Our monthly prayer diary written by Hilary Prescott.

SAT 1 ALL SAINTS  We give thanks, O God, for all who are designated as Saints, who have dedicated their lives to you and suffered in the process, but in different ways brought new light and hope to the Church. Yet we also lift to you the ordinary Christians who have served you faithfully and lovingly. Please bless all today whose lives, words and actions witness to your love in the world.  Lord, we pray also today for those Christians who are persecuted for their faith, knowing that their numbers are growing.  May your presence and protection enfold them, and grant them the courage and peace they need.

SUN 2  Loving Lord God, we pray today for all whose lives have made such a difference to our own but who are no longer with us; we give you thanks for them. We also ask for your blessing on all who mourn and for whom life seems empty, uncertain and dark. May today’s All Souls service help and comfort all who attend.

MON  3    Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power.  Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil…stand therefore and fasten the belt of truth around your waist and put on the breastplate of righteousness…with all these take the shield of faith…the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.  Ephesians 6 v. 6, 10, 14-17

TUES 4  Lord, may your blessing rest on all who live in Lloyds Lane, Chirk.

WED 5 Thank you, Heavenly Father, for all who are involved in St. Mary’s Toddlers Group: please bless and uphold them in their work, and bless too the families who attend.

THURS 6  O God, we give thanks for the work of the Royal British Legion, especially the branch in Chirk.  Guide all members as the organisation prepares for the events of the week ahead.

FRID 7  We pray, Lord, for the churches of the Offa Mission Area- their ministers, officials and congregation members. Guide and sustain us all with your Holy Spirit as we seek to serve you and our communities in a loving and effective way.

SAT 8  Lord God, we bring before you our Town Councils in their important work.  Please guide their decisions and plans for the Christmas season and New Year.

SUN 9  REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY  Let us commit to God all the special services being held today, especially those in the Offa Mission Area.  May they prove an inspiration and comfort for all who attend them.

MON 10  Do not hurry as you walk with grief; it does not help the journey.  Walk slowly, pausing often; do not hurry as you walk with grief.  Be not disturbed by memories that come unbidden.  Swiftly forgive; and let Christ speak for you unspoken words. Andy Raine

TUES 11 ARMISTICE DAY  On this day, O Lord God, we give thanks for all who have fought for our country and worked to bring stability to the world, especially those who have lost their lives or been wounded in their time of service.  We pray for all in the Forces today, but ask that in the troubled areas of the world, peace will be established and the lives and welfare of citizens be saved and restored.

WED 12  We pray, Creator God, for a fruitful Eco Church Committee meeting at St. Mary’s today.

THURS 13  Thank you, Lord, for all who attend to Health and Safety issues in our churches and we pray that everyone who comes to church might feel welcome , safe and surrounded by Christian love.

FRID 14  Lord God, may your rich blessing rest on all who live along Canal Side, Fron.

SAT 15  O God, our help in ages past,/our hope for years to come,/be thou our guard while troubles last,/And our eternal home.

SUN 16  Thank you, O God, for all who act as sidespeople: we ask that you might bless them in their important work.

MON 17  Loving Lord God, we commit to you all whom we know who are ill, who are in pain, who await results or treatment.  May they know your healing power and find comfort and new hope and strength in their lives.

TUES 18  O God, today we think of all who live in Chirk, and ask for your blessing to rest on them.

WED 19  Let us commit to God the staff and pupils of our local schools as they prepare for the hectic activities of Christmas.  Grant the staff the patience, wisdom and skill they need.

THURS 20  Heavenly Father, we pray for your blessing on the service at Chirk Court today.  May all who attend find joy and comfort from the words and music.  We also pray for all the staff and residents there.

FRID 21  Heavenly Father, may your Holy Spirit guide and inspire the discussions at today’s Advent Bible Studies session in the Methodist church school room, so helping everyone make Advent a special time of spiritual growth.

SAT 22 Thank you, Lord, for our local surgeries and hospitals: we pray for the staff who bring your help and healing to the patients, and for the latter, especially the long-term patients.

SUN 23 CHRIST THE KING  Eternal Father, whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven that he might rule over all things as Lord and King: keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace, and bring the whole created order to worship at his feet; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

MON 24  Let us give thanks for the team who produce the Chirk Newsletter and pray for all involved in writing items and organising the events chronicled.

TUES 25  We give thanks, O Lord, for all who volunteer to clean our churches, and those who produce flowers so that our churches are tidy and attractive and are fit places for worship.

WED 26  Lord God, we bring before you those people who are not looking forward to Christmas- perhaps for financial or  social reasons or perhaps because of the work involved. May they receive the strength and support they need.

THURS 27  Thank you, Lord, for all who organise the Chirk Friendship Guild. Please bless these sessions of community fellowship, we pray.

FRID 28  Let us praise God for the hard-working members of our congregations who organise and help at our fund-raising activities. Let us pray for them at St. Mary’s Christmas Fair today, and ask for a happy and successful day.

SAT 29  Thank you, O God, for your apostle Andrew. Help us also to be ready to follow your call and rejoice in Christ’s living presence with us.

SUN 30  ADVENT Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and to put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility; that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity ofhe Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen