Reflections

 

There are a number of different ways in our parish in which individuals or particular situations can be remembered in the prayers at our churches.

 

The Sunday List – for those in immediate need of prayer

This is the list which is published in the weekly notice sheet and is used during our Sunday services and during Morning and Evening Prayer during the week.  The Sunday List is primarily for those in immediate need of prayer such as the sick, those awaiting tests or undergoing treatment, the recently bereaved or those in other personal crisis. 

 

The Thursday List – for those in longer term need of prayer

This list is used at the Thursday morning Communion service at St Peter’s and at our Healing Services.  The Thursday List is primarily for those who are long-term sick, frail or housebound.  

 

Names for inclusion on either of the above lists should be given either to the Clergy or the Church Office although there will still be the opportunity to add names to this list before the start of a service.  It is very helpful if clergy are given a brief background as to why the request for prayer has been made.  As these names are read in public it is essential that the individual concerned has given permission for their name to go on the list.  In the first instance contact Revd Christine Judson

 

The Clergy List – for those needing a more discreet approach

Sometimes individuals do not wish to be remembered at a public service but would like their clergy to pray for them.  Please speak to a member of the clergy to explain the need for prayer and then these names will be remembered either in the clergy’s private prayers or when they meet together to share Morning and Evening Prayer.  The clergy are also willing to meet with individuals and pray with them. In the first instance contact Revd Christine Judson 

 

The Prayer Chain – prayer support at a particular moment in time

The prayer chain is a group of individuals who, when asked will pray for a particular event or significant happening such as an important meeting, a family gathering or when someone is facing surgery.  To ask for support from the prayer chain, please speak to the co-ordinator, Jenny Sully, (847599) or to one of the clergy.  Prayer requests are kept confidential to members of the prayer chain.

 

The Prayer Column – for all prayers

At St Peter’s we have introduced a Prayer Column.  Here anyone may write a prayer, using the card provided, to be pinned to the Column. St Peter’s is open 9am – 6pm (or dusk if earlier).  Using a prayer column is itself an act of prayer but these prayers will also be offered up during our daily prayers in church.  Prayers will usually be removed after about one month unless it is known the prayer is on-going.  It is hoped to introduce a Prayer Column to St Nicholas’ at some time in the near future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whilst we can pray any time, any place, it is also good to be able to meet with others to share a time of prayer.  In this way we are able to support and encourage one another.  There are a number of opportunities within the parish when we can pray together:

 

Sunday Worship

Our weekly gatherings for worship are the most important time when we come together to pray, affirming our membership of God’s family.  If you would like to assist in leading the prayers of intercession at our 9.15, 9.30 or 11.15 morning services please contact the Church Office

 

Midweek Communions

There is a weekly service of Holy Communion each Thursday at 10am at St Peter’s, and a Walsingham Mass at St Nicholas at 10am on the 4th Saturday of each month.  These short services provide a quiet and reflective space in which to pray alongside others.

 

Morning and Evening Prayer

Members of the congregation are very welcome to join the clergy when they meet to say Morning and Evening Prayer: St Peter’s 9am Monday to Saturday (excluding Thursdays) St Nicholas, 5.00pm Tuesday to Thursday.  You can just join them whenever you wish.  On Saturdays the service concludes with an extended time of prayer for the worldwide Church.

 

Prayer Partnership

These monthly gatherings provide an opportunity in small groups to pray with others for our parish, town, nation and world.  The meetings are held on first Friday of the month at 2.30pm at St Peter’s Church and the 1st Saturday of the month at 9am at the Methodist Church.  These gatherings are open to all; just come along

 

Home Groups

Home Groups provide a wonderful way of meeting with a small group of other Christians for study and fellowship.  They also provide an opportunity to pray with others.  Groups meet both during the day and evenings.  If you are interested in joining a Home Group please contact the Church Office.

 

Healing Services

Our Healing Services take place on the 5th Sunday of the month in place of Evensong although it is hoped we can introduce more regular services in the near future.  At a Healing Service we are able to bring to God the dis-ease (illness, hurt, unhappiness) in our lives and in the lives of those we know and love.  The service includes the opportunity to light candles and for those who wish to receive the ministry of laying on of hands; the sacrament of God’s healing touch.  Come along and discover the significance of this service for yourself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What shall we pray?

In prayer we can speak to God about anything that concerns us; we should feel able to share anything with our heavenly Father.  However it is important that our prayers do not just focus on our own needs or on the things we feel are important.  It can therefore be helpful to use a prayer diary or prayer cycle to help shape and inform our prayers.  Within this parish we use three particular prayer cycles:

 

The Portishead Cycle of Prayer

This is used at Sunday services and at Morning and Evening Prayer, and members of the congregation are encouraged to use it in their own daily prayers.  It in fact includes two cycles of prayer:

Church and World: This is a weekly cycle with prayer suggestions for each day on different aspects of the life of the Church and the World.

 

Parish & town of Portishead: This is a monthly cycle with prayer suggestions for all the different activities of both our churches and our town including praying for every road in the parish over the course of each month.

 

Copies are available from either church or from the Church Office.  It is revised annually.

 

The Diocesan Cycle of Prayer

This cycle of prayer includes prayer suggestions for a different part of the world-wide Anglican Communion each day along with prayer suggestions for different parishes within the diocese of Bath and Wells.  It is produced every three months and can either be downloaded from www.bathandwells.org.uk or a copy can be requested from the Church Office.

 

Other Cycles of Prayer

Many other Christian organisations produce prayer cycles to encourage their supporters to pray for their work including USPG, CMS and Christian Aid.  If you would like to know more about supporting such organisations through prayer then please speak to a member of the clergy.