Prayer Diary January - April 2023

CARE Prayer Diary

‘By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of His mouth.

He gathers the waters of the sea into jars. He puts the deep into storehouses.

Let all the earth fear the Lord. Let all the people of the world revere Him.’

PSALM 33:6-8 (NIV)

The CARE Prayer Diary is written by Celia Bowring. To read online please visit: care.org.uk/about/our-publications praynow4.org/care

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Celia Bowring

OVERCOMING DISCRIMINATION

Prejudice is a negative attitude that is not based on any facts. Discrimination is acting on that negative attitude.

SUN 22 God our Maker, thank You for the amazingly rich diversity of character, culture, colour and creativity of people in our world. Forgive negative attitudes towards those different from ourselves and discriminatory actions that alienate. Please unite us by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

MON 23 Lord, we remember people from ethnic minority backgrounds who experience discrimination in their daily lives. Please help our government and other agencies to change any vocabulary, attitudes and policies that may perpetuate such prejudice so that the UK can become a beacon to other nations as we make people welcome. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

TUES 24 Father we pray for Sir Mark Rowley, head of the Metropolitan Police, and the leaders of police forces in Scotland, Northern Ireland, England and Wales as they seek to root out racist and other hateful communication and behaviour among officers. Grant them wisdom and courage as they confront those responsible. In Your mercy. Amen.

WED 25 Lord, please help church and denominational leaders to champion the cause of people from ‘global majority’ backgrounds – the 80 per cent of the world’s population that is not white – who feel marginalised. Thank You for every indication of change and the blessing this will bring to our churches and wider society. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

‘Your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God, and they will reign on the earth.’ REVELATION 5:9,10 (ESV)

THURS 26 God of mercy, may Your people be good examples, encouraging those in our communities to warmly accept those from other backgrounds. We pray especially for people who have newly arrived to find employment and a welcoming neighbourhood. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

FRI

27

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY – Ordinary People

Righteous Judge, we know that ordinary people have often been swept up in the horror of genocide, whether by participating, remaining aloof or courageously speaking up for the victims. Please help those facing evil today to turn to You for strength and deliverance. In Your mercy. Amen.

SAT 28 Thank You, Lord, for everyone who is involved in challenging racism and other forms of prejudice and discrimination in our society. Please inspire and empower Christians to demonstrate loving, open-minded unbiased attitudes that include everyone. By Your grace. Amen.

“God is not interested merely in the freedom of black men, and brown men, and yellow men; God is interested in the freedom of the whole human race.’ (Dr Martin Luther King, Jr.)

HEALTH AND HEALING

SUN 29 Lord, we gratefully remember those who serve throughout the NHS: maintenance, administration and domestic staff, midwives, therapists, technicians, physicians, pharmacists, nurses, paramedics, and those in senior leadership roles. Grant them Your grace day by day. Amen.

MON 30 Father, please help us to identify and implement effective strategies to reverse the worrying trend, particularly at this difficult time, of people developing health problems caused by poverty, lack of exercise, unhealthy eating, excess alcohol, misuse of drugs and other substances. In Your mercy. Amen.

TUES 31 God of compassion, we pray for anyone who has been diagnosed with a serious health condition. Please make a way for them to access the treatment and care they need and to know the comfort and peace that is only found through trusting in Christ’s love and healing power. Amen.

WED 1 Holy Spirit, may the mighty and compassionate power of Jesus be demonstrated increasingly through the Church. Please inspire us as Christians to speak the transforming and healing words of gospel truth with faith and boldness and bring healing to people everywhere. In His name. Amen.

‘Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.’

MATTHEW 4:23 (NIV)

THURS 2

Lord, we pray for people with disabilities living in poor communities across the world with little or no access to medical support or essential practical aids for everyday living. Please bless Christian missions like Wheels for the World that have provided wheelchairs and other mobility aids and shared the gospel with thousands of people over the years. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

FRI 3 FEBRUARY 6-12 is CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH WEEK - ‘Let’s Connect’ Father, thank You for the concern and care of everyone who is addressing the current unprecedented crisis in young people’s mental health. May they receive help to relieve their suffering at school, through the NHS and from other sources. In Your healing mercy. Amen.

SAT 4 WORLD CANCER DAY – Close the Care Gap God of justice and mercy, we pray about the inequities in cancer care around the world which mean people in many countries have no access to the treatment and support they and their families need. May today inspire change and mobilise action to redress this tragic situation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

It’s been said of Dr Edward Jenner, 1749-1823, that ‘his work saved more lives than any other man on earth’. Jenner’s devout Christian faith motivated and guided his discovery of how vaccination could save people with smallpox - the great scourge of his time - claiming the lives of 400,000 Europeans in one year. His findings were initially rejected but have become foundational for much life-saving medical science since.

TO LOVE AND TO CHERISH

SUN 5

FEBRUARY 7-14 is NATIONAL MARRIAGE WEEK

Spirit of God, please enliven and inspire Your Church to love and cherish others, and fulfil Your purposes of demonstrating grace and proclaiming the truth of Jesus Christ to those living in darkness. Help us to be ambassadors of His great love and see many people come to Him. For Your glory. Amen.

MON 6 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ZERO TOLERANCE FOR FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM)

Lord, we intercede for those at risk from FGM, affecting over 200 million girls and women today. Please grant success to every agency that is campaigning to end it and giving care to victims. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

TUES 7 SAFER INTERNET DAY: ‘Want to talk about it?’

Father, may today be a springboard for conversations between parents and children and others seeking to help everyone to enjoy safely the amazing benefits of online communication. We pray for those who are most vulnerable to be protected from negative influences. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

WED 8

Lord, we pray for older couples who are facing the difficulty of ill health. Please give them patience and strength as they care for each other. We ask You to provide the support they need. In Your mercy. Amen.

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”

1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-7 (NLT)

THURS 9

Faithful God, we remember engaged couples as they prepare for their wedding and future lives together. May many choose to attend preparation courses and seek the wisdom of couples whose love has deepened and flourished through life’s joys and trials. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

FRI 10 Thank You, Lord, for the major benefits of marriage for individuals, children, family life and society as a whole. Please strengthen relationships between husbands and wives and deepen their love, especially in the midst of difficulties and disappointments. By Your grace. Amen.

SAT 11 Good Shepherd, please draw close to families that are coping with the stress of relationship breakdown, the effects of poverty, poor health, separation and other problems beyond their control. May Your tender love flow into their lives and bring peace. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

‘Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being in love, which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident.’ (Saint Augustine.)

CARING FOR CHILDREN

5-19 FEBRUARY is LOVE OUR SCHOOLS FORTNIGHT

(prayforschools.org)

SUN 12 Holy Spirit, please inspire and empower the thousands of paid and volunteer Christian workers involved in youth ministry to share the gospel with children and young people. Help them as they patiently care and support them in schools, churches and other settings. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

MON 13 Lord, we pray for the schools in our local area to be places where children and young people can flourish and grow. Please send Your help to any who are struggling with mental health, academic, and social issues to find a way through their difficulties and anxiety. By Your grace. Amen.

TUES 14 God of mercy, we remember the rising numbers of children with disabilities and complex health needs who are cared for in residential settings often far from home, and the challenges this brings. We pray that recent distressing reports of abuse in certain establishments will result in better support for everyone who works with these young people. In Christ’s name. Amen.

WED 15 Compassionate Saviour, we intercede for the world’s poorest children, mostly hidden from sight, who lack basic sustenance, healthcare and education. Please bless every endeavour to lift them out of poverty and help them to find true hope for their lives. In Your mercy. Amen.

‘Some people brought their babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. The disciples saw them and scolded them for doing so, but Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the children come to me and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”’ LUKE 18:15,16 (GNT)

THURS 16

Father, we lift to You the two million children who have left Ukraine because of the war. We pray for their safety, especially where they become separated from their families and are vulnerable to exploitation, abuse and human trafficking. Protect them, we pray. Amen.

FRI 17 Dear God, thank You for the gift of life and for every baby born into this world. Pour out Your tender love on parents and other carers and impart Your wisdom and strength to face the demands and responsibilities of caring for these precious children. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

SAT 18 Lord, we remember young people struggling with sexual or gender identity. Please guard their hearts and minds from confusion and cultural pressures that can end in physical and emotional harm. We especially pray for the defeat of the Scottish Gender Recognition Bill to make it easier for someone as young as 16 to change their legally recognised gender. In Your mercy. Amen.

In 2022 more than 14 million of the UK population are under age 18. Almost 4 million of them are under five. The rate of 1-in-4 children living in poverty is set to increase as the cost-of-living crisis worsens.

MINISTRIES OF MERCY

SUN

19

CHURCH ACTION ON POVERTY SUNDAY

Father, Your Word repeatedly speaks of Your compassion for ‘the quartet of the vulnerable: widows, orphans, strangers and the poor.’ May the Church be Your hands and feet to care for such people through acts of generosity, deeds of kindness and by standing up for justice. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

MON 20 WORLD DAY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE

Lord God, we ask that this Day will be very effective, informing and inspiring many more people about the need to promote social justice throughout the world, tackling issues such as poverty, exclusion, gender equality, unemployment, human rights, and social protections. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

TUES 21 God our Healer, thank You for amazing mission organisations that send hospital ships, medical teams and supplies, and provide health education to some of the neediest areas of the world. Please bless those who are involved in these situations today. In Your mercy. Amen.

WED 22 BEGINNING OF LENT - THE 40 DAY PREPARATION FOR EASTER

Lord, we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen. (Church of England)

‘This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all the same testings that we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.’ HEBREWS 4:15,16 (NLT)

THURS 23

Christ our Saviour, we pray for those who have not heard or will not accept the gospel. Please bring people and initiatives into their lives which will draw them to Your heart of mercy to receive forgiveness and find the grace they need in their lives. May Your kingdom come! Amen.

FRI 24 Generous God, thank You for providing for us. Please encourage and guide us in giving to our own church, to Christian ministries and to charities, resourcing them to preach gospel truth and reach out with practical support to those in need. By Your grace. Amen.

SAT 25 God of hope, we intercede for people who are in debt, with no way out. May they find forgiveness and mercy from their creditors and advice and support from organisations that can help them. Please bless the work of Christian organisations that reach out to those in need. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

In the year to February 2022, Citizens Advice Bureau in England and Wales dealt with 1,988 debt issues every day with people in the UK owing almost £1,800 billion. 325 people a day were declared insolvent or bankrupt in the UK. This was equivalent to one person about every five minutes.

INTEGRITY IN BUSINESS

FEBRUARY 27 - MARCH 12 is FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT

SUN 26 Lord, please grant success to Christian businesses that work with local authorities, community groups and churches particularly supporting vulnerable children and their families, young adults leaving the care system and asylum seekers who feel so alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

MON 27 Father, we intercede for those who are suffering because of Russia’s blockading of Black Sea ports, which has triggered a global food shortage. Please grant success in negotiations to re-open ‘a grain corridor’ to ensure food security for millions of people. In Your mercy. Amen.

TUES 28 God of truth, we pray that practices of bribery and corruption in business would be detected and dealt with. Please help companies to strengthen their anticorruption programmes and build good relationships with their suppliers and other stakeholders. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

WED 1 Lord, we pray for those running small businesses who are finding it very hard to stay afloat in the current economic climate. Grant them wisdom and help to act rightly, especially where there are hard decisions to make about redundancies and other cutbacks. By Your grace. Amen.

‘He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?’ MICAH 6:8 (ESV)

THURS 2

Father, we intercede for those who are targeted by criminals through identity theft, deception and impersonation and other tactics to steal money and personal information. Please grant success to those working in the Government Counter Fraud Profession, in banks and in other agencies to combat this. By Your mercy. Amen.

FRI 3 We give thanks for the countless businesses and their leaders who demonstrate integrity and advocate social justice towards everyone involved in their organisations. We pray that biblical values of honesty, respect, hard work, generosity will increasingly be adopted. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

SAT 4 Lord, we pray that with the help of Fairtrade and other agencies, many more businesses, governments, campaigners and consumers will support and promote ethical working practices in farming, manufacturing, mining and other industries, particularly in developing countries where conditions are extremely poor. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Fairtrade ensures standards are met in the production and supply of high quality, ethically produced products. It means workers’ rights, safer working conditions and fairer pay for farmers and workers. Fairtrade stands for fairness and equality, creating change, from investing in climate friendly farming techniques to developing women in leadership.

EQUALITY AND EQUITY

Equality: giving each individual or group the same resources or opportunities. Equity: considering different circumstances and giving each person whatever resources and opportunities they need to reach an equal outcome: parity with those who are more advantaged.

SUN 5 Father, we praise You that all who trust in Your Son are adopted into Your Family as equals: ‘no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. But all one in Christ. May we live this out. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

MON 6 Lord, please grant wisdom to those working to narrow the ‘disadvantage gap’ between poorer pupils and their wealthier peers with better access to extra learning help and opportunities to enrich their lives through sport and other activities. We ask for greater equity. In Christ’s name. Amen.

TUES 7 Defender of the weak, we remember those who live with the limitations of disability and poor health. Please help the Government’s Disability Unit and organisations that champion and encourage disabled people’s rights to be included and supported in society. By Your grace. Amen.

WED 8 INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY - #EmbraceEquity Gracious Lord, we pray for women and girls who experience inequality in their families, school, and the workplace, through religious and traditions, and other practices of discrimination and control. May they increasingly be given the freedom and opportunities to flourish. In Your mercy. Amen.

‘How can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favour some people over others? ... Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? ... But if you favour some people over others, you are committing a sin.’ JAMES 2:1,5,9 (NLT)

THURS 9 Holy Spirit, in these difficult times of economic hardship and instability, may Christian churches stand up for truth and justice, and demonstrate compassion across the world. In the powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

FRI 10 God, we pray for the 215,000 people who cannot access the specialist clinical palliative care and hospice support they need. Grant success to Baroness Finlay’s amendment to the Health and Care Bill to require the NHS to provide this. In Your mercy. Amen.

SAT 11 Lord, we pray for an end to geographical inequality in the UK; that despite the current economic climate, ideas around ‘Levelling Up’ would lead to greater opportunities to flourish across the regions in the economic, academic and cultural spheres of society. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Government’s February 2022 White Paper on Levelling Up in the UK identifies 12 areas for action in tackling regional and local inequalities: Living Standards, Research and Development, Transport Infrastructure, Digital Connectivity, Education, Skills, Health, Wellbeing, Pride in Place, Housing, Crime and Local Leadership.

WORLD POLITICS

SUN 12 Sovereign God, we praise You that in our world where turmoil and pain are increasing we can hold on to the unfailing promises of the gospel, the certainty of Your justice and the assurance of eternal life. May Your Church stand firm in faith, hope and love in Christ’s name. Amen.

MON 13 COMMONWEALTH DAY

Lord, please bestow a blessing upon all that is good about the 56 independent countries and 32 small states with a total population of 2.5 billion people. We pray for them as they celebrate their membership of the Commonwealth and its shared goals of prosperity, democracy and peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

TUES 14 Prince of peace, we intercede for countries that are suffering the violence and privations caused by armed conflict. Please restrain those in authority from embarking on and escalating wars, through wise diplomacy, sanctions and other deterrents. In Your mercy. Amen.

WED 15 Mighty God, please grant that world leaders will increasingly acknowledge the severity and urgency of the climate emergency, putting aside selfish and national interests for the sake of the global community and the future of our planet. Please raise up wise and skilful counsellors to bring workable solutions to many environmental problems. In Christ’s name. Amen.

‘Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings … he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.’

DANIEL 2:20-22 (ESV)

THURS 16

Lord, we recognise that ‘we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world.’ Please raise up intercessors in every nation; clothed in Your armour and able to resist the spiritual powers that war against us. In Christ’s name. Amen.

FRI 17 God of justice, we thank You for every person engaged in peace-making and reconciliation, and for all who are protesting against human rights abuses and urging rich nations to share with those who have very little. Please protect and encourage them with signs of hope. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

SAT 18 Father we pray for ‘kings and all who are in authority, so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity’ which is good and pleasing to You. Please protect those living under harsh, corrupt and neglectful regimes and give them courage. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

‘Our family of nations continues to be a point of connection, cooperation and friendship. I hope we can deepen our resolve to support and serve one another, and endeavour to ensure the Commonwealth remains an influential force for good in our world for many generations to come.’ (2022 Commonwealth Day Message from Her late Majesty the Queen, Head of the Commonwealth.)

PROTECTING THE PLANET

SUN 19 MOTHERING SUNDAY

Loving God, the compassionate care that we so appreciate in mothers often reminds us of Your heart for us. Please encourage women who look after their own families and other children alongside many other commitments and remind them of Your love for them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

MON 20 Father, we remember impoverished communities in arid areas being steadily degraded through desertification, droughts, floods, fire, human deforestation, poor farming methods and conflict. We pray for help to repair damage and restore the land. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

TUES

21

WED

22

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FORESTS - Forests and health

Lord, we recognise the immeasurable benefit of forests to the planet and to human health: mitigating effects of climate change and pollution, reducing risks of disease, providing food and medicines, cleaning water and air, and improving mental and physical health. Thank You in Christ’s name. Amen.

WORLD WATER DAY – Accelerating change

Creator God, we pray for progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal to provide clean water and sanitation for all by 2030. Please bring help to the 2.2 billion people today without access to these and help governments and others to resolve the global water crisis. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

‘You gave human beings charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority—the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents.’ PSALM 8: 6-8 (NLT)

THURS 23

O Lord, please prosper the innovative and effective work of cleaning up the world’s 1000 rivers that are responsible for discharging 80 per cent of the waste flowing from the land into the oceans and removing toxic waste from areas like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. In Jesus’ name. Amen. (theoceancleanup.com)

FRI 24 Father, thank You for major changes in attitudes, that are helping to: reduce single-use plastics, produce cleaner and more efficient fuel, and cut pollution from agriculture and industry. Help us to discover many more ways to protect the environment. By Your grace. Amen.

SAT 25 Creator God, we marvel at the awesome beauty of our world and value every opportunity we have to enjoy and care for it. We pray for governments and other influential organisations to renew their determination to cooperate to preserve and protect the natural environment. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

‘As we got further and further away, the Earth diminished in size. Finally, it shrank to the size of a marble, the most beautiful you can imagine. That beautiful, warm, living object looked so fragile, so delicate, that if you touched it with a finger it would crumble and fall apart. Seeing this has to change a man.’ (James B. Irwin, Apollo Astronaut.)

OLDER PEOPLE

SUN 26 Eternal Father, we remember with honour and thanksgiving older people who are nearing the end of their lives and our loved ones already gone to be with You in heaven, who have shared rich testimonies of Your faithful steadfast love throughout their lives. To Your glory. Amen.

MON 27 Lord, please move in the hearts of people now in their older age who were taught about the gospel as children but have subsequently left behind what they learned. May they remember Your grace and truth and be drawn into the welcoming arms of Your Church. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

TUES 28 Good Shepherd, we pray for unpaid carers and all who are employed to work with frail elderly people in residential homes, hospitals and hospices and in their own homes. Please grant them daily strength and grace, especially where there are staff shortages and other problems. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

WED 29 Lord, we remember all who are resisting any effort to legalise assisted suicide for those suffering with terminal conditions. We pray for anyone in such a position who is weak and vulnerable, fearful of being a burden and for whom a ‘right’ to die may feel like a ‘duty’ to die. In Your mercy. Amen.

‘Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.’ ISAIAH 46:4 (NIV)

THURS 30 Gracious Father, we pray for precious men and women who have dementia, and for their loved ones. In the midst of frailty and confusion may Your love touch their innermost beings and impart some kind of assurance of hope that at the right time You will bring them to dwell with You forever. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

FRI 31 Lord of life, thank You for increasing opportunities for older people to continue in their work, volunteering, ministry, caring, creativity and learning - making valuable contributions to society and Your Kingdom. We pray for their skills, wisdom and experience to bear much fruit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

SAT 1 Merciful God, we pray for radical solutions to prevent what the BMA calls ‘the ticking time bomb’ in social care because of chronic underfunding, severe staff shortages and a growing elderly population. Please show us ways to ensure that everyone can continue to receive the care and support they need. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The British Medical Association (BMA) June 2022 ‘Who Cares?’ report outlines the need for radical reform for social care, suggesting four actions: increased long term funding, provision of free personal care at point of need, increased pay for carers set at the real Living Wage, better training and working conditions for social care workers.

PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS

SUN 2 Lord Jesus, You suffered and died for us. By rising from the grave You overcame evil and opened heaven for us. As we await Your return, please give comfort and hope to those who suffer persecution and lead their oppressors to repentance and compassion. In Your mighty name. Amen.

MON 3 Merciful God, we pray for the estimated 360 million Christians suffering high levels of persecution today, especially in Afghanistan, North Korea, Somalia, Libya, Yemen, Eritrea, Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran and India. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

TUES 4 Father, we pray for Fiona Bruce MP, the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion and Belief and her Deputy, David Burrowes MP. Please grant them strategic opportunities to engage with governments and other agencies to uphold justice and tolerance for people of all faiths. In Christ’s name. Amen.

WED 5 Lord, we remember the growing numbers of people in strict Muslim countries who have heard the gospel through TV, radio or the Internet and want to follow Jesus. Grant them Your grace to persevere in the face of rejection, sanctions and even death. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

‘These trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.’ 1 PETER 4:13,14 (NLT)

THURS 6

Gracious God, please grant courage, wisdom, compassion and spiritual insight to church leaders in countries under oppressive regimes as they shepherd their congregations through trials of discrimination, harassment, attack, imprisonment and persecution. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

FRI 7 GOOD FRIDAY

Father, we are so grateful that ‘for our sake You made Jesus Christ Your Son to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.’ Holy Spirit, please enlighten our minds, hearts and souls that we might worship with greater revelation before the cross of our wonderful Saviour. Amen.

SAT 8 Thank You, Lord, for every endeavour that supports persecuted believers who risk their lives to follow Jesus. Please continue to protect and inspire organisations such as Barnabas Fund, CSW, Open Doors, Release International and Steadfast Global in Scotland. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

The legendary Andrew Van der Bijl, known as Brother Andrew, died in March 2022 aged 94. In the 1960s he smuggled millions of Bibles into closed Communist countries. ‘I promised God that as often as I could lay my hands on a Bible, I would bring it to these children of his behind the wall that men built wherever God opened the door long enough for me to slip through.’ (opendoorsuk.org)

FUTURE HOPE

SUN

9

EASTER SUNDAY

God of all hope, on this resurrection morning we worship You, rejoicing that the Lord Jesus has conquered death and we can receive full forgiveness, freedom and eternal life through Him. Help us to walk in this great hope, putting away our sin to live righteously by the power of Your Spirit. Amen.

MON 10 Lord, we lift to You all who are trapped in debt or addictions, abusive relationships, poverty, poor health and other troubles. Please reveal the wonderful promises of hope that are found in You alone, and strengthen them in body, soul and spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

TUES 11 God of Comfort, we intercede for the NHS – first established to provide free care for everyone at point of need – which has continued for over 70 years. Please grant to this institution, today in a state of crisis, outstanding leaders who will implement measures to solve the staffing, financial and logistical problems that beset it. In Your mercy. Amen.

WED

12

INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR STREET CHILDREN

Father, please use the work of the Consortium for Street Children, linking governments, NGOs, policy makers, researchers, charities and businesses to bring help and hope to the estimated 150 million street children who are so vulnerable to exploitation and violence. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

‘The glorious fact is that Christ did rise from the dead: he has become the very first to rise of all who sleep the sleep of death. As death entered the world through a man, so has rising from the dead come to us through a man! As members of a sinful race all die; as members of the Christ of God all shall be raised to life’.

1 CORINTHIANS 15:20 - 23 (J.B. PHILLIPS)

THURS 13

Lord Jesus, please inspire Christians to pray and engage with people who are affected by fears and uncertainties of many kinds. May many discover the eternal hope of the gospel, surrender their lives and receive Your forgiveness and freedom. By Your Spirit’s power. Amen.

FRI 14 Father God, thank You for Your gift of life and love for every human being. We intercede for our culture to turn and reject the hopelessness that considers some lives are not worth living, believing abortion and euthanasia can be acceptable and preferable. In Your mercy. Amen.

SAT 15 Lord of all hope, we pray for those in government and other positions of authority and leadership in our nation - surrounded as they are by so many problems. May they find wise and compassionate ways to overcome often seemingly insurmountable difficulties. By Your grace. Amen.

‘Faith has to do with things that are not seen, and hope with things that are not at hand.’ (Thomas Aquinas.)

‘God is the only one who can make the valley of trouble a door of hope.’ (Catherine Marshall.)

RESPONDING TO POVERTY

SUN 16 Lord Jesus, we thank You for Your grace; that though You were rich, yet for our sake You became poor so that we by Your poverty might become rich. Please fill our hearts with love that we might be ever more generous and compassionate towards those in need. In Your name. Amen.

MON 17 Holy Spirit, we know that poverty has many guises, with people suffering emotionally, socially and psychologically, often alongside material deprivation. Please grant freedom and wholeness to those who are trapped in this way. Help them to turn to Jesus for help. In His name. Amen.

TUES 18 Merciful God, we intercede for substantial relief to come to the growing number of the world’s population who experience extreme hunger, especially in ten ‘climate hotspots’: Somalia, Haiti, Djibouti, Kenya, Niger, Afghanistan, Guatemala, Madagascar, Burkina Faso and Zimbabwe, that have been battered by extreme weather in recent years. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

WED 19 Father, in this economic crisis please enable the Church to come alongside people who are in great need. May unity between local Christians grow, to share together and plan the most effective ways to meet the needs of our local communities and beyond. By Your grace. Amen.

‘If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled”, without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?’ JAMES 2:15,16 (ESV)

THURS 20 Lord, please encourage more supermarket chains, food manufacturers, restaurants and others to send surplus stock and other donations to food banks, pantries and Fareshare’s national food distribution network. We pray for there to be enough shared to feed everyone. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

FRI 21 God of mercies, thank You for the many compassionate and well-thoughtthrough initiatives that churches are adopting to help people needing advice and financial help, and who are struggling with hunger, homelessness, cold, debt and isolation. Please continue to provide for them to do this. In Christ’s name. Amen.

SAT 22 EARTH DAY – Invest in Our Planet Lord, we pray for many more multinational companies and businesses of all sizes to adopt strong Environmental Social Governance standards that require them to make ethical, financial and other choices that reduce harm to our world which affects the poorest people. In Christ’s name. Amen.

Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.’ ‘Be kind and merciful. Let no one ever come to you without coming away better and happier.’

(Mother Teresa 1910 -1997.)