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St. Mark’s Bilton

Monthly Prayer Cycle

1st Our Farmers 1 Sam 6:1-16
In this week of the Royal Show at Stoneleigh, we pray for our farmers, who have the big responsibilities of providing our food and managing a large part of our environment. May they be fairly treated as they bring their produce to the market.

2nd George Heighton 1 Sam 7
Let us pray for George who was successful at his Bishops Advisory Panel Weekend and will begin training to become an Ordained Local Minister in the Autumn. He has served St Mark’s so well as a Reader and deserves our support and prayers during this training.

3rd St Thomas 2 Sam 15:17-21
Today Lord, we remember Thomas your Apostle, who doubted the truth of the Resurrection until he met your risen Son in person. We pray that though we have not seen with our eyes, we will be strong in the Faith through being filled with your Holy Spirit.

4th Walnut Way 1 Sam 9:1-14
Today we think of all who live in Walnut Way (off Lawford Lane) and pray Lord, that you will be with them during all their activities. Help them to look out for those around them and help any who may need support.

5th Wimbledon Championships
              1 Sam 9:15-10.1
As the Wimbledon Tennis Championships reach their climax, we pray that, with the competitors, we remember Kipling’s words written above the entrance to Wimbledon’s Centre Court: ‘If you can meet with triumph and disaster. And treat those two imposters just the same…’

6th Rector Tim Ps 55:1-15, 18-22
Let us pray for Tim as he is inducted today as Rector of St Mark’s Bilton. Give him your guidance and inspiration, Lord that he may serve and lead St Mark’s in the way you require and with the loving support of the members of the church.

7th Welcome Rich and Mel
                 1 Sam 10:2-16
We pray for Rich Burley, at the beginning of his curacy at St Mark’s, and his wife Mel, that they will quickly feel part of our Church Family. We pray that in this next phase of Rich’s training, we will learn from each other and progress together on our spiritual journey.

8th Bilton Infants School
               1 Sam 10:17-end
We pray today for the community of Bilton Infants School in Magnet Lane – children, teachers, support staff, governors and parents. We think especially of the children and pray that they enjoy their days at school and grow up in the knowledge and love of God.

9th Our Churchyard Carers
                      1 Sam 11
We give thanks Lord, for our loyal group of gardeners, who give of their time and energy maintaining the churchyard, as a memorial to those commemorated there, a home for wildlife, a pleasant setting for our Church, and as a backdrop for photographs of those special family occasions.

 

11th Kalf’s Drive 1 Sam 13:5-18
Today we pray for the residents of KaIf’s Drive, Cawston, that they will enjoy the holiday season, feeling your presence in their lives.

12th Open Gardens 1 Sam 13:19-14:15
Today and tomorrow many Bilton Gardens are open to the public to raise funds for St Mark’s ‘New Building Project’. We thank you Heavenly Father, for the kindness of those opening their gardens and pray that this will provide pleasure for many over the weekend.

13th St Margaret’s, Wolston Ps 64, 65
We pray today for St Margaret’s, Wolston, for Tim Pullen, Vicar, and for those who worship with him, that they may be strengthened in the faith, and encouraged in your service. Be with the congregation, Lord, through their coming interregnum

14th Bilton Townswomen’s Guild
                     1 Sam 14:24-46
Let us pray today for the members of Bilton Townswomen’s Guild. Be with them, Lord, in their committees, meetings and outings and encourage them in providing fellowship and support, not only amongst themselves, but also with others in the community.

15th School Leavers 1 Sam 15:1-23
In this last week of the School Year, we pray for all those young people who will be leaving school and setting out on the next stage of their lives. Help them to make right choices in all things and guide them wisely through their new freedoms and responsibilities.

16th Aid Workers 1 Sam 16
Let us pray today for the Aid Workers striving to save, succour and support people in desperate difficulty in various parts of the world. We think especially of those in China, Burma, Ethiopia, Darfur and Zimbabwe. Give them your blessing, Lord and help us to support the work they do.

17th Isaac Watts 1 Sam 17:1-30
Today we praise God for the work of Isaac Watts, born on this day in 1674, who changed the style of English hymns, giving us so many that inspire us still, including: ‘When I survey the wondrous Cross’; ‘Jesus shall reign where ‘er the Sun’, ‘Oh God our help in ages past’.

18th Everest Road 1 Sam 17:31-54
Let us pray for all the residents of Everest Road. Give them your grace, Lord, that they may know your love and be able to respond by taking this love to others whom they meet and sharing it in the things they do.


19th Manor House Home
                 1 Sam 17:55-18:16
Loving Father, we pray for the residents of Manor House Residential Home in Bawnmore Road, that they will find peace and contentment, and for the staff that they will be granted love, patience, wisdom and compassion.

20th Organists Ps 71
We give you thanks, Father God, for the splendid organists, Peter Lock, Chris Harratt and Judy Lee who serve us so well in playing for the wide range of services held at St Marks. We pray that this work will continue and give them good measure of pleasure and satisfaction in line with that of the congregation

21st High Fuel Prices 1 Sam 19:1-18
Father God, as we all feel the effects of increasing fuel and energy prices, let us remember those for whom this will mean much more than just cutting back on luxuries, but making hard choices between food and heat and other essentials. We pray that commodities speculators will remember that profits for them may mean hardship for others.

22nd Mary Magdalene 1 Sam 16:14-end
We pray for St Mary Magdalene on this her Saints Day. We thank you, Lord, for all the love and service which she showed and shared. We pray that this may inspire us to recognise you as the risen Lord in the world today and to further the growth of your Kingdom.

23rd Young People 1 Sam 20:18-end
We pray for the Young People of our town. Keep them safe and help them to share good times in harmony with all.

24th The Blind 1 Sam 21:1-22:5
Let us give thanks today for the gift of sight and let us pray today for those deprived of this gift. Be with those who are blind, Lord, help them on their way and enable them to develop strength and confidence in their other gifts with the assistance of those around them.

25th St James 2 Kings 1:9-15
O Lord, we remember how James was obedient to the call of Jesus, leaving his father and all he had, and being faithful unto death. We pray that we will be always ready to answer your call, and not be diverted by the false attractions of the world.

26th Missionaries 1 Sam 23
We pray today for all those called to do missionary work and to take the love of Jesus Christ and his saving grace to people who may not otherwise hear this good news. Be with them, Lord in all their challenges and help us to ensure they have the support they need.

27th Our Fellow Worshipers Ps 77
Father, we give thanks today for all our brothers and sisters in Christ, as with us, they meet to worship you today in churches across the World, small and large, grand and simple. We pray for those who have no shelter in which to gather, and especially those whose church has been destroyed by war, storm, earthquake, or, as at nearby Radford Semele, by fire. Give them courage, Lord, to continue in the faith whatever the difficulties.

28th Holiday Makers 1 Sam 24
Let us pray today for those from our community taking family holidays. May they find pleasure and recreation in their time away and come back renewed and ready to take up afresh the tasks and opportunities which their daily lives present.

29th Mary, Martha and Lazarus 
                            1 Sam 26
Father God, your Son enjoyed the love of his friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus in learning, hospitality and discussion. May we share our love for you so that all may know the depths of your wisdom, the wonder of your compassion and your power to bring life out of death.

30th William Wilberforce 
                    1 Sam 28:3-end
Some 200 years ago William Wilberforce strived to persuade parliament to abolish the slave trade. Let us remember his work with thanks and pray that no form of slavery may be allowed to gain a hold in our society today.

31st Lime Tree Avenue  1 Sam 31
Loving Father, we pray for the residents of Lime Tree Avenue, may they live in your peace and know your love in their lives.


 

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:
 Ps – Psalm
 Sam – Samuel
 

St. Mark’s Prayer Cycle. 
We welcome suggestions for prayer topics

Parish Office Phone: 01788 810641
E-mail: markbilton@tiscali.co.uk