Christ Church Catshill

  • Stourbridge Road
  • Catshill
  • Worcester
  • Worcestershire
  • B61 9LH


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Bromsgrove Parish Prayer Diary for MARCH

 

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46.1

Monday 1st March - Charford

Pray for all people in Charford that they will remain calm and secure during this time of national emergency, and that a loving caring community will evolve.

Tuesday 2nd March -Catshill and North Marlbrook

Pray for all people in Catshill and North Marlbrook that they will remain calm and secure during this time of national emergency, and that a loving caring community will evolve

Wednesday 3rd March – St Godwald’s

In these trying times we give thanks for ways that the church family can worship now that we cannot meet to worship together in person. We pray that you will be with the DCC when they meet to discuss the way forward for the church community.

Thursday 4th March – Christ Church Catshill

In these trying times we give thanks for ways that the church family can worship now that we cannot meet to worship together in person.

Friday 5th March- Those who keep our community functioning.

 

We ask God to bless all those who must work at this time for the good of the whole community.  Especially we remember those who deliver milk or post and those who collect our rubbish and our recycling materials.   We remember the lorry drivers and van drivers who keep our supermarkets and homes stocked with essential goods. May they realise how we value their work. Thank you for those who have continued to work to stock supermarket shelves, serve on deli counters, work on the tills, and generally help around the stores.  Without their selfless attitude and commitment to turning up to work in conditions that see them exposed to the Corona Virus to a greater degree than any of us, except for the NHS, we would not have the ability to feed ourselves and our families.

Saturday 6th March– Pharmacies/Doctor’s surgeries

We thank you, Lord, for all the people working on the front line in pharmacies and surgeries.   We pray for their safety as they serve others and for their anxious families at home.  We pray that the people who visit these places seeking help will be responsible and avoid putting these dedicated people at risk.  May their religious faith sustain and inspire them?

Sunday 7th March – Schools

We pray for our young people and their teachers as they prepare to return to school.  We pray they will all stay safe and enjoy the chance to be back together.

Monday 8th March- Ministry Team

Please send your spirit to be a guide to our clergy and readers as they meet to discuss the future direction of the parish.

Tuesday 9th March – Finances

Over the coming indefinite period money will continue to be an issue. On a personal level jobs will be lost incomes will be lost or at best reduced.  Churches and the Diocese of Worcester will not be immune to this, and we pray that severe hardship in all areas can be avoided.

Wednesday 10th March- Food banks

An increasing number of people have come to rely on these establishments as we have had to come to terms with the period of austerity that the country has had to live through.  Please ensure these priceless community assets continue to receive the support that is vital to the work they do.  We also give thanks for those who have been moved by the plight of people struggling and have contributed financially or by providing items of food.

Thursday 11th March – Dodford

In these trying times we give thanks for ways that the church family can worship now that we cannot meet to worship together in person.

Friday 12th March– Farmers

We give thanks for those who continue to work tirelessly to produce food that makes its way onto our supermarket shelves.  Once again this is a group of people who we have tended to take for granted because somehow the food we eat continues to arrive on our table.  Once we are through this time of struggle lets ensure that we place buying from our own farmers ours, and this country’s priority.  Please ensure that there are sufficient hands to pick all the produce that needs to be harvested.

Saturday 13th March – Deanery Synod

Please pray for the meeting of the Deanery Synod that they be blessed with your Spirit.

Sunday 14th March – Mothering Sunday

We pray for mothers everywhere. Young mothers overawed by the task, and by the depth of their feelings. Older mothers thrilled beyond measure that at last a child has come. Mothers in Britain who are single, scared, and poor mothers in many developing countries whose diet is thin and whose milk is scarce. Hasten the day when mothers everywhere can say with Mary the mighty one has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

Monday 15th March – Refugees

Our community has been assisting the work done by a local charity to provide much needed clothing and toiletries etc to this group of people, strangers to this country, a number of which are fellow Christians.  They have been hosted at St Luke’s and we pray that people in the community will be able to help with the supply of such materials when the current restrictions are relaxed

Tuesday 16th March – Sidemoor

Pray for all people in Sidemoor that they will remain calm and secure during this time of national emergency, and that a loving caring community will evolve.

Wednesday 17th March–PCC

Please pray for the meeting of the PCC that they be blessed with your Spirit.

Thursday 18th March – Aston Field

Pray for all people in Aston fields that they will remain calm and secure during this time of national emergency, and that a loving caring community will evolve.

Friday 19th March– Care Homes

There are a few care homes throughout the parish for which we would ask you that you wrap your arms around.  Enable the carers in those places to have sufficient protection to be able to provide the level of care that is needed to ensure the residents maintain a level of physical and emotional wellbeing. We give thanks that people living in these homes are now allowed to see one of their loved ones.

Saturday 20th March– High Street shops bars restaurants and cafes

For so long we have taken for granted our ability to shop, eat and drink where we like at almost any time we want.  These establishments are facing unprecedented strains on their ability to survive this storm.  Perhaps we can take this time to appreciate what we have, cherish it, and invest our money in these businesses to help in their recovery.  We give thanks that our high street shops are back trading in somewhat restricted circumstances and look forward to a time when all high street businesses can operate fully.

Sunday 21st March– Those living alone.

Lord we think today and pray for those people who have had to self-isolate and who hunger for the touch of a hand or to see a friendly face in their homes.  We pray that there will be people who will give some solace by making a phone call or some form of social media to let them know they have not been forgotten.  Thank you for the kind generous souls who have volunteered to shop for essential food items.

Monday 22nd March – Lickey End

Pray for all people in Lickey End that they will remain calm and secure during this time of national emergency, and that a loving caring community will evolve.

Tuesday 23rd March– Rock Hill

Pray for all people in Rock Hill that they will remain calm and secure during this time of national emergency, and a loving caring community will evolve.

Wednesday 24th March – Local Hospitals

For the sacrifice and work undertaken by Nursing staff, paramedics, porters, cleaners, catering staff.  Keep them safe and make sure they have all the protective equipment they need and give thanks that they are working to keep us all safe.

Thursday 25th March- All Saint’s

In these trying times we give thanks for ways that the church family can worship now that we cannot meet to worship together in person.

Friday 26th March- Clergy

Father we pray for our clergy at this trying time as they attempt to keep the parish working and worshipping.  We give thanks for the work they continue to do to ensure we have online services. 

Saturday 27th March - St John’s and St Andrew’s

In these trying times we give thanks for ways that the church family can worship now that we cannot meet to worship together in person. We especially pray for the ADCM which is being held on this evening.

Sunday 28th March- Palm Sunday

Merciful God, as we enter Holy Week, turn our hearts again to Jerusalem, and to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Stir up within us the gift of faith that we may not only praise him with our lips but may follow him in the way of the cross.

Monday 29th March -Monday of Holy Week

God of love, our prayer is simple:
You son, Jesus, suffered and died for us.
We know only that we cannot have real strength
unless we rely on you. We cannot feel protected
from our many weaknesses until we turn to you
for forgiveness and your unalterable love.
Help us to share this strength, protection, and love with others.

Tuesday 30th March-Tuesday of Holy week

God of such do we "celebrate" the passion and death of Jesus?
We often want to look the other way, and not watch
not stay with Jesus in his suffering. Give us the strength
to see his love with honesty and compassion and to feel deeply
your own forgiveness and mercy for us. Help us to understand
how to "celebrate" this week. We want to be able to bring
our weaknesses and imperfections with us as we journey with Jesus this week,
so aware of his love.

Wednesday 31st March-Wednesday of Holy week

Our saviour, do you invite us to share in the glory of the resurrection?
Please stay with us as we struggle to see how accepting the crosses of our lives
will free us from the power of the one who wants only to destroy our love and trust in you
Help us to be humble and accepting like your son, Jesus. We want to turn to you
with the same trust he had in your love. Save us, Lord. Only you can save us.