How are you getting on with the Parish Prayer Diary? 'The what?' I hear you ask!
In March we launched a monthly diary with intentions for prayer for every day of the month. Many of the daily subjects for prayer relate directly to things which are happening within the life of the Church in Prestbury, or within our Parish.
'Why a Prayer Diary?' Well, prayer is a vital part of the work we do as followers of Christ. It is important that everything we do is rooted in prayer, surrounded by prayer and offered to God, in prayer.
'Doesn't God know about all these things already?' Yes, of course He does, but if they are of any importance or significance to us, then surely we will still want to tell him about them. Just as we share our hopes, our joys and our concerns with one another, so it should be natural that we share them with our Father God. By using the Prayer Diary, we can share some of these and they then become common concerns.
We also include some intentions for prayer that will continue throughout the month. In May, one of those was Christian Aid, which was a big focus during the month as many of us went out to collect in our Parish. We also include the names of those who are sick - those whose needs are of continuing concern for our prayers.
We've also asked if we can pray for you! It is good to be prayed for by name! We cannot necessarily explain why it feels good, but it does! Perhaps it's just knowing that people care for you enough to remember you before God. We've asked if you can find out the date of your baptism or confirmation, so that we can pray for you on the day that has special significance for you on your spiritual journey. If you are having problems finding those dates, perhaps you have another date which we could use. We'd like to avoid birthdays, so that people don't feel they need to rush out and buy a card! Please complete the tear-off slip in your next Prayer Diary and place it in the appropriate basket.
The monthly Prayer Diary is also used every day in Church. We use the day's intention at Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer and during the Eucharist. These services go on throughout the week, week in, week out, year in, year out. Thankfully, a small number of people are supporting them - more would be good! They offer these prayers on behalf of us all, joining their prayers with the prayers which are continuously being offered by the Church on earth and the Church in heaven. Now that combination must make for some powerful praying!
Fr Michael
