Our monthly prayer diary written by Hilary Prescott

MON 1  Heavenly Father, we pray that your Holy Spirit may be with all the clergy and supporters in our Mission Area at this busy time of the year: grant them the health, energy and enthusiasm they need in the weeks ahead.

TUES 2  O Lord God, we give thanks for the wonderful and successful work of the Mini Market team during the past year, bringing fellowship to the community and vital funds for the church. May your blessing rest on its members as the sessions end today.

WED 3  Let us thank God for all who provide refreshments and catering for our churches, so giving much to the life of our communities. May they know His blessing on them.

THURS 4  Lord, we pray that the final sessions of the Advent Bible Studies today might bring spiritual refreshment and inspiration to all who attend. We give thanks for all the leaders and their work.

FRID 5  As tomorrow sees the members of St. David’s host their Christmas Fair at Fron Community Centre, let us not only thank God for their commitment and hard work , but ask for His rich blessing to fall upon them and for the event to prove a happy success.

SAT 6  Messy Carols We pray, O God, for a successful community event in Chirk today, and for the churches taking part in the craft activities and carols at St. Mary’s.  May the true meaning of Christmas shine out from this witness on the families who attend, as the lights shine out once again in the town.

SUN 7  Heavenly Father, grant your blessing on our church wardens and their helpers who have so much work to do at this time of year. We thank you for their service which demands so much time and energy.

MON 8  Don’t be so arrogant as to suppose that the truth is no bigger than your understanding of it.   Michael Green, Anglican clergyman and evangelist

TUES 9  Today and tomorrow, Garth and Pentre school concerts will be taking place at St. Mary’s, so let us pray for the happiness and success of these occasions and a sense of the true meaning of Christmas to be felt by all who attend.

WED 10  Human Rights Day  When we celebrate the joys of contact with family and friends over the Christmas season and the chance to develop or improve our relationships with people, let us pray to God for all who are victims of humans’ neglect of each other, their cruelty and selfishness, and ask that their sufferings might be relieved and that hope for human nature and its future, heralded by the coming of Christ, be further established in our world.

THURS 11  Loving Lord God, we bring before you all whom we know who are ill and all patients in our local hospitals and surgeries, and pray that they might know your healing touch. We pray too for all who will be in hospital or need help over Christmas and New Year, and all who will be working to look after them.

FRID 12  Heavenly Father, we pray for all the business concerns in Chirk and Fron, that they might have a successful season: we too for all involved in the catering and hospitality business.

SAT 13  The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.   John 1:14

SUN 14  We give thanks, O God, for our church organists, for their commitment and skill and important contribution n to our services: please bless them and grant them the time and energy they need at this busy time.

MON 15  O Lord, we ask for the Holy Spirit to rest on the Chirk Churches Together Carol Service at Chirk Court today; may it be a time of and joy for all who attend. Please be with all the staff and residents at this special time of the year.

TUES 16  May your blessing, Lord, rest on all who live along Avondale in Chirk and Alma Road in Fron.

WED 17  When so much emphasis is placed on spending at Christmas, Lord, we bring before you all the unemployed and their families in our area.  Grant them the support and encouragement they need.

THURS 18  O little town of Bethlehem,/how still we see thee lie!/Above thy deep and dreamless sleep/the silent stars go by./Yet in thy dark streets shineth/the everlasting light;/the hopes and fears of all the years /are met in thee tonight.

FRID 19  Heavenly Father, may all who attend this evening’s joint Carol Service at St. David’s know your blessing and the feelings of joy and hope as we are reminded of the wondrous joys of Christmas and the coming of Christ to the world.

SAT 20  Lord, we commit to your care all who, at a time of festive gatherings will be on their own and may be feeling isolated and sad. May they know the comfort and peace of your presence with them.

SUN 21  Thank you, Lord God, for the joy of worshipping you together; for all we learn of you from the readings and sermons, and for the fellowship we share.

MON 22  O God, we pray for all who are feeling tired and overwhelmed by all they have to do for Christmas and New Year.  May they have the help and encouragement they need.

TUES 23  Let us give thanks for all who have donated flowers and decorations for our churches and created the arrangements, and ask God to bless them richly.

WED 24  CHRISTMAS EVE  Almighty God, we commit to you all the services at our churches today and tomorrow: may they be times of joy and enlightenment for all present. Please inspire and bless the clergy and helpers leading these times of worship.

THURS 25  CHRISTMAS DAY  Almighty God, you have given us your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin: grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen

FRID 26   SAINT STEPHEN  O Lord God, as we remember the brave witness of Stephen and his martyrdom, we pray for all Christians today who face persecution and even death for their faith, and ask that your presence will strengthen and encourage them.

SAT 27  ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST  Thank you, O Lord, for the work and witness of St. John the Evangelist and for its impact on the world. May the Holy Spirit encourage and inspire all Christians today who in word and action are helping to spread the Good News.

SUN 28  HOLY INNOCENTS  On a day when we remember the story of Herod’s slaughter of the little children around Bethlehem, let us commit to our loving Father God all children who are victims of war, cruelty and oppression or neglect. Let us also ask God to comfort all who have lost children through death, see them suffer in illness or who are separated from them, and so grieve for the pain of those they love.

MON 29  As we come to the end of another year, let us pray for all who face the end  of their life, all who wait with them, and those who mourn., asking our eternal God to grant them hope and peace.

TUES 30  With many in holiday mood , let us pray for all who will be celebrating the New Year- for safety in travelling and celebrations. Let us also pray for members of the emergency services and A and E departments.

WED 31 NEW YEAR’S EVE As we look back on the year , O Lord of Time, we give thanks for the blessings enjoyed, support in times of difficulty and pray for forgiveness when we have let you and others down.