Prayer, and Pastoral News, for February

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Prayer for February
Contributed by Jan Preston
From 365 Inspirations: prayers and blessings - published by
Duncan Baird Publishers. This modern prayer from Gujaret, India
seems particularly apt as we think about the victims
of natural disasters, and in particular the people of Haiti.

When cataclysm strikes, the spirit is tested.
The earth has turned over in its sleep.
People have been crushed, killed, wounded.
Let us pray for the survivors,
That their lives may be rebuilt.

When cataclysm strikes, the spirit is tested,
Wakes from its dream of immortality.
Yet the spirit cannot be crushed, killed, wounded.
Let us pray that everyone who has suffered
May find strength in the spirit.
Amen.

2010 didn’t start particularly well for me, being ill, etc.. However, in all that was happening God’s presence with me was so evident. He drew me back to a passage that I had been given strength from before, 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 – The God of All Comfort!! This has sustained me and shown me so much over the past few weeks. God doesn’t promise to take away all our troubles and anxieties when He comforts us. He promises that he will always be with us through the good and the bad. Comfort from God comes in many different ways - He sends us words of comfort from those around us, gives us strength to get up and face the new day, hope for the future and encouragement to keep holding onto His promises to enable us to deal with whatever we find ourselves going through.
So if you find yourself going through a particularly hard time turn to God, asking Him for His comfort knowing that He is with you in all that you go through.
Please pray that the people applying for the Youth Worker job will be guided by God to this place. Pray for those vetting the applications that God’s Spirit will lead and guide them to the right candidates.
Continue to pray for the housebound and lonely. Ask God to give them his comfort and peace, and to send people to spend time with them especially during the cold, dark days of winter.
Pray for SPACE, a time when the Church is open to the community, especially those working in the town, for ½ an hour on a Thursday. SPACE will happen on the 11th and 25th February from 12.30-1.00pm. Please pray that people will find a quiet reflective space in their day here.
We remember in prayer those who have lost loved ones over the past few weeks - remembering especially the family of the late Norma Clegg, that they would find peace and comfort through this time of mourning.
Pray for the Lent course running weekly from Tuesday, 23rd February to the Tuesday, 23rd March. Pray that people will continue to grow in their relationships with God through this time when we remember the Jesus who died for us.
Remember Haiti at this time: pray for those who have lost family- members and friends, for those helping in the clear up and rescue operations. Pray that God will bring about calm and order as the rebuilding projects get underway in time.
Please continue to remember those affected by the ‘credit crunch’; pray that those who find themselves in financial hardship will rely on and seek God in all they are going through. Pray for those who find themselves unemployed because of the situation. Pray for continued guidance for those making the major decisions as to how this country moves forward.
Please pray for those in the Armed Forces and especially those serving abroad at this time. Pray for their families and loved ones back home.
We pray and ask God for healing in mind, body and soul for those in need at this time. We pray for: Suzanne, Geoff Harrison, Bernard Maynard, Elizabeth Crossley, Stephen Saunders, Christine McKee, Nancy Marchant, Lindsay Pearson, Bill Hood, Margaret Lawrence, Alice & Edward Hatton, Abi Banks, Rose & Lesley Naylor, Michael Barker, Joan Barker, Liz Cooke, Jackie Egerton, Sylvia Pye, Claire Wilkinson, Alan Trott, Debbie Podmore, Mike Taylor, Luke Shepherd, Peter Bates, Oliver Hanbidge Smith, James Howard, Andy Hurdsfield and any others known to us.
Pray for our Circuit ministers: Jackie, Paul and Ben, and for their families. Please also pray for Gill, Brenda and Mike and all their families. Pray that God will use all those in ministry within the Circuit, using them in new ways to spread the good news.
Lots a luv n stuff, Alison.