change and with courage to act urgently and wisely, so
that our common home may be healed and restored and all people, and
generations to come, may delight in it.
Amen.
Wednesday 6 December
Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, c.326
Mary Withers invites us to pray for Sensory Church as we celebrate a year at the Shine Centre,
Christ Church Oldbury with a Multi-Sensory Carol Service on 10th December
Lord Jesus, we ask your blessings upon this event. Help us to identify needs and make this
multi-sensory carol service inclusive for all. We pray in your name and work in your your power.
Amen.
Thursday 7 December
Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, Teacher of the Faith, 397
We pray for the Revd Claire Turner, (St Chad, Rubery), and the parishes and the incumbents of the Oversight Area,
The Revd Canon Stephen Jones at St Stephen the Martyr, Rednal;
The Revd Sheri Gidney at Holy Trinity Lickey and Catherine Blackwell; and
The Revd Andrew Hobbs at Cofton Hacketts and Barnt Green;
together with the clergy, readers and churchwardens of these parishes.
Friday 8 December
The Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Christmas Jumper Day
Dear Lord, Today on Christmas Jumper Day, we celebrate together with joyful hearts.
Help us to don our festive jumpers with pride and acknowledgement for you.
Give us the confidence to use this opportunity to proclaim the good news and may
the true meaning of Christmas shine through our actions.
Amen.
Saturday 9 December
Revd Fiona Harrison-Smith invites us to pray:
We pray for St Clement’s Church Plant; Hope on Smith’s Wood,
holding a free community Christmas Fun day today. We pray for the
families attending, the Hope team and especially Ricky Sandiford the
Pioneer Minister of Hope on Smith’s Wood.
Sunday 10 December
The Second Sunday of Advent
Lucille Arlidge invites us to pray,
Thank you for healing so many that we have prayed for.
Thank you for drawing close to all those you are calling into your kingdom.
Thank you for guiding and leading us.
Amen.
Monday 11 December
Loving Father, today we bring to you the financial crisis of our city.
We pray that the members of Birmingham City Council make wise
and compassionate decisions with regards to social housing and
council taxes. Father, equip us, so that both living and working in
the city we can prepare with generosity and hope, for change.
Amen.
Tuesday 12 December
Collect of the day,
O Lord, raise up, we pray, your power
and come among us,
and with great might succour us;
that whereas, through our sins and wickedness
we are grievously hindered
in running the race that is set before us,
your bountiful grace and mercy
may speedily help and deliver us;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honour and glory, now and for ever.
Amen.
Wednesday 13 December
Lucy, Martyr at Syracuse, 304
Jesus you are Lord - let us always be eternally grateful for your unending love, and grace.
Amen.
Thursday 14 December
John of the Cross, Poet, Teacher of the Faith, 1591
We pray for The Revd. John Bridge , St Giles, Rowley Regis, and the parishes and incumbents of the Oversight Area,
including St Paul, Blackheath; and The Revd Jill MacDonald at St John, Rounds Green,
together with the clergy, readers and churchwardens of these parishes.
Friday 15 December
Mary Withers asks us to pray these words with her,
Dear Jesus, As I decorate my home today and my tree help me not to lose sight of you.
Help me not to think so much about the baubles on the tree; the red ones, or where the silver
ones are going. When I hang up the Angel help me to think about the angels that proclaimed
your birth. Help me Lord to focus on you this advent. And to reveal you to the world.
Amen.
You can watch her video prayer on our CofE Birmingham YouTube channel.
Saturday 16 December
Todays prayer is inspired by the Christmas carol, ‘Away in a manger’,
‘Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay close by me for ever, and love me, I pray.’
Sunday 17 December
The Third Sunday of Advent
Dear God, our prayer is in gratitude for the generosity of our sisters and brothers of our
parishes for their Common Fund contributions. May their gifts be fruitful across the CofEB.
Amen.
Monday 18 December
Today prayer is inspired by International Migrants Day,
Father, we pray for your healing in a broken world. We ask you to be a guiding
light of hope for those in need and desparation; for those who have lost loved
ones, for those living in worry, distress or fear, for those with any connections
to conflict across the globe.Lord, be the rock, fortress and deliverer; in whom they take refuge.
Amen.
Tuesday 19 December
Lucille Arlidge invites us to pray,
Lord, we give you thanks for the work you call us to do and the gifts you give us to share with others.
Bless the people who live and who serve in our Parish.
Amen.
Wednesday 20 December
Revd. Denise Jones invites us to pray:
We give thanks for prayers answered as we continue to see growth
in our church and significant recovery after Covid; we thank you loving
Father that we are experiencing a growth not only in numbers but in
faith, in courage, confidence and in diversity. We give thanks for the
significant growth in young families and those coming to faith.
Thanks be to God.
Thursday 21 December
We pray for The Revd. Joanne Dyer , All Souls North Warwickshire, and the churches of the Oversight Area,
St Nicholas Austrey, St Mary the Virgin Newton Regis, All Saints Seckington, St Matthew Shuttingon, and Holy Trinity Warton, together with the clergy, readers and churchwardens of these parishes
Friday 22 December
Jesus, as you healed the sick, bring healing to those who are ill today. Jesus, Lord of love, in your mercy, hear us.
Amen.
Saturday 23 December
Anjani asks us to pray these words with her,
Dear God, thank you for all the people who point us to you
and help us to see who you really are. Help us to point the way, too.
Amen.
You can watch her video prayer as part of the CofE social media
Advent campaign.
Sunday 24 December
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
Todays prayer is inspired by Galatians 4:4-5,
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of
a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were
under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.
Monday 25 December
Christmas Day
Holy Jesus,
by being born one of us,
and lying humbly in a manger,
you show how much God loves the world.
Let the light of your love always shine in our hearts,
until we reach our home in heaven,
and see you on your throne of glory.
Amen.
Tuesday 26 December
Stephen, Deacon, First Martyr
We pray for families for whom this Christmas will be a painful time.
For parents who have lost sons or daughters, couples who are no
longer together, children who are unhappy, confused or in trouble,
and those who are lonely. Jesus, grant them secure knowledge of your love for them.
Wednesday 27 December
John, Apostle and Evangelist
Eternal God, You gave us the greatest gift: the gift of life. In the
coming year, help us use it wisely. May we grow in generosity,
kindness and forgiveness, hope, faith and love.
Amen.
Thursday 28 December
The Holy Innocents
We pray for The Revd. Ruth Donegan-Cross, Holy Trinity in Ward End with Bordesley Green,
and the parishes of the Oversight Area, Christ Church, Ward End; and St Paul, Bordesley Green;
together with the clergy, readers and churchwardens of these parishes
Friday 29 December
Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, Martyr, 1170
Holy Spirit, thank you for the gift of inspiration. And we ask your
blessing on all those who contribute to our diocesan prayer cycle:
CofEB Praying Together. Thank you for their faithful wisdom and
vibrant faith. Continue to enrich all our lives as we pray together.
Amen.
Saturday 30 December
Prayer today is inspired by Psalm 18:1-3,
I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress,
and my deliverer,my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield,
and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.I call upon the Lord,
who is worthy to be praised; so I shall be saved from my enemies.
Sunday 31 December
The First Sunday of Christmas
Loving and gracious Father, today we thank you for the gift of
another year.Let us reflect on the past year with grace and
mercy in your name,and let us look to the new year with faith
and love in our hearts.
Amen.
