This month’s prayer diary written by Hilary Prescott.

SAT 1 We are encouraged in Philippians to think about qualities which are acceptable to God and help strengthen our relationship with Him : Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things… As we start a new year, let us ask God to help us live our lives according to these recommendations and so know his promised peace .

SUN 2  O God, we pray for the Church in Wales and for the members of the Offa Mission Area, ministers and congregations, that in the year ahead , that they might be a positive presence in the country and through their worship and mission help bring about your Kingdom in their communities. May you guide and bless the clergy taking on new roles.

MON 3  O Lord God, we pray for your guidance for the leaders of the world as they decide how best to deal with the manifestations of the Coronavirus- so that the health of their citizens and their social and economic well-being are considered and the world can flourish again.

TUES 4  Christianity has died many times and risen again: for it has a God who knew the way out of the grave.  G.K. Chesterton

WED 5  Loving Lord God, we pray for your healing presence to be with all whom we know, and those in our area, who are ill.  May they benefit  from your healing power and find health and wholeness.

THURS 6  O God, who by the leading of a star manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: mercifully grant that we, who know you now by faith, may at last behold your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen  (Collect)

FRID 7 Thank you, O God, for the organisations which use Chirk Town Hall and provide leisure and learning opportunities in the area.  We pray that the groups and events will be able to function in the year ahead.

SAT 8  We three kings of Orient are:/bearing gifts we traverse afar; /field and fountain, moor and mountain,/following yonder star.    O star of wonder, star of night,/star with royal beauty bright,/westward leading, still proceeding,/guide us to thy perfect light.

SUN 9  The Baptism of Christ  At Christ’s baptism, we learn how, filled with the Holy Spirit, he was empowered in mind and body, to prepare for his ministry and the promotion of God’s kingdom.  O Lord, may we, empowered by that same Spirit, fulfil your will for us in 2022 and help promote your kingdom.

MON 10  Almighty God our Father, we commit to you the governors, staff and pupils of our local schools , and we pray also for the new Head of the Federation and any new staff and pupils.

TUES 11 O Lord, we ask for your blessing to rest on all who live in Princess Avenue, Chirk.

WED 12 Heavenly Father, we have so much to be thankful for- help us to be more grateful. We commit to you the parish in Tanganyika supported by the Offa Mission Area and pray that we may continue to relieve its poverty and ask that it might flourish in the year ahead.

THURS 13  Loving Lord God, we pray for the patients and staff of our local hospitals. We ask that your healing spirit might rest on the medical staff and that you will grant wholeness and hope to the sick.

FRID 14  Lord, we pray for the unemployed in our area that they will receive the support they need and the confidence and opportunities to gain a job.

SAT 15 The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. 

Isaiah 40 28-31

SUN 16  Thank you, O God, for our churchwardens and those who assist them- for the time and effort they expend ensuring our worship and witness run smoothly. Please bless and encourage them in all they do.

MON 17  Heavenly Father, we pray for our fellow Christians in Chirk and its neighbourhood, and give thanks that although we have not been meeting for months, nevertheless we can continue to join together through prayer and friendship.

TUES 18 WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY  Almighty God, we commit to you your body, the Church.  May all work together in harmony to build your kingdom and witness to the message of our Lord Jesus Christ. May we try to overcome disagreements with honesty and humility.

WED 19  Lord, thank you for those who are willing to serve on our church committees. We pray that you will guide and encourage them as they seek to do your will for our church communities and the people in our area.

THURS 20  O God, we give thanks for all who helped with our Fund-raising events and did so well. We pray that we can soon enjoy more fellowship and money-raising.

FRID 21  O Creator God, we ask you to bless and support the farmers, horticulturists and those who work on the land in our area. Help them to cope with the problems they encounter as they provide us with food and nurture the landscape.

SAT 22  Lord, we pray for the Scouting and Guiding groups in our area- for wisdom for the leaders in handling the repercussions of the Virus and its variants, and confidence in the future for the gatherings.

SUN 23 We praise you, O God, for the joy of music and thank you for its provision in our own churches and the way our organists  have helped so much in our worship in the past year or so. Please bless them and enable them to keep going.

MON 24  Loving Lord God, we pray for your blessing on the residents and staff of Chirk Court.  May they keep safe and able to invite visitors there. We pray for people who have been andare suffering because they cannot see or visit loved ones because of regulations in force.

TUES 25  Conversion of St. Paul  Let us give thanks for the world-changing ministry of Paul and his willingness to put his past behind him and use his talents and experience in the service of our Lord.  May we too be ready to adapt our lives and outlooks to serve God.

WED 26  Timothy and Titus  Lord, we give thanks for the ministry of Timothy and Titus in the early Church; help us too to serve our community with humility, courage and integrity.

THURS 27 Almighty God, we ask that despite any restrictions , our churches might be able to offer any pastoral help needed in church, home, hospitals and residential homes. Grant us the love and confidence we need to be your hands, feet and heart in the world.

FRID 28  Let us pray for the organisers and participants who belong to local sports groups: that they might flourish and bring health and hope to their members.

SAT 29  Let us give thanks for all carers, whether professional or friends or family members and ask God to help and bless them in their vital work. We ask that the problem of enough carers in the community might be resolved in the year ahead.

SUN 30  Thank you, Lord,  for those people who have provided refreshments after services in the recent months and those who will do so in 2022. May they be kept safe and be blessed in their work.

MON 31  Almighty God, may your blessing rest on all who live along Gate Road in Fron.