Join in with our prayers below and click on links to see video or audio that has been sent from all people across CofE Birmingham.
We also have a print out version, click here.
Monday 1 May
Philip and James, Apostles
From: Daily Prayers for the Coronation of King Charles III
Almighty God,
Who sent your Holy Spirit
To be the life and light of your Church:
Open our hearts to the riches of your grace,
That we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit
In love and joy and peace;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Tuesday 2 May
Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, Teacher of the Faith, 373
From: CofE Coronation 'Collective worship resources for schools'
Dear God,
We thank you for your teaching and example through Jesus.
We pray for the King as he prepares for his Coronation.
May you help him to be a peacemaker, pure in heart, merciful and hungry for righteousness.
We pray that you will also help us to shine brightly in the world around us, and ‘be’ who you have called us to be
as we all work together for a hopeful future in which all creation can flourish.
Amen
Wednesday 3 May
From: Daily Prayers
for the Coronation of King Charles III
Lord of all power and might,
The author and giver of all good things:
Graft in our hearts the love of your name,
Increase in us true religion,
Nourish us with all goodness,
And of your great mercy keep us in the same;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Thursday 4 May
English Saints and Martyrs of the Reformation Era
From: A Vigil of Prayer ahead of the Coronation of King Charles III
By the power of the Holy Spirit,
may we, with Charles our King,
give ourselves to the service of God and others,
that our communities may flourish
and be places of trust and friendship.
Amen
Friday 5 May
From: Daily Prayers for the Coronation of King Charles III
Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness,
bless, we pray, Camilla the Queen Consort,
William Prince of Wales, the Princess of Wales,
and all the Royal Family.
Endue them with your heavenly grace;
prosper them with all happiness;
and bring them to your everlasting kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Saturday 6 May
From: Daily Prayers for the Coronation of King Charles III
The Coronation of King Charles III
Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness,
bless our Sovereign Lord, King Charles,
and all who are in authority under him:
that they may order all things
in wisdom and equity, righteousness and peace,
to the honour of your name,
and the good of your Church and people;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Photo credit: Hugo Burnand
Resource: ACNY.com
Sunday 7 May
The Coronation Big Lunch
Lord, we pray for all the Coronation Big Lunches taking place today.
You have commanded us to love our neighbours as ourselves. Help us to do that in our community and throughout CofE Birmingham. Help us to love others no matter our differences. And help us to receive love too.
Amen
Monday 8 May
Julian of Norwich, Spiritual Writer, c.1417
The Big Help Out
Everlasting God, strengthen and sustain all those who volunteer in our local communities;
that with patience and understanding we may all love and care for your people. Amen
Tuesday 9 May
Mary's Meals - a simple solution to world hunger, invites us to pray,
Our Father, give us this day our daily bread and forgive us for the times when we take more than our share of the bread that belongs to all.
Let us help You fill the starving with good things, not with scraps from our table.
Teach us how to share what is not ours to keep. Clothe us with Your love that we may complete each good work You created us to do.
Place in our hearts Your compassion for each starving child and use our little acts of love so that they starve no more.
Amen
Wednesday 10 May
Frankie, St Chad, Rubery, invites us to pray,
Thank you Lord for St Chads', my forever church.
Thursday 11 May
Glorious God, we pray for your guiding hand over CofEB throughout the Vacancy in See process. We give thanks for Bishop Anne as she continues her role as Acting Bishop of Birmingham and Suffragan Bishop of Aston, and all the team supporting her during this time of vacancy.
Amen
Friday 12 May
Gregory Dix, Priest, Monk, Scholar, 1952
Prayer today is inspired by Genesis 1:28
‘God blessed them: “Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.”’
Looking after creation is something which is close to King Charles III heart. He was one of the first people to stop using harmful chemicals in his garden and on his farm and has set up charities to protect the environment.
Saturday 13 May
World Fairtrade Day
Dear God
We pray for those people around the world who grow and produce the things we eat and buy.
Inspire and enable us to support these people through buying Fairtrade goods, so that we too can help create a better and more just world.
Amen
Sunday 14 May
Matthias the Apostle
Further Education Sunday
Father God we thank you for all those who are now studying at a Further Education college. We ask that they will find life and purpose and joy in their chosen subjects. We ask that you will help them fulfil their potential, inspiring and enthusing them in their
studies.
Amen
Monday 15 May
14-20 May is Christian Aid Week
John Nightingale, Footsteps, invites us to pray,
Cyclone Freddy caused the deaths of hundreds of people and displaced half a million in Malawi. Please pray for the people of Malawi and the churches as they respond to recovery needs, and for Christian Aid as it supports them.
Tuesday 16 May
Caroline Chisholm, Social Reformer, 1877
15-21 May is Mental Health Awareness Week
Loving God, help us to reach out to, and include, those who experience difficulty with mental health. Lift their burdens, calm their anxiety, and quiet their fears. Surround them with your healing presence that they may know that they are not alone.
Amen
Wednesday 17 May
Loving Father, we commit ourselves to pray for you to excite and animate your church through the world to proclaim the good news of Jesus.
Thursday 18 May
Ascension Day
The Collect for Thy Kingdom Come
Almighty God,
your ascended Son has sent us into the world
to preach the good news of your kingdom:
inspire us with your Spirit
and fill our hearts with the fire of your love,
that all who hear your Word
may be drawn to you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Photo: An oil painting by Antonio Bellucci, circa 1720 on the ceiling of Great Witley Church
Friday 19 May
Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury, Restorer of Monastic Life, 988
Lord, bless the refuse collectors, park and street cleaners, and fly-tip removal crews to name just a few of the men and women who play such an important part in keeping our communal areas clean and safe.
Amen
Saturday 20 May
Alcuin of York, Deacon, Abbot of Tours, 804
World Bee Day
Bless the bees with abundant healthy food and nesting sites. Bless future generations of bees, and may their populations be expanded and protected. Help us to recognise their importance and to encourage biodiversity. Thank you for bees, and may they forever be blessed.
Sunday 21 May
Helena, Protector of the Holy Places, 330
Prayer today is inspired by Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Monday 22 May
Jesus, you know how it feels to leave your home and family,
to carry nothing with you, to travel as a stranger.
Help all refugees far from home, driven out by war and hunger.
Lead them safely on.
They are our sisters and brothers.
Inspire us to show our love and a true welcome.
Amen
Tuesday 23 May
Hear the cry of our hearts Almighty God. Gather us in prayer and send us out in your power.
Amen
Wednesday 24 May
John and Charles Wesley, Evangelists, Hymn Writers, 1791 and 1788
Lord, we pray for all the people being impacted by this economic crisis, and especially for people employed by small businesses and the families and individuals that are supported by their income. Protect them in this time of economic uncertainty, and fill their spirits with hope.
Amen
Thursday 25 May
The Venerable Bede, Monk at Jarrow, Scholar, Historian, 735
Lord Jesus, we unite our prayers with all those who are sick and housebound in CofE Birmingham.
Surround those worried and anxious in these days with your tenderness;
Give strength to those in pain;
Hold the lonely in your arms of love.
Amen
Friday 26 May
Augustine, first Archbishop of Canterbury, 605
Watch this special rendition of Amazing Grace, recorded by Grammy Award-winning Matt Redman and ‘friends’ for Thy Kingdom Come prayer movement.
You can watch this rendition on YouTube
Saturday 27 May
Loving Lord, your word reminds us how much you value and love children.
We pray for the climate crisis and the devastating impact of it on children’s lives and future generations.
Amen
Sunday 28 May
Lanfranc, Prior of Le Bec, Archbishop of Canterbury, Scholar, 1089
Pentecost
Faithful God,
who fulfilled the promises of Easter
by sending us Your Holy Spirit
and opening to every race and nation
the way of life eternal:
open our lips by Your Spirit,
that every tongue may tell of Your glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Monday 29 May
Whit Monday
Let’s pray for rest as schools and half term holidays start,
That those leading youth groups, teachers and all those who work with children can rest.
We also pray that children are cared for and enjoy the week and we pray your protection over them.
We pray for the many activities taking place in our churches this week.
Amen
Tuesday 30 May
Josephine Butler, Social Reformer, 1906
Pause and take time to pray for five people – whether they be family, friends or neighbours – that they may encounter God’s love and experience His blessings.
Wednesday 31 May
The Visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth
Lord God, Creator of all things, guide our steps and strengthen our hearts, during these coming months of summer. Grant us refreshment of mind and body. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen
