Reading this week's prayers is Bishop Karen. Bishop Karen is Bishop of Sherborne and has been since 2016. Bishop Karen’s personal interests include travel, and walking. She has undertaken a number of long-distance walks and is pleased to be following in the footsteps of Aldhelm, the first Bishop of Sherborne.
Read December prayers or contribute your own prayers.
Listen to this week's prayers here
23 December: Bradford on Avon Holy Trinity Westwood and Wingfield.
Creator God,
We pray for the communities of Bradford on Avon Holy Trinity Westwood and Wingfield, that they may be blessed by your presence and your peace. We pray that all those who lead in the community may be inspired and renewed by Your word. We ask for your blessing on clergy Jenny Nelson and Sarah Jackson.
We give thanks for the parents, students and teachers of Bradford on Avon St Laurence School.
Amen
24 December: Christmas Eve.
Calne Deanery.
This Christmas Eve, we pray,
Holy Jesus,
by being born one of us and lying humbly in a manger,
you show how much God loves the world.
Let the light of your love always shine in our hearts.
We raise to you the community of Calne Deanery, praying particularly for those who provide services of all kinds, in the community, in church, in school. We pray for Rural Dean, Jane Curtis, Assistant Rural Dean, Matthew Earwicker, Lay Chair, Mary Simpkins. We pray you will equip them and bless their leadership.
Amen
25 December: Christmas Day.
Oldbury, Calne.
This Christmas Day, we pray,
Christ born for us,
Son of God, given for us,
help us to know you,
to worship and to serve you.
Today we give thanks for the communities of Oldbury, Calne for all who work and live there. We raise to you the clergy, Matthew Earwicker and lay leaders and ask for your blessing on their ministry, that they may continue to step out courageously in your service.
We pray too for the pupils, staff and families of Cherhill CE VA Primary School and Heddington CE VA Primary School.
We pray for The Rt Revd David Kiir Mayath, Bishop of Panrieng in South Sudan.
Amen
26 December: Stephen deacon, first martyr.
Royal Wootton Bassett, Calne.
Dear God,
Today, as we reflect on Saint Stephen, Deacon and first martyr, we ask for Your abundant blessing on the benefice of Royal Wootton Bassett and all who lead and worship there, for clergy Jane Curtis and Katey Minshall.
We raise to you the schools of Royal Wootton Bassett St Bartholomew's Primary Academy and all who study and work there.
Amen
27 December: John Apostle and Evangelist.
Marden Vale, Calne Deanery.
Living Lord,
We raise to you in prayer the people and parishes of the Marden Vale benefice, Calne. We pray for the clergy, Caspar Bush and Sarah Errington and lay leaders and volunteers, that they may be refreshed and blessed in their ministry. We pray for the church’s presence in each community, loving and all who live there.
We pray for your blessing on the pupils, families and staff at Derry Hill CE VA Primary School, Marden Vale CofE Primary Academy, Calne Holy Trinity CE Academy.
Amen
28 December: The Holy Innocents.
Lyneham and Woodhill, Calne Deanery.
Heavenly Father,
We thank you for all who worship and serve in the parishes of the Lyneham and Woodhill, Calne. We pray for your blessing over all those who lead, lay, ordained, and in volunteer roles, that You would equip them for the work You have called them to do. We pray for clergy Rachma Abbott and Richard Holness.
We ask for your blessing on the students, families and staff at Broad Town CE VC Primary School
Amen
29 December: The First Sunday of Christmas.
This First Sunday of Christmas, we raise to you, O Lord, our Bishops Stephen, Karen and Andrew, we pray you continue to guide them with Your word and bless their ministry.
In the Anglican Communion, we pray for The Episcopal Church in the United States.
Amen