Readings and Prayers: 24th July 2022

Hello everyone,

As we recover from the heatwave with the possibility of another one next month, and as other countries have similar climate problems, please take a moment to think of and pray for all who have recently lost homes or possessions, or even loved ones, to climate events and think of how we can play our part in looking after God's world.

We are now also into the holiday season, please pray for those travelling, that their journeys should be smooth and, for everyone, whether at home or away, that there will be an opportunity to rest and to recuperate.

Sunday Services this week, all at 10.00am, are:

Holy Communion: Packington and Swepstone

Morning Prayer: Measham and Norton-juxta-Twycross

We are no longer producing a regular recorded service of Morning Prayer but do check out the Cathedral services here which you can join online if you would like to: http://leicestercathedral.org/services/

Looking ahead:

Activeage meets in Measham Church Hall at 10.00 am on Wednesday 27^th July.

Also, on Wednesday, there is Coffee and Chat at Packington Church from 10.00 am.

Later on Wednesday there will be a community lunch at Appleby Magna at 12.00 noon. £6.00 per adult and £2.00 per child. Tickets are limited so please do book. (Ann Lambert 270040).

On Thursday 28^th July, at Measham Church Hall, we will be serving Afternoon Tea between 2.00 and 4.00 pm. Cost £4. There will also be a raffle. Can’t make it? Please get in touch with Brian and we will try to deliver your Afternoon Tea. 

There will be no Little Fishes on Friday this week.

Next Sunday, 31^st July, there is a Team Service of Holy Communion at 10.00 am at Donisthorpe. There is also a Deanery service at 2.00 pm at Christchurch, Coalville.

There is a fun day planned for the 4^th and 5^th August in Coalville to bring together some Ukrainian families, if anyone would like to help just let Rick know and he can pass on the information.

Details of all these services and events are on the websites.

Woodfield Team prayer

God our Father, you long to draw all people into your love.

Increase in number your church throughout the Woodfield Team; deepen us as followers and learners of Christ; and give us courage to share the good news of your kingdom.

We pray this in the power of your Spirit, to the glory of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Collect for Sunday 24^th July 2022 - The Sixth Sunday after Trinity

Creator God,

you made us all in your image:

may we discern you in all that we see,

and serve you in all that we do;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen. 

Reading 24^th July 2022 - Luke 11:1-13 New International Version

Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer

11 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

² He said to them, “When you pray, say:

“‘Father,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come
³ Give us each day our daily bread.
⁴ Forgive us our sins,
 for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.’”

⁵ Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; ⁶ a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ ⁷ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ ⁸ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.

⁹ “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

¹¹ “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? ¹² Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³ If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Prayers for today:

We pray:

• Lord encourage us, when we are worried and distracted by many things, to sit and rest in your presence, to hear your words of grace and truth, to know that we are loved and valued as children of God, to be renewed in faith and strengthened for service.
• Loving God, as we see the brokenness of our world we pray for healing among the nations, for freedom where there is oppression and for joy where there is pain and that your love may bring peace to all.
• Lord God, thank you for the life that you have given me. Help me to live responsibly in this world.
• Help me to demonstrate love and kindness to those I meet today without holding back.
• Thank you, Lord, that you have been so generous to me, may I never stop praising you for your daily blessings of food, warmth and shelter.
• Lord Jesus, you see all the hungry and homeless, look with mercy on those who today are seeking food to sustain them and shelter. Bless all those who work to bring them relief and please inspire generosity and compassion in all our hearts to see the needs of our neighbour and act upon those needs.
• We pray for those who are persecuted for their faith in you.
• For those who are mourning, immerse them in your love and lead them through this darkness into your arms, and light.
• For those who are facing various illnesses. Give them the hope and courage they need today and every day.
• Lord, our world is experiencing vast changes, help us to be great caretakers of it, each in our own small way and not abuse it.
• Dear Lord, you know about all the turmoil in our world, from the problems on our streets, in our villages, our towns and our cities, you feel the pain of the war in Ukraine, the problems in Afghanistan and around the world. Please help us to turn to you each day for our strength and guidance in how best to be ‘A Light and Salt to this world’
• Loving Father, thank you that you offer to place your hands upon my life and make me into the person you created me to be.
• Loving Father, help us to listen to your voice. Thank you that your words to us are always full of love. Strengthen our faith as we learn to depend on You more and more each day and as You continue to walk with us. In the name of Jesus, we pray,

Amen.