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St. Mark’s Bilton

Monthly Prayer Cycle

July 2010

1st John & Henry Venn
Judg 16:4-end
We remember with thanks today the life of John Venn who founded the Church Missionary Society in the 19th Century and his son Henry who continued and developed this work. Today St Mark’s continues to support the CMS and we pray that we always strive to bring your name, Lord, to those who do not yet know you.

2^nd Festival of Gardening
Judg 17
Tomorrow and Sunday, St Mark’s will be hosting the 2010 Bilton Festival of Gardening. Loving Saviour, we pray that this will be an enjoyable event for the whole community and that those entering our church will find a welcome and experience your love.

3^rd Joy’s Ordination
2 Sam 15:17-21
Let us pray today for Joy Sharpe who will be ordained ‘priest’ in Coventry Cathedral this afternoon. Joy has served St Mark’s in many ways (including starting this Prayer Cycle some 5 years ago) over many years. We congratulate her on becoming an Ordained Local Priest and pray for her ministry amongst us in the years ahead.

4^th Joy Sharpe
Ps 74
Today at St Mark’s 10 am Communion Service, Joy Sharpe will be presiding for the first time. Loving Lord, we pray for your blessing on this service as we celebrate the start of Joy’s work as a priest, asking that your Holy Spirit will work through her in all aspects of her ministry.

5^th National Transplant Week
1 Sam 1:1-20
This week has been designated National Transplant Week. We give thanks, Father God, for the many lives that have been saved or greatly improved by transplant operations. Bless those who are willing to donate organs and sustain the skills of those who carry out the operations.

6^th Reformation Martyrs
1 Sam 1:21-2:11
On this day we remember Thomas More, Chancellor of England, and his friend John Fisher, both executed in July 1535 for placing allegiance to their faith before allegiance to the King. Jesus, our Saviour and King, we pray that we will be as steadfast in our faith.

7^th Bawnmore Infants School
1 Sam 2:12-26
Let us pray today for all the young children who attend Bawnmore Infants as they approach the end of a school year. Bless them on their way, dear Lord and sustain the care and dedication of the teachers and other staff at Bawnmore.

8^th Hobley Close
1 Sam 2:27-end
Loving Father, we pray today for all who live in Hobley Close, that they may recognise you and enjoy your love and peace in their lives.

9^th Prayer life at St Mark’s
1 Sam 3:1-4:1
We praise you Lord for the growth in the prayer life of St Mark’s. We ask for your blessing on all who pray in faith, whether in church, in home groups, in triplets or as individuals.

10^th General Synod
I Sam 4:2-end
Today at the Anglican Church’s General Synod at York, the topic is the consecration of women as bishops and the provisions made for congregations that cannot accept this. Lord, we pray that all at the Synod will seek your guidance and remember to reflect your love.

11^th Young People’s Service
Ps 76
We welcome members of Bilton Junior School to our service in church this morning. As they near the end of the school year they will be thinking about the beginnings and endings of periods in their lives. Give your blessing, Lord, to all young people there that they may start things well in their lives and see them through to successful endings.

12^th Gulf Oil Spill
1 Sam 5
Almighty God, as we look with horror at the pollution of the sea and coastline caused by the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico, we pray for those working to stop the leak, those working to clean up, and for those whose way of life will be changed possibly for years to come.

13^th Hood’s Way
1 Sam 6:1-16
Let us pray today for all the residents of Hood’s Way. Be with them, Heavenly Father, in all that they do and help each person to know something of your presence in their daily lives.

14^th John Keble
1 Sam 7
On this day in 1866, poet, priest and scholar John Keble preached in Oxford, reminding all that the Church of England was not merely an institution of society but, through its ministry, the living voice of God. Lord Jesus, help us to be your voice, telling of your saving power.

15^th St Swithin
1 Sam 8
Whether or not it rains today, let us remember St Swithin, Bishop of Winchester in the 9th Century. He lived a simple and pious life and governed his church with gentleness and humility. Help us, Lord, to bring these gifts into our lives as we seek to serve you.

16^th Myton Hospices
1 Sam 9:1-14
Loving Lord, we pray today for the Myton Hospices, at Warwick and Rugby and now Coventry, as they provide medical and spiritual care for those whose illness may not be curable. Support and inspire the staff, Lord, and give your peace to all in their care.

17^th Well Dressing
1 Sam 9:15-10:1
Let us pray today for the many communities in the North Midlands who give thanks to God in the form of well-dressing. Let us share with them their thankfulness for a good supply of water, the beauty of flowers and from years past, deliverance from the plague.

18^th Elizabeth Ferard
Pss 82, 100
On this day in 1862, Elizabeth Ferard became the first Anglican Deaconess to be licensed, and began her ministry amongst the poor of London. Father God, we give thanks for the work of ordained women in the Church and their increasingly important share in its ministry.

19^th Spending Cutbacks
1 Sam 10:1-16
Let us pray today that any necessary cutbacks in expenditure or additional taxes may be done in a way that can be seen to be fair and effective. Help us all to give support to any who lose jobs or find themselves in hard times.

20^th St Mark’s Court
1 Sam 10:17-end
We remember today the residents of St Mark’s Court in Pool Close. Loving Lord, we pray for your blessing on them, and ask that you watch over and support them, especially when daily tasks become more difficult to accomplish.

21^st Plantaganet Drive
1 Sam 11
We pray today for all those who live in Plantaganet Drive on the Woodlands Estate. Lord, may they recognise your love for them, give thanks for all your blessings and rejoice in your Spirit.

22^nd Mary Magdalen
1 Sam 16:14-end
Loving Jesus, who restored Mary Magdalene to health of mind and body and called her to be a witness to your resurrection, forgive our sins and heal us by your grace, so that we may serve you through the power of your Holy Spirit.

23^rd Family Holidays
1 Sam 13:5-18
As our schools ‘break up’ for the summer let us pray today for all the families who will be having holidays together over the coming weeks. Help them, Lord, to enjoy a relaxed time together and to strengthen their mutual love and support for each other which will sustain them through the following months.

24^th Baptism Preparation Team
1 Sam 13:19-14:15
Father God, we pray for our Baptism Preparation Team, working with the parents and supporters of children presented for baptism. We pray that, as the young are baptised into your Church, their families will feel drawn into your family at St Mark’s.

25^th St Nicholas, Willoughby
Pss 7, 29, 117
Let us pray today for members of our fellow Deanery church at Willoughby who will be meeting in their church dedicated to St Nicholas with their priest-in-charge, Rev Jane Close. Give them your guidance and blessing, Lord, in all that they do for their village community.

26^th Cord in Uganda
1 Sam 14:24-46
Loving God, we pray today for the work of our local charity, Cord, and particularly as its workers and partners seek to bring help to 1.3 million Acholi people, now returning home from refugee camps following conflict between Ugandan Government and rebel forces.

27^th Bilton Townswomen’s Guild
1 Sam 15:1-23
Let us pray today for the members of Bilton Townswomen’s Guild. Help them, Lord, to support each other well through their membership and collectively to encourage their community with their meetings and activities.

28^th Turchil Road
1 Sam 16
Lord Jesus, we pray today for the residents of Turchil Road, Cawston Grange. Be with them, guard them and guide them in all that they do, giving them your peace, Lord.

29^th Mary, Martha & Lazarus
1 Sam 17:1-30
Let us remember today Jesus’ friends, the sisters Mary and Martha and their brother Lazarus. They shared your consistent love and faith, Lord. Help us to develop our faith that we may reflect your light through all the changing scenes of life that you lead us.

30^th William Wilberforce
1 Sam 17:31-54
Today we give thanks for the life of William Wilberforce, a founder of the Bible Society and supporter of the CMS and, as an MP, campaigned in Parliament for 46 years against slavery. Loving Father, help us always to speak out against cruelty and injustice.

31^st Rugby Sports Centre
1 Sam 17:55-18:16
Let us be thankful today for the many opportunities for sport and leisure offered at the Ken Marriott Sports Centre in Rugby. Help us to keep fit and active, Lord, and to compete with a generous spirit so that we may best serve you and others in our community.

Teach us, good Lord, to serve thee as thou deservest.
To give and not to count the cost;
To fight and not to heed the wounds;
To toil and not to seek for rest;
To labour and not to ask for any reward
Save that of knowing that we do thy will.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Bible reference abbreviations:

Bible reference abbreviations:
Judg - Judges, Sam – Samuel,
Ps – Psalm,

St. Mark’s Prayer Cycle.
We welcome suggestions for prayer topics
Parish Office: Phone 01788 810641
E-mail: markbilt@tiscali.co.uk

St. Mark’s Bilton

Monthly Prayer Cycle

August 2010

1^st Our New Musical Director
Ps 106:1-10
Gracious God, you call us to sing a new song! We pray today for David Noble as he takes up his role as Musical Director at St Mark’s. We ask for your blessing on him, our Choir, Sub-organists and all who provide music for our services, leading and inspiring our worship.

2^nd Heyford Leys
Acts 1:1-14
We pray today for those who live in Heyford Leys on Hillside. Be with them, Lord, in all their activities so that they may feel your presence in their lives.

3^rd Manor House
Acts 1:15-end
Loving Father, we pray for the residents of Manor House Care Home in Bawnmore Road. Grant them your peace, Lord, and guide and inspire the staff in their daily tasks.

4^th Awaiting Examination Results
Acts 2:1-21
Be with those, Lord who are awaiting examination results at this time. Help to calm their nerves and to remind them, whatever the results may be, that, if they always do their best and show honesty and kindness, they will find ample reward.

5^th Oswald, King of Northumbria
Acts 2:22-36
Lord God Almighty, who so kindled the faith of King Oswald with your Spirit, that he set up the sign of the cross in his kingdom and turned his people to the light of Christ, grant that we, being fired by the same Spirit, may always boldly bear our cross before the world.

6^th Transfiguration
1 Jn 3:1-3
Heavenly Father, you showed your glory in your son, Jesus, to chosen disciples on the ‘Holy Mountain’. May we catch a glimpse of that glory and may it transform our lives so that we reflect your light to those around us.

7^th Chernobyl Children
Acts 3:1-10
Loving Jesus, we pray for the 8 youngsters currently staying with Rugby families as part of the Chernobyl Children’s Project (UK), as a respite from the high summer levels of radiation in their homeland. We pray that these weeks free of contamination will improve their health.

8^th ‘God on the Beach’
Ps 115
Let us pray for all at the Family Service at St Mark’s this morning. Help all the children to remember, Lord, that you are with them on their holidays – that ‘God is on the beach’ just as much as in the Church.

9^th Mother’s Union
Acts 3:11-end
Loving Lord, today we remember Mary Sumner, who in 1876 founded the Mothers’ Union, which now has 4 million members across 81 countries. We give thanks and pray for the MU at St Mark’s and worldwide as its members support family life, spreading your Love.

10^th Nelson Way
Acts 4:1-12
We think today of all who live in Nelson Way and ask God to give them friendship and fellowship with one another. May the light of Christ enrich their daily lives.

11^th Claire of Assisi
Acts 4: 13-31
Claire caught the joy of a new vision of the gospel direct from Francis’ preaching, founding her own community living in corporate poverty, whilst supporting Francis’ early companions after his death. Help us, Lord, like Claire, to shine as lights in this World.

12^th Church Building
Acts 4:32-5:11
We pray that you will give your blessing, Lord, to the plans to modify the church building at St Marks. We pray too, that all members of the church will support fund-raising efforts and give generously to ensure the success of this exciting project.

13^th Florence Nightingale
Acts 5:12-26
Caring Lord, on this, the hundredth anniversary of her death, we give thanks for the life of Florence Nightingale who devoted her life to the reform and development of nursing and established it as a profession. We pray for all nurses and those in their care.

14^th Those Unable to Take a Holiday
Acts 5:27-end
Lord, we ask you to be with those who are unable to take a holiday this year. May they find joy in their homes and gardens and be refreshed in the places they have to be this summer.

15^th Mary, Mother of Christ
Pss 98, 138
Almighty God, who looked upon the lowliness of the Blessed Virgin Mary and chose her to be the mother of your only Son: grant that we who are redeemed by his blood may share with her in the glory of your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.

16^th VJ Day
Acts 6
Yesterday was the 65th anniversary of VJ Day when victory over Japan brought peace to the world. Lord, we give you thanks to those who secured this peace and pray that we remain on good terms with Japan and all nations in the year to come.

17^th Dorset Close
Acts 7:1-16
Today we pray for all who live in Dorset Close on Cawston Grange. Guide them, Lord, when life is difficult, and may they feel your presence with them always.

18^th Lime Tree Village
Acts 7:17-43
Let us pray today for all who live at Lime Tree Village off Cawston Lane. May it remain a place of peace and harmony. We give you thanks, Lord, that many of the residents are members of St Mark’s congregation.

19^th Rugby in Bloom
Acts 7:4-53
Lord, we thank you for the flowers that brighten the streets of our town, lifting our spirits, as gardeners, both public and private, compete to produce the best displays.

20^th William & Catherine Booth
Acts 7:54-8:3
Let us remember today the Booths, the 19th century evangelists who worked amongst the poor and started the Salvation Army. We give thanks for all the work which has been done by the Salvation Army since then and pray, Lord, that you will continue to guide and encourage them.

21^st Water Resources
Acts 8:4-25
Creator God, as rainfall patterns seem to be changing to give more extremes of flood and drought both in Britain and worldwide, we pray for those who manage our water supplies, as we remember those in other lands where obtaining water is a major concern every day.

22^nd St Leonard’s, Willey
Ps 119:73-88
We pray today for the congregation of St Leonard’s, Willey, on of the smallest parishes in our Deanery. Help them through their interregnum, Lord, and enable them to continue to bring your light and life to their community.

23^rd Harvest Time
Acts 8:26-end
Loving Father, despite the sophistication of our life in the developed world, we still depend on suitable weather to grow and harvest our crops. As the time of the grain harvest approaches, we pray for farmers, here and worldwide, that they will gather a good harvest.

24^th St Bartholomew
Mt 10:1-22
We remember today the apostle, Bartholomew. Let us be guided by his honesty and devotion to Jesus so that our lives can be filled with the joy of feeling close to God and learning his ways.

25^th Those who are Ill
Acts 9:19-31
Lord of Life, we pray for all those known to us who are ill, whether in body or spirit. Give them your peace Lord, and we ask your blessing on those responsible for their care and treatment, and your comfort for those who love and support them.

26^th Fighting Cocks
Acts 9:32-end
Let us pray today for all who visit the Fighting Cocks pub in Cymbeline Way. May they find good fellowship with their food and drink and feel refreshed and cheered before they go on their way.

27^th Montague Road
Acts 10:1-16
Father God, we pray for all those who live along Montague Road on Woodlands Estate. May they have good relationships within their families and with their neighbours and enjoy your peace in their lives.

28^th God-given Gifts & Talents
10:17-33
We thank you, Lord, for the amazing range of gifts and talents that you have bestowed on all your people. Help us all, young and old, to discover and develop our particular gifts so that we may serve you and our neighbours in the best possible way.

29^th John the Baptist
Ps 119:161-end
On this day the Church commemorates the execution of John the Baptist by Herod. Almighty God, as we remember how John called for repentance, speaking out fearlessly against in and against corrupt leadership, help us to spread the Good News of Jesus with confidence.

30^th Bank Holidays
Acts 10:34-end
We give you thanks, Lord, for the refreshment and enjoyment of holidays. Let us pray for all those doing something different and having a change on this Bank Holiday Monday. May it brighten their lives for the rest of the week.

31^st Aiden, Bishop of Lindisfarne
Acts 11:1-18
Everlasting God, you sent the gentle bishop, Aidan, to proclaim the gospel in this land. Grant us to live as he lived and taught - in simplicity, humility, and love for the poor; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.

Teach us, good Lord, to serve thee as thou deservest.
To give and not to count the cost;
To fight and not to heed the wounds;
To toil and not to seek for rest;
To labour and not to ask for any reward
Save that of knowing that we do thy will.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Bible reference abbreviations:

Jn – John; Mt – Matthew;
Ps – Psalm,

St. Mark’s Prayer Cycle.
We welcome suggestions for prayer topics
Parish Office: Phone 01788 810641
E-mail: markbilt@tiscali.co.uk