Our monthly prayer diary, written by Hilary Prescott.

TUES 1 As our local schools near the end of a busy term, we pray, Lord, for the staff and pupils and for an efficient and enjoyable close to the academic year.

WED 2 Lord, we ask for your blessing on the congregations and ministers of the Offa Mission Area, We pray for the wisdom to cope with the problems and challenges which face the churches, especially as they cope with the MA Review recommendations.

THURS 3 ST. THOMAS O God, we give thanks for the life and witness of the apostle Thomas and for his willingness to challenge and ask questions in his search for the truth. Help us to be honest before you about any doubts, and to serve you with confidence and joy.

FRID 4 Lord, may your blessing rest on all who live along Methodist Hill in Fron.

SAT 5 O Lord God, we give thanks for our churchwardens and those who help them- for their faithful commitment and hard work in your service and the service of the churches. Please grant them the time, health and strength they need to cope with the considerable pressures on them.

SUN 6 Heavenly Father, we bring before you the families who attend our churches- that they might continue to grow in faith and knowledge of your love.

MON 7 Let us give thanks for the International Llangollen Eisteddfod and ask God to bless all who organise and help with the events; may He protect and encourage all performers and competitors.

TUES 8 Lord, we pray for a happy and successful Mini market today and ask for your blessing on the organisers and helpers.

WED 9 O loving Lord God, we bring before you all whom we know who are unwell; those waiting for treatment or test results; those in hospital who have to wait for care packages to be arranged before they can go back to the homes they long to see again.

THURS 10 All things bright and beautiful,/all creatures great and small,/all things wise and wonderful,/the Lord God made them all.    He gave us eyes to see them,/and lips that we might tell/how great is God Almighty,/who has made all things well.

FRID 11  Let us thank God for all in our churches who organise and help at religious, social and fundraising events, and ask Him to bless them in their valuable work.

SAT 12 Tomorrow is Disability Awareness Sunday, so let us commit to our Lord those people who have any sort of disability problem, that they might be strengthened in their wish to live as fulfilling a life as possible, and also be granted the support, social and financial , which they need. Let us also pray for the organisations and medical services which work to provide help.

SUN 13 SEA SUNDAY Heavenly Father, we pray for all whose work involves the sea: members of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, fishermen, sailors, rescue service charities and volunteers and chaplains. We pray especially for sailors who are forced to be at sea for long periods of time, away from families and friends. We ask that all may be granted the wisdom, safety and support they need.

MON 14 Lord, we pray for all who work at Chirk Leisure Centre and for the people who use the facilities provided, and we give thanks for the benefits the Centre offers the community.

TUES 15 O God, we bring before you for your blessing all who live in The Wern in Chirk.

WED 16 As long as you are proud you cannot know God.  A proud man is always looking down on people: as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you. CS Lewis

THURS 17 Lord of the Universe, we pray for peace in our troubled world, that its leaders may be open to your guidance and work for the good of the nation’s rather than personal prestige and power.

FRID 18 O God, thank you for the members of Chirk Town Council and Fron’s Council: please bless and guide them as they seek to serve our local communities.

SAT 19 As many people are on holiday or planning a break, let us pray for their safety and the enjoyment of their leisure, and for those who are unable to have a rest from routine and time away from home and who long for an opportunity for refreshment and renewal.

SUN 20 Let us give thanks for our sides people who make such a difference to the welcome and help people receive in our churches and ask God to bless them.

MON 21 O Lord God Almighty, we bring before you any individuals and families in our area preparing for a baptism, that you might guide them in their journey of faith and bring them to a full and joyful knowledge of your saving love.

TUES 22 MARY MAGDALENE   O God, the story of Mary Magdalene and her loyalty to Christ is an inspiring one.  Help us to be faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ, and to be more aware of His presence and love for us both in our everyday lives and in times of crisis.

WED 23 Let us pray for the staff of our local hospitals, giving thanks for their skill and hard work, often under great pressure.

THURS 24 Abide in me as I abide in you.  Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. …apart from me, you can do nothing.  John 15 4,5

FRID 25 ST. JAMES THE APOSTLE As we give thanks for the life and witness of the apostle James, let us also give thanks to God for all people today who dedicate their lives to spreading the gospel, often at great risk to themselves: may they know God’s love and protection.

SAT 26 Thank you, O God, for our local library and its staff; my your blessing rest on them and their valuable work in the community.

SUN 27 Heavenly Father, we thank you for those who take our services: please bless and guide them as they lead our worship and seek to bring us nearer to you.

MON 28 Let us give thanks for those in our churches who help keep them clean and tidy and fit for worship. May God bless them richly.

TUES 29 Lord, we pray for the protection and well-being of all who work for the Ambulance service and who have to face many difficulties in the course of their life-saving work.

WED 30 Caring Lord God, we bring before you all who are deaf or going deaf, and we pray that they will receive the support and encouragement they need. Please bless also the organisations which seek to help those with hearing difficulties.

THURS 31 We think today, Lord, of all in our area who are without jobs- especially those with families to support.  May they find the work they need and the necessary help.