Journeys of Prayer

The life of our Church is underpinned by a life of prayer. The office is said daily and all are invited to participate in morning and evening prayer. During the week a regular prayer group meets to share in fellowship and journey in prayer together. Each month we publish a parish prayer diary in which we bring before God the prayers and petitions of this community, the wider church and the world. Throughout the year we host the Emmaus Course during which we explore, discuss and discover more about the Christian way of life. We have created a small more intimate chapel, for private prayer and more intimate forms of worship.

Our Prayer Group meets on Tuesday afternoons at 2.00pm.
We have explored many different ways of praying, but each week there is time to read from Scripture …a time for reflection …an opportunity to share our experiences, thoughts and concerns …a time to be still for a while …for shared prayers of thanksgiving and intercession.
It is good to spend time with God together, that we may gain strength and encouragement in sharing the Gospel with others.
If you would like to join us and need transport, please don't hesitate to ask Isabel Bryce Tel. 0161 980 5762

Prayer Diary January

Thought for the Month: "Heaven is important, but it's not the end of the world"
Tom Wright

Sun 1st The Naming and Circumcision of Jesus Pray that as this new year begins, we may go forward in faith, in the name of Jesus, our Lord
Mon 2nd Pray for those who will be baptized here in the coming months
Tue 3rd Pray for all who are sick at home and in hospital, and all who care for them
Wed 4th For the frail and elderly who find the cold dark days of winter difficult
Thu 5th That we may be alert and sensitive to the needs of our neighbours and friends
Fri 6th Epiphany that we may recognise the presence of God in unfamiliar places
Sat 7th Pray for those who have lost their way, who have difficult decisions to make
Sun 8th That all who come to worship today will feel welcome
Mon 9th Pray for the staff and pupils of our local schools as they begin a new term
Tue 10th For those who are disabled and have to depend on others for daily needs
Wed 11th For the blind and partially sighted, and those whose deafness cuts them off from conversation and understanding
Thu 12th Give thanks for our pets, for Guide Dogs and those involved in animal welfare
Fri 13th Pray for world leaders and those in authority that they never lose touch with the needs of those they serve
Sat 14th Continue to pray for those with responsibility for the financial and economic life of the world especially at this time of crisis in Europe
Sun 15th Pray for those unable to come to church to worship
Mon 16th Give thanks for those who provide public services to care for our neighbourhood
Tue 17th Give thanks for places of leisure and recreation
Wed 18th Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins today.
Thu 19th Give thanks for the rich diversity of peoples and cultures all over the world
Fri 20th Pray for our Archbishops Rowan and David, and the Anglican Communion
Sat 21st For Bishops Nigel, Chris and Mark and our Diocese of Manchester
Sun 22nd Pray for the churches of all denominations in our area
Mon 23rd That we may work together to proclaim the Gospel in our community
Tue 24th Pray for those whose freedom to worship together is denied, and who face persecution for their faith
Wed 25th Conversion of St Paul, Apostle Give thanks for accounts of St Paul's life and missionary journeys and his Letters which continue to encourage and challenge us today.
Thu 26th Timothy and Titus Pray for all Christian missionaries
Fri 27th Holocaust Memorial Day -pray for greater understanding between Christian and Jew
Sat 28th Pray for Ian and Joan, giving thanks for all they do to make St John's a happy, caring church
Sun 29th Pray for the work of the Leprosy Mission and all who are affected by the disease
Mon 30th Pray for those who have died recently, and all who mourn their loved ones
Tue 31st That we find time to listen when someone needs to talk

Prayer Diary February

Thought for the Month: ‘Seven whole days, not one in seven, I will praise thee’
George Herbert (1593 – 1633)

Wed 1st Pray for the church throughout the world Thu 2nd Presentation of Christ in the Temple ..May God’s light be reflected in us
Fri 3rd Pray for the work of the Samaritans supporting those in need
Sat 4th For all voluntary organisations in our community
Sun 5th Pray for all who are sick in body, mind or spirit
Mon 6th Pray for Queen Elizabeth on the 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne
Tue 7th For all members of the royal family
Wed 8th Pray for the Parent and Toddler group meeting in the Hall
Thu 9th For all who come to the ‘Good as New’ coffee morning today
Fri 10th Pray for those living in residential and nursing homes in the parish
Sat 11th For our health centres and our hospitals
Sun 12th Pray for those who feel unloved and rejected in our society
Mon 13th For our brothers and sisters who struggle to find the basic necessities of life
Tue 14th Continue to pray for peace in our troubled world
Wed 15th Pray for members of the ‘Out and About’ group, for Tina and her team of helpers
Thu 16th Give thanks for our homes, our families and our friends
Fri 17th For our church in this parish and all with whom we share our journey of faith
Sat 18th Pray for Ian and Eileen, and all who prepare for worship week by week
Sun 19th Pray that we may allow Christ to transform our thinking and attitudes to reflect the qualities of his kingdom
Mon 20th Pray for those who make decisions affecting the financial and economic life of our nation, and in the wider world
Tue 21st For all who work in local government, and our members of parliament
Wed 22nd Ash Wednesday .. that in this season of Lent we may be draw closer to our Lord
Thu 23rd St Polycarp, Martyr ..give thanks for the witness of the earliest Christians whose writings survive today
Frid 24th Give thanks for the signs of new life in the world around us
Sun 26th Pray for those preparing for Baptism and Confirmation
Mon 27th George Herbert, Priest ..pray for all who are called to a priestly ministry, and for Dr Rowan Williams who became Archbishop of Canterbury on this day in 2003
Tue 28th Pray for ‘Fairtrade Fortnight’ beginning this week, and the ongoing work of the Foundation
Wed 29th Pray for babies who will be born today, and all who celebrate a birthday!

Confirmation

At some point on our journey of faith we might feel it is time to affirm for ourselves the promises made on our behalf at Baptism, or perhaps we are ready to enter into a deeper commitment to the Christian way of life. Confirmation is a special service when we commit ourselves again to Christ and we seek to strengthen our faith. Confirmation is a great occasion when the wider church also recognises our journey of faith and the confirmation service is presided over by a Bishop, usually with many other candidates from all over the diocese. Here at St. John's we journey together with those wishing to deepen their faith and explore confirmation. If you are interested in being confirmed, or re-affirming your baptism please contact the clergy.

The Confirmation Prayer:

Defend, O Lord, these your servants with your heavenly grace, that they may continue yours for ever, and daily increase in your Holy Spirit more and more until they come to your everlasting kingdom. Amen.