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Monday 1 January
The Naming and Circumcision of Jesus
Dear Lord, as we enter a new year we reflect on the words of Isaiah 40:31:
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Let us be filled with hope and possibilities and guided by your spirit.
Amen
Tuesday 2 January
Basil the Great and Gregory of Nazianzus, Bishops, Teachers of the Faith, 379 and 389
The Collect of the day:
Lord God,whose servants Basil and Gregory
proclaimed the mystery of your Word made flesh,
to build up your Church in wisdom and strength:
grant that we may rejoice in His presence among us,
and so be brought with them to know the power
of your unending love;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Wednesday 3 January
Olwyn Powell invites us to pray:
The Church family of St Peter & St Paul’s, Water Orton seek prayer
that a suitable person is called by the Lord in the New Year to fill the
post of Youth Worker in the Parish, a joint post with Birmingham City Mission.
We pray that they may be able to encourage young people to come
to faith & join in many activities associated with the Parish; new or well established.
Thursday 4 January
World Braille Day
Despite facing an uncertain future as a blind person in 19th-century France, Louis Braille developed the Braille system, which is internationally recognized for revolutionising reading and writing communications for blind people.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the gift of Braille. Let your love shine through
this form of communication, illuminating and uniting us as
one family who share in your Word.
Amen.
Praying Together is available in Braille on request, from Comms@cofebirmingham.com
Friday 5 January
We pray for the Revd. Leanne Carr, All Saints, Four Oaks and St James, Hill,
together with the clergy, readers and churchwardens of the parishes of the Oversight Area.
Saturday 6 January
The Epiphany
God of all heaven and earth,
From the breath of your love came the creation of the world.
We are amazed at the vast beauty of the night sky and
at the intimate nature of the love you have for everyone of us.
Be our daily star, Guiding our lives to search for kingdom love
Amen.
Sunday 7 January
The Baptism of Christ
Barrie Scott invites us to pray,
Dear God, we remember the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt,
when they too were forced to flee their homeland to escape persecution.
We ask that you be with all refugees. Guide them to a place of safety
and security, protect them on their journey and provide them with the
strength and courage they need to overcome the challenges they face.
May they receive a compassionate welcome when they reach their
place of refuge. We pray that the world will become a more accepting
and loving place, where everyone can live without fear of persecution
or discrimination. Help us to be a light in the darkness, and to show
compassion and kindness to all those who are in need.
We ask this in your holy name. Amen
Monday 8 January
The Project Management Office invites us to pray,
Father, today we pray for Gas Street South. Lord we thank you
for the growth of this church and how many people your Word
has touched. Let them find a suitable building in which they can
praise and worship you.
Amen.
Tuesday 9 January
Father, thank you for your Word and the ways you communicate
through Scripture to guide my life, I pray that I listen to you well
and am guided by your will.
Wednesday 10 January
William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1645
Prayer today is inspired by 1 Corinthians 12 :12
“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body,
though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized
into one body— Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.”
Thursday 11 January
Mary Slessor, Missionary in West Africa, 1915
As a part of nature's wondrous cycle
Of new birth, growth, fruitfulness and death
We rejoice in the creation of new life,
For parenthood, the passing on of knowledge,
For understanding and the wisdom of years.
Amen
Friday 12 January
Aelred of Hexham, Abbot of Rievaulx, 1167
We pray for the Revd. Dominic Melville, St Michael, Handsworth and Bishop Latimer & All Saints, Birmingham,
and the parishes and the incumbents of the Oversight Area, The Revd Paskal Clement at
St Andrew, Handsworth and St James, Handsworth: and St Mary Handsworth,
together with the clergy, readers and churchwardens of the parishes.
Saturday 13 January
Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers, Teacher of the Faith, 367
Merciful God, we come to you because we are weak and have sinned,
we ask for forgiveness as we know we are not perfect,
and we pray that you will help us and guide us as we walk along your path.
Sunday 14 January
The Second Sunday of Epiphany
'Today's prayer is inspired by the hymn 'Count your Blessings'
You can watch Guy Penrod perform it on Youtube here.
"Count your blessings, name them one by one, count your many blessings see what God has done"
Monday 15 January
Blue Monday
Gracious God, As we face Blue Monday, a day that weighs heavy and
sad for some, we seek for all to know your comfort and strength.
May your light cast away the darkness and shine through all gloom,
bringing hope and consolation. Lift our spirits and remind us of your
steadfast love that endures through every season.
Amen.
Tuesday 16 January
Loving God, we pray for the upcoming retreat for the curates next week.
We pray that they find it inspirational, informative and insightful,
as well as a space of deep spiritual refreshemnt in you.
Amen
Wednesday 17January
Antony of Egypt, Hermit, Abbot, 356 #
John Nightingale invites us to join in prayer for this year's Week of Prayer for
Christian Unity (January 18th to 25th). It has been produced by the churches of
Burkina Faso, threatened both by violence and climate change.
"Go and do likewise" focuses on the story of the Good Samaritan.
The churches of Burkina Faso ask us to pray with them as they work
with Muslim neighbours to help those suffering from violence
exacerbated by climate change both in their country and in our own
Thursday 18 January
Amy Carmichael, Founder of the Dohnavur Fellowship, Spiritual Writer, 1951
Lord, today we pray that we find the time in our busy week to be still
and reflect.Guide us with the correct words and sincerity for our
prayers, and let us stay focused on being kind to all those who we meet.
Friday 19 January
Wulfstan, Bishop of Worcester, 1095
We pray for the Revd. Paul Bracher, St Richard, Lea Hall and St Thomas, Garretts Green,
together with the clergy, readers and churchwardens of the parishes of the Oversight Area.
Saturday 20 January
Richard Rolle of Hampole, Spiritual Writer, 1349
As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,
so may the light of your presence, O God,
set our hearts on fire with love for you;
now and forever.
Sunday 21 January
The Third Sunday of Epiphany
World Religion Day
Dear Lord, today, we celebrate the diversity of beliefs that you
have woven into our world, and your command to come together
in unity. Help us to honor and respect each other and guide us in
seeking, peace, and love among all faiths, so that together,
we may live in a world of kindness and harmony.
Amen.
Monday 22 January
Vincent of Saragossa, Deacon, first Martyr of Spain, 304
The Venerable Gordon Steele Auxiliary Archdeacon invites us to pray,
Please pray for the Yardley & Solihull Deanery, for Charitas Cho the
Deanery Support Officer and for the successful recruitment of a new
Area Dean to be also incumbent of Marston Green, for our oversight
areas as they develop their common life and mission, for the institution
and induction of the Revd Philip Bowden at Acocks Green on 22 January,
and the timely filling of the remaining vacancies in the deanery.
Tuesday 23 January
Emma Sargeant invites us to pray,
Jesus, in your name we pray for the new Commissioned Children's
Pathway launching in February. We ask that you give wisdom to
those who are planning it and excitement to those who will take part.
May your spirit fill them all.
Amen.
Wednesday 24 January
Francis de Sales, Bishop of Geneva, Teacher of the Faith, 1622
Today a tree is to be planted in the City Centre Gardens to commemorate the Human Chain of 1998 when 70,000 people surrounded central Birmingham and persuaded world leaders to start a programme of $130 billion debt reduction for the poorest countries.
John Nightingale invites us to pray,
Heavenly Father, today extreme climate events are driving poor countries
into debt again. Let us pray that the wealthy, who cause most of the
climate emissions, will cancel debt again and help such countries adapt
and improve in the future.
Thursday 25 January
The Conversion of Paul
The Collect of the day
Almighty God,
who caused the light of the gospel
to shine throughout the world
through the preaching of your servant Saint Paul:
grant that we who celebrate his wonderful conversion
may follow him in bearing witness to your truth;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Friday 26 January
Timothy and Titus, Companions of Paul
We pray for the Revd. Arif Anees, Christ Church Oldbury and St John's and St Michael's Langley,
together with the clergy, readers and churchwardens of the parishes og the Oversight Areas.
Saturday 27 January
Holocaust Memorial Day
On this day we remember all those who lost their lives in and were
affected by the Holocaust. We seek solace in the Lord's presence
and pray that we can come together to remember and show respect.
Amen.
Sunday 28 January
The Fourth Sunday of Epiphany
Today's prayer is inspired by scripture Psalm 118:1
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."
Monday 29 January
The Project Management Office invites us to pray, 
We pray for Lighthouse Church, St Marys, in Pype Hayes, that they
would continue to have opportunities to share Jesus. We pray they
would secure all the funding needed for the building project to bring
full access to the building for everyone, along with heating and
opportunity to become a 'week-long church'.
Amen.
Tuesday 30 January
Charles, King and Martyr, 1649
Revd Denise Jones invites us to pray,
Heavenly Father thank you for the growth at St.Patrick’s;
the new families you are bringing to us, for the joy of being
able to worship you and spread the Good News. We pray
for those on the Commissioned Pastoral Training course
& our Readers in training. May we be strengthened and
empowered by your Holy Spirit. Lead us we pray in all that we do.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Wednesday 31 January
John Bosco, Priest, Founder of the Salesian Teaching Order, 1888
Lord as the month comes to a close and we look towards the next,
remind us all that we have to be grateful for,
and let us always keep in our hearts to be kind to one another.
