It is a privilege to partner with many other churches and organisations in bringing our world, in its brokenness and beauty, before Jesus, the real authority and source of healing, peace, truth and life. That is what this year’s Global week of Prayer is all about (6/9 - 13/9). Of course this is important all the time but sometimes it is good to more formally join together with others to pray.

Depending on how much time you would like to devote we have two suggestions which you can personalise and make work for you.

1 - Choose a country this week and pray the Lord’s Prayer over that place (once, twice or maybe three times per day). We have been challenged and encouraged by teaching on the Lord’s Prayer this summer and below is an expanded version you could use as a starting point.

2. - Tearfund have produced some excellent materials to help pray over conflict here (see the second page onwards) which you can also use if you have a little more time available.

Let us also be creative in how we do this - maybe find a few others who you could agree to pray with at some point in the week? When the church is open, come and pray in the Lady’s chapel for a change? Remember lament and silence are also appropriate responses before God.

Want to be part of this in some way? God sees and knows. Let us know too, email Sera - sera@stdenys.church-  with the country you hope to pray for, so we can encourage each other during the week.

Blessings,
Sera & Claire M
St Denys Church

An example Lord's Prayer - expanded to pray for a country, region or place:

“Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name in this place/country/nation/region
May the name of Jesus be honoured, may the love of the Father be known, and may the work of the Spirit be welcomed.

Your kingdom come, your will be done in this place as it is in heaven
May God’s loving justice, mercy and peace shape people’s lives, and bring Christ-shaped freedom

Give this place the daily bread that is needed.
Bring provision of food, shelter, peace and well-being; strengthen those within this place who are contributing to this provision, and stir up us to take steps to help.

Forgive this place its sins, as this place forgives those who have sinned against it.
We lament the wrong that has been done, and the good that has been rejected, and we ask for the healing of the fractured relationships in this place

Lead this place not into temptation, but deliver this place from evil.
Strengthen and guide the leaders of this place to lead honourably for the well-being of all, and free this place from the influence of evil.

For the kingdom, the power and the glory ARE yours in this place,
for now and forever
Amen