Church of England Devon Prayers “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 Wed 1st – Sat 4th February This week take time to notice signs of new life as snowdrops and other bulbs begin to show. Thank God for new life offered to all. 1. For the Holiday Coast Mission Community, their clergy Dallas Ayling, Nicholas Hawkins, Chris Curd, John Teed, Reader Margaret Noel and for all who live and worship in Starcross, Dawlish and Cofton. 2. On the feast of Candlemas we pray: Lord Jesus Christ, light of the nations and glory of Israel: make your home among us, and present us pure and holy to your heavenly Father, your God, and our God. Amen. We also pray today for Bishop Sarah visiting Christianity Deanery until 5th. 3. Pray for all those attending and those leading Safeguarding training today in Torquay, in Exeter on 4th and 10th, in Okehampton on 15th, Plymouth on 21st and Barnstaple on 22nd. 4. Pray for Co-ordinating Chaplain Julie Cartwright working at Barnstaple Hospital, and for all who work as part of the chaplaincy team. Sun 5th – Sat 11th February This week pray for all refugees settling into our country. Pray that they will be warmly welcomed in our communities. 5. For the Holsworthy Mission Community, their clergy Richard Freeman, Jane Lucas, Kathy Roberts, Chris Penn, Readers Ali Rowe, Jim Williams, Mary Aicheler and for all who live and worship in Highampton, Ashwater, Beaworthy, Black Torrington, Bradford with Cookbury, Bradworthy, Bridgerule, Bulkworthy, Abbots Bickington, Halwill, Thornbury, Hollacombe, Holsworthy, Milton Damerel, Putford, Pyworthy with Pancrasweek, Sutcombe, Tetcott with Luffincott and Clawton. 6. Pray for Bishop Robert, Archdeacon Christopher and for all those attending the Synod beginning today in our link Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf. Pray for deepened friendships and a fruitful and useful time together. 7. Pray for our Further Education Chaplains and especially Tim Hunt working to support staff and students at Blundell’s School, in Tiverton. 8. For the Holyford Mission Community, their clergy Hilary Dawson, John Lees, Shuna George, Anne Futcher, Readers Charles Hill, Neil White, Jan Lees and for all who live and worship in Southleigh, Musbury, Colyton and Branscombe. 9. In our link with Melanesia we are asked to pray for Sr Veronica as she leaves the UK this month to take up her new role as Provincial Sister for the Community of the Sisters of the Church. Also pray for Melanesian Bishops Leonard Dawea and Ellison Quity as part of their visit to the UK they will re-dedicate Patteson’s Cross today near Ottery St Mary. 10. Pray for Bishop Sarah visiting Kenn Deanery until 12th and for Bishop Nick visiting Moreton Deanery until 12th. 11. For the Honiton Mission Community, their clergy Sue Roberts, Jane Lankester, Philip Butcher and for all who live and worship in Honiton with Monkton, Gittisham, Combe Raleigh, Buckerell and Awliscombe. Sun 12th – Sat 18th February In this Marriage Week pray for all the couples married recently and for those due to be married in your church this coming year. 12. For the Kingsbridge Mission Community, their clergy Jackie Taylor, Clive Rogers, David Bond and for all who live and worship in West Alvington, Kingsbridge and Dodbrooke. 13. Pray for the meeting of General Synod until 16th: For all those involved and for good listening and wise decision-making. 14. On St Valentine’s Day thank God for His love and pray for all those you love: family and friends. 15. For the Kingsteignton Mission Community, their clergy Mark Smith, Sandra Gill and for all who live and worship in Teigngrace and Kingsteignton. 16. For the Little Dart Team Mission Community, their priest Adrian Wells, Readers Christine Chandler, Yvonne Childs, Wendy Isaac and for all who live and worship in Witheridge with Creacombe, West Worlington, Wembworthy with Eggesford, Thelbridge, Romansleigh, Meshaw, East Worlington, Chulmleigh, Cheldon, Chawleigh and Burrington. 17. For the Littleham cum Exmouth with Lympstone Mission Community, their clergy James Hutchings, Benedict Cambridge, Lesley Holman, Maureen Douglas, Sid Humphries, Reader Demelza Henderson and for all who live and worship in Lympstone, Littleham and Exmouth. 18. For the Malborough Mission Community, their clergy Daniel French, Ruth Frampton and for all who live and worship in Salcombe and Malborough with South Huish. Sun 19th – Sat 25th February Take time this week to light a candle and sit quietly before God. Listen to the ‘still, small voice’. 19. Please pray for the work of our CofE Headteachers around our diocese and in particular for Head of Charleton Primary School Ruth Benton. Pray for all staff and children. 20. Please pray for those from our link Diocese of Bayeux-Lisieux in France visiting us until 24th and we are asked to pray for the Centre of Theological Studies in Caen and its development of theological learning among clergy and lay people. 21. In our link with Thika we are asked to pray for the Bishop of Thika The Rt Rev Julius Wanyoike and for the Mothers’ Union - the powerhouse of the Church - Mrs Esther Wanyoike the president and Rev Cecilia Mwaniki the coordinator. 22. Pray for the Archdeacon of Exeter, the Ven Christopher Futcher and his PA Peter Colebrook. 23. Please pray for the work of our Mission Resources (Stewardship) team in the diocese. Especially for Katie Stevenson as she returns after maternity leave and Sophie West. 24. For the Netherexe Parishes Mission Community, their clergy Katie Cross, Sue Sheppard and for all who live and worship in Upton Pyne, Thorverton, Stoke Canon, Rewe with Netherexe, Poltimore with Huxham, Newton St Cyres, Cadbury and Brampford Speke. 25. For the Newton Abbot Mission Community, their priest Patrick Parkes, Reader Simon Lepine-Williams and for all who live and worship in Newton Abbot, Wolborough, Ogwell, Milber and Highweek. Sun 26th – Tue 28th February As Lent approaches pray that it is a time of opportunities to deepen our relationship with God in order to show his love to the world. 26. On Poverty Action Sunday we join in their prayer: You call us, God. You call us out of a harsh land and into freedom. You call us out of despair and apathy. You call us into a vision of another way of living. You call us, Jesus. You call us into hope and friendship. You call us to build your kingdom. You call us to break bread with you and with the hungry. You call us, Holy Spirit. You call us to transformation. You call us to shine in the darkness. You call us into the world to change it. Give us the strength to follow where you call. Amen. (www.church-poverty.org.uk) Also pray for Bishop Robert as he visits Honiton Deanery until 28th. 27. As Fairtrade Fortnight begins until 12 March we pray: Creator God, You created a beautiful world for all your children. As we taste and smell the fruits of this creation help us to remember those who farm the land to grow them. Help us to live in a partnership of love and support with those who produce our food and drink so that we might enable others to feed their families and create a sustainable future. Amen (www.exeter.anglican.org/prayer-fairtrade-fortnight) 28. On this Shrove Tuesday pray for churches holding pancake parties and events to reach out to their communities. Information included in this prayer diary is taken from the diocesan database, where people have given us permission to do so, and was accurate at the time of publication. If there are any changes please email database@exeter.anglican.org