Calendar of Intercessions Christmas-Passiontide 2017

to this edition of the prayer diary, which takes us from Christmas Day to Passion Sunday.

As usual, it’s a sizable document but designed

to be quick and clear to read, and also to leave space for your own notes. Of course, you do not have to print it all out at once,

and you’re welcome to reformat it, if you wish (a Word version is available from my blog, see website below).

Sunday entries are designed to look at some of the bigger pictures in our Diocese – sometimes geographical (deaneries, archdeaconries, link dioceses) sometimes

issues or activities (Vocations Sunday). If there is an aspect of diocesan life

that you’d like included on a Sunday, do let me know. These are followed through the week by daily prayers from all over the diocese, and across the

Anglican Communion, including the calendar of saints and other worthy people.

Finally, there is space in the daily entries for you to note any prayer requests that

have been made to you or your parish, or any special interests you want to

remember in your prayers.

Please contact me with any comments or suggestions –

bishopscourt@rochester.anglican.org or 01634 814439. I will also be pleased to provide large print copies to any who would find that helpful.

The calendar is published on the Diocesan website, and also on www.rochesterworship.wordpress.com where you can find the next quarter’s

intercessions (hopefully) as this quarter starts to come to an end.

Cover photo: winning decoration from the Link’s Christmas competition.

Welcome

Sunday 25 December

Christmas Day

Isaiah 9.2-7

Psalm 96

Titus 2.11-14 Luke 2.1-14 [15-20]

Christmas

Reconciling Peace, sent to the people, Gladdening Flash, who came to the gloomy, Powerful Leaven, conquering all in silence, Patient One, who has captured the creation little by little.

Blessed is he who became small without limit to make us great without limit.

Ephrem of Syria (c.306-373)

Rochester Diocese:

For all maternity wards and midwives.

Anglican Communion:

Kitale - (Kenya) The Rt Rev Stephen Kewasis

Prayer Requests:

Monday 26 December

Stephen, deacon, first martyr

Rochester Diocese: For Christians witnessing even to the point of death.

Anglican Communion: Kiteto - (Tanzania) The Rt Rev Isaiah Chambala

Prayer Requests:

Tuesday

27 December John, Apostle and Evangelist

Rochester Diocese:

For exiles and those who cannot go home.

Anglican Communion:

Kitgum - (Uganda)

Prayer Requests:

Wednesday

28 December

The Holy Innocents

Rochester Diocese:

For all caught in the cross-fire of conflict.

Anglican Communion: Kitui - (Kenya) The Rt Rev Josephat Mule

Prayer Requests:

He, being God, made our flesh his residence, that we might in turn be restored to God.”

Hillary of Poitiers (315-376)

Thursday

29 December Thomas Becket, archbishop, martyr, 1170

Rochester Diocese:

For all who ‘speak truth to power’ at the risk of life or livelihood.

Anglican Communion:

Kivu - (Rwanda) The Rt Rev Augustin Ahimana

Prayer Requests:

Friday 30 December

Rochester Diocese: Green Street Green, St Marys and Pratts Bottom, All Souls

Vicar: The Rev Karl Carpani

Anglican Communion:

Kobe - (Japan) The Rt Rev Andrew Yatuka Nakamura

Prayer Requests:

Saturday

31 December

John Wyclif, reformer, 1384

Rochester Diocese:

Orpington, All Saints

Vicar: The Rev Brian McHenry

Anglican Communion:

Koforidua - (Ghana, West Africa) The Rt Rev Francis Quashie

Prayer Requests:

Sunday

1 January Naming and Circumcision of Jesus

Numbers 6.22-end Psalm 8

Galatians 4.4-7 Luke 2.15-21

New Year - 2017

In a world of change and hope, of fear and adventure,

In human rebellion and obedience,

in our seeking and our finding, In the common life of our society,

in prosperity and need, As your Church proclaims your goodness

in words and action, Among our friends

and in our homes,

In our times of joy, in our days of sorrow,

In our strengths and triumphs, in our weakness and at our death,

In your saints in glory

and on the day of Christ’s coming, faithful God

glorify your name.

©The Archbishops' Council 2002 Rochester Diocese:

For all those in need of a new start, or who are facing new beginnings with joy

or trepidation.

Anglican Communion: Kolhapur - (North India) The Rt Rev Bathuel Tiwade

Prayer Requests:

Monday 2 January

Basil the Great and Gregory of Nazianzus, Bishops, Teachers of the Faith, 379 and 389; Seraphim, monk, spiritual guide, 1833; Vedanayagam Samuel Azariah, bishop, evangelist, 1945

Rochester Diocese: Orpington, Christ Church

Vicar: The Rev Jay Colwill

Anglican Communion:

Kondoa - (Tanzania) The Rt Rev Given Gaula

Prayer Requests:

Tuesday

3 January

Rochester Diocese:

Petts Wood, St Francis Vicar: The Rev Robert Lane

Anglican Communion:

Kongor - (Upper Nile, Sudan) The Rt Rev Gabriel Thuch

Agoth

Prayer Requests:

Wednesday 4 January

Rochester Diocese: Bexley, St John the Evangelist and St Mary the Virgin

Team Rector: The Rev Scott Lamb

Anglican Communion:

Kontagora - (Lokoja, Nigeria) The Rt Rev Jonah Ibrahim

Prayer Requests:

Thursday

5 January

Rochester Diocese:

For Shorne, St Peter and St Paul, and their new Vicar instituted today.

Anglican Communion:

Kootenay - (British Columbia & the Yukon, Canada) The Most Revd John Elswood Privett

Prayer Requests:

Friday

6 January Epiphany

Rochester Diocese:

Blendon, St James the Great Vicar: The Rev Andrea Ward

Anglican Communion:

O God, who revealed your only Son to the Gentiles by the leading of a star, mercifully grant that we, who know you now by faith, may after this life enjoy the splendour of your gracious Godhead, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Prayer Requests:

Saturday

7 January

Rochester Diocese:

Footscray, All Saints, with North Cray, St James Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Stephen Sealy

Anglican Communion:

Kubwa - ( Abuja, Nigeria) The Rt Rev Duke Akamisoko

Prayer Requests:

“Creator of the heavens, who led the Magi by a star to worship the Christ-child: guide and sustain us, that we may find our journey’s end in Jesus Christ our Lord.” ©The Archbishops' Council 2004

Sunday

8 January Baptism of Christ

Epiphany 1

Isaiah 42.1-9 Psalm 29

Acts 10.34-43 Matthew 3.13-end

Sevenoaks

Please pray for our two current Interregnums: Knockholt and Halstead; Seal

Chart and Underriver and those responsible for the application and selection process.

Our continued ecumenical involvement in Churches Together in the Sevenoaks

District and the North West Fellowship of Churches. For the ever-increasing pressure on schools admissions in the area, especially

church schools. For all the various Christmas and Lent events; Alpha Courses, Pre-Alpha

Courses; Marriage, Baptism, Lent and Confirmation courses. For our reaching out as new housing developments bring new communities

and new challenges.

For Deanery Synods - discussing especially finance, deployment and Our Conversation, Our future and our Licensed Lay and Pastoral Ministry.

For our Church officers, leaders, helpers; all continually under pressure re: availability and resources.

For our food banks and similar initiatives, and those who feel they have

become invisible in today’s society. For our churches’ emerging and changing roles among the communities they

serve.

Rochester Diocese:

Sevenoaks Deanery The Rev Martin Booth, Rural Dean; Brigadier Ian Dobbie, Lay Chair.

Anglican Communion:

Kuching - (South East Asia) The Rt Rev Bolly Lapok

Assistant Bishop of Kuching - (South East Asia) The Rt Rev Solomon Cheong Sung Voon

Prayer Requests:

Monday

9 January

Rochester Diocese:

Joydens Wood, St Barnabas Vicar: The Rev Ren Harding

Anglican Communion:

Kumi - (Uganda) The Rt Rev Thomas Irigei

Prayer Requests:

Tuesday

10 January William Laud, archbishop, 1645

Rochester Diocese:

For the Bishop’s Staff, meeting today.

Anglican Communion:

Kushtia - (Bangladesh) The Rt Rev Samuel Sunil Mankhin

Prayer Requests:

Wednesday

11 January Mary Slessor, missionary, 1915

Rochester Diocese:

Lamorbey, Holy Redeemer Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Colin Terry

Anglican Communion:

Kutigi - (Lokoja, Nigeria) The Rt Rev Jeremiah Kolo

Prayer Requests:

“Teach me, O my Lord Jesus, instruct me, that I may learn from thee what I ought to teach concerning thee.”

William Laud, 1573-1645

Thursday

12 January Aelred, abbot, 1167; Benedict Biscop, scholar, 689

Rochester Diocese:

Lamorbey, Holy Trinity Vicar: The Rev Philip Wells

Anglican Communion:

Kwara - (Kwara, Nigeria) The Rt Rev Olusegun Adeyemi

Prayer Requests:

Friday 13 January

Hilary, bishop, teacher of the faith, 367; Kentigern (ungo), missionary bishop, 603; George Fox, Founder of the Society of Friends (Quakers), 1691

Rochester Diocese: Sidcup, Christ Church

Vicar: The Rev Tom Parsons

Anglican Communion:

Kwoi - ( Abuja, Nigeria) The Rt Rev Paul Zamani

Prayer Requests:

Saturday 14 January

Rochester Diocese: For the Cathedral and for their new residential canon,

collated today.

Anglican Communion:

Lafia - ( Abuja, Nigeria) The Rt Rev Miller Maza

Prayer Requests:

Sunday

15 January

Epiphany 2

Isaiah 49.1-7 Psalm 40.1-12

1 Corinthians 1.1-9 John 1.29-42

Estonia

Please pray for Archbishop Urmas Viilma, the Clergy and all our sisters and

brothers in the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church; the work they do serving God’s mission for Estonia and the world.

For the political uncertainties of the region; that the people of Estonia remain

independent and safe. For the Church in Estonia’s celebration of the 500th anniversary of the

Lutheran Reformation in Europe; that all peoples may come together and rejoice in the unity we have in Christ.

For the Christmas, Lent and Easter services and events; that they may be a time of refreshment, reconciliation and revival.

Rochester Diocese: Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church: Archbishop Urmas Viilma

Anglican Communion: Kyoto - (Japan) The Rt Rev Stephen Takashi Kochi

Kyushu - (Japan) The Rt Rev Luke Ken-ichi Muto

Prayer Requests:

Monday

16 January

Rochester Diocese:

Sidcup, St Andrew, Vicar: The Rev Rupert Hankey

Anglican Communion:

Lafia - ( Abuja, Nigeria) The Rt Rev Miller Maza Lagos - (Lagos, Nigeria) The Most Rev Ephraim Ademowo

Prayer Requests:

Tuesday

17 January Antony of Egypt, hermit, abbot, 356; Charles Gore, bishop, founder of the Community of the Resurrection, 1932

Rochester Diocese:

For all who work with young people and children, especially the youth workers, meeting today.

Anglican Communion:

Lagos Mainland - (Lagos, Nigeria) The Rt Rev Adebayo

Akinde

Prayer Requests:

Wednesday

18 January Week of Prayer for Christian Unity:18-25 Jan; Amy Carmichael, founder of the Dohnavur Fellowship, spiritual writer, 1951

Rochester Diocese:

Sidcup, St John the Evangelist Vicar: The Rev Stephen Sealy

Anglican Communion: Lagos West - (Lagos, Nigeria) The Rt Rev James Odedeji

Prayer Requests:

“To say that God turns away from the sinful is like saying that the sun hides from the blind.”

Anthony of Egypt d.356

Thursday

19 January Wulfstan, bishop, 1095

Rochester Diocese:

Ash, St Peter and St Paul, with Ridley, St Peter Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Canon Ruth Oates

Anglican Communion:

Lahore - (Pakistan) The Rt Rev Irfan Jamil Peshawar - (Pakistan) The Rt Rev Humphrey Peters

Prayer Requests:

Friday

20 January Richard Rolle, spiritual writer, 1349

Rochester Diocese:

Cobham, St Mary Magdalene, with Luddesdowne St Peter and St Paul, and Dode

Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Angela Walker

Anglican Communion:

Lainya - (Loryko, Sudan) The Rt Rev Eliaba Lako Obed

Prayer Requests:

Saturday 21 January

Agnes, child martyr, 304

Rochester Diocese: For the Diocesan Board of Education.

Anglican Communion: Lake Malawi - (Central Africa) The Rt Rev Francis Kaulanda

Prayer Requests:

Sunday

22 January

Vincent of Saragossa, Deacon, 304

Epiphany 3

Isaiah 9.1-4

Psalm 27.1, 4-12 [or 27.1-11] 1 Corinthians 1.10-18

Matthew 4.12-23

Homeless Sunday

“Each year, churches and Christian ministries unite together to mark Homeless Sunday. This is something which has been going in excess of 15 years to

enable Christians to pray for those in their own community who are homeless as well as to look at how they can commit to new practical action.

It also gives Christians the opportunity to voice their own concern to the scandal of homeless.

Loving God, in your house there is room for everyone. Help us as we strive for a world

where everyone has a home that truly meets their needs.

Give us the grace to welcome strangers and refugees. Give us the insight to see where inequality hurts.

Fill us with courage to do our part. Save us from being overwhelmed

by the scale of the housing crisis, and show us, O Lord, where to begin.”

Housing Justice

Rochester Diocese: For all charities and churches working to support and house the homeless.

Anglican Communion: Lake Rukwa - (Tanzania) The Rt Rev Mathayo Kasagara

Prayer Requests:

Monday

23 January

Rochester Diocese:

For the national College of Bishops, meeting today.

Anglican Communion: Lango - (Uganda) The Rt Rev John Charles Odurkami

Prayer Requests:

Tuesday

24 January Francis de Sales, bishop, teacher of the faith, 1622

Rochester Diocese:

For the archdeacons across the country, meeting today.

Anglican Communion: Langtang - (Jos, Nigeria) The Rt Rev Stanley Fube

Prayer Requests:

Wednesday

25 January Conversion of Paul

Rochester Diocese:

Fawkham, St Mary, and Hartley, All Saints Rector: The Rev Jim Fletcher

Anglican Communion:

Lebombo - (Southern Africa) The Rt Rev Carlos Simao Matsinhe

Lesotho - (Southern Africa) The Rt Rev Adam Mallane

Taaso

Prayer Requests:

“For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain …”

1Co 15:9-10

Thursday

26 January Timothy and Titus, companions of Paul

Rochester Diocese:

Istead Rise, St Barnabas Vicar: The Rev Andrew Vaughan

Anglican Communion:

Leicester - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev Martyn James Snow

Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Leicester - (Canterbury,

England) The Rt Rev Christopher John Boyle

Prayer Requests:

Friday

27 January Rochester Diocese:

Longfield, St Mary Magdalene

Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Dylan Turner

Anglican Communion: Lexington - (IV, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Douglas

Hahn

Prayer Requests:

Saturday

28 January Thomas Aquinas, priest, philosopher, teacher of the faith, 1274

Rochester Diocese:

Meopham, St John the Baptist, with Nurstead, St Mildred Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Alyson Davie

Anglican Communion: Liberia - (West Africa, West Africa) The Most Rev Jonathan

Bau-Bau Bonaparte Hart

Prayer Requests:

Sunday

29 January

Epiphany 4

I Kings 17.8-16 Psalm 36.5-10

I Corinthians 1.18-end John 2.1-11

Tonbridge

Thanksgiving –

A good 3 day clergy and lay leaders retreat at Worth Abbey. Welcome and valued assistance from retired clergy in the deanery with PTO. The joint lay

vocations initiative with Sevenoaks deanery and the work of Sally Musson as

vocation adviser in our deanery. We are pleased that vacancy at Hever is now filled. One of our parishes is leading the way with its own Parish app!!

For Prayer –

Possible retirement of a significant number of the clergy in the deanery gives and opportunity for some creative thinking pray that this is done well

The visit of Bishop James for a week and for Sally Musson and Sue Diggory

planning. Mark Brown will be seeking to speak some outreach meetings too. A good take up for the diocesan lent course – some have signed up already.

Rochester Diocese: Tonbridge Deanery

The Rev Canon Mark Brown, Rural Dean; Mrs Carol Wake, Lay Chair.

Anglican Communion: Lichfield - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev Michael Ipgrave

Lichfield - Shrewsbury - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev Mark James Rylands

Lichfield - Stafford - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev Geoffrey Peter Annas Lichfield - Wolverhampton - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev Clive Gregory

Prayer Requests:

Monday

30 January Charles, king and martyr, 1649

Rochester Diocese:

Southfleet, St Nicholas Rector: The Rev David Houston

Anglican Communion:

Limerick & Killaloe - (Dublin, Ireland) The Rt Rev Kenneth Kearon

Prayer Requests:

Tuesday 31 January

John Bosco, priest, founder of the Salesian Teaching Order, 1888

Rochester Diocese: For our brothers and sisters in the Roman Catholic

Church.

Anglican Communion:

Lincoln - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev Christopher Lowson

Lincoln - Grantham - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev

Nicholas Alan Chamberlain Lincoln - Grimsby - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev

David Eric Court

Prayer Requests:

Wednesday

1 February

Brigid, abbess, c.525

Rochester Diocese:

Crockenhill, All Souls

Vicar: The Rev Keith White

Anglican Communion: Litoral Ecuador - (XI, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev

Alfredo Morante

Prayer Requests:

Thursday

2 February Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas)

Rochester Diocese:

Darent Valley: Darenth, St Margaret of Antioch; Horton Kirby, St Mary; and Sutton-at-Hone, St John the Baptist

Vicar: vacancy

Anglican Communion: Liverpool - (York, England) The Rt Rev Paul Bayes

Liverpool - Warrington - (York, England) The Rt Rev Richard

Finn Blackburn

Prayer Requests:

Friday 3 February

Anskar, archbishop, missionary, 865

Rochester Diocese: Dartford, Christ Church

Vicar: The Rev Richard Mortimer

Anglican Communion:

The Most Rev Dr Barry Morgan Archbishop of Wales & Bishop of Llandaff

Assistant Bishop of Llandaff - (Wales) The Rt Rev David Wilbourne

Prayer Requests:

Saturday 4 February

Gilbert, founder of the Gilbertine Order, 1189

Rochester Diocese: Pray for police chaplains, meeting today.

Anglican Communion: Lokoja - (Lokoja, Nigeria) The Most Rev Emmanuel

Sokowamju Egbunu

Prayer Requests:

“I beg you to approach… Jesus himself who shines in Simeon’s hands to enlighten your faith, who shines on your works, who inspires your speech, who makes your prayer fervent and purifies the intentions of your heart.”

Guerric of Igny (c.1070-1157)

Sunday

5 February

4 Before Lent

Isaiah 58.1-9a [9b-12] Psalm 112.1-9 [or Psalm 112]

1 Corinthians 2.1-12 [13-end] Matthew 5.13-20

(Proper 1)

Rochester Archdeaconry

Giving thanks to God for a successful funding to the Church Commissioners,

please pray: for our mission in Chatham town centre; for the planned re-opening of St John’s Church; the existing town centre congregation and those

who may join them; the right leaders to be identified to bring plans to fruition.

Please pray for those who are leading the Diocesan response to the Ebbsfleet

development, in particular Alan Matthews, Matthew Girt, Ian Sesnan, Alex Tear, Bonnie Appleton and Sue Brewer. The first few hundred people of an

expected nearly fifty thousand have moved there. The completed development will be larger than Canterbury and we seek God’s guidance and

inspiration to shape our mission for him there in ways that will endure and

bear fruit.

Rochester Diocese:

Rochester Archdeaconry The Ven Simon Burton-Jones, Archdeacon

Anglican Communion:

Lomega - (Loryko, Sudan) The Rt Rev Paul Yugusuk

Prayer Requests:

Monday

6 February Martyrs of Japan, 1597; Accession of Queen Elizabeth II, 1952

Rochester Diocese:

Dartford, Holy Trinity Vicar: The Rev Martin Henwood DL

Anglican Communion:

London - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev & Rt Hon Richard John Carew Chartres and Area Bishops: The Rt Rev

Robert Wickham; The Rt Rev Jonathan Mark Richard Baker;

The Rt Rev Ric Thorpe; The Rt Rev Graham Tomlin; The Rt Rev Adrian Newman; The Rt Rev Peter Allan Broadbent

Prayer Requests:

Tuesday 7 February

Rochester Diocese: For the Diocesan Communications Team

Director of Communications: Ms Lindy Mackenzie

Anglican Communion:

Long Island - (II, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Lawrence Provenzano. Los Angeles - (VIII, The Episcopal

Church) The Rt Rev Jon Bruno and Suffragans: The Rt Rev Mary Glasspool; The Rt Rev Diane Jardine Bruce

Prayer Requests:

Wednesday

8 February

Rochester Diocese:

Dartford, St Alban

Priest-in-Charge: The Rev David Helms

Anglican Communion: Louisiana - (IV, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Morris

Thompson. Western Louisiana - (VII, The Episcopal Church)

The Rt Rev Jacob W Owensby

Prayer Requests:

“I cannot lead you into battle. I do not give you laws or administer justice but I can do something else - I can give my heart and my devotion to these old islands and to all the peoples of our brotherhood of nations.” Queen Elizabeth II

Thursday

9 February

Rochester Diocese:

Dartford, St Edmund Vicar: The Rev Marcel McCarron

Anglican Communion:

Luapula - (Central Africa) The Rt Rev Robert Mumbi

Prayer Requests:

Friday 10 February

Scholastica, abbess, c.543

Rochester Diocese: Stone, St Mary

Rector: The Rev Kenneth Clark

Anglican Communion:

Lucknow - (North India) The Rt Rev Peter Baldev

Prayer Requests:

Saturday

11 February

Rochester Diocese:

Swanley, St Mary the Virgin

Vicar: The Rev Dane Batley-Gladden

Anglican Communion: Lui - (Central, Sudan) The Rt Rev Stephen Dokolo Ismail

Prayer Requests:

Sunday

12 February

3 Before Lent

Deuteronomy 30.15-end or Ecclesiasticus 15.15-end Psalm 119.1-8

1 Corinthians 3.1-9 Matthew 5.21-37

(Proper 2)

Beckenham

Much is happening on the North West frontier of the Diocese! St. Paul's

Beckenham is in interregnum with all the uncertainties and hopes that that brings. The United Benefice of St. James’ and St. Michael's has welcomed two

clergy to the team Fr. Stephen Niechcial and Fr. Graham Lunn who join Fr.

Leon Carberry. St. George's Beckenham, widely known for its musical tradition, is seeking a new Director of music - a crucial appointment. Christ Church

Beckenham is embarking on a year focuses on evangelism and is also grateful for the ministry of it's new Youth Minister and also its newly appointed Parish

Nurse. The work at Holy Trinity Beckenham, St. John's Penge and the Anerley Team with the Living Well and CAP centres and food banks continue to be a

blessing to those they serve but a cause for prayer when it comes to

sustainability. St. John's Eden Park has extended its boundary and so we pray for their ministry amongst those new members of their flock.

Rochester Diocese: Beckenham Deanery

The Rev Rob Hinton, Area Dean; Mrs Sarah Poole, Lay Chair.

Anglican Communion: Lusaka - (Central Africa) The Rt Rev David Njovu

Prayer Requests:

Monday

13 February Rochester Diocese:

Swanley, St Paul, and Hextable, St Peter Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Ray Sammé

Anglican Communion:

Luwero - (Uganda) The Rt Rev Eridard Kironde Nsubuga

Prayer Requests:

Tuesday 14 February

Cyril and Methodius, missionaries, 869 and 885; Valentine, martyr at Rome, c.269

Rochester Diocese: For our sisters and brothers in the Orthodox family of

Churches.

Anglican Communion: Lweru - (Tanzania) The Rt Rev Jackton Yeremiah Lugumira

Prayer Requests:

Wednesday

15 February Sigfrid, bishop, 1045; Thomas Bray, priest, founder of SPCK and SPG, 1730

Rochester Diocese:

Wilmington, St Michael and All Angels Vicar: The Rev Richard Arding

Anglican Communion:

Machakos - (Kenya) The Rt Rev Joseph Mutungi

Prayer Requests:

“LOVE bade me welcome; yet my soul drew back, Guilty of dust and sin. But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack From my first entrance in, Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning If I lack'd anything.”

George Herbert (1593-1633)

Thursday

16 February

Rochester Diocese:

Gillingham, Holy Trinity Vicar: The Rev Ann Richardson

Anglican Communion:

Madhya Kerala - (South India) The Rt Rev Thomas Kanjirappally Oommen

Prayer Requests:

Friday

17 February Janani Luwum, archbishop, martyr, 1977

Rochester Diocese:

For our retired priests and lay ministers.

Anglican Communion:

Madurai-Ramnad - (South India) The Rt Rev Marialouis Joseph

Prayer Requests:

Saturday

18 February

Rochester Diocese:

Cliffe, St Helen with Cooling, and their new priest-in-charge, commissioned today.

Anglican Communion: Madi & West Nile - (Uganda) The Rt Rev Joel Obetia

Prayer Requests:

Sunday

19 February

2 Before Lent

Genesis 1.1-2.3 Psalm 136 [or Psalm 136.1-9, 23-end]

Romans 8.18-25 Matthew 6.25-end

Bromley

Bromley Deanery has recently changed shape, two benefices moving into the

Orpington Deanery, making this a time of transition. Please pray that as the deanery adopts the new Mission Plan we will discover

the activities that we can do together that we couldn’t do apart. Please pray for

the flourishing of relationships between the parishes of the deanery.

The Deanery has a good commitment from parish representatives and able people who arrange the life of the Synod. Please pray for our Synod meetings

and a good relationship with the parishes that are represented.

Please pray for the confirmation candidates being prepared for next month’s

confirmation and for all involved in planning that service.

Rochester Diocese: Bromley Deanery

The Rev Alan Keeler, Area Dean; Mrs Angela Scott, Lay Chair.

Anglican Communion: Mahajanga - (Indian Ocean) The Rt Rev Jean Claude Andrianjafimanana

Prayer Requests:

Monday

20 February

Rochester Diocese:

Gillingham St Barnabas Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Ann Richardson

Anglican Communion:

Maiduguri - (Jos, Nigeria) The Rt Rev Emmanuel Kana Mani Makurdi - ( Abuja, Nigeria) The Rt Rev Nathan Nyitar Inyom

Prayer Requests:

Tuesday 21 February

Rochester Diocese: Gillingham, St Luke

Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Paul Matthias

Anglican Communion: Maine - (I, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Stephen Lane

Prayer Requests:

Wednesday 22 February

Rochester Diocese: Gillingham, St Mark, and St Mary’s Island

Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Saju Muthalaly

Anglican Communion: The Most Rev Martin Nyaboho Archbishop of Burundi &

Bishop of Makamba

Prayer Requests:

“We do not go into the desert to escape people but to learn how to find them; we do not leave them in order to have nothing more to do with them, but to find out the way to do them the most good.”

Thomas Merton (1915-1968)

Thursday

23 February Polycarp, bishop, martyr, c.155

Rochester Diocese:

Gillingham, St Mary Magdalene Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Ade Lawal

Anglican Communion:

Makueni - (Kenya) The Rt Rev Joseph Kanuku

Prayer Requests:

Friday 24 February

Rochester Diocese: Rainham, St Margaret

Vicar: The Rev Judy Henning

Anglican Communion: Malaita - (Melanesia) The Rt Rev Samuel Sahu

Assistant Bishop of Malaita - (Melanesia) The Rt Rev Alfred

Hou

Prayer Requests:

Saturday

25 February

Rochester Diocese:

For Kent workplace chaplains, meeting today.

Anglican Communion:

Malakal - (Upper Nile, Sudan) The Rt Rev Hilary Garang Deng

Malakal - (Upper Nile, Sudan) The Rt Rev Peter Gatbel Kunen

Malakal - Bentiu Area - (Upper Nile, Sudan) The Rt Rev

John Gettek Malakal - Pariang Area - (Upper Nile, Sudan) The Rt Rev

David Kiir Mayath

Prayer Requests:

Sunday

26 February

Sunday next before Lent

Exodus 24.12-end Psalm 2 [or Psalm 99]

2 Peter 1.16-end Matthew 17.1-9

St Benedict’s Centre

We give thanks for a wonderful Service of Dedication for the new St Benedict’s

Centre in November 2016 and for the new and refurbished facilities at Malling Abbey.

We give thanks and pray for the Trustees and Centre Manager of the St Benedict’s Centre that God might lead them as they develop this exciting new

initiative.

We pray for the relationships between St Augustine’s College of Theology (formerly SEITE), the Benedictine Community at Malling Abbey and the St

Benedict’s Centre as they co-exist at Malling Abbey.

We pray for individuals who book into the new study rooms that they will be

good places for retreat, renewal and rest.

We pray for all using the conference and meeting spaces at St Benedict’s

Centre – churches, charities, schools and businesses that it may be a place of encouragement and growth.

Rochester Diocese:

The St Benedict’s Centre: Centre Manager (post vacant)

Anglican Communion:

Malek - (Upper Nile, Sudan) The Rt Rev Peter Joh Mayom

Prayer Requests:

Monday

27 February George Herbert, priest, poet, 1633

Rochester Diocese:

South Gillingham: Hempstead, All Saints; Wigmore, St Matthew; Bredhurst, St Peter; and Parkwood, St Paul

Team Rector: The Rev Brian Senior

Anglican Communion: Malindi - (Kenya) The Rt Rev Lawrence Dena

Prayer Requests:

Tuesday

28 February

Rochester Diocese:

Chalk, St Mary the Virgin Vicar: The Rev Nigel Bourne

Anglican Communion:

Manchester - (York, England) The Rt Rev David Walker

Manchester - Bolton - (York, England) The Ven Mark David Ashcroft

Manchester - Middleton - (York, England) The Rt Rev Mark Davies

Prayer Requests:

Wednesday

1 March Ash Wednesday Also, David, Bishop of Menevia, Patron of Wales, (c.601)

Rochester Diocese:

For churches in Kent, reaching out to all who are weary and burdened by their sin and the sins of others.

Anglican Communion: Mandalay - (Myanmar) The Rt Rev David Nyi Nyi Naing

Prayer Requests:

“Is this a fast, to keep the Larder clean? … It is to fast from strife, from old debate and hate; to circumcise thy life. To show a heart grief-rent; to starve thy sin, not bin; and that’s to keep thy Lent.” Robert Herrick (1591–1674)

Thursday

2 March Chad, bishop, missionary, 672

Rochester Diocese:

Gravesend, Holy Family, with Ifield, St Margaret Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Richard Martin

Anglican Communion:

Manicaland - (Central Africa) The Rt Rev Erick Ruwona

Prayer Requests:

Friday 3 March

Rochester Diocese: For those preparing for Licensed Lay Ministry, meeting

today on retreat.

Anglican Communion:

The Most Revd William Brown Turei Pihopa o Aotearora and Primate and Archbishop of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa,

New Zealand and Polynesia

Prayer Requests:

Saturday 4 March

Rochester Diocese: Gravesend, St Aidan

Vicar: The Rev Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy Anglican Communion:

Mara - (Tanzania) The Rt Rev Hilkiah Omindo Deya

Prayer Requests:

Sunday

5 March

Lent 1

Genesis 2.15-17; 3.1-7 Psalm 32

Romans 5.12-19 Matthew 4.1-11

Cobham

We pray for the ministry and mission of our parishes, especially for our

Clusters and how we are engaging with the challenges the diocese is facing at present. We pray for our role within the RAMPWG. We pray for the process

of the Cluster of Ash, Fawkham, Hartley, Longfield and Ridley becoming a

Group ministry and planning how we work together more. We also pray for Cobham with Luddesdowne and Dode, Meopham and Nurstead, Istead Rise

and Southfleet as they continue to look at ways of working together. We ask for God’s blessing in our continued work on our DMMP, especially work with

schools and young people. We ask for encouragement and courage as we try to form a new expression of Church in our Deanery. We give thanks for our

Deanery Prayer Group, Synod and ways in which we support each other. Bless

those on our Ministry teams, PCC’s and all those that give such valuable time and talents for the growth of God’s Kingdom. We pray for those in LLM

training and those involved in helping our congregations become more confident in sharing their faith. Bless us during this Lenten period, especially

those meeting in Lent groups.

Rochester Diocese:

Cobham Deanery The Rev Jim Fletcher, Area Dean; Mrs Norma Crowe, Lay Chair.

Anglican Communion: Marathwada - (North India) The Rt Rev Madhukar Kasab

Prayer Requests:

Monday

6 March

Rochester Diocese:

Gravesend, St George Rector: The Rev Canon Chris Stone

Anglican Communion:

Maridi - (Minye, Sudan) The Rt Rev Justin Badi Arama

Prayer Requests:

Tuesday 7 March

Perpetua, Felicity and companions, martyrs, 203

Rochester Diocese: Gravesend, St Mary

Vicar: The Rev Trudi Oliver

Anglican Communion: Marsabit - (Kenya) The Rt Rev Robert Martin

Prayer Requests:

Wednesday 8 March

Edward King, bishop, 1910 Felix, bishop, 647 Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy, priest, poet, 1929 Ember Day

Rochester Diocese: For those who resist their vocation for fear of the reaction

of their family or friends.

Anglican Communion:

Maryland - (III, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Eugene Sutton

Suffragan Bishop of Maryland - (III, The Episcopal Church) Vacant

Prayer Requests:

“The supreme strength of the Christian faith is that it faces the foulest and filthiest of life’s facts in the crude brutality of the cross, and through them sees the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy (1883-1929)

Thursday

9 March

Rochester Diocese:

Greenhithe, St Mary Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Andrew Avery

Anglican Communion:

Masasi - (Tanzania) The Rt Rev James Almasi

Prayer Requests:

Friday

10 March Ember Day

Rochester Diocese:

For those who struggle to surrender their career for the sake of their vocation.

Anglican Communion:

Maseno North - (Kenya) The Rt Rev Simon Oketch

Prayer Requests:

Saturday 11 March

Ember Day

Rochester Diocese: For those who believe that their age or education or

physical limitations make them unfit for ministry.

Anglican Communion: Masindi-Kitara - (Uganda) The Rt Rev George Kasangaki

Prayer Requests:

Sunday

12 March Lent 2

Genesis 12.1-4a Psalm 121

Romans 4.1-5, 13-17 John 3.1-17

Mpwapwa

Praise God for leading Mpwapwa Diocese over the 25 years since its formation,

for the mission and development, training and growth. For the 200,000 Christians worshipping in its 700 churches, in 115 parishes, lead by 134 clergy,

ably assisted by evangelists and catechists.

Give thanks for Jacob Chimeledya, Diocesan Bishop and Archbishop of Tanzania as he serves both his Diocese and the Province of Tanzania

(nationally and internationally). Please also pray for his wife Mwezwa as she leads the Mothers Union in Tanzania. May they know God’s presence, peace,

discernment, wisdom and strength, and may they keep in good health. Praise God for the rains that came in the autumn, and pray for good rains this

month to help the crops flourish and supply water for the people and

livestock. May the new seeds and “Farming God’s Way” methods produce a wonderful harvest.

Mpwapwa is the size of Wales, and the Diocese staff and Archbishop need vehicles to travel around and work effectively. Currently most of their vehicles

are in need of repair. Please pray for resources to enable these vehicles to be

repaired, serviced and be back on the road. Give thanks for all the partnerships between Mpwapwa and Rochester,

especially those now developing their partnerships and planning visits in 2017. Pray for wisdom as a visit from the Mpwapwa Co-ordinator is proposed

for 2017, that his presence here will inspire others to get involved.

Rochester Diocese:

Our Link Diocese, Mpwpwa: Bishop, The Most Rev Jacob Chimeledya, Archbishop of Tanzania

Anglican Communion: Maseno South - (Kenya) The Rt Rev Francis Abiero

Maseno West - (Kenya) The Rt Rev Joseph Wasonga

Prayer Requests:

Monday

13 March Rochester Diocese:

Milton, Christ Church Vicar: The Rev Sue Brewer

Anglican Communion:

Massachusetts - (I, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Alan McIntosh Gates

Bishop Suffragan of Massachusetts - (I, The Episcopal

Church) The Rt Rev Gayle Harris

Prayer Requests:

Tuesday

14 March

Rochester Diocese:

For St Augustine’s Gillingham, and their new priest-in-charge, commissioned today.

Anglican Communion: Masvingo - (Central Africa) The Rt Rev Godfrey Tawonezwi

Prayer Requests:

Wednesday 15 March

Rochester Diocese: Milton, St Peter and St Paul

Rector: The Rev Graham Herbert

Anglican Communion:

Matabeleland - (Central Africa) The Rt Rev Cleophas Lunga

Prayer Requests:

“I ask you, by the power of your most sweet name, and by the mystery of your holy humanity, to put away my sins and heal the languors of my soul, mindful only of your goodness, not of my ingratitude.”

Aelred of Rievaulx (1110–1167)

Thursday

16 March

Rochester Diocese:

Northfleet, St Botolph, and Rosherville, St Mark Team Rector: The Rev Lawrence Smith

Anglican Communion:

Matlosane (formerly Klerksdorp) - (Southern Africa) The Rt Rev Stephen Diseko

Prayer Requests:

Friday

17 March Patrick, bishop, missionary, patron of Ireland, c.460

Rochester Diocese:

Perry Street, All Saints Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Lawrence Smith

Anglican Communion:

Meath & Kildare - (Dublin, Ireland) The Rt Rev Patricia

Louise Storey

Prayer Requests:

Saturday

18 March Cyril, bishop, teacher of the faith, 386

Rochester Diocese:

For our school Chaplains and Church schools.

Anglican Communion:

Mbaise - (Nigeria) The Rt Rev Chamberlain Chinedu Ogunedo

Prayer Requests:

Sunday

19 March Lent 3

Exodus 17.1-7 Psalm 95

Romans 5.1-11 John 4.5-42

Dartford

Please pray for the parishes of Darent Valley (Darenth, Horton Kirby, Sutton-at-

Hone), St Alban’s Dartford, St Edmund’s Dartford and St Paul Swanley with St Peter Hextable, all of them without incumbents at present, that God will guide

these congregations into mission adapted to present opportunities and future

needs. Especially pray for consolidation of the new benefice council in Darent Valley. Give thanks for those sustaining ministry in these churches. Also for the

Rev Carol Avery, serving her first Lent and Easter in Holy Orders. Pray with thanksgiving for Dartford Churches’ Winter Shelter between January

and March, for Christ Church and St Edmund’s supporting that venture, plus individual volunteers.

For churches engaged in building and restoration projects at present – Holy

Trinity Dartford, Horton Kirby, Stone, St Peter Hextable and All Souls Crockenhill.

Pray that God will inspire not only sacrificial giving but faithfulness amidst the challenge of disconcerting change.

Rochester Diocese: Dartford Deanery

The Rev Kenneth Clark, Area Dean; Mr Jim Tuhey, Lay Chair.

Anglican Communion:

Mbale - (Uganda) The Rt Rev Patrick Gidudu

Prayer Requests:

Monday

20 March Joseph of Nazareth

Rochester Diocese:

Swanscombe, St Peter and St Paul Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Mark Hurley

Anglican Communion:

Mbamili - (Niger, Nigeria) The Rt Rev Henry Okeke

Prayer Requests:

Tuesday

21 March Thomas Cranmer, archbishop, Reformation martyr, 1556

Rochester Diocese:

Borstal, St Matthew Vicar: The Rev Anne Bennett

Anglican Communion:

Mbeere - (Kenya) The Rt Rev Moses Masamba Nthukah

Prayer Requests:

Wednesday

22 March

Rochester Diocese:

For the Diocesan Formation and Ministry Team Director of Formation and Ministry: The Rev Canon Chris

Dench

Anglican Communion:

Mbhashe - (Southern Africa) The Rt Rev Elliot Williams

Prayer Requests:

“ALMIGHTIE God, unto whom all hartes bee open, and all desyres knowen, and from whom no secretes are hid: clense the thoughtes of our hartes, by the inspiracion of thy holy spirite: that we may perfectly love thee, and worthely magnifie thy holy name: through Christ our Lorde. Amen.” Thomas Cramner BCP 1549

Thursday

23 March

Rochester Diocese:

Chatham, St Mary and St John, with Emmaus Church Centre

Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Canon Penny Foreman

Anglican Communion: Medak - (South India)

Prayer Requests:

Friday

24 March Walter Hilton, mystic, 1396; Paul Couturier, priest, ecumenist, 1953; Oscar Romero, archbishop, martyr, 1980

Rochester Diocese:

Chatham, St Paul with All Saints Vicar: vacancy

Anglican Communion:

The Most Rev Dr Philip Leslie Freier Archbishop of

Melbourne & Primate of Australia Melbourne - Marmingatha Episcopate - (Victoria, Australia)

The Rt Rev Genieve Blackwell Melbourne - Jumbunna Episcopate - (Victoria, Australia)

The Rt Rev Paul White

Melbourne - Oodthenong Episcopate - (Victoria, Australia) The Rt Rev Philip Huggins

Prayer Requests:

Saturday 25 March

Annunciation of Our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Rochester Diocese: Chatham, St Philip and St James

Vicar: The Rev Martyn Saunders

Anglican Communion:

Meru - (Kenya) The Rt Rev Charles Mwendwa

Prayer Requests:

Sunday

26 March Lent 4

1 Samuel 16.1-13 Psalm 23

Ephesians 5.8-14 John 9

Mothering Sunday

Mothering Sunday is a joyful day for many, the day to delight in mothers and

maternal figures; but it can also be a day difficult to handle by some: by people who have a complex relationship with their mother; by women who

long to be mothers; or who have lost their children either through death,

adoption, or a breakdown in the relationship. All these groups need special prayer today.

Mothering Sunday is also a day we can reflect on the feminine in God. (There are several points in the scriptures, and in the writings of the Church, in which

God is described with feminine imagery.) Weary from the demands of this world, we can rest in the lap of our Heavenly Mother, and in the strength of

her care, we can care for others.

Mother Church is another focus of thanksgiving for this day, both in terms of structure (cathedral churches, minster churches and churches that have sent

out church plants) and in the imagery of the wider church who nurtures us, and feeds our faith.

Rochester Diocese: For Mothers’ Union branches and other groups supporting family life.

Anglican Communion:

Mexico - (Mexico) The Rt Rev Carlos Touche-Porter

Prayer Requests:

Monday

27 March Rochester Diocese:

Chatham, St Stephen Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Barry Linney

Anglican Communion:

Milwaukee - (V, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Steven Miller

Minnesota - (VI, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Brian

Prior

Prayer Requests:

Tuesday 28 March

Rochester Diocese: Luton, Christ Church

Vicar: The Rev David Sutton

Anglican Communion:

Minna - (Lokoja, Nigeria) The Rt Rev Daniel Abu Yisa

Prayer Requests:

Wednesday

29 March

Rochester Diocese:

For the Bishop’s Staff, meeting today.

Anglican Communion:

Mishamikoweesh - (Rupert's Land, Canada) The Rt Rev Lydia Mamakwa

Prayer Requests:

“It is not [God’s] intention that we should … go to great lengths in our self-accusation, nor that we should feel too wretched about ourselves. He means us to look at once to him. For he stands there apart, waiting for us to come in sorrow and grief. He is quick to receive us, for we are his delight and joy, and he is our salvation and our life.”

Julian of Norwich (1373-1417)

Thursday

30 March

Rochester Diocese:

Princes Park, Christ the King Vicar: The Rev Derek D’Souza

Anglican Communion:

Missionary District of Oeste-Brasil - (Brazil) Pelotas - (Brazil) The Rt Rev Renato Da Cruz Raatz

Prayer Requests:

Friday 31 March

John Dunne, priest, poet, 1631

Rochester Diocese: Rochester, St Justus

Vicar: The Rev Helen Burn

Anglican Communion:

Mississippi - (IV, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Duncan Gray

Coadjutor Bishop - (IV, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Brian Seage

Prayer Requests:

Saturday

1 April Frederick Denison Maurice, priest, teacher of the faith, 1872

Rochester Diocese:

Rochester, St Peter with St Margaret Vicar: The Rev Dr Joel Love

Anglican Communion:

Missouri - (V, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Wayne

Smith West Missouri - (VII, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev

Martin Field

Prayer Requests: