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OCTOBER PRAYER PAGE “…but deliver us from evil”
As we pray the Lord’s Prayer this month we focus on our plea for God’s protection over us to keep us safe from the harm of evil in this world. As we do say we pray it too for those around us who are vulnerable to its attractions – the young, the impressionable and those seeking answers to the meaning of life in the wrong places.
As we near the end of the Season of Creation, we give thanks once again, Lord, for the beauty and wonder of all that you have made for our fulfilment and enjoyment and pray that more may see you through the world you made..
This month’s specific prompts for prayer are:
Until 4th October – Heavenly Father, as Fairtrade Fortnight draws to a close begins we remember the poorest labourers in developing countries, including children, who work hard for little pay merely to survive. Please prosper employers who conduct their business with integrity and treat their workers honourably. Amen.
1st October – International Day for Older Persons – Lord of Life, help us all to challenge the inequalities experienced by the elderly – may we build a society that values and protects them, encouraging them to continue contributing their talents and experience for the benefit of all.
1st October – As our homegroup restarts tonight after its summer break pray that God will bless those attending with a deeper knowledge of himself, in both heart and head, and a deeper love for each other.
3rd October – Celebration of Licensed Lay Ministry – As 5 new LLMs are licensed in the Cathedral today, including Barbara Hemsley from our own Mission Community, we give thanks to God for all they do, especially Caroline and David here in our parish. May God bless all who are called to serve us in this way and may he continue to call more of us to do likewise.
4th October – Loving God, on this Homelessness Sunday help us to seek the welfare of all who find themselves living on the streets, or are on the brink of doing so. May the help they receive from charities like St Petrock’s be a turning point for them – enabling them to look ahead to a safe, secure future.
5th October – Father God, on World Teachers’ Day we give thanks for those who educate us and our children, thinking especially of everyone working in our own village school. May all teachers be valued and have a voice in the debates on the future of education in our country, for the benefit of society.
10th October – On this World Mental Health Day we pray for the mental health of all those experiencing humanitarian emergencies, recognising that the impacts are far more than material and physical.
11th October – On this World Hospice and Palliative Care Day we pray that everyone may get access to the palliative care they need to end their lives in dignity. We thank you for our local hospices including those that provide support to people in their own homes.
11th–18th October – In this Week of Prayer for World Peace we join together in person in church on Thursday 15th to seek the end of all wars and pray for the victims and the perpetrators. Let us pray the International Prayer for Peace: Lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth. Lead us from despair to hope, from fear to trust. Lead us from hate to love, from war to peace. Let peace fill our hearts, our world, our universe. We continue to pray for Ukraine and the Middle East, and all the other less publicised countries ravaged by war.
16th October – On World Food Day we pray for wisdom to deliver food security to satisfy a growing global population while maintaining the health of scarce planetary resources in the face of a changing climate.
17th October – On this International Day for the Eradication of Poverty remember all who struggle to make ends meet, and the pressures that places on families including those within our own community. Let us work together to meet their immediate needs and change our society.
18th October – Father God, on this Anti-Slavery Day we pray for the 50 million plus victims of modern day slavery. Show us how we can play our part in defeating this appalling global trade. We give thanks for organisations leading the response to this injustice, such as the Salvation Army and the CofE’s Clewer Initiative.
20th October – Health and Care Sunday – God of healing and restoration, we acknowledge today all who work in health and social care. We thank you that the NHS is there for all of us in our times of need. Within our own community we pray your blessing on all who live and work at Sundial House.
From 24th October – Please remember in prayer all from our school community during their half-term holiday.
25th October – Bible Sunday – Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: help us so to hear them, to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them that we may embrace and for ever hold fast the hope of everlasting life, given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
26th October – We join with the Diocese in praying for the Otter Vale Mission Community, our clergy Mark Ward, David Carrington and Carys Baker, LLMs Caroline Poultney, Barbara Hemsley and David Williamson, and all who live and worship in Alfington, Colaton Raleigh Feniton with Escot, Harpford, Newton Poppleford, Ottery St Mary, Payhembury, Tipton St John with Venn Ottery, West Hill and Wiggaton.
29th October – On International Day of Care and Support we recognise the care provided by both paid and unpaid carers. It is estimated that by 2030 there will be 2.3 billion people in need of care. Pray for those we know who are struggling to look after loved ones at this time and in need of help from a Social Care system under strain.
31st October – All Hallows Eve – Pray for the safety of all young people out on this night that they may be kept safe from physical and spiritual harm. Ask God to shine the light of Christ into the darkness of their Halloween celebrations.
This month please pray for the residents of Tipton Main Street, Chrystel Close and Barton Paddocks.