‘Praying In Strangers’ - NEARER October Prayer Cycle

(Monday, Wednesday, Friday)

Format:

0800 - 0805 ADORATION - We worship God, this is the goal of our lives.

0805-0810 CONFESSION - We prepare our hearts to be in a place where God

can hear our prayers.

0810-0815 PRAYING IN STRANGERS - We pray for new people to join ALL the

different Christian groups and churches in Birstall and Wanlip; for

them to encounter Jesus in a life-transforming way; for them to be

helped to become whole-life disciples of Jesus.

0815-0820 PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL PROTECTION - We acknowledge the reality

of the spiritual battle that we are engaged in and we pray God’s

protection over ourselves, our leaders and loved ones.

0820-0825 CLOSING PRAYER OF BLESSING - We release God’s blessing on the

place in which we are meeting, upon ourselves and upon the day

that lies ahead.

0825-0830 Coffee (optional!)

The rest of this document is a list of suggested prayers that we might like to use.

We will mix it up with extemporary (free-form) prayer, silence, lighting candles,

incense, Psalms; whatever we feel helps us to express to God our heart and desire for

strangers to come to join the Christian groups in Birstall and Wanlip.

(Note that most of these prayers were copied from www.faithandworship.com)

ADORATION 1

Light of light,

Lord of Lords,

God of this world and the next,

We give you thanks for the promise of this day,

We give you thanks for the challenge of this day,

We give you thanks for the blessings of this day.

Light of light,

Lord of Lords,

God of this world and the next.

ADORATION 2

We give you thanks Creator God,

from the moment your spirit hovered over the waters of this earth,

we were part of a vision held lovingly within your heart.

From the moment you spoke and separated darkness from light,

you created space where we might one day walk.

From the moment your joy spilled out into green and living things,

your beauty was revealed for us to taste and see.

Creator God,

for this world, beauty and majesty, passion and artistry,

a green and pleasant place,

we praise your mighty name.

ADORATION 3

Thank you Lord God for the opportunity of worship,

for the freedom to be amongst your family

meeting together in this house,

and in the warmth of your embrace

Thank you that in worship we can put aside,

the uncertainties of this world and rest

upon the certainties of the Kingdom,

for your promises are not changeable

as those of a politician might be,

but immovable and eternal

Thank you that we can bring to your feet

all the hurts and fears that trouble us,

and leave them there,

knowing that your strength and assurance

are all that we require

Thank you that as we draw near in worship,

we are transported

from a world of concerns and fears,

to a place where we can be at peace in your presence,

find healing, wholeness and refreshment.

ADORATION 4

Thank you Lord God for the opportunity of worship

This world is yours, planned in eternity

created in a moment of sheer exuberance

permeated with love

well made

This place is yours, in its simplicity,

blue sky and countryside, pure creativity,

painted with care

well made

This day is yours, pure generosity,

given for moments of gentle reflection,

in the bustle of a day

well made

This moment is yours in its entirety,

a drop of time in an ocean of history,

gifted with joy

well made

CONFESSION 1

Your forgiveness is total;

no notebook, tape recorder or post-it note

to remind you of that moment when…

You take our confession,

offered with hands outstretched,

and gently,

like the loving heavenly Father that you are,

put it to one side to be forgotten.

No grudges, no itching for judgement,

no resentment or ill-will.

Not like us

who find it easy to say sorry, but so hard to forgive, absolutely.

Forgive us, Father

that we are often more willing

to accept forgiveness, than to forgive.

More willing to accept your love,

than to share it with those who have hurt us.

Teach us to forgive as you forgive

CONFESSION 2

Lord God, you have shown us such love,

and stretched out your arms

to draw us into your embrace.

Yet we so often fail to show that love

within our lives,

or recognise its source.

Forgive our short-sightedness

for the times we've failed to see your love

in the generosity of friend or stranger,

the shoulder to cry on,

a willing ear to listen,

a word of encouragement,

holding our hand that extra mile.

Forgive us for failing to notice

how much you care for us.

CONFESSION 3

Father God,

you are the one who leads us

from darkness into light,

from captivity into freedom,

from anxiety into peace,

from despair into joy.

Yet we long to break free,

choosing independence,

convinced of our own wisdom,

forgetting your love and grace.

Forgive us,

draw close to us,

embrace us once again

in your loving arms,

and enable us to follow you

in worship and grateful service

each day of our lives.

PRAYING IN STRANGERS 1

This world I live in

this town I live in

this street I live in

this house I live in

may each be the focus of my prayer

Those I live with

those I rub shoulders with

those I work with

those I don't get on with

may each be the focus of my prayer

Those who laugh

those who cry

those who hurt

those who hide

may each be the focus of my prayer

Prayers centred less on self and more on others

less on my circumstances more on the needs of others.

May my life be likewise centred less on self and more on You

and through You to the world in which I live and move.

PRAYING IN STRANGERS 2

Father, we know that people only come to faith as a result of a spiritual battle for their

souls;

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the

authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of

evil in the heavenly realms.

(Ephesians 6:12)

So this day we pray for ……………………… that you would release them from Satan’s

power and control and that you would bring them into your family.

PRAYING IN STRANGERS 3

Father, we know that your desire is that everyone should be saved. We pray this day

for …………………………. that they may come to know you as Saviour and Lord and we

claim for them this day, the promise of your holy word;

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.

Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish,

but everyone to come to repentance.”

(2 Peter 3:9)

PRAYING IN STRANGERS 4

Father, we know that you want us to pray for the salvation of all those in our

community, so this day we name……………………… and we claim for them the promise of

your holy word;

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made

for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet

lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who

wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

(1 Timothy 2:1-4)

PRAYING IN STRANGERS 5

Father, we know that harvest fields need workers to bring in the harvest, and you call

us to release these workers through our prayers;

Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’

(Matthew 9:37-38)

We pray that you would send workers into the lives of …………………. this day. That they

would encounter those you have ordained to lead them into your Kingdom.

PRAYING IN STRANGERS 6

Father, we know that only through your activity in their hearts that enables people to

perceive spiritual truth. So this day we name before you ……………………… and ask that

you would grant them spiritual perception and insight, we pray for them this day, the

prayer found in your holy word;

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the

hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy

people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”

(Ephesians 1:18-19)

And we claim for them the same experience as those disciples who you met on the

road to Emmaus;

“Then their eyes were opened and they recognised him…

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.”

(Luke 24: 31, 45)

PRAYING IN STRANGERS 7

It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view.

The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision.

We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction

of the magnificent enterprise that is God's work.

Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying

that the kingdom always lies beyond us.

No statement says all that could be said.

No prayer fully expresses our faith.

No confession brings perfection.

No pastoral visit brings wholeness.

No program accomplishes the church's mission.

No set of goals and objectives includes everything.

It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way,

an opportunity for the Lord's grace to enter and do the rest.

We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master

builder and the worker.

We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs.

We are prophets of a future not our own.

This is what we are about.

We plant the seeds that one day will grow.

We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.

We lay foundations that will need further development.

We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.

We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.

This enables us to do something, and to do it very well.

(Oscar Romero)

PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL PROTECTION 1

May God the Father bless us;

May Christ take care of us;

May the Holy Ghost enlighten us all the days of our life.

The Lord be our defender and keeper of body and soul,

both now and for ever, to the ages of ages.

(Æthelwold c 908-984)

PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL PROTECTION 2

This day we sign ourselves, our leaders and our loved ones with the sign of the cross,

This day we seal and cover ourselves,

our leaders and our loved ones with the blood of Jesus,

This day we surround ourselves,

our leaders and our loved ones with God's glory light and presence,

This day may your holy angels protect us, guide us and watch over us.

We pray in this prayer in the powerful name of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Amen.

PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL PROTECTION 3

We bind unto ourselves today

The strong name of the Trinity,

By invocation of the same,

The Three in One and One in Three.

We bind this day to us for ever,

By power of faith, Christ's Incarnation;

His baptism in the Jordan River;

His death on cross for our salvation;

His bursting from the spicèd tomb;

His riding up the heavenly way;

His coming at the day of doom;

We bind unto ourselves today.

We bind unto ourselves today

The power of God to hold and lead,

His eye to watch, His might to stay,

His ear to hearken to our need.

The wisdom of our God to teach,

His hand to guide, his shield to ward,

The word of God to give us speech,

His heavenly host to be our guard.

Against the demon snares of sin,

The vice that gives temptation force,

The natural lusts that war within,

The hostile men that mar our course;

Or few or many, far or nigh,

In every place and in all hours

Against their fierce hostility,

We bind to us these holy powers.

Against all Satan's spells and wiles,

Against false words of heresy,

Against the knowledge that defiles,

Against the heart's idolatry,

Against the wizard's evil craft,

Against the death-wound and the burning

The choking wave and the poisoned shaft,

Protect us, Christ, till thy returning.

Christ be with us, Christ within us,

Christ behind us, Christ before us,

Christ beside us, Christ to win us,

Christ to comfort and restore us,

Christ beneath us, Christ above us,

Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,

Christ in hearts of all that love us,

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

We bind unto ourselves the name,

The strong name of the Trinity;

By invocation of the same.

The Three in One, and One in Three,

Of whom all nature hath creation,

Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:

Praise to the Lord of our salvation,

Salvation is of Christ the Lord.

(St Patrick’s Breastplate - edited)

CLOSING PRAYER OF BLESSING 1

May the peace of God reign in this place

and the love of God forever hold us tight

May the Spirit of God flow through our lives

and the joy of God uphold us day and night

CLOSING PRAYER OF BLESSING 2

May the God of peace

bring peace to this house

May the Son of peace

bring peace to this house

May the Spirit of peace

bring peace to this house

this day and all days

CLOSING PRAYER OF BLESSING 3

May God the Father

prepare our journey

Jesus the Son

guide our footsteps

The Spirit of Life

strengthen our bodies

The Three in One

watch over us

on every road

that we may follow.

CLOSING PRAYER OF BLESSING 4

The love of God be the passion in our hearts

The joy of God our strength when times are hard

The presence of God a peace that overflows

The Word of God the seed that we might sow