Prayer Guide

Pray in the church or wherever you are at 9am

Week 1:Acts 11: 1-18, John 13: 31-35

29th April The …believers criticised him

Pray that we will be aware of the facts before we criticise each other. Pray for the outcome of the interviews for our new incumbent. Pray for change in our society, moving from the present focus on self to one of concern for each other and the community. Pray for the Executive leadership Team.

30th Peter…explained everything that had happened…

Pray that when we are criticised we answer calmly and truthfully, asking the Spirit to give us the words to say. Pray for orphans and their carers, foster parents and those adopting children. Pray for Just42.

1st May The voice spoke from heaven…

Pray that we will be open to hearing God’s voice. Pray for a deepening in our holiness. Pray for Finnymusic at Laxfield and for the church’s outreach to prisons especially Hollesley. Pray for Woodbridge and the surrounding area.

2nd The Holy Spirit came upon them…

Pray for us to be ready and willing to receive the Holy Spirit and that we will be fruitful in using the gifts.  Pray for Alive and for the delegates who have yet to book. Pray for those who preach God’s word in St Johns.

3rd Love one another

Pray that we will find ways of showing love to one another and that this love will spill over into the community.  Pray for marriage to be upheld as instituted by God. Pray for the Town Pastors.

Week 2: Acts 16: 9-15, John 14: 23-29

6th Come…and help us

Pray for ways in which St Johns can help other churches in the area. Ask God to show us how we can bring the light of Jesus to those around us, showing them the love and glory of God. Pray for Tearfund - for its work throughout the world.

7th …concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel

Pray for the development of Rivers, flowing out from St Johns to nourish this area with God’s love and that they will bear fruit. Pray for the Toddlers Group and for the building up of relationships between those who come and the helpers. Pray for those who live in our parish. Pray for the Alive volunteers, meeting this evening.

8th We went outside….to the river…

Can you see where God is working in Woodbridge, built along the River Deben?  Pray for the practical outworking of the gospel in our house groups. Pray for house group leaders. Pray for the Drop-in Coffee on Wednesday mornings in the Peterhouse area.

9th If anyone loves me, they will obey my teaching

Pray that we will listen to and obey God’s word. Pray that more of the world will hear and accept the good news. Pray for Form Plus. Pray for the Ascension Day Service. Pray for Clare Sanders (Rural Dean), Martin Roberts and Alan and Noelle, our Churchwardens, as they carry the responsibility for St Johns.

10th We will come…and make our home with them

Give thanks to God for this promise of his sustaining presence. Pray that all that we do, as members of the body of St Johns Church, will bring glory to God and not to ourselves. Pray for the Street Pastors, going out this evening. Pray for Healing on the Streets.

Week 3: Acts 1: 1-11, Luke 24: 44-53

13th he…gave many convincing proofs that he was alive

Give thanks that Jesus is alive – through his Holy Spirit – in our hearts.  Pray that we show this to the world, which so desperately needs him. Pray for CMS and the Robinson family in Bangkok. Pray for Christian Aid Week.

14th …the gift my Father promised

Pray that the gift of the Holy Spirit will be plainly seen in St John’s. Pray that, as we go deeper into what God is calling us to do  we will find Jesus’  Spirit is there, alongside us, encouraging and supporting us. Pray for the Church Wardens, for Martin and for Clare, our Rural Dean, as they steer St Johns during the interregnum.

15th you will be my witnesses

Pray that we will be aware of this calling as we meet with and talk with people throughout the day. Pray that we will find ways of sharing this love with them. Pray for Churches Together in Woodbridge and Melton. Pray for those who live or work in the Thoroughfare.

16th He opened their minds so they could understand…

Give thanks for those who explain the Scriptures with integrity. Pray for anyone you know who is struggling in body, mind or spirit. Pray for the Gideons, for the Prison Fellowship and all who take God’s word out.

17th He lifted up his hands and blessed them

Just sit and let his blessing sink into your soul and respond to God as you feel led. Pray for those being confirmed on Sunday. Pray for those coming to Woodbridge for the weekend. Pray for Café Church, on Sunday. Pray for the Street Pastors and the local police.

Week 4: Acts 16: 16-34, John 17: 20-26

20th We were going to the place of prayer…

God has already done so much for and with the church of St Johns, pray for what is still to come, as long as we remain within God’s will. If you have not done so, why not set aside a special place to pray and come closer to God, without interruption. Pray for Martin and the ministry team. Pray for the Prayer Ministry Team. Pray for Alive.

21st These men are servants of the Most High God

Could you be identified as a servant of Christ? Pray that we will have boldness in presenting our faith. Pray for the residential homes and sheltered accommodation in the Woodbridge area and for their residents and staff. Pray for Alive speakers.

22nd he was filled with joy

Pray that we can bring the joy of knowing Christ to our friends and also to those we don’t particularly get on with. Pray for this nation. Pray that God will bring renewal. Pray for Suffolk. Pray for the church and people of Bredfield. Pray for the Salvation Army.  Pray for Alive volunteers.

23rd …those who will believe in me through their message

Pray for the delegates coming to Alive. Pray that we can demonstrate Christ’s love to them. Pray for the Alive set-up and technical teams as they prepare the venues. Pray for the shops and businesses on Market Hill and the Thoroughfare.

24th May they be brought to complete unity…

Pray for the churches in Woodbridge, working together. Pray for the final preparations for Alive.  Pray for all who look after our health in the Woodbridge area. Pray for the Street Pastors. Pray for Healing on the Streets.

Week 5: Acts 2: 1-21, John 14: 8-17

27th they were all together in one place

Pray for unity in St Johns as we continue in interregnum. Give thanks for the congregation that you are a member of. Pray for the final day of Alive 2013 and the safety for delegates as they travel. Pray for Just 42 and their work among the young people in the area.

28th …filled the whole house…

Pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in St John’s and the impact this will have. Lift up to God those who surround you at home, at work, in school and ask him to bless each of them. Pray that they will come to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.

29th …began to speak in other tongues

Pray that we will not be inhibited in sharing the gifts the Holy Sprit has bestowed on each of us. Pray for the leaders and helpers in Junior Church and Cell. Pray for the church family children and for our own children and grandchildren.

30th Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father

In his life, death and resurrection Jesus showed us the boundless love of our Father God. Praise Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Pray for those who are seeking work. Pray for those who work as volunteers supporting our community. Pray for managers and employers and their staff in Woodbridge and Melton

31st  anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing

Pray that we can show the same passionate and practical concern as Jesus did for others, especially the poor and marginalised. Pray for ways in which we can identify the needs in our community and respond. Pray for Christians throughout the world who are oppressed for their faith. Pray for the Town Pastors and for their prayer supporters.

Bible quotations are taken from the New International Version of the Bible (NIV) 1984