April 2022 Prayer Diary
Our monthly prayer diary written by Hilary Prescott.
FRID 1 On this April Fools’ Day, remembering how Jesus himself was the target of abuse and rejection, let us pray for all people who suffer from the mockery and scorn of others and who feel worthless and outcast, and ask God to grant them confidence and courage and the knowledge of his unfailing love.
SAT 2 As the Easter season gathers pace, Lord God, we commit to you our vicar and those who help him in his ministry, and also the ministers and assistants in the Offa Mission Area, and ask that you will give them the energy and enthusiasm and support they need.
SUN 3 PASSION TIDE At this time when we remember the tension and pain endured by our Saviour as he approached his death, let us bring before God our fellow Christians who are persecuted for their faith, that He will uphold and comfort them.
MON 4 When you read God’s word, you must constantly be saying to yourself, ‘It is talking to me and about me.’
Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays.
(Soren Kierkegaard 1813-55 Danish philosopher and theologian)
TUES 5 Thank you, O God, for the members of our communities who help keep the areas tidy and attractive: may their work be blessed. We also pray for the teams keeping our churchyards looking good, and attractive to wildlife.
WED 6 Heavenly Father, may your love rest on all who live along The Wern in Chirk.
THURS 7 O Loving Lord God, we commit to you all whom we know who are ill, and those in our communities unknown to us but known to you. Grant them your healing power and bring them your restorative peace.
FRID 8 O Lord God Almighty, we give thanks for our opportunities to meet together freely in prayer and study and to discuss the future of our churches, and pray for all Christians who do so at risk to their lives. We pray that all who have attended our Lent Study sessions, the last of which is today, will have found their faith and relationship with you and each other strengthened by the gatherings; we bring before you too the people at the AGM of St. David’s, Fron as the future of the community is discussed.
SAT 9 Heavenly Father, we pray for the staff of our local tourist attractions as the busy Easter period begins; help them to staywell and to cope efficiently as they aim to bring pleasure to all the visitors. We also commit to you the businesses in our area, especially those involved in hospitality.
SUN 10 PALM SUNDAY Let us pray for well-attended and successful services in our churches and in the Mission Area today, so that we do not forget that Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem led to betrayal and violence. May the Church be empowered to show the world what true faith, loyalty and truth really mean.
MON 11 We give thanks, O Lord, for all who donate money, flowers and time and skill to create the beautiful flower arrangements for our churches at Easter. Please bless them in their generosity and work.
TUES 12 When I survey the wondrous cross/on which the Prince of Glory dies,/my richest gain I count but loss,/and our contempt on all my pride.
Were the whole realm of nature mine,/that were an off’ring far too small;/love so amazing, so divine,/demands my soul, my life, my all.
WED 13 Lord Almighty, may your Holy Spirit be with all on the Offa Mission Area Holy Week Pilgrimage to Pennant Melangell., that this sacred spot might inspire and comfort them and grant them a share of the peace to be sensed there.
THURS 14 MAUNDY THURSDAY Lord God Almighty, we give thanks for the Holy Eucharist and its reminder of Jesus’ last meal before his execution. May we honour His promises of eternal life and his love for us and offer our thanks in obedience by offering loving humble service for Him and all whom we meet.
FRID 15 GOOD FRIDAY Heavenly Father, we commit to you our witness to Christ’s death on the cross today- in our Walk of Witness and our services. May that witness bear fruit.
SAT 16 Loving Lord, as we remember the grief of Jesus’ friends after his crucifixion, we ask you to bless and comfort all who are suffering after the death of someone they know and love. May their sorrow be assuaged and their darkness lit by hope. And we commit to you all attending the Mission Area Easter Vigil as they share in the suffering of the friends of the crucified Jesus then and now.
SUN 17 EASTER DAY Lord of all life and power, who through the mighty resurrection of your Son overcame the old order of sin and death to make all things new in him: grant that we, being dead to sin and alive to you in Jesus Christ may reign with him in glory; to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be praise and honour, glory and might, now and in all eternity. Amen (collect)
MON 18 Lord, we give thanks for those times when we can relax, and we pray for all people in our area on holiday and ask that you will watch over their safety and happiness. We pray too for all people who through oppression, illness and circumstance are unable to rest or seek joy.
TUES 19 Let us call on our Saviour whose mission on earth was to bring healing and wholeness of body and mind and spirit, to bless the staff of our local hospitals , Health Centre and hospices , and grant them the power to help and to restore health.
WED 20 Lord, we ask for your blessing to rest on all who live along Woodland Grove in Fron.
THURS 21 Lord, we pray for the staff and volunteers at Chirk Castle as they seek to provide the visitors with pleasure and information.
FRID 22 Dear Lord, though each of us have our own troubles and sorrows to bear, may we not forget the people in the world who have been forced to leave homes and countries because of violence or natural disaster; people who are victims of persecution, injustice and corrupt governments or leaders. We know you do not forget them, but we beseech you to empower all who strive to bring peace and to right such wrongs and bring hope and new life to those who suffer.
SAT 23 ST. GEORGE As we think of the legends surrounding St. George, let us ask God to give us the courage and strength to face up to and overcome the evils that get in the way of living Christ-like lives, and to grant the people of the United Kingdom the incentive and power to turn it into part of your Kingdom here on earth.
SUN 24 Loving Lord God, bless our worship today, we pray, whether at home or in church, that it might be worthy of you and show fully our love for you and for each other- and for our neighbours in the world. Please bless too St. Mary’s AGM meeting today after worship, that your Holy Spirit will guide the discussions and decisions.
MON 25 ST.MARK As we remember the contribution of St. Mark to the development of the early church, let us ask God to help us use our time, energy and skills in His service. May we also ask Him for guidance in how we use our money and resources to further the work of our churches and their mission.
TUES 26 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony…And whatever you do, in word and deed, do everything in the name of Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3 v. 14,17
Wed 27 Lord, we ask for your blessing on the residents and staff of Chirk Court. Grant them the confidence and means to face the future with hope and happiness. We also ask for your help for the St. Mary’s Fabric Committee meeting today as the members discuss how best to preserve our church for the future.
THURS 28 O Creator God, we give you thanks for the environment in which we live, and we pray for the farmers and land-owners, that they might be successful in preserving and nurturing its beauty and fruitfulness.
FRID 29 Lord God, we pray for the opportunities to develop our church fund-raising schemes and ask you to grant the organisers wisdom in planning and successful outcomes.
SAT 30 Heavenly Father, we pray for our local schools, their staff, governors and pupils, as they start a new term.