“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12
Pray to the Father through the Son in the power of the Spirit for:
SATURDAY 1 Gerrards Cross and Fulmer: Matt Beeby - Rector, Craig Larner, Anna Barrett, Luke Douglas, Jenny Wiliams. Give thanks for an encouraging Christmas season, with hundreds of guests hearing the gospel. That we’d be prayerful and compassionate as we follow up with those who came, and reach out to them with God's love in 2025. Give thanks for a growing number of teenagers and young adults among us, with a hunger for God's word and a desire to invite their friends to hear more of the gospel message; that they would be missional and full of grace as they stand for Christ in today's world.
The Gerrards Cross CE School.
MONDAY 3 Great Chesham: Edward Bowes-Smith - Team Rector, Darren Dalton, Edward Lees-Millais, Rob Perkins, David Hyndman, Jeremy Moodey, Timothy Yates, Geoff Houston, Jean Corfield, John Spence, Charmaine Muir, John Goodman. That we would see more conversions this year. That our engagement with local schools would grow.
Chiltern Hills Academy.
TUESDAY 4 Penn and Tylers Green, nr High Wycombe: Samuel Thorp - Vicar, Graham Summers, Mary Lee, Linnea Thorp, David Carter. For the benefice as we reflect on our Ministry Action Plan, that we shall be aligned with God's calling and heart for the area. That Tygre Club, our young people's ministry, would flourish as the young people grow in confidence.
WEDNESDAY 5 Amersham on the Hill: Debbie Oades - Vicar, Peter Binns, Katherine Hyde. For all our mission outreach programmes, and for the PCC members as we look to renew our Misson Action Plan.
THURSDAY 6 Chalfont St Peter, nr High Wycombe: Wendy Graham, Jennifer Locke, Andrea Lebrato. For a successful conclusion to the advertisement for a priest in charge to fill the vacancy in the parish. For building our work among children and families.
Chalfont St Peter CE Academy.
FRIDAY 7 Chesham Bois, nr Amersham: Laurie Clow - Rector, Jackie Lambert, Bekki Hadley, Jonny Somervell. For all aspects of our ongoing plans to redevelop our parish centre. For the fellowship as we seek to present the gospel of Jesus and the love of the Father at all times.
Chesham Bois CE Combined School.
SATURDAY 8 Penn Street, nr Amersham: Daf Meirion-Jones - Priest in charge. For our ongoing Christianity Explored and Discipleship Explored groups - that people might be amazed by God's grace in Jesus. For our links with local schools, where we do assemblies and take services.
Curzon CE Combined School.
MONDAY 10 Aston and Cuddesdon Deanery: Jane Haslam - Area Dean, Maureen Underdown, Kathy LeBrun, Michael Powell. For the development of mission focussing on children and young people, and for each parish to discern what it’s next step might be. Give thanks for all the ministry offered by so many (both lay and ordained) across this large deanery and for a commitment to prayer that underpins all we do.
TUESDAY 11 Albury with Tiddington, Holton, Waterperry, Waterstock and Wheatley: David Bendor-Samuel - Associate Minister, Richard Bainbridge, Alexandra Hewitt. Give thanks for the appointment of Claire Joyce as the new Vicar, starting in May. For Albury villagers flooded out at the end of last year. That we will be able to welcome the expansion of our village, which will more than double in numbers of houses over the next few years, and grow our numbers in St Bartholomew’s. Give thanks that the chancel in Waterstock seems to have stopped trying to leave the rest of the church building and pray for continued stability. That as more people come to visit St Mary’s, Waterperry “tourists” will be touched by the presence of God.
Wheatley CE Primary School.
WEDNESDAY 12 Dorchester: Jane Willis - Team Rector, Jo Allen, Mel Stanley, Emma Firth, Rachel Carnegie, Jennifer Morton, David Haylett, Jane Manser, Myles Godfrey, Gerry Willis, Edna Strange. For a good appointment to our current Team Vicar vacancy. For our whole team of churches, that we might discover the best of how we can flourish individually and together. For Dorchester Abbey as we seek to renew our vision. That we might remain centred on Christ in a season when resources are stretched.
Clifton Hampden, St Birinus, Long Wittenham, Marsh Baldon CE Primary Schools.
THURSDAY 13 Thame: Mike Reading - Team Rector, Andy McCulloch, Emma Endean-Mills, Graham Choldcroft, Hannah Smith. For the wider members of the church in Thame as we progress towards unifying the Church of England in Thame and Towersey. For the appointment of a House for Duty Priest to serve the needs of the six villages of the benefice.
Lewknor CE Primary School.
FRIDAY 14 Beckley, Forest Hill, Horton cum Studley and Stanton St John: Anthea Beresford - Vicar, Betty Dye, Nicholas Orme, Stephanie Bullock, Hugh Lee. For our work with Beckley CE Primary School, The Maple Tree and our other activities with children throughout the four parishes. For our congregations and all people within the four parishes, giving thanks for all those who serve in so many varied ways to help keep our churches thriving.
SATURDAY 15 Chinnor, Sydenham, Aston Rowant and Crowell: Jacky Barr - Rector, Margaret Poole. For the life and worship of the whole community.
Aston Rowant and St Andrew’s CE Primary Schools.
MONDAY 17 Benson with Ewelme: Patrick Gilday - Rector. For Ewelme and for the Revd Marion Harrison as she prepares to begin her ministry among us in Ewelme in April. For our churches to grow over the coming year, both in number and in faithfulness to the will and mission of God.
Benson CE Primary School, Ewelme CE Primary School.
TUESDAY 18 Great Milton with Little Milton and Great Haseley: Simon Cronk - Rector, Toby Garfitt, Tony Jefferis. For Little Milton CE Primary School in the interim before a new headteacher takes up the post. For progress with the building project at St Mary’s, Great Milton.
Great Milton CE Primary School.
WEDNESDAY 19 Icknield, nr Luton: Daniel Thompson - Rector, Valerie Kearney, Angie Paterson. Give thanks for continued growth and pray for our family ministry. For the appointment of new office-holders.
THURSDAY 20 Garsington, Cuddesdon and Horspath: Tom Wallis - Vicar, Caroline King, Malcolm Surman. For our ministry to and with children and young people, including: Garsington and Horspath CE Primary Schools; our Chatter and Clatter pre-school group; Family Time; Sunday Fun Time; all-age Eucharists; and the recently launched Storytime Church. For our churchwardens, Brian and Maureen; our benefice safeguarding officer, Kathryn; all who serve on our PCCs; and all who serve and support our mission and ministry in so many different ways.
FRIDAY 21 Chalgrove with Berrick Salome: Michael Lakey - Vicar, Bob Heath-Whyte. For our wardens and PCCs, ordinands and other volunteers, including our local colleague from the Oxford Methodist Circuit, the Revd Stephen Spain, and our outgoing curate, the Revd Mel Stanley. For our main mission focus for 2025: the appointment of a Junior Choir Development Officer and the building of a junior choir in the benefice.
SATURDAY 22 Warborough, nr Wallingford: Jane Willis - Vicar, Edna Strange, Myles Godfrey, Emma Firth, Mel Stanley. For the Revd Mel Stanley - on placement with the Dorchester team, leading ministry in the Eastern Cluster, which includes Warborough. For all at St Laurence Church, that they might grow in being a contemplative, compassionate and courageous church today.
MONDAY 24 Bradfield Deanery: Grant Fensome - Area Dean, Terry Webster, Pam Slingsby, Stephen Billyeald. For a number of our clergy who are, and will be, enjoying well-earned sabbaticals this year, that these are times of refreshment and joy. That we continue to work as a united force of good news for the people of west Berkshire, especially with joint efforts in children and young people’s ministry.
TUESDAY 25 Aldermaston and Woolhampton: Jane Manley - Rector, Derek Spears. For greater unity across the benefice. For our wedding ministry.
Aldermaston, Brimpton, Woolhampton CE Primary Schools.
WEDNESDAY 26 Basildon with Aldworth and Ashampstead: Grant Fensome - Vicar, Jen Green, Amy Cavender, Katy Weston, Rosemary Sandbach, Jonathan Sandbach, Mike Penny. For continued growth across the three parishes, and a deeper engagement with our communities. For new courses, events and services beginning in Lent and running through the year, that they impact people’s lives and faith in a positive way.
Basildon CE Primary School.
THURSDAY 27 Bradfield, Bucklebury and Stanford Dingley nr Newbury: Steve Newbold - Team Rector, Lyn Bliss, Caroline Newbold, Julia Hunt. For the recruitment of a new Team Vicar (House for Duty). For our benefice as we reach out to our local communities with the love of Jesus.
Bradfield CE Primary School. Bucklebury CE Primary School.
FRIDAY 28 Englefield, nr Reading: Julia Myles - Rector. For continued enrichment to the Englefield Community, especially the residents. For Englefield CE Primary School and their quest for additional resources.
Prayer on Sundays
SUNDAY 2 This LGBT+ History Month, we give thanks for the people, including those within our churches, who have fought and continue to fight for every LGBTQIA+ person to feel safe, seen, and to thrive.
Bishop Steven confirming at Wellington College.
SUNDAY 9 For General Synod this week. Bishop Gavin confirming in Wallingford.
SUNDAY 16 For all those who look to the stars and other wonders of creation, to look beyond them and encounter the God who created them. That the Called to Wonder course on the diocesan Learning Hub will also inspire and delight.
SUNDAY 23 For Bishops Designate Mary and Dave as they prepare for consecration on 27 February at Canterbury Cathedral.
Links
Prayers from Christian Concern for One World: ccow.org.uk
Topical prayers from the Church of England: churchofengland.org/topical-prayers