February 2023 Prayer Diary
WED 1 Lord, we ask you to bless, guide and strengthen the clergy and their helpers in the Offa Mission Area. May they feel encouraged and glad in their work.
THURS 2 CANDLEMAS As we think of the old tradition of the yearly blessing of the candles used in churches, and the light, comfort and inspiration the candles can give, let us pray that in these dark times, we might shine out with God’s love and bring enlightenment and hope to all whom we meet.
FRID 3 Loving Lord God, we bring before you all people living with dementia and their families, carers and friends. Please help them all to cope, and grant them the support they need as well as a sense that they are not alone but surrounded by your loving presence.
SAT 4 Let us pray for the members of Chirk Town Council and Wrexham County Council as they seek to support their communities and improve the lot of the residents.
SUN 5 Almighty Father, we commit to you today’s Family Services: please guide and bless the ministers leading the worship and help the young people and adults to be alert to the messages and to be strengthened in their faith.
MON 6 O Lord, may your rich blessing rest upon all who live along Green Fields in Fron.
TUES 7 Thank you, Lord, for our churches’ pastoral visitors. May they find the time and opportunities they need to support parishioners who would value contact and a visit. We also pray for the latter, that they find the comfort and help they need.
WED 8 Let us commit to God the team which runs St. Mary’s Toddlers Group, that the members’ valuable work will be blessed, and the year ahead prove a fruitful and enjoyable time for the group and the families they welcome.
THURS 9 Heavenly Lord, we pray for your blessing on the pupils, staff and governors of our local schools, and ask especially for good health and the wisdom to cope effectively with any problems which might arise.
FRID 10 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that , with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. Ephesians 1 17-19
SAT 11 Tomorrow is Racial Justice Sunday, so let us remember before God all victims of racial injustice, and pray too for the people and organisations seeking to right wrongs and to help relieve the suffering.
SUN 12 Thank you, Lord, for all in our churches who lead the Intercessions; please bless and guide them as they help us to focus on the people in need and to come closer to you.
MON 13 Let us pray for everyone involved in this year’s Chirk Pantomime, that they not only enjoy putting on the show, but bring pleasure to their audiences.
TUES 14 Thank you, O Lord God, for the team members who prepare and serve the food for the Brunches at St. Mary’s. Grant them the energy they need for this important venture, and bless not only the group but all the people who come along for the food and fellowship.
WED 15 Were there no God, we would be in this glorious world with grateful hearts, and no one to thank.
If I long to improve my brother, the first step toward doing so is to improve myself. Christina Rossetti 1830-94 poet
THURS 16 Almighty God our Father, we bring before you all whom we know who are ill, and the patients cared for by our local hospitals and Health Centre. We pray particularly for those who are anxious, frightened or in pain, and all waiting for appointments and results. Thank you, Lord, for everyone involved in their care and bless them in their work
FRID 17 Let us give thanks for all who work in our Churchyard Groups and keep the areas tidy and flourishing. May God bless them in all they do.
SAT 18 Lord, may your blessing rest on everyone who lives in Crogen, Lodgevale, in Chirk. We also ask for your blessing on this evening’s Pancake Supper at St. Mary’s.
SUN 19 Today the Church focuses on Action on Poverty. Let us thank God for churches which do their best to meet the needs of the poor, hungry and homeless. May God grant them the means, time, money and manpower to carry out their work, and let us ask God to bless all whom they seek to help. May God empower our own churches and those in the area to fulfil this part of their mission.
MON 20 As Fairtrade Fortnight begins, Thank you, O Lord, for the Fairtrade organisation and all who work to ensure producers and workers get a fair deal. Please bless them and those who buy the goods; help us to be more aware of how the goods we buy are produced.
TUES 21 SHROVE TUESDAY As we prepare for Lent, let us give Almighty God thanks for the time and impetus to focus more on our relationship with God and to come closer to Him. May we sense His loving, guiding presence with us in the weeks ahead, and be ready to offer more to Him as we remember how Jesus offered His life for His Father and for us.
WED 22 ASH WEDNESDAY Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing that you have made and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: create and make in us new and contrite hearts that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may receive from you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; 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 forever. Amen (Collect)
THURS 23 Thank you, Father God, for Chirk Court and its staff and their care for the residents. Send your blessing on the staff and be with the people they care for. We also pray for all who come into the home to entertain and help the people who live there.
FRID 24 Heavenly Father, we commit to you the people of the Ukraine and all badly affected by the conflict, and we pray for peace. Be with those people commemorating the anniversary of the invasion under the auspices of Christian Aid in this afternoon’s vigil at St. Mary’s, and those in the other venues in North Wales.
SAT 25 All that I am, all that I do,/all that I’ll ever have I offer now to you./Take and sanctify these gifts/for your honour, Lord./Knowing that I love and serve you/is enough reward./All that I am, all that I do,/all that I’ll ever have I offer now to you.
SUN 26 LENT I Let us give thanks for all who read the Lessons in our services, and ask God to help them as they seek to convey the messages and spirit of the texts.
MON 27 Lord, we commit to you the unemployed in our area; may they receive the support they need and find suitable jobs.
TUES 28 Heavenly Father, we offer thanks for and pray for all ambulance drivers and paramedics and First Responders. Please grant them the compassion, energy, patience and skill they need in their very difficult and often frustrating work.