“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14
Pray to the Father through the Son in the power of the Spirit for:
FRIDAY 1 Our link diocese of Nandyal, India: For the selection process for the new diocesan Bishop, that God would make clear the person he is calling to serve in this vital post. Give thanks for our growing education links between the two dioceses, with recent visits from teachers and educational leaders from Reading to Nandyal and a return visit from Nandyal to Oxford. Pray that as a result of these links we would be better equipped to serve children in our schools in both England and India.
SATURDAY 2 Wokingham: Hannah Higginson - Rector, Colin James. For our annual bereavement service held during November to which all those recently bereaved are invited, for all those who will attend, that it may be a time of comfort and blessing. For our discussions following time spent reflecting on our parish vision during October, that we may formulate a vision that is in keeping with God's will for All Saints’ Church at this time.
All Saints CE Primary School.
MONDAY 4 Ducklington with Hardwick: Andrea Colbrook - Rector, David Adams, Johan Schoeman, Roy Tarbox, Mary Carney, John Hughes, Bob Ely. For our “Church without walls” ministry, children and families work, Warm Welcome Space and our support for those seeking asylum locally.
Ducklington CE Primary School.
TUESDAY 5 Lower Windrush: Jo Hurst - Rector. For our love for God and our neighbours to increase and for us to understand more about what it means to live lives that are compassionate and Christ-like. For all who volunteer within our benefice; that they would know the blessing, strength and guidance of the Holy Spirit as they bring their time and gifts faithfully to the churches and wider community.
Standlake CE Primary School, Stanton Harcourt CE Primary School.
WEDNESDAY 6 North Leigh: Margaret Dixon - Vicar, Jan Fowler, Tony Fowler, John Brown, Elizabeth Mason. For the recruitment process for a new youth worker in North Leigh. For the continuation of our environmental work with all generations across the parish.
North Leigh CE Primary School.
THURSDAY 7 Bampton with Clanfield: Janice Collier - Vicar, Colin Randall, Andrew Tweedy. For all those attending the current Alpha course finishing on 19 December. For our involvement in our communities through events and support of local charities.
Aston and Cote CE Primary School, Bampton CE Primary School, Clanfield CE Primary School.
FRIDAY 8 Sonning Deanery: Laura Wheatley Downs - Associate Area Dean (on maternity leave), John Sutton, Leigh Welham, Lynne Paine. For those working with asylum seekers and for refugees. For children’s and young people’s ministry.
SATURDAY 9 Arborfield with Barkham, nr Wokingham: Andy Kearns - Rector, Joel Knight, Julian Bidgood, Iain Lingwood, David Horrocks, Ruth Kershaw. Give thanks for new faces in our churches and on the staff team. That in the run up to Christmas we would keep our eyes fixed on our Lord Jesus and be taking every opportunity to speak of him to those whom we meet.
The Coombes CE Primary School.
MONDAY 11 Wargrave with Knowl Hill: Steve Turville - Associate Minister. For the benefice in vacancy. For our Quiet Space for Prayer meeting on 13 November. For our weekly podcast, aboutHIM, that started in October.
Crazies Hill CE Primary School, Robert Piggott CE Infant School, Robert Piggott CE Junior School, The Piggott School CE Academy, Knowl Hill CE Primary School.
TUESDAY 12 Finchampstead and California, nr Wokingham: Julian McAllen - Associate Minister, Monika McAllen. For God's guidance and leading for our selection panel as we interview for a new Rector of Finchampstead and California on 19 November. For the wellbeing of our churchwardens and ministry team after almost two years of vacancy. That the Holy Spirit will continue to touch the hearts and minds of our five confirmation and baptism candidates being confirmed at Emmer Green on Sunday 24 November.
Finchampstead CE Primary School.
Bishop Gavin confirming at Lower Windrush Benefice
WEDNESDAY 13 Winnersh, nr Wokingham: For the future of the parish and for a new vicar.
THURSDAY 14 Sonning: Jamie Taylor - Vicar, Bob Peters, Chris West, Corinne Robertson. For the conclusion of our Youth Alpha course, with baptisms in the Thames on 17 November and confirmations on 24 November. For our youth minister, Chris West, training for ordination part-time at St Mellitus College.
Sonning CE Primary School.
FRIDAY 15 Owlsmoor, nr Sandhurst: Penny Crane - Licensed Lay Minister. For the church during this time of transition into a vacancy, with all the challenges that can bring, especially for the churchwardens. For all those in our wider community with whom we have contact through many different activities, that we may share the light of Christ with them.
SATURDAY 16 Ruscombe and Twyford: Mark Gould - Vicar, Gordon Connell, Helen Charlton, Phillippa Middleton. For ways to engage with young people in the community. For all those we will welcome to our church at our Christmas Fayre.
St Nicholas CE School, Polehampton CE School.
MONDAY 18 Sandhurst: John Castle - Rector, Sarah Bishop, Karen Allen. For wisdom, guidance and volunteers as we seek to keep connected with children of secondary school age and help them grow in faith. For positive responses to grant applications for the repair of our spire, clock and bells and for making our Pastoral Centre more energy-efficient.
St Michael’s CE Primary School.
TUESDAY 19 Crowthorne, nr Bracknell: Laura Wheatley Downs – Vicar (on maternity leave), Carol Frost, Julia Norton, Gillian Gyenes, Hazel Berry. For children’s and young people’s ministry. For Crowthorne food bank.
Crowthorne CE Primary School.
WEDNESDAY 20 Hurst nr Wokingham: Graham Theobald, David West, Phillipa Middleton. For the appointment of a House for Duty Priest for St Nicholas, Hurst after quite a lengthy period of vacancy. That our plans to create a Friends of St Nicholas scheme, which is being led by some keen members of our local community, come to fruition, so that we are ready for a launch in December.
St Nicholas CE Primary School.
THURSDAY 21 St Paul's, Wokingham with St Nicholas and Woosehill: Cara Smart - Curate, Judi Hattaway, Jane Kraft. For all who are taking on extra responsibility during the vacancy, especially our churchwardens, PCC and clergy who are helping cover services. For the person who will be our new rector, and all who are involved in the discernment process. For all those we will see over the coming months at Advent and Christmas services, that they may know the love of God.
St Paul’s CE Junior School.
FRIDAY 22 Wokingham St Sebastian: Rickey Simpson-Gray - Vicar, Wendy Wickens, Russell Shipton. Give thanks for the wonders of God. For successful door-to-door missional magazine distribution across the parish.
St Sebastian’s CE Primary School.
SATURDAY 23 Newport Deanery: Adrian Low - Area Dean, Tim Edwards, Janet Gamlen, Roger Hull. For the plans for pastoral reorganisation, for struggling rural churches and for the Newport Deanery Eisteddfod next year.
MONDAY 25 Hanslope with Castlethorpe: Gary Ecclestone - Vicar, Fr Adam Burnham, Fr Robin Carter. For the weekly meetings of our Inspire youth group and Little Lambs for preschool and primary school children. For our preparations for Advent and Christmas worship.
TUESDAY 26 Sherington with Chicheley, North Crawley, Astwood and Hardmead (SCAN): Coralie Mansfield - Priest-in-Charge, Pam Fielding, Bob Penman, John Fielding. For guidance for our churches through our deanery pastoral reorganisation process. For wisdom and discernment as we explore our future mission and ministry needs and resources.
North Crawley CE School, Sherington CE School.
WEDNESDAY 27 Lamp, nr Milton Keynes: Adrian Low - Priest-in-Charge, Kimonie Nicholls, Wendy Reidel, Joe Geary, Louise Cook. For the Youth Club at Haversham and for the work with Ukrainian charities at Emberton, for the church upgrades due to start soon at Little Linford and for finance for the church upgrades at St Peter's, Tyringham. For our new Licensed Lay Minister and two seeking discernment for ministry.
THURSDAY 28 Newport Pagnell with Lathbury and Moulsoe: Nick Evans - Rector, Mervyn Evans, Karen Goff. Give thanks for the green shoots of spiritual growth across the benefice and pray that these will flourish with God's guidance. For the prison ministry undertaken by the benefice. For the continued mission and outreach to young families and children with the new Cameo play and stay project in the parish church, and the gentle growth of worship as part of this.
FRIDAY 29 Gayhurst with Ravenstone, Stoke Goldington and Weston Underwood (The Gate Group): Christa Pumfrey - Rector, Geoff Morris. For funding for two major church repairs. For preparations for the deanery reorganisation after Christa’s retirement in 2025. For encouraging more young families to attend church.
Stoke Goldington CE School.
SATURDAY 30 Lavendon with Cold Brayfield, Clifton Reynes and Newton Blossomville: Christa Pumfrey - Rector, Geoff Morris, Lindsay Hall. For preparations for the deanery reorganisation after Christa’s retirement in 2025. For encouraging more young families to attend church. For the joining of Newton parish PCC with Lavendon/Cold Brayfield.
Newton Blossomville CE School
Prayer on Sundays
SUNDAY 3 For all those forced to make the decision to eat or heat their homes as the days get shorter and temperatures drop. For churches offering community and warmth to all through their Warm Spaces and other activities.
SUNDAY 10 For our loving God to surround our children and young people with his endless love and wisdom, empowering them to face life’s challenges with faith and courage, in the name of Christ our Saviour.
SUNDAY 17 Confirmation at Radley College.
SUNDAY 24 Bishop Gavin confirming at Shiplake with Dunsden and Harpsden.
Links
Prayers from Christian Concern for One World: ccow.org.uk
Topical prayers from the Church of England: churchofengland.org/topical-prayers