Prayer is simply talking to God or making space to hear from God. It is easier than you might imagine and can take the form that works best for you. Some people like to pray aloud, some in groups using liturgy, some people pray creatively through art or music and others like to journal or pray silently alone. However you pray, God hears each prayer.
Going deeper into God is central to our Diocesan mission of Living God’s Love and to go deeper into God is closely connected with prayer. In his Letter to the Thessalonians, Paul writes: ‘… pray without ceasing…’ (1 Thess 5:16) and it is an encouragement that has borne well the test of time.
Praying regularly will help us to develop a spiritual rhythm. A discipline of prayer changes the way that we think about our lives, because it creates new habits of heart and mind. Prayer opens us more deeply to the transforming grace of God. We enter into God’s presence, allowing the Holy Spirit to pray in us.
Diocesan Prayer Diary
The quarterly Diocesan Prayer Diary better enables us to continue in prayer, for the mission of the church, for one another and for ourselves so that in all things God may be given the glory.
For each day, one area for thanksgiving and one area for intercession in each Parish is provided, with Diocesan Staff, Chaplains, and various Boards and Diocesan Personnel taking their place across the diary too. You can access the daily prayers here, and download PDFs (either A4 or A5 booklet) for each quarterly prayer cycle here.
Prayer Resources
- 24/7 Prayer – an international, interdenominational movement of prayer, mission and justice.
- Learning to pray guidance – from the Church of England.
- Engage Worship – resourcing the local church for creative, sustainable and world-changing worship.
- Church online (weekly online services) – from the Church of England.
- Oremus – Anglican liturgical library of authorised and other texts.
- Music and Worship Foundation – resourcing and training local churches for Christian worship.
- Prayer Mate – free mobile app, helping you to pray everyday.
- Prayer Spaces in Schools – Creating space in schools where pupils can pause to reflect or pray.
- Service of daily prayer (audio recordings) – from the Church of England.
- Thy Kingdom Come – a global prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray from Ascension to Pentecost, for people to know more of Jesus Christ.
- Time to Pray (free) and other apps (paid) including Common Worship Lectionary – available from Church House Publishing.
- Transforming Worship – (formerly Praxis) practical guidance to enrich worship.
- Wild Goose Publications – inspiring celtic prayer and liturgy from the Iona community.
- Worship Central – equipping the worshipper and empowering the church.
- Worship texts and resources – from the Church of England.
Prayer for healing – Unbound prayer ministry
Just as the gospels record that Jesus healed people in body, mind and spirit and set them free – so today people may experience effective healing and freedom when they turn to Him and receive Christian prayer. Healing includes: the forgiveness of sin; healing of memories and relationships; recovery from sickness; breaking the hold of poverty and oppressive social structures; deliverance from evil.
These signs demonstrate Christ’s power and His love for the whole person; our well-being and the presence of God’s kingdom with us. Jesus said, ‘As you go, proclaim the good news, “The kingdom of heaven has come near. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons.” (Matthew 10:7-8)
Many churches, as in the early church, can offer you the ministry of healing by prayer, ‘laying on of hands’ and anointing with oil – these should be viewed as a normal part of the life of every local church today, continuing that early practice.
If you would like to receive prayer for healing, the best point of contact is your local parish priest, minister or chaplain – see A Church Near You
Local clergy are supported by the Diocesan Healing and Deliverance Team – which acts as a resource for Parishes in the Diocese, providing support and advice relating to Christ’s reconciling ministry of Healing and Deliverance.
You can also book an appointment at the House of Mercy, which offers a holistic approach to healing and deliverance, including Unbound Freedom prayer, prayer for Healing, Intercessory Prayer for yourself or someone you care about, Therapy and Clinical Psychological Assessments.
