Download the September Prayer Diary
Pray to the Father through the Son in the power of the Spirit for:
TUESDAY 1 The Mothers’ Union in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. For Bishop Achille and Revd Gertrude, as they continue to serve the Diocese of Kinshasa. For the new secretary of the Mothers’ Union as she studies and prepares to take on her new role, and in thanksgiving for the work of Revd Rosalie, the past secretary. That the Mothers’ Union will continue to be active in prayer, fellowship, and outreach. For resources to enable the Mothers’ Union to take forward its plan to build a centre for mothers.
WEDNESDAY 2 Tilehurst St Catherine and Calcot St Birinus: Jackie Fountain – Vicar, Carol Atkins, Tony Bartlett. We are hoping to employ a part-time children’s and families minister at St Catherine’s. Please pray that God will bring the right person to join the team as we continue to reach out to children and younger families in the area. Pray for our ministry to older people through our community cafe, Tuesday Get Together and Friday Friends.
THURSDAY 3 Caversham Thameside and Mapledurham: Mike Smith – Rector, Penny Cuthbert, Catherine Ratcliffe, Madhuri Kulkarni, Philip Blackburn, Anna Clarke, Ben Nicholls. For our new curate Madhuri Kulkarni as she begins her ministry as a deacon with us. For ongoing work with children, young people and families as we seek to grow and become more diverse as churches.
FRIDAY 4 Earley St Peter: Katie Wakeman-Toogood – Vicar, Kajsa Longuere, John Collins, Clive Tillin, Rachel Knight. For Rachel who has just been recommended for ordination training and will be doing full-time context-based training, with St Peter’s as her main placement and sending church.
Earley St Peter’s CE Primary School.
SATURDAY 5 Woodley St John the Evangelist: Mark Nam – Vicar, Richard Christopher, Suzanne Knight. The hire of both a children and families worker and a youth minister as St John’s. Thanksgiving for the repair of the three historic church bells, which will begin ringing again over Woodley.
Woodley CE Primary School.
MONDAY 7 Caversham St Andrew: Nigel Jones – Vicar. For Silent Together, our daily 20 minutes of silent meditation/prayer/mindfulness. The ministry of the church cafe, following the retirement of its long-standing manager.
TUESDAY 8 Earley St Nicolas: Mark Laynesmith – Vicar, Emma Major, Daphne Cook, John Louth. For the start of the net zero project and enthusiasm as we move towards installing a heat pump in the church. For the work and fundraising of REinspired, a charity based with us that takes volunteers into schools to teach RE lessons.
WEDNESDAY 9 Reading Christ Church: Fr Peter Day – Vicar, Fr John Croton. Prayers for the successful completion of the major pew heating and redecoration projects in church. Prayers for the flourishing of our choir and organist.
New Christ Church CE Primary School.
THURSDAY 10 Reading Holy Trinity: Canon Martyn Griffiths, Fr Desmond Banister. Giving thanks and praying for our retired priests Martyn and Fr Desmond who are taking services and praying for our churchwardens and all others who are looking after the parish during the vacancy. We pray that we would soon find a priest to fill the post.
FRIDAY 11 Reading St John the Evangelist: Claire Alcock – Vicar, Hamish Bruce, Richard Croft, Jeremy Thake, Christine Bainbridge. We are looking for applications for a new youth minister. Please pray that we will soon recruit someone.
St John’s CE Primary School.
SATURDAY 12 Reading St Giles: Fr David Harris – Rector, Fr Sebastian Way, Fr Stephen Cousins. For our new Urban Abbey year starting this September as we prepare to study the Catechism (BCP) and continue our daily prayer together. For our Sunday School, that God will provide more teachers to help, and more children to nurture in the Lord.
MONDAY 14 Reading St Laurence: Chris Jones – Vicar, Candice Booth, Andrew Wilson. As a youth-focused church, please pray for those starting a new chapter in their academic journey, that they would settle well, hold on to Jesus and know His guidance. For those disappointed by their results, that they would know God is with them and will show them their path. Please also pray for our work with new year 7s and our upcoming youth residential, that Jesus might impact the lives of those who come away with us.
TUESDAY 15 Reading St Mark and All Saints: Jo Williams – Vicar, Sylvia Cummings, Diana Matthews, Jane Lewis. For our ministry to our five local schools as the new academic year begins. Our ministry in care homes, particularly to those with changing care needs.
All Saints CE Infant School, St Mary and All Saints CE Primary School.
WEDNESDAY 16 Reading St Matthew: Rudy Tan – Vicar. For our initiative where a group of us are knocking on doors every Wednesday to offer prayer. When no one answers we leave a contact card to request for prayer. Please also pray for our finances.
THURSDAY 17 Southlake St James: Laurence Smith – Vicar, Peter Clarke, David Fulford, Linda Galpin. As we explore the Holy Spirit together throughout 2026, that our church family would grow in its knowledge of the Holy Spirit, and each one discover their gifts. That God would continue to guide and inspire us as we explore the possibility of developing our building to enhance our worship and community outreach.
FRIDAY 18 Tilehurst St Michael: Elizabeth Ratcliffe – Rector, June Hardcastle, Nigel Hardcastle, Bernard Metcalfe, Duncan White, Dave Stevens. For the strategy team as we seek to discern the way forward on our community centre project. That our small but vibrant children’s ministry may be strengthened through participation in the Launchpad programme, and through the recruitment of a suitable children’s worker.
SATURDAY 19 Emmer Green and Caversham Park St Barnabas: Kevin Lovell – Vicar, Paul Chu. For the continued development of the Hong Kong Cantonese-speaking community. For the completion of repair works to the church buildings this autumn.
MONDAY 21 Henley Deanery: Jeremy Tayler – Area Dean, David Benskin, Ben Phillips, Sylvia Warner, Judith Hogg, Gillian Walmsley. For the deanery work on parish share. For Revd Jeremy Tayler, as he is on sabbatical, and for deeper trust in God and joy in our life together.
TUESDAY 22 Nettlebed with Bix, Highmoor, Pishill and Rotherfield Greys: Mark Ainsworth – Rector, Hugh Balfour. For the ongoing ministry of the Families@4 service held monthly at St Nicholas, Rotherfield Greys. Pray for the implementation, in October, of an Alpha course.
WEDNESDAY 23 Rotherfield Peppard and Kidmore End and Sonning Common: James Stickings – Rector, Sarah Van Der Watt, Karen Broadbent. For the success of the stewardship/regular giving campaign in the benefice taking place in September, centered around God’s abundant provision at Harvest Thanksgiving. Thanks for the musical life of the three churches, and in particular, pray for the project to replace the organ at All Saints, Rotherfield Peppard.
Kidmore End CE Primary School, Peppard CE Primary School.
THURSDAY 24 Goring and Streatley with South Stoke: Ben Phillips – Vicar, Jane Collins, Wendy Middleton, Judith Aguda, Judith Hogg, Liz Dowding, Clive Windebank, Leighton Thomas. For young people to join and be blessed by God through the Youth Alpha course starting at the end of September. For all of us to dare to ask deep questions in all the world faces and give space to learn from God’s leading and answers.
Goring CE Primary School, Streatley CE Primary School.
FRIDAY 25 Henley-on-Thames Holy Trinity: Sam Brewster – Vicar, Richard Crane, Jaco Bruwer, Lucy Brewster. Praise God for the growing attendance at church from young people in the rowing community. Please pray they would be warmly welcomed and drawn to Jesus. That after a period of substantial change at Trinity Church the year ahead would be one of stability and growing depth.
Trinity CE Primary School.
SATURDAY 26 Langtree, Henley: Kevin Davies – Team Rector, John Blair, James Leach, David Benskin, Brian Turner. For the music ministry in rural congregations, and the dedication of organists, choir co-ordinators, musicians and singers. For the silent witness of the churchyard, the faithful dedication of the wide community of volunteers, the generous love of those who give of both time and money, the unstinting sacrifice of the clergy and lay ministers, and the good humour of churchwardens and PCCs.
Checkendon CE Primary School, Stoke Row CE Primary School.
MONDAY 28 Shiplake with Dunsden and Harpsden: Jane Wright – Priest-in-Charge, Pam Gordon, Heather Turner, David Pritchard, Pippa Thorneycroft. For staff and pupils at Shiplake CE Primary School, Shiplake College and all schools attended by children who live within our benefice. Residents of care homes in the benefice and nearby, and all from our churches who visit or take services there.
TUESDAY 29 Henley-on-Thames with Remenham: Jeremy Tayler – Rector. For the work to replace the lighting system in church, and for those who are fundraising to meet the cost. For all those making the running of services possible during our rector’s sabbatical – the churchwardens and all visiting celebrants.
WEDNESDAY 30 Nuffield, Henley: Mark Ainsworth – Rector. For the work of the community project committee. For the Alpha course being implemented in October.
Prayer on Sundays
SUNDAY 6
This Creationtide we reflect on the theme of living water. We pray for water that is life-giving, and for those here and around the world impacted by drought, flood or polluted water. Remind us how precious your gift of water is, so that may we use it wisely and thoughtfully.
SUNDAY 13
During the traditional season of harvest, we give thanks for those who grow and process our life-giving food. And we pray too for those who do not have enough food, who carry the weight of food insecurity and financial worries.
SUNDAY 20
For those being confirmed by Bishop Gavin in the Bicester Benefice.
SUNDAY 27
For those being confirmed by Bishop Gavin in the Vale Benefice.
Links
Prayers from Christian Concern for One World: ccow.org.uk
Topical prayers from the Church of England: churchofengland.org/topical-prayers