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...for our churches, our county, our country and our world.
Each year, Churches Together in Cornwall joins with many other groups around the county in daily prayer for unity during the eight days 18-25 January.
This year, we cannot meet each other in person so we are meeting online.
Join us live at 12 noon daily on Zoom or Facebook.
Listen to our daily podcast from church and community leaders. Sign up for our virtual prayer chain and commit to an hour - or more - of prayer at some point during the week, praying at that time wherever you are and however you like. God hears our prayers however we pray! And if you would like others to pray for a particular matter, post it on this board and we will include it in the daily service.

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On the final day of this year's Week of Prayer for Christian Unity we pray for the environmental crises affecting our world, and the actions we can take to restore the balance of nature.

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As we reach Day 7 of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, our thoughts turn to unity itself. What can we learn from other traditions as we seek to grow in faith? As we work and witness together, what is the impact on our world?  We give thanks for all who work for unity in Cornwall and across the globe.

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Welcoming 'the other' is a concrete way of sharing
Christ's love that is within us. There are many opportunities for sharing that love during the pandemic. Today we pray and give thanks especially for all working to alleviate food poverty in our county.

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DAY 5: Letting ourselves be transformed by the Word

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DAY 5: Letting ourselves be transformed by the Word

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Today we think about the Beatitudes and the difference they would make to our communities if we truly lived by them. What does it mean in our world today to be blessed by God? How can we be a blessing to others?

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Today we focus our prayer on prayer itself; its power in our lives, its power to change others, its power to bring us closer to God. We pray for the prayer networks operating across our county, that they may become better known, supporting the churches' work in every part of Cornwall, developing new relationships and opportunities to share together a deeper understanding of your love and your purpose for us in your world.

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Today we pray especially for our children and young people, seeking to discern how we help them grow to maturity in the Christian faith, how we welcome them in our churches, and how Christian communities can shape their develoment in today's society. We pray for all youth workers, educators and chaplains across Cornwall and give thanks for their commitment and wisdom.

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Today we are praying especially for those starting new lives, willingly or unwillingly: especially for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers and for those who seek to assist them in our county. We give thanks for the enrichment they bring to our lives and our churches, deepening our understanding of Christ's message to us.

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Today we pray for fairness and compassion in our dealings with one another, working in unity and sharing our gifts. We pray for those who work for reconciliation, between individuals and between nations, and for fairer distribution of wealth and resources. We pray especially for the Fair Trade movement, giving thanks for its achievements and praying for its ongoing support.

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We join with the Baptist Union of Great Britain in their call for sustained prayer for the NHS at this time:

Pray for all the NHS staff for their own safety, energy and peace in dealing with each and every patient.

Pray for those in hospital leadership, for wisdom and for good decisions to give the best outcomes for patients.

Pray for patients; for healing, for peace and ultimately to fight this disease and get home and pray for their relatives who feel helpless.

Pray for the vaccine, that it will and is working against this latest strain of Covid-19.

Pray for a reprieve and an end to Covid-19.

Read more at https://baptist.org.uk/

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Renewed call to persevere in prayer across Baptist churches in the UK

As Covid-19 threatens to overwhelm our health service and continues to inflict pain and loss, we stand together with many others and renew our commitment to sustained prayer.

You may like to join virtually with friends to pray, perhaps in small groups or as a wider congregation. You might like to spend time in solitude praying for our nation at this time of crisis.

Here are some pointers to help you and your friends as you pray. These have been written by a senior A&E nurse in a large teaching hospital:

1. Pray for all the NHS staff for their own safety, energy and peace in dealing with each and every patient.

2. Pray for those in hospital leadership, for wisdom and for good decisions to give the best outcomes for patients.

3. Pray for patients; for healing, for peace and ultimately to fight this disease and get home and pray for their relatives who feel helpless.

4. Pray for the vaccine, that it will and is working against this latest strain of Covid-19.

5. Pray for a reprieve and an end to Covid-19.

You may know people who are currently working in the NHS in your area, please let them know you are praying for them and ask them how you can pray specifically.

You may be someone who is working in a healthcare setting. If you would like to share your story of what you are seeing and hearing in these days, we will be setting up an area of this website to share stories. Please do not include any identifying details, for example names of patients or staff, but your stories will help us all to pray in the coming weeks.
Please click here to get in touch with us to share what you are hearing.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

The Baptist Union Specialist Teams are now all working from home.
If you would like to speak to a member of the Specialist Teams, please call 01235 517700 and leave a message.
Alternativelyplease contact us by email.

For Churches' Ministerial Counselling Service queries, please click here

As Baptists Together we commit ourselves to being a movement led by the Spirit of God. Celebrating diversity we will value, trust and respect one another in Christ. So what does it mean to belong to Baptists Together? It means we're part of God's bigger picture as he paints his Kingdom.

Click here todownload this video to share with your church family

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The Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB) is the Baptist family in England and Wales (there is also the Baptist Union of Wales). It is made up of churches, regional associations, the national resource centre and Baptist colleges. The Union works with others in mission locally, regionally and internationally.

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24/7 Prayer hve developed a 60 minute prayer guide to help us take time to pray in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

It's split into four sections to help guide our prayers:
P ause
R ejoice
A sk
Y ield

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We've developed a 60 minute Coronavirus prayer guide to help you take time to pray, split into four sections: Pause, Rejoice, Ask, Yield.

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From the the invocation at the presidential inauguration of Joe Biden

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From the the invocation at the presidential inauguration of Joe Biden

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"Be with us, Holy Mystery of Love, as we dream together. Help us under our new president to reconcile the people of our land, restore our dream, and invest it with peace and justice and the joy that is the overflow of love."

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Shortly before Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States, Rev. Leo O'Donovan, SJ, a longtime friend and mentor of President Biden's, delivered this prayer.
Gracious and merciful God, at this sacred time we come before you in need, indeed on our knees.

But we come still more with hope, and with our eyes raised anew to the vision of a more perfect union in our land - a union of all our citizens to promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.

We are a people of many races, creeds, and colors, national backgrounds, cultures, and styles, now far more numerous and our land much vaster than when Archbishop John Carroll wrote his prayer for the inauguration of George Washington 232 years ago.

Archbishop Carroll prayed that you, O Creator of All, would assist with your spirit of 'holy counsel and fortitude, the president of these United States, that his administration might be conducted in righteousness and be eminently useful to your people.'

Today we confess our past failures to live according to our vision of equality, inclusion, and freedom for all.

Yet we resolutely commit still more now to renewing the vision, to caring for one another in word and deed, especially the least fortunate among us, and so becoming a light for the world.

There is a power in each and every one of us that lives by turning to every other one of us - a thrust of the Spirit to cherish and care and stand by others and above all those most in need. It is called love and its path is to give ever more of itself.

Today it is called American patriotism, born not of power and privilege, but of care for the common good with malice toward none and with charity for all.

For our new president, we beg of you the wisdom Solomon sought when he knelt before you and prayed for an understanding heart so that I can govern your people and know the difference between right and wrong.

We trust in the counsel of the letter of James: "If any of you likes wisdom you should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to you."

Pope Fancis has reminded us how important it is to dream together. "By ourselves," he wrote, "we risk seeing mirages, things that are not there. Dreams, on the other hand, are built together."

Be with us, Holy Mystery of Love, as we dream together.

Help us under our new president to reconcile the people of our land, restore our dream, and invest it with peace and justice and the joy that is the overflow of love.

To the glory of your name forever. Amen.

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TRANSCRIPT: The Prayer Offered at Biden's Inauguration By Rev. O'Donovan

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Shortly before Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States, Rev. Leo O'Donovan, SJ, a longtime friend and mentor of President Biden's, delivered this prayer. Gracious and merciful God, at this sacred time we come before you in need, indeed on our knees.

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I pray for our county that all who live here will take seriously the need to restrict contact with others, so that the spread of the virus will begin to slow down. I pray that we will use our time wisely during this time, keeping in touch with those who are alone and feeling isloated.

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I pray for our county that all who live here will take seriously the need to restrict contact with others, so that the spread of the virus will begin to slow down. I pray that we will use our time wisely during this time, keeping in touch with those who are alone and feeling isloated.

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Lord may we be beacons of hope to all. Compassionate God, hear the prayer of your people Amen

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Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2021 pamphlet

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Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2021 pamphlet

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Daily reflections on the theme of Abiding in Christ

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5th March, 2021
Prepared by the Christian women of Vanuatu on the theme "Build on a strong foundation".

Please pray for all the local branches in Cornwall, the rest of this country and the world, for guidance as they try to plan the best way to hold their local service under the current restrictions.

Anyone in the Falmouth and Penryn area who would like a copy of the printed service (which also includes information about Vanuatu) please contact sue.j.mills@sky.com .

National website:

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National Committee Meetings
Pray for the National Committee members as they hold virtual meetings next Monday and Tuesday. Pray also for the preparation of the England, Wales and Northern Ireland materials as drafts are finalised.

Want to find out more about Vanuatu - and the people who prepared the 2021 World Day of Prayer service? WDP Canada has kindly allowed us to share this short video
Go to wwdp.org.uk/2021/01/13/introducing-vanuatu/

Methodist Church House, London
Pray for this building where the Committee meetings are held throughout the year. Pray for those who provide the refreshments, including lunch, and for all those who work in the building.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you......... (Isaiah 41: 10)

Let's remember to pray for Zimbabwe Victim Support Fund at this time.

New Year, New Commitments
Pray for new beginnings, new friendships, and new fellowship.
Pray for

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National Committee MeetingsPray for the National Committee members as they hold virtual meetings next Monday and Tuesday. Pray also for the preparation of the England, Wales and Northern Ireland materials as drafts are finalised. Want to find out more about Vanuatu - and the people who prepared the 2021 World Day of Prayer service?

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Please pray for all those involved in the planning for the G7 summit in June, and for fruitful discussions and wise decisions at the meeting.

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God our Father,
you reveal to us your love through Christ
and through our brothers and sisters.
Open our hearts so that we can welcome each other with our differences and live in forgiveness.
Grant us to live united in one body,
so that the gift that is each person comes to light.
May all of us together be a reflection of the living Christ.
God of love, in you is our hope

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Help me Pray: prayer ideas from 24/7 prayer

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Help me Pray: prayer ideas from 24/7 prayer

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Jesus Christ,
You seek us, you wish to offer us your friendship, and lead us to a life that is ever more complete.
Grant us the confidence to answer your call
So that we may be transformed
and become witnesses of your tenderness for the world.

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Holy Spirit,
May we receive in our hearts the presence of Christ,
and cherish it as a secret of love.
Nourish our prayer,
enlighten our reading of Scripture,
act through us,
so that the fruits of your gifts can patiently grow in us.

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Prayer of awareness for the morning

It is in the depths of life that we find you

at the heart of this moment

at the centre of our soul

deep in the earth and its eternal stirrings.

You are the Ground of our being

the Well-Spring of time

Womb of the earth

the Seed-Force of stars.

And so at the opening of this day

we wait

not for blessings from afar

but for You

the very Soil of our soul

the early Freshness of morning

the first Breath of day.

Prayer of Blessing

May the deep blessings of earth be with us.

May the fathomless soundings of seas surge in our soul.

May boundless stretches of the universe echo in our depths

to open us to wonder to strengthen us for love

to humble us with gratitude

that we may find ourselves in one another

that we may lose ourselves in gladness

that we give ourselves to peace.

(Tuesday Morning. Praying with the Earth, John Philip Newell)

From Kathy
Peace be with you today

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A Prayer for Migrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers

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A Prayer for Migrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers

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God, no one is stranger to you

And no one is ever far from your loving care.

In your kindness watch over migrants, refugees and asylum seekers,
Those separated from their loved ones,

Those who are lost

And those who have been exiled from their homes.
Bring them safely to the place where they long to be,
And help us always to show your kindness to strangers
And those in need.

We ask this through Christ our Lord,
Who too was a refugee and migrant
Who travelled to another land Searching for a home.

Amen

[SOURCE: Nouwen Network]

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Lord Jesus,
your entire life was prayer,
perfect harmony with the Father.
Through your Spirit, teach us to pray according to your will of love.
May the faithful of the whole world unite in intercession and praise,
and may your kingdom of love come.

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Dear Lord, we pray that you will be with the families of the 15 people who sadly lost their lives to Covid overnight, for the families of those currently in our hospitals with Covid and for all the NHS staff who are caring for them. Lord we ask for your healing hand on all who are ill. Amen

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Dear Lord, we pray that you will be with the families of the 15 people who sadly lost their lives to Covid overnight, for the families of those currently in our hospitals with Covid and for all the NHS staff who are caring for them. Lord we ask for your healing hand on all who are ill. Amen

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Daniel Roberts@danieIroberts

My fiancée Sarah was good enough to join me in the virtual prayer room at 2am as part of @CtcMissioner’s 24/7 #PrayForCornwall event. In the space of the hour she turned our words into this beautiful art piece

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Letting ourselves be transformed by the Word

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Letting ourselves be transformed by the Word

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Blessed are you, God our Father,
for the gift of your word in Holy
Scripture.
Blessed are you for its
transforming power.
Help us choose life and guide us by
your Spirit,
so that we can experience the
happiness which you want so
much to share with us.

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Jesus Christ,
we desire to welcome fully the
brothers and sisters who are
with us.
You know how often we feel helpless
in the face of their suffering,
yet you are always there ahead of us
and you have already received them
in your compassion.
Speak to them through our words,
support them through our actions,
and let your blessing rest on us all.

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Holy Spirit,

Vivifying fire and gentle breath, come and abide in us.

Renew in us the passion for unity

So that we may live in awareness of the bond that unites us in you.

May all who are held in the Light of Christ

Unite and bear witness together to the hope that sustains them.

Amen

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Father, lend me your eyes, to view every person as valuable; soften my heart, for mission; toughen my feet and hands, to walk and work as you need me.

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Father, lend me your eyes, to view every person as valuable; soften my heart, for mission; toughen my feet and hands, to walk and work as you need me.

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Tanya Ferdinandusz

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Lord Jesus,

Who prayed that we might all be one.

We pray to you for the unity of Christians, According to your will,

According to your means. May your Spirit enable us

To experience the suffering caused by division. To see our sin,

And to hope beyond all hope. Amen.

(based on the prayer of Abbe Paul Couturier)

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Thrice-holy God, we thank you for having created and loved us.

We thank you for your presence in us and in creation.

May we learn to look upon the world as you look upon it, with love.

In the hope of this vision, may we be able to work for a world

where justice and peace flourish,

for the glory of your name.

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Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?

Will you go where you don't know and never be the same?

Will you let my love be shown, will you let my name be known, will you let my life be grown,

in you and you in me?

Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?

Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?

Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare? Will you let me  answer  prayer in you and you in me?

Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?

Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?

Will you kiss the leper clean, and do such as this unseen, and admit to what I mean in you and you in me?

Will you love the 'you' you hide if I but call your name?

Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?

Will you use the faith you've found to reshape the world around,

through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?

Lord, your summons echoes true when you but call my name.

Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.

In your company I'll go

where your love and footsteps show.

Thus I'll move and live and grow in you and you in me.

John L Bell (born 1949) and Graham Maule (1958-2019)

© 1987 WGRG, c/o Iona Community, 21 Carlton Court, Glasgow, G5 9JP, Scotland.

www.wildgoose.scot

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from St Joseph's Prep Sccool Stoke-on-Trent