September 2015 Prayer Column

Getting and giving prayer help

Visitors to your church may want to be prayed for. How can a prayer leaflet help? Well, first it can offer reassurance: we certainly can pray for one another – we can ask anyone we trust to pray for us, or with us. But your church may offer something more. For instance:

• Some churches have someone available to pray with people after services. If yours does, say where they can be found.
• You may have a regular (weekly?) Prayer Meeting. When, where?
• If you invite prayer requests, e.g., through a steward; or in a prayer book, notice board, prayer tree, etc., give details.
• Or they can email requests to prayer@bradfordnorth.org.uk or go to www.bradfordnorth.org.uk/prayer.html

Those who’ve had prayers answered may then want to pray for others, and your leaflet could give some tips about that too, like:

• Be a good listener when people talk to you, and pray about what you hear. If you feel led to do so, offer to pray with them.
• You can pray (for anyone) at any time on your own, wherever you are; or you can arrange to meet with one or two others with similar concerns for a time of prayer together.
• Or come to a Church prayer meeting (if you have one).
• Or get the email prayer letters for Bradford North Circuit. Send your name and email address to prayer@bradfordnorth.org.uk

Three down and one to go: final page of the Prayer Leaflet next month.

Roy LS

A prayer for each week

A beacon on a hill on a dark night could not give more light than you, Lord – shining hope to despairing souls. Please open the eyes of faith and direct the gaze of all who desire to see. Amen.

A building dedicated to you as a house of God offers an address where you are to be found at home, by restless souls. Please, Lord, help us open the door wide to all whom you invite. Amen.

A human soul attuned to you in faith is a temple of your holy presence. Please, Lord, may we who believe act as worthy priests to tired seekers: meeting their needs, showing the Way. Amen.

A congregation of believers is a local body of Christ. Please Lord, may we who know you offer newcomers also access to the divine, enfolding them in your robes, in your powerful name. Amen.

Your own prayers