LENT 2019 Sunday 3 March
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PRAY FOR BATH LENT 2019 Sunday 3 March Today we begin a journey with 5,000 other people in the Bath area. Our theme is seeking God’s face. We will pray for topics from A to Z. Each Sunday we will speak God’s blessings over Bath. Use 2 Chronicles 7:14 to pray for others on the journey. Father God thank You that we are Your people. Help us to humble ourselves and pray and seek Your face and turn from our wicked ways. Thank You that You promise You will hear from heaven, forgive our sins and heal our land. Amen Come to the Abbey on Tuesday 5 March, 7.30pm. Join MPs and leaders from city organisations as we pray for Bath and enjoy a pancake together. Monday 4 March Today we pray for 90,000 people in the Bath area. Pray for the 16 council wards or villages on the map. Ask for God’s protection and blessing and that people will seek God’s face. Join a Community House of Prayer (CHOP), starting on March 12, to pray with others where you live. THANK YOU GOD ❝that many people will meet tomorrow (5 March) in the Abbey at 7.30 to pray for Bath and celebrate pancake day. ❞ John 17:20-21 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message; that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me”. Tuesday 5 March A is for… • Addiction A quarter of adults receiving drug or alcohol treatment live with a young person. Pray for healing from addictions and those affected by loved ones’ addictions; Project 28; Dhi-online; 28 Early Help Strategy; Healthy Families; Genesis Lifeline Centre; Reason-online. • Adoption A recent survey found that Bath is the best city in the country to bring up a family. Pray for more people to adopt and foster and that children will settle and be safe. Pray also for [email protected] as it raises its profile. • Avon river Several people have drowned in the Avon in recent years. Pray that the river is a place of safety, life and beauty instead of death. • A is also for A&E, Alpha courses, allotments, animal health and welfare, apprenticeships and autism. Pray for God’s blessing. THANK YOU GOD for prayer for Bath in the Abbey tonight and for funds to improve and update the building. Romans 5:5 Hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. photos © visitbath.co.uk unless credited. photos © visitbath.co.uk Wednesday 6 March B is for… THANK YOU GOD that a Timsbury charity has sent out children’s Bibles to more than half a million kids. [email protected] • B&NES Council led by chief executive Ashley Ayre serves a population of 180,000. Pray for wise decisions and discernment in spending despite tough budget cuts; and innovative ways to increase council funds. www.bathnes.gov.uk • Beauty Our world heritage city is in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Do not forget the many people employed to keep our area clean, safe and environmentally friendly. Thank you Father for them. • Business Pray that men and women in business have kingdom values and meet together to pray. Pray for more new businesses. • B is also for babies, BathCAN which networks among churches to bring citizens together; Bathampton, Batheaston, Bathford, Bathwick, Box, Brexit, buses, and buskers. John 5:19-20 Jesus said: The Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing. The Father loves the Son and shows Him all he does. Yes, and He will show him even greater works than these. Thursday 7 March C is for… • Chaplaincy teams support students, patients and staff in Universities, Bath College, hospitals, hospice, police, council and schools. Pray that chaplains will seek God’s face and inspiration as they comfort and guide; also for good networking with clergy. • Carers and caring The unsung heroes and heroines. Pray that this work may be recognised and that helpers may come alongside. • Churches 6,000 people meet to worship God in different buildings but together make up the body of Christ here. Pray for unity; protection for every church leader and family; wisdom and vision as they lead; God’s blessing on each church meeting. • C is also for cafés, charities, creativity, citizens advice bureaux, clubs, Claverton, Charlcombe, Combe Down, Combe Hay, Corston, community and cycling. Acts 17:28 In God we live and move and have our being. We are his offspring. Friday 8 March THANK YOU GOD that 25 Community Houses of Prayer (CHOP) met monthly last year to pray for their communities. Over 500 people met and prayed in pubs, nursing homes, hotels, businesses, schools and halls around Bath. They made friends and learnt new ways to pray. Schools, councillors and organisations were asked for prayer requests. They listened to God and interceded for our communities. Join a CHOP meeting near you on Tuesday 12 March at 7.45pm (also 9 April, 7 May, 11 June, 9 July,13 August,10 September, 8 October, and 12 November in Abbey). The venues: Abbey – The Empire, 4 Grand Parade, Bath BA1 1LP; Bathampton – St Nicholas Court Community Room, BA2 6UZ; Batheaston – Avon Court, BA1 7NT; Bathford – Mountain Wood Community Centre, BA1 7SA; Bathwick – Chaplaincy Centre, Bath University, BA2 7JP; Combe Down – Peggy Dodds Centre, Summer Lane, BA2 5JX; Englishcombe –The Close, Inglesbatch, BA2 9DZ; Kingsmead – Stratton House Nursing Home, 16 Park Lane, BA1 2XH; Lambridge – New Oriel Hall, Brookleaze Buildings, BA1 6RA; Lansdown – Hare and Hounds, Lansdown Rd, BA1 5TJ; Lyncombe – Beechen Cliff School BA2 4RE; Monkton Combe – Crossways, Brassknocker Hill, BA2 7JD; Newbridge – Emmanuel, Apsley Rd, BA1 3LP; Odd Down – Institute, 35 Frome Rd, BA2 2QF; Oldfield Park – Baptist Church Hall, Moorland Rd, BA2 3JD; Peasedown St John – St John’s Close Community room BA2 8JE; South Down – Roundhill Centre, 53 Mount Rd, BA2 1LG; Twerton – Rose Cottage, 43 High St, BA2 1DB; Swainswick – Upper Swainswick House, BA1 8BU; Charlcombe – St Mary’s Church, BA1 8DR; Timsbury – Conygre Hall, North Rd, BA2 0JQ; Walcot – St Swithin’s café, 37 The Paragon, BA1 5LY and from April, Genesis Gateway centre; Westmoreland – Belvoir Castle, 32-33 Lower Bristol Rd BA2 3EH; Weston – Weston Hub, Penn Hill Rd, BA1 4EH; Widcombe – Prior Park Garden Centre, BA2 4NF. www.bathchurches.org.uk; Facebook/Instagram@chopbath Saturday 9 March D is for… • Debt A recent report revealed that in one of Bath’s poorest wards 36% of children live in poverty. Pray for an end to poverty. Thank God for CAP courses, offering free help to anyone struggling with debt. Capuk.org; Bath Foodbank; Furniture Project • Dementia has overtaken cancer as the disease that the most people are afraid of. Pray for a greater understanding of what happens when a loved one starts showing symptoms; gentleness and patience for those closest. Pray for B&NES Dementia Action Alliance and Dementia Care, who inform and train volunteers. • Disability Not all disabilities are visible. Pray for good support and facilities for those affected by disability; council carers and churches who help; Mencap; the Life Project; Three Ways School and WECIL (West of England Centre for Inclusive living). • D is also for death, dentists, doctors, drugs, dyslexia. THANK YOU GOD for Foodbank and Furniture Project providing essentials for the poorest in our community. Pray for people to give generously. Psalm 69:32 The poor will see and be glad – you who seek God, may your hearts live! Sunday 10 March Join together to ask the Lord to bless Bath and the United Kingdom. Almighty God, maker of heaven and earth, we ask you for favour for our cities with chief executives and government leaders; Manufacturing firms that produce goods for the nations and provide new jobs for our people; Technology to establish new markets, energy sources and efficient solutions; Laws and courts to measure our land’s constitution with justice and freedom; Civil servants that encourage entrepreneurs; and media known for wisdom and truth; Natural resources released and harvested, sold and reproduced; Education, books and universities that develop mind-moulders that influence the influential; Capital to build small businesses providing services, arts and culture attracting young and old; Medical community known for integrity and excellence; Repentance from poverty, small thinking and envy; Courage to recognise wealth-building opportunities to bless the world and prudence to save and invest; Revelation to pass on wealth to our children’s children. Lord, you declare: when the righteous prosper the city rejoices! Amen. Monday 11 March E is for… • Education The latest Ofsted report spoke of “good” standards in Bath schools. Pray for the local authority as it directs funds to schools and upholds standards; also for all who work in education and benefit from it. • Elderly members of the community give encouragement and wisdom to the young but also may need support. Pray for God’s blessing and support for them and those who care; each person to be valued; people in care homes; church activities for the elderly; the lonely and isolated; continued ways to enjoy life; B&NES Wellbeing Options; www.ageuk.org.uk; and music groups for the elderly [email protected]. THANK YOU GOD for the invitation to visit a local CHOP tomorrow 12 March, 7.45pm and the freedom we have to be able to meet together safely.