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Thursday 1
Philip and James, Apostles
Heavenly Father, we ask for your guidance in the recruitment process for the four positions that are due to come up in the next six months at Lighthouse, St Mary’s Pype Hayes.
May the right individuals be drawn to these roles, equipped with the skills and passion needed to serve our community.
Amen
Friday 2
Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, Teacher of the Faith, 373
Gas Street Longbridge invites us to pray for the revitalisation of St Johns Longbridge,
Creator God, we thank you for the new souls joining our community. Bless their journeys, deepen their faith, and ignite a passionate love for Jesus in their hearts. May our collective efforts continue to transform lives and inspire growth in your name.
Amen
Saturday 3
Today is the Installation service for the 11th Bishop of Aston, The Rt. Revd Esther Prior.
Gracious God, we ask that you bless Bishop Esther in her new ministry and this city, region, and diocese.
Guide all our leaders in wisdom and compassion, help all those who call this place home to abide deeply in you,that your light may break forth like the dawn and your healing spring up for deliverance.
For this we ask in the name of your son, our saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen
Sunday 4
English Saints and Martyrs of the Reformation Era
The Parish of St Matthew with St Chad invites us to pray,
We give thanks that we have welcomed those seeking God into our community and pray they will grow as Christians.
Amen
Monday 5
John Nightingale invites us to pray,
Lord God, thank you for the vision and inspiration that have resulted in our diocese and cathedral gaining Silver Eco Church Awards for their environmental actions; guide, we pray, the Cathedral Eco Group as they prepare a Sustainability Strategy.
Amen
Tuesday 6
O Lord, we pray for the individuals who have come to know God through the CFM project in Warley & Erdington, may they continue to grow in their faith, and for the volunteers who have supported the project activities, to be continually renewed in their ministry.
Amen
Wednesday 7
Dear Lord, we thank you for the support provided to CofEB parishes in interregnum. May your guidance bring strength, unity, and hope to these communities, fostering faith and love during this transition.
Amen
Thursday 8
Julian of Norwich, Spiritual Writer, c.1417
On this World Red Cross & Red Crescent Day we pray,
Almighty God, we pray for the Red Cross and Red Crescent movements, their volunteers, and all those who offer humanitarian support, seeking to bring comfort and healing to those in need, especially in times of crisis.
Amen
Friday 9
Almighty Father, we lift up the children of this world, the ones who have no roof above their heads and the ones who live comfortably.
We lift up the children who have never heard of you.
And today as we pray, we remember and lift up in your tender loving hands,
he abused and abandoned, living without love, without hope, and
without the basic needs of life.
Amen
Saturday 10
World Fair Trade Day
Thank you, Lord, for this beautiful world – your creation, so beautiful, intricate and interdependent. Thank you that the whole of creation praises you. Help us in the wealthy countries to better steward natural resources, so we can join in creation’s praise. And, help us to be more intentional about supporting artisans, farmers and employees who work in the supply chains of the products we purchase.
Amen
Sunday 11
Christian Aid Week 11-17May
God, we are thankful for how Christian Aid Week is an opportunity for our church family to demonstrate your love in action to our local and global community.
We give thanks for everyone who gives their time, gifts and resources during Christian Aid Week, and beyond.
We pray that you would bless their efforts as they come together with a shared desire to end poverty.
Amen
Monday 12
Gregory Dix, Priest, Monk, Scholar, 1952
'Mental Health Awareness Week - 12 - 19 May
O God of all comfort, we humbly ask that you behold, visit, bless and relieve those who suffer from mental health. Look upon them with the eyes of your mercy; comfort them with a sense of your goodness; preserve them from the temptations of the enemy; and give them patience with themselves. In your good time, restore them to health. Bless all who support and travel alongside those suffering with mental health.
Amen
Tuesday 13
The Parish of St Matthew with St Chad invites us to pray,
Lord God, we pray that all who gather in worship will find your presence and peace.
Amen
Wednesday 14
Matthias the Apostle
Claire Laland, Malawi Task Group, invites us to pray,
Please pray for the situation in Malawi where there is a difference of opinion regarding crops. Many Malawians claim Cannabis exports can supplement waning tobacco sales, bringing in much-needed foreign currency. But a strong debate is raging in the country about the government throwing its weight behind a crop that is still considered illicit in many countries
Thursday 15
International Day of Families
Spirit of the Lord, we pray for families around the world especially those experiencing hardship, poverty, violence, or abuse. We ask that you will provide for vulnerable families, give protection to those in unsafe situations and that more people will demonstrate a spirit of generosity so that there will be more resources available to help families in need.
Amen
Friday 16
Caroline Chisholm, Social Reformer, 1877
International Day of Living Together in Peace
Father God, we pray for our world today.
We pray for peace and hope to abound.
Many are affected by natural disasters: floods, droughts and forest fires.
Many are struggling with conflict, poverty and the global food crisis.
O Lord, we pray for your provision, peace and protection.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Saturday 17
Footsteps brings together faith groups in Birmingham, to respond to the challenge of moving to a low carbon future.
Loving God, we pray for Maria Fernandes of Focolare who has been appointed Facilitator of eco-action projects in disadvantaged communities; may she receive the wisdom and enthusiasm to inspire and support them.
Amen
Sunday 18
Coleshill Bellringers Guild invite us to pray,
We thank you Lord for our bellringers, specially on Bell Sunday.
Grant us Lord that church bells in Coleshill and throughout the diocese will comfort the sick, warn the heedless and bring all willing hearts to prayer and praise.
Amen
Monday 19
Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury, Restorer of Monastic Life, 988
Janice Wones, St Laurence, Northfield invites us to pray,
Generous Lord, you know that we enjoy our hot drink, a biscuit and a gossip after the service. May we never forget to thank those who provide the refreshments. Bless them. Grant them a steady hand with the coffee spoon and the hot water and sharp hearing amongst the chattering.
Amen
Tuesday 20
Alcuin of York, Deacon, Abbot of Tours, 804
World Bee Day
Bless governments and regulatory bodies with integrity, wisdom, truth and foresight to help them govern wisely and fairly, and to safeguard the well-being of bees, pollinators and the environment with future generations in mind.
Amen
Wednesday 21
Helena, Protector of the Holy Places, 330
World Day for Cultural Diversity
Dear God, Creator of diversity, help us embrace your presence in all cultures and expressions of faith. May we honour each other's beliefs and unite in love, reflecting the image of your Son, Jesus Christ. Let our hearts rejoice in our shared humanity and your boundless love. Amen
Thursday 22
Prayer today is inspired by International Day for Biological Diversity
Dear Creator, deepen our gratitude for all you have made
and awaken in us a renewed commitment
to care for the earth and each other.
Amen
Friday 23
CofEB Parish Services - HR Services invites us to pray,
Everlasting God, we pray that the relationships build through the HR Service, continue to be strong and that parishes feel encouraged to reach out to the HR team when they need support and guidance.
Amen
Saturday 24
John and Charles Wesley, Evangelists, Hymn Writers, 1791 and 1788
Dear God, grant strength and peace to those burdened by financial worries.
Provide comfort in their struggles and guide them towards hope and solutions.
May they find support, resilience, and the assurance that they are never alone.
Amen
Sunday 25
The Venerable Bede, Monk at Jarrow, Scholar, Historian, 735
Prayer today is inspired by Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Monday 26
Augustine, first Archbishop of Canterbury, 605
Dear Creator, bless our CofEB community with unity and understanding. May we support one another in harmony, fostering peace and love in our daily lives and work.
Amen
Tuesday 27
We are invited to pray with the community at St Bartholomew’s Allens Cross,
For 25 years there has been no church, due to a fire.
Heavenly Father, we humbly ask for your guidance and support as the team at St Bart’s- Allens Cross seeks progress in building our new community hub. May your wisdom and grace lead us to a fruitful and timely outcome.
Amen
Wednesday 28
Lanfranc, Prior of Le Bec, Archbishop of Canterbury, Scholar, 1089
Children and Families Missioners Overarching Project Report invites us to pray,
Lord we pray for the two new Children and Families Missioners (CFM) who have started in the last 6 months, that they settle in well to their role and are fruitful. We also pray for the two deaneries where the Children and Families Missioner project will be coming to an end in 2025, that the activities will be well embedded in the parish and with the church volunteers.
Amen
Thurs
day 29
Ascension Day
Heavenly Father, on this Ascension Day, we come before you
with hearts overflowing with gratitude.
We thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ, who,
through his ascension, secured our salvation.
With each breath we take, may we be mindful of the immense sacrifice made for us.
As we reflect on this day, may our gratitude grow, and our lives be a testament
to your boundless love and grace.
Amen
Friday 30
Jo
sephine Butler, Social Reformer, 1906
Joan of Arc, Visionary, 1431
Heavenly Father, we seek your protection over our children and young people. Shield them from harm, grant them wisdom, and help them trust in you always.
Amen
Saturday 31
The Visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth
The Collect
Mighty God,
by whose grace Elizabeth rejoiced with Mary
and greeted her as the mother of the Lord:
look with favour on your lowly servants
that, with Mary, we may magnify your holy name
and rejoice to acclaim her Son our Saviour,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen
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