CARE Prayer Diary, Jul-Oct 2023

CARE Prayer Diary

In this issue:

FAMILIES AND MARRIAGE

MODERN DAY SLAVERY

FREEDOM FROM ADDICTIONS

ENDING POVERTY

AFTER COVID

FRAGILE WORLD

BACK TO SCHOOL

GEO-POLITICAL TENSIONS

SPREADING GOD’S WORD

CHRISTIANITY AND POLITICS

UPHOLDING JUSTICE

GLOBAL HEALTH

SPEAKING FOR THE VOICELESS

‘Blessed is the person who obeys the law of the Lord… The law of the Lord gives them joy. They think about his law day and night. That kind of person is like a tree that is planted near a stream of water. It always bears its fruit at the right time. Its leaves don’t dry up. Everything godly people do turns out well.’

PSALM 1:1-3 (NIRV)

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

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Celia Bowring

SUN 23 Loving Father, thank You for Your design for marriage and family life, uniting individuals in love across the generations, to raise children and care for one another. Above all, we are grateful that You have adopted us into Your Family through Your Son. Amen.

MON 24 God of wisdom, please guide our Government to introduce policies that encourage couples to marry and stay together through fairer taxation and other incentives. We also pray about the huge amount of money that couples considering marriage feel they must spend on a wedding and the pressure that brings. By Your grace. Amen.

TUES 25

WED 26

Father, we bring to You troubled families whose children need to be taken into care. Please provide foster or adoptive families where they can flourish and grow, and grant mercy and hope to parents who are unable to look after their children safely. In Your mercy. Amen.

O Lord, please help those in church leadership to stand firm on the biblical truth that marriage is between one man and one woman and resist pressures to accept other definitions in the name of equality and tolerance. May we be gracious to those who disagree without compromising this crucial Christian doctrine. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

‘So, God created human beings in his image … male and female. God blessed them and said, “Have many children and grow in number. Fill the earth and be its master.”’

GENESIS 1:27,28 (INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S BIBLE)

THURS 27

Lord we pray for a positive shift in society towards a belief that a couple’s commitment to marriage is the best basis for family life, whilst continuing to offer support to those raising children in the UK’s three million lone parent families. Please raise up opinion-shapers in the media, politics and other areas who will promote this. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

FRI 28 Thank You, Father, for the proven major benefits of marriage for individuals, children, family life and society as a whole. Please strengthen the relationships of engaged couples and husbands and wives, especially during times of difficulty. In Your mercy. Amen.

SAT 29

God of compassion, we lift to You older couples who face illness and other problems. Grant them protection, comfort and strength through the love of family and friends and other support. We pray too for those who are widowed to be held in Your loving care in the midst of loneliness and changes in their lives. Amen.

‘Our 2021 survey shows that marriage remains universally popular, with nine in ten young people across all of society aspiring to marry, regardless of income or any other factor.’ (Sir Paul Coleridge, Founder of Marriage Foundation)

SUN 30 WORLD DAY AGAINST TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS: ‘Role of technology to enable and impede human trafficking’. Lord, we pray for criminals’ increasing use of cyberspace in their recruitment, exploitation and control of victims to encounter problems. May law enforcement agencies track down many traffickers as they employ the same technology, to bring them to justice. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

MON 31 Almighty God, please help victims of modern slavery: forced to work for little or no pay in miserable living conditions and often subjected to physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. May they look to You for ways of escape and find safe places where they can recover and begin to rebuild their lives. In Your mercy. Amen.

TUES 1 Lord, we pray that as the Illegal Migration Bill becomes law it will protect modern slavery victims from being deported, and for provision to be made for them to be rescued from their traffickers and treated with justice and compassion. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

WED 2 Father, please protect vulnerable individuals targeted by heartless traffickers planning to exploit them who are taken in by deception or are helpless to resist coercion. We also pray for families in deep poverty that agree in good faith to send their children away for a supposedly better life. Help them to say ‘no’. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

‘Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.’

PSALM 82:3,4 (ESV)

THURS 3 God of justice, we remember refugees fleeing from Ukraine and elsewhere who are particularly vulnerable to being trafficked and exploited. We pray that governments and other agencies will take effective steps to protect them. In Your great mercy. Amen.

FRI 4 Thank You, Lord, that UK law requires businesses with a turnover of £36 million to publish annual statements to explain what they are doing to tackle modern slavery in their supply chains. May this spread to other countries and be an effective deterrent to traffickers. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

SAT 5 Father we pray for anti-trafficking organisations, many of them Christian, to be successful in their work of offering support to victims and to be able to work increasingly in partnership with the police and other statutory agencies. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

In the UK an estimated 100,000 people are in modern slavery. The global figure is 40.3 million. Women, children and men can be trafficked into prostitution, pornography, agricultural and construction labour, manufacturing, domestic servitude, forced begging, benefit fraud, petty criminality and to harvest body organs.

FREEDOM FROM ADDICTIONS

SUN 6 O God, please help people living with an addiction to have the strength to seek help and identify its underlying causes - through counselling, medical and psychiatric care, recovery groups, friends and family. Above all may they call upon You for mercy and healing. By Your grace. Amen.

MON 7 Father, we remember the partners, families and friends of those who are gripped by an addiction. Please grant them wisdom, courage and hope in their pain so they can give the appropriate support. Through the compassion of Christ. Amen.

TUES 8 Dear Lord, we pray for effective age-verification and other measures to protect children from online harm from predators, gambling, pornography and material seeking to radicalise and incite self-harm to be implemented soon. In Your mercy. Amen.

WED 9 Merciful Saviour, we pray about the growing acceptance and availability of gambling activities in relation to sport, online games, lottery tickets and in betting shops, often targeting those who can least afford it. May there be a change in attitude throughout society. According to Your grace and truth. Amen.

‘If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.’ 1

CORINTHIANS

10:12,13 (NLT)

THURS 10 Lord, thank You that there is help at hand for people who are trapped in an addiction. May more resources be made available; through gambling firms’ financial contributions, NHS and other therapeutic services and by better laws to protect vulnerable people. Amen.

FRI 11 Lord, we thank You for everyone who has broken free from a harmful addiction and has a story that can encourage others. Please help them to persist with their decision to stop and continue to accept support through counselling, mentoring and accountability relationships. By Your grace. Amen.

SAT 12 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY

Loving Father, we pray for young people who are being drawn into habits that may become harmfully addictive; substance abuse, pornography, gambling, excessive internet use and gaming, and other activities that sap their energy and put them at risk. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

A 2022 YouGov poll revealed a sharp increase in addiction since Covid and the deepening cost of living crisis. Anxiety and stress have led to relapse or turning to drinking, drugs or gambling. Potentially addictive behaviours are becoming more commonplace in public spaces, educational settings and sporting and other leisure venues.

Addiction – the urge to do something that is hard to control or stop to the point where it could be harmful.

ENDING POVERTY

SUN 13 O God, we remember the millions of people across the world who live in poverty and long for ‘justice to roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.’ Please inspire us to reach out with generous deeds of mercy and love. In Your name. Amen.

MON 14 Lord, we remember the millions of people in poverty in Britain facing cost-ofliving rises that affect their ability to afford their accommodation, utilities, food, and other basic necessities, driving many into debt, mental health crises and family breakdown. Please guide the Government to bring lasting relief and justice. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

TUES 15

Father, we pray for the almost 60 million girls and boys worldwide who have no access to education – 8 per cent of all primary school age children, and the 600 million children and adolescents who cannot attain basic levels in reading and mathematics. Have mercy! Amen.

WED 16 Lord our generous Provider, we ask that, through international schemes, philanthropy and the sacrificial giving of individuals, much more of the resources of the rich will be released to benefit those who have little by offering money, expertise, training, equipment, healthcare, education and other resources. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

‘A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.’ ‘If a king faithfully judges the poor, his throne will be established forever.’ PROVERBS 29:7&14 (ESV)

THURS 17

Righteous God, we intercede for countries where corruption is rife and those in high positions take money that should be spent on the needs of their people. Please raise up leaders of integrity who uphold Your ways and care for the poor. Grant them courage and authority to bring transformation and transparency. By Your mercy. Amen.

FRI 18 Giver of life, please bless every project that provides accessible clean water and sanitation infrastructure that saves lives, prevents diseases, gives people dignity and frees them from having to make long journeys to collect their water. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

SAT 19 WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY: ‘It takes a village’.

Father, we pray for the safety and physical and mental welfare of aid workers who deliver vital humanitarian help to refugee camps and other communities that are distressingly affected by conflict, disease, natural disasters and extreme poverty. By Your grace. Amen.

Eight effective solutions to poverty: 1. Educate children. 2. Provide clean water.

3. Ensure basic health care. 4. Empower a girl or woman. 5. Improve childhood nutrition

6. Support environmental programmes. 7. Reach children in conflict. 8. Prevent child marriage. (World Vision)

AFTER COVID

SUN 20 Father, we pray for people who are experiencing long-term effects of Covid-19: impaired physical and mental health and economic, educational and employment issues. We especially remember affected healthcare professionals, carers and other key workers who served so sacrificially. Please grant Your healing grace. Amen.

MON 21 God of comfort, we bring to You the thousands of people who lost loved ones to Covid, so often unable to be with them and say a proper ‘goodbye’. Please help them as they try to recover their lives amid ongoing grief and regrets. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

TUES 22

Lord, we pray for truth and transparency regarding the controversy, anxiety, and social concern around Covid vaccinations: how they were developed and rolled out, their requirement for all healthcare workers and other issues. Shed Your discernment and light to reveal truth and expose areas of error, deception and harm. In Christ’s name. Amen.

WED 23 God of justice, we are grieved about the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on the world’s poorest nations and the most vulnerable people in every country. Please inspire powerful international agencies and national governments to invest more generously in future healthcare to provide for the most vulnerable. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

‘Therefore, the LORD waits to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.’ ISAIAH 30:18 (NRSV)

THURS 24 Father, we recognise that many have found it difficult to return to normality after the pandemic and the impact of this on areas of community life. Please help churches to bring reassurance and hope, especially to Christians who now less inclined to participate in person in the mission and fellowship of their local church. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

FRI 25 Lord, thank You for all who faithfully played their part during Covid to care for the sick, protect the vulnerable, support those who could not work, keep community services and systems going and encourage people through dark times. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

SAT 26 God of wisdom, please guide those who are analysing Covid-19’s aftermath and examining the actions of those who were in authority to learn lessons that will help epidemiologists, governments and societies across the world to be better prepared and ethically accountable for future pandemics. In Your mercy. Amen.

As of May 2023, the World Health Organisation reported globally an estimated 766 million cases of Covid-19 and almost 7 million related deaths. The UK has recorded a total of almost 25 million cases and 24,600 deaths. 52 million people had received a vaccine by March 2022 and an estimated 90 per cent of adults now have coronavirus antibodies. 7

RESTORING OUR FRAGILE WORLD

SUN 27 Lord of the harvest, we praise You for Creation’s wonders; the constellations that cover the skies, the beauties of the earth and for the privilege You give to us of caring for nature. Please forgive our human negligence and selfish exploitation and help us to restore and protect this fragile world in which we live. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

MON 28 Lord, we pray that governments will increase efforts to reduce air pollution, a major problem that claims many lives: prioritising clean energy, better agricultural methods, advanced vehicle technology and other good production practices. By Your grace. Amen.

TUES 29 God our Provider, we pray for progress in addressing the need to lessen global food waste – 30 per cent of what is produced being lost. May there be radical action to reduce waste, improve the environment, shorten supply chains, and feed everyone. In Christ’s name. Amen.

WED 30 Creator God, we intercede for some respite in the loss of billions of tons of ice in polar regions resulting in rising sea levels and coastal flooding that will force people to migrate to safer areas. Please help those with suggested solutions to find ways to bring them about successfully. In Your mercy. Amen.

‘Stop and consider the wonderful miracles of God! Do you know how God controls the storm and causes the lightning to flash from his clouds? Do you understand how he moves the clouds with wonderful perfection and skill?’ JOB 37:14-16 (NLT)

THURS 31 Father, we pray about some parts of the fashion industry that use vast amounts of water and cause 10 per cent of the world’s carbon emissions, produce non-biodegradable fibres, can involve forced and child labour and contribute to millions of tonnes of polluting textile waste. Help us to bring about change. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

FRI

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR CARE OF CREATION

1

Thank You, Lord, for inspiring and equipping more and more people to respond to environmental challenges that we face. Please enable Christians to be at the forefront of this massive endeavour, to restore and protect the earth and all that is in it. Send us out in the power of Your Spirit! Amen.

SAT 2 Redeeming God, thank You for many amazing innovative initiatives that are tackling plastic pollution in oceans and waterways and that people are becoming more aware of the need to recycle and reduce their use of plastic items. We pray for ongoing success. In Your mercy. Amen.

A Rocha International is a global family of Christian organisations working together to live out God’s calling to care for creation and equip others to do likewise. Now 40 years old A Rocha carries out community-based conservation projects. (arocha.org)

BACK TO SCHOOL

SUN

BACK TO SCHOOL WITH GOD

3

Lord, we pray for pupils, teachers, staff members, heads, chaplains, schools’ workers and Governors and School Board Member at the start of this academic year. Please supply all their needs, help them to grow in wisdom and work well together. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

MON 4 Loving God, we pray for all teachers who are under stress: from mental health issues, heavy workloads, lack of resources, Ofsted inspections, poor classroom behaviour, and pressure from new reforms and initiatives. Strengthen them and cause those in authority to recognise the need to take effective action to support them. In Your mercy. Amen.

TUES 5 Heavenly Father, please may prayer for our schools increase in communities across the UK. Please encourage Christians who do this - as individuals, in groups and at church, as they focus on their local schools. We ask that many will participate in Pray for Schools’ town-, city- and area-wide events during September. In Jesus’ name. Amen. (prayforschools.org)

WED 6 God of grace, please grant wisdom to everyone who works with children with additional needs, pupils in special units or at home because they are not able to attend school, and refugees newly arrived in the UK who need a huge amount of extra support. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

‘The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together. The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road. The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy. The directions of God are plain and easy on the eyes.’ PSALM 19:7,8 (MSG)

THURS 7

Holy Spirt, please teach and guide the children and youth in our schools so that the unique gifts and potential that You have placed within each one may blossom. We pray for many to understand the gospel and give their lives to Christ. Amen.

FRI 8 WORLD LITERACY DAY

O God, thank You for every initiative, particularly in the developing world, to teach children and adults the literacy skills needed at this time: reading, writing, numeracy and the ability to use information technology. We pray especially for those who find learning difficult. In Christ’s name. Amen.

SAT 9 Lord, please equip and inspire the thousands of children, youth and schools’ workers who, along with chaplains, regularly visit their local schools to deliver assemblies, RE lessons and prayer spaces, mentor individuals and groups, support Christian groups and serve in other ways. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Recent World Health Organisation research shows 74 per cent of girls and 63 per cent of boys aged 15 in England experience pressure from schoolwork - third-highest rate out of 45 countries. An NHS 2021 survey identified 15 per cent of 5-16-year-olds as probably having a mental health problem, an increase from 11 per cent in 2017. 9

GEO-POLITICAL TENSIONS

SUN 10 Sovereign Lord, in these troubled times we intercede for Your kingdom to grow, and Your redeeming love to be made known increasingly to every nation, people and tongue. Please prepare Your Church to preach the gospel of hope, make disciples, bring peace to the world and care for those who suffer. In Christ’s name. Amen.

MON 11 Creator God, please watch over and grant great wisdom and ability to all who are working to prevent further collapse in many of the world’s ecosystems caused by war, famine, irresponsible farming, mining, pollution, and climate change. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

TUES 12 Dear Lord, we pray about the estimated 37 million refugees, and many more who live in countries where they have no citizenship. Please help international governments, aid agencies and other bodies to provide the security, food, medical care, education and future hope they so desperately need. Through Your grace. Amen.

WED 13 Prince of Peace, please intervene in the tragedy affecting people who are caught up in the war between Russia and Ukraine, the millions of vulnerable refugees, those in poorer countries trying to survive major food shortages and spiraling energy prices, and the effects on the global cost-of-living crisis. In Your mercy. Amen.

‘You kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.’ PSALM 2:10-12 (NIV)

THURS 14

Father we pray about political, religious, ideological and racial divisions in societies that lead to unrest and inequality, especially affecting the most vulnerable. Please raise up people to restore unity and peace that can transform lives. According to Your mercy. Amen.

FRI 15 Thank You, Lord, for the 38 member countries of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) that collaborate on key global issues to encourage policy reform in states across the world to improve the wellbeing of their people. May Your wisdom prevail. Amen.

SAT 16 Lord, we pray for success in combatting growing global cybercrime which threatens governments, businesses, other institutions and individuals. Please help those working to protect crucial systems from criminal activity to prevent attacks via the internet and social media. In Your mercy. Amen.

‘Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Amen.’ (St Francis of Assisi)

Geopolitics: how countries, businesses, terrorist groups, etc. try to reach their political goals by controlling geographic features of places, regions, territories, scales, and networks that make up the world.

SPREADING GOD’S WORD

SUN 17 God of grace and truth, thank You for Your Word; ‘living and active … discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.’ May it bring about repentance, hope and transformation as we read, study, memorise and meditate. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

MON 18 Lord our Teacher, we pray for everyone who is studying Christian theology and in training for ministry. Please protect their faith in the gospel and encourage them in their learning and spiritual growth as they prepare to serve You. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

TUES 19 Loving Spirit, thank You that Your Word is going out via satellite, internet and social media platforms to millions of people in Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) countries where Christians face persecution but the gospel is bearing much fruit. We ask for protection, courage, and wisdom for these brothers and sisters. In Your mercy. Amen.

WED 20 Thank You, Lord, that around 80 million copies of the Bible are printed annually in nearly 700 different languages, many to be given away by Bible Societies, churches and other mission organisations. Please prosper the work of translation so that everyone can read Scripture in the language they know best. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

‘The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.’

THURS 21

God of all beauty and truth, we commit to Your guidance and care every Christian who is using their gifts of communication, creativity and caring concern to share the gospel with children, youth and adults who would not naturally come to church. Fill them with Your loving Spirit as they share Your Word. In Jesus’ powerful name. Amen.

FRI 22 Lord, we praise You for every ministry that is dedicated to spreading the truth and teaching of the Bible across the world through individual preaching, written publications, radio, television and video, on websites and through social media. Please grant that many will find salvation as a result of their work. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

SAT 23 Father, we pray about the increasingly secular humanist beliefs and values held by so many people today. Please help Your people to challenge and persuade influencers within our culture to reassess Britain’s Christian history and heritage and return to Your ways of righteousness and trust in Your Word. In Your mercy. Amen.

‘The Spirit breathes upon the Word and brings the truth to sight; Precepts and promises afford, a sanctifying light. A glory gilds the sacred page, majestic, like the sun: It gives a light to every age; it gives but borrows none.’ (William Cowper 1731-1800) 11

ISAIAH 55:10,11 (NLT)

SUN 24 God our Saviour, your Word urges ‘petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving to be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.’ Please help us to reinforce our prayers with practical and political involvement, as You guide us by Your wisdom. Amen.

MON 25 Heavenly Father, we long to see more elected politicians speaking up for integrity, justice and truth and reflecting this in their private lives. Please help those who are tempted to act in dishonourable ways to make choices that instead reflect Your standards of goodness and love. By Your mercy. Amen.

TUES 26 Lord, in the months before the next General Election we pray that thousands of people will access the website CARE is preparing and be informed, equipped and encouraged. May churches in every UK constituency be inspired to build relationships with candidates and host hustings and other events. In Christ’s name. Amen.

WED 27 Sovereign God, thank You that over one hundred of the world’s countries have some kind of democratic government, providing a measure of freedom and equality for their citizens. Please raise up leaders in all the nations who will further Your will and advance Your kingdom. In Christ’s name. Amen.

‘Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden … let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”’ MATTHEW 5:14-16 (ESV)

THURS 28 Loving God, we pray that Christians will ever increasingly care for their neighbours: helping them to receive justice and support from statutory authorities, providing for their needs, praying and sharing the gospel with them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

FRI 29 Thank You, Lord, that increasing numbers of Christians are becoming interested and involved in politics, joining political parties, standing as local councillors, working within our Parliaments and engaging in training initiatives such as CARE’s Leadership Programme. Please guide and encourage them. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

SAT 30 God of mercy, we pray for Christian MPs and others who You have commissioned to champion a specific cause, defend people who cannot speak up for themselves and to challenge unrighteous beliefs and attitudes. Please pour out Your grace! Amen.

‘We understand you’re having problems choosing whether to do the work of God or the work of a political activist. We humbly suggest that you can do both!’ (Wise words spoken to William Wilberforce by members of the London Abolition of Slavery Committee.)

Photo: Memorial commemorating 18th century anti-slavery activists next to the Houses of Parliament

SUN 1 Redeeming God, we rejoice that at Calvary Your justice and Your love came together to defeat the power of evil and destroy the curse of death. Fill Your Church with holy righteousness and humble compassion to proclaim this salvation to our world. Through Your unending grace. Amen.

MON 2 Holy Spirit, please reveal to us the ways in which we fail to uphold justice and demonstrate mercy towards people in need. Help us to repent and stand up for those who are oppressed and offer forgiveness and grace to any who sin against us. By Your power. Amen.

TUES 3

Father of justice and mercy, we ask that those serving in our courts and tribunals: judges, magistrates, barristers, other legal professionals and staff, and jury members, will do so with integrity and wisdom so that everyone has a fair hearing. May the innocent be protected and defendants who are guilty justly punished. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

WED 4

Lord, we pray about the enormous human, financial and social costs to our world of today’s gigantic global prison population of over ten million people, many unjustly detained and living in appalling conditions, their human potential wasted. Please have mercy. Amen.

‘To show partiality in judging is not good: whoever says to the guilty “You are innocent,” will be cursed by peoples and denounced by nations. But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come on them.’

PROVERBS 24:24,25 (NIV)

THURS 5 God of truth, please guide those working to uphold the principle of ‘open justice’ so that the public can continue to witness what goes on in UK courts - vital to the rule of law. Help them to implement reforms and new technologies that will enhance efficiency, transparency and access, whilst protecting the vulnerable. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

FRI 6 Christ our Saviour, thank You for the PM’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion and Belief Fiona Bruce MP and her team as she works on how the UK Government can protect and promote this fundamental freedom abroad, and advocates for the rights of people who suffer discrimination or persecution for their faith or belief. Strengthen her we pray. Amen.

SAT 7 PRISONS WEEK, 8-14 OCTOBER BEGINS TOMORROW

Loving Father, we ask that the coming Week will raise awareness and encourage compassion and prayer for the needs of prisoners and their families, victims of offenders, prison staff and those supporting ex-offenders as they adapt to life outside prison. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

The open justice principle, that justice must be seen to be done as well as done, is fundamental to the UK’s legal system. Court proceedings are open to the public and reported in the media but in our digital age change is needed to make information clearer and more accessible whilst balancing the needs for openness and privacy.

SUN 8 Great Physician, we pray for the ongoing development and success of medical and caring initiatives especially in the poorest parts of world, by governments, NGOs, and community groups, that aim to save lives, prevent disease and support sick and frail people. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

MON 9 Lord, we pray that more life-threatening diseases will soon be eliminated through research, vaccination, early diagnosis, effective treatment and combatting poverty. Please bless the work of those who are determined to bring this about. By Your grace. Amen.

TUES 10

Father, we intercede for people whose poor mental health means they are considering suicide. Please guide them and their families to reach out to a doctor, helpline and other services for the emotional, practical and medical help they need. In Your mercy. Amen.

WED 11

Lord, we remember the many health problems in refugee camps in 125 countries that accommodate 6.6 million people. Please help medical and nursing staff and comfort those affected by disease, accidents, mental health issues and complications in pregnancy and childbirth. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

‘I saw a “new heaven and a new earth,” … God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them … He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ REVELATION 21:3,4 (NIV)

THURS

12

WORLD ARTHRITIS DAY

God of comfort, we remember people, around ten million in the UK, with arthritis that causes joint inflammation and pain. We pray for continuing advances in the prevention, treatment and cure of this condition. By Your grace. Amen.

FRI 13 WORLD SIGHT DAY – ‘Love Your Eyes at Work.’

Lord, thank You that many sight-impaired people can be equipped and supported in the workplace. May more employers across the world prioritise their workers’ eye health, especially those in poorly lit and hazardous environments. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

SAT 14 Merciful God, please grant strategic wisdom to governments and other agencies as they consider the growing health problems caused by environmental issues such as air and water pollution, effects of climate change and land degradation. In Your mercy. Amen.

Global life expectancy has increased, but in many Sub-Saharan Africa countries the average is still less than 60 compared to 80+ years in parts of Europe and in Japan. In low-income countries child mortality rates are on average, more than ten times higher than in high-income countries. Similarly large gaps remain for other measures of health. (ourworldindata.org)

SPEAKING FOR THE VOICELESS

SUN 15 Loving Father, thank You for seeing and hearing every human being in their distress and for sending Christ to die for us while we were powerless, alienated from You and dead in our sin. Please raise up men and women of compassion to speak up for the voiceless and vulnerable; to bring them freedom, justice, and relief. In Your mercy. Amen.

MON 16

Faithful God, may Your steadfast love uphold the estimated 360 million Christians who suffer persecution and discrimination, especially in North Korea, Somalia, Yemen, Eritrea, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Sudan where they are in greatest danger of arrest, imprisonment, torture and execution. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

TUES 17 Lord Jesus, please show adult and child victims of domestic abuse a way of escape. May they be helped by those who can support them to find refuge, counselling and courage to break their silence and receive justice. Grant Your healing power to relieve their trauma and strength to recover their lives. May many find faith in You. By Your grace. Amen.

WED 18 God of truth and mercy, thank You for the legal obligations and heightened awareness of the need for safeguarding throughout society. We pray for those who have been affected and for all who have responsibility for this we ask for discernment, wisdom and determination to deal calmly and fairly with accusations and reports of abuse, whoever is involved. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

‘Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.’

PROVERBS 31:8,9 (NIV)

THURS 19 Lord, we bring to You the tragedy of miscarriage and abortion which ends millions of unborn lives. Please bless CARE’s Open initiative and Pregnancy Centres Network as they reach out to those affected by baby loss, helping them to speak about their experience and find peace, comfort and closure. Through Your loving care. Amen. (weareopen.org.uk) (pregnancycentresnetwork.org.uk)

FRI 20 Thank You, Lord, for everyone who speaks up for people who are voiceless and vulnerable for many reasons. Please encourage them to persevere as they encounter stories of sadness, injustice and desperation. In Christ’s name. Amen.

SAT 21 Father, we pray for people in need who ‘fall between the cracks’ and don’t receive the financial, social, health and legal support to which they are entitled because they are unable to engage with the authorities about their situation. Please send help to them. In Your mercy. Amen.

‘The first service that one owes to others in the fellowship consists of listening to them. Just as love of God begins with listening to his word, so the beginning of love for our brothers and sisters is learning to listen to them.’ (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, 1906-45) 15