Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass again us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen

 

Members of the Mothers' Union praying together

Throughout all our work, prayer sustains and strengthens. A “Wave of Prayer” goes around the world, as members pray together every day at midday wherever they are, for the people and the work of Mothers' Union and for international issues affecting families. In our Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich we will be focusing specifically on the different countries with whom we are linked - Lake Malawi, Byumba in Rwanda, Jalingo in Nigeria and Lucknow in India - between the 16th - 18 July.

 

The Mary Sumner Prayer

(written by Mary Sumner, the founder of the Mothers' Union, in 1876)

All this day, O Lord, let me touch as many lives as possible for thee; and every life I touch, do thou by thy spirit quicken, whether through the word I speak, the prayer I breathe, or the life I live. Amen.

 

The Mothers' Union Prayer

Loving Lord,

We thank you for your love so freely given to us all. We pray for families around the world. Bless the work of the Mothers' Union as we seek to share your love through the encouragement, strengthening and support of marriage and family life. Empowered by your Spirit, may we be united in prayer and worship, and in love and service reach out as your hands across the world. In Jesus' name. Amen

 

Midday Prayers

Jesus, Lord of life, by the power of your word and through your actions of love, call us to be your disciples. Give us the strength to be different, to stand up for justice and peace and be signs of your reconciling love for all.

God of grace, enable your servants to carry out your mission on earth through the work of Mothers' Union worldwide. Today we pray for the people and the work of *

We pray for all our members. May God be with them in every part of their lives, encouraging and leading them, sheltering and strengthening them so that they may work to your praise and glory.

Faithful and loving God, who called Mary Sumner to work for the renewal of family life; inspire us to follow her example and respond to your call to new adventures, new possibilities and new visions for the work of the Mothers' Union around the world.

May we always see the world through the eyes of Christ, speak to those we meet with the words of Christ and take with us on our journey the peace of Christ. Amen

*see the Wave of Prayer chart for Provinces and Diocese at www.mothersunion.org/content/monthly-midday-prayers and follow link for the current month

 

Bishop Martin's Prayer for Syria and Iraq

Lord we pray for the people of Syria and Iraq;

for for an end to killing and terror;

for an end to hostilities, for a lasting peace.

For courage for those delivering humanitarian aid;

for all those seeking to bind up wounds and alleviate suffering.

For those made homeless by the conflict;

for those fleeing as refugees,

and for those providing welcome and hospitality.

We pray for your church in Syria and Iraq,

and for faith in the midst of tragedy and suffering.

We pray in the name of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

A Prayer for the Refugee Crisis

Heavenly Father,
you are the source of all goodness, generosity and love.
We thank you for opening the hearts of many
to those who are fleeing for their lives.
Help us now to open our arms in welcome,
and reach out our hands in support.
That the desperate may find new hope,
and lives torn apart be restored.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son, Our Lord,
who fled persecution at His birth
and at His last triumphed over death.
Amen