Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22

Of course, this month we say adieu to Mark and Sam, and more will be said elsewhere about this, but here, we pray for their good health, happiness and continued joy in their ministry. We thank God for their time with us, during which we have been greatly blessed.

We pray for those who will be charged with appointing the new Vicar, and for those who will be maintaining the Services during the interregnum. We pray for the Wardens and other officers of the Church, and we give thanks for Julie continuing her ministry with us, as associate priest, helping us move from one stage in our spiritual walk, to another. We are also very blessed to have Paul and Jan, our retired clergy, and David at St Michael’s. So, we pray for each of them.

The cold weather hasn’t completely gone, so we pray for all affected, those sleeping without shelter, those who can’t afford to put on the heating, those who can’t afford hot meals. We give thanks for all who help in food banks and shelters, all who help to fill in forms to get more money from the government, all who advise on health issues and provide simple remedies.

We pray for the farmers and agricultural workers, knee deep in lambing and preparing the fields for sowing. We pray for the correct weather, so that all will go well, and the livestock and crops will be successful. We pray for them to receive a fair reward for all their labour and not be cheated by big companies trying to cut costs.

The Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ Romans 8:15