Prayer diary written by Hilary Prescott

MON 1 ALL SAINTS  Almighty God, who has knit together thine elect in one communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord: grant us grace so to follow thy blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those unspeakable joys, which thou hast prepared for those who unfeignedly love thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen  (Collect)

TUES 2 ALL SOULS  Heavenly Father, we pray for all who mourn, for all coming to terms with an emptier life, with loneliness and vulnerability.  May they know your comfort , strength and the warmth of your presence.

WED 3 Monday was the Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church; Lord God, we commit to your protection all who are suffering for their faith in you. May your Holy Spirit inspire and strengthen them and convince them of your love for them despite all they are going through. Thank you for those organisations and individuals who are seeking to give support to these people.

THURS 4 Let us pray for everyone holding Fireworks displays or parties this week , and ask God that everyone be kept safe as they enjoy not just the displays but the fellowship. Let us also commit to God any people working for the Emergency Services.

 FRID 5  Almighty God, we pray for the staff and pupils of our local schools and also for your guidance for the school governors as they shoulder their responsibilities.

SAT 6  I am placing my soul and my body under thy guarding this day and night, O God O thou Father of help to the poor feeble pilgrims, Protector of earth and heaven. Amen (Celtic prayer)

 SUN 7 Thank you, Heavenly Father, that we are able to hold an All Souls Service this year. May the occasion at St. Mary’s prove a real comfort and blessing to all who attend.  We also give thanks for the lives of the people remembered and for the fact that all of us are held in your heart for ever.

MON 8  O God, we pray for all who live in Chirk Bank, and ask that that your blessing might rest upon the residents.

TUES 9 Let us give thanks for the members of our local councils, that they give up time and energy to improving the lot of the people living in the area. May God guide and bless them in their service.

WED 10  Loving Lord, we give thanks for the work of Chirk Hospital and pray for the well-being of the staff there and for the healing of the patients. We especially commit to you all of the patients who have had to be in hospital for a long time and might be feeling frustrated or lonely.

THURS 11 ARMISTICE DAY  Almighty God, we acknowledge the debt we owe to the many who have served in the Armed Forces and lost their lives or been affected mentally or physically because of their experiences. We pray for all who are working for peace , greater understanding between nations, and for justice in this world.

FRID 12  Lord, we pray for the staff of the Chirk Leisure Centre as they serve the needs of the community. May all keep safe and well as they help others improve their own well-being.

SAT 13 Our steps are made firm by the Lord, when he delights in our way; though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand.  Psalm 37. v. 23-4

SUN 14 REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY  Heavenly Father, we give thanks for all the Remembrance Services being held today and pray for all involved in the services and the gatherings at the Cenotaphs.

MON 15   O Lord God, we ask that you will guide and bless all the members of St. David’s Church committee in Fron. Please help them as they serve you in this important way.

TUES 16  Loving Lord, we do appreciate all who serve our churches in any way and offer their time, energy and skills serving you and our communities, whether in administrative tasks or in practical ways. Please bless them richly.

WED 17  Lord, we commit to you this evening’s Church Committee Meeting at St. Mary’s and pray for the members attending and for the guidance of your Holy Spirit in all discussions and decisions.

THURS 18 Gracious God, we give thanks for the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist which helps bring us closer to you.  Please bless all attending this morning’s service at St. Mary’s.

FRID 19   Heavenly Father, we pray for the well-being of the residents of Chirk Court; grant them patience, peace and joy- even if there are still restrictions about visitors in place.  Please help and guide the staff in their sensitive work.

SAT 20  Lord, we pray for the members of the committee which plans Christmas events in Chirk and ask that their plans might prove successful Thank you for their willingness to help their town.

SUN 21 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 (Collect)

MON 22 Lord, we pray for your blessing to rest on all who live along Canal Side in Fron.

TUES 23  O Lord our Saviour, we bring before you for healing all whom we know who are ill, whether in body, mind or spirit.  Please be with all treated  in our local hospitals and surgeries and bless and empower the staff who work in these centres.

WED 24 Almighty God, we pray that your Holy Spirit will be present at this evening’s Offa Mission Area Conference and guide the delegates and ministers attending.

THURS 25 O God, we pray for the success of our local businesses  and for the well- being and efficiency of managers and staff during this difficult time. May the month ahead prove a profitable time for them.

FRID 26  Judge eternal, throned in splendour,/Lord of Lords and King of kings,/with thy living fire of judgement/purge this realm of bitter things: solace all its wide dominion/with the healing of thy wings.

SAT 27  Thank you, Heavenly Father, for all who have read the lessons in our churches over the past months and who will do so in the months ahead. May your Holy Spirit help them to read your Word in a way which will enlighten and inspire the listeners.

SUN 28   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 life immortal; through him who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen (Collect)

MON 29 Let us give thanks to God for all First Responders and people who work in the Ambulance Services which serve our local hospitals, asking Him to guide the Health Service and governments in the organisation of the service and hospitals to deal successfully with the problems besetting the system. Let us ask God to bless the workers who carry out their life-saving work in very difficult circumstances.

TUES 30 ST.ANDREW  Thank you, O Lord, for the life and witness of Andrew; may we follow his example in responding eagerly to your call and following you and witnessing to you all our life long. May your Holy Spirit encourage and empower us in our mission.