DAILY PRAYER

Every day we share prayers on facebook and our website.  

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We would now like to extend this to sharing your prayer requests on Fridays. 

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So if anyone would like someone or something prayed for then please let us know. 

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Please email our vicar, Rev. John McDermott, at: 

vicar@stcuthbertsonline.com

PENNY'S PRAYER AND THOUGHT

January 24th

We are familiar with the term, used often in business now – 'Our Mission Statement,' but long before this was a business term it was a Christian concept.

When Jesus went to his home place of worship in Nazareth to preach to friends, family, neighbours and those who had seen him grow up there, he used as his starting point words from the prophet Isaiah, an Old Testament writer. He read “The Lord has put his Spirit in me, because he appointed me to tell the Good News to the poor. He has sent me to tell the captives they are free and to tell the blind that they can see again.

God sent me to free those who have been treated unfairly and to announce the time when the Lord will show his kindness.”

He followed his reading by the bombshell statement that this was happening here and now. He made those words his mission statement, and because those words encapsulated his mission they are also the mission statement of all who follow him.

Mari explores this in our online service this week. Why not listen and give yourself time to think more about this means – today. 

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Give us your Spirit, Lord , so we may follow in the steps of Christ Jesus.

May we be those who share Good News, declare freedom and help others see clearly. May we fight injustice and announce God’s Kingdom. In His name. Amen.

Photograph San Francisco pavement

Penny Horseman. 

JOHN'S PRAYER AND THOUGHT

January 15th 

Mental health

This prayer seeks truth and clarity.
 

May we know the truth of this moment,

and every moment:

that behind the thinnest veil

stands the one who holds all things together.

Indeed, God is nearer than we can know

and His love for us is unwavering. 

May this become a foundation in our lives,

and may it bring us peace, comfort,

and joy even in the midst of despair.

Amen.

JOHN'S PRAYER AND THOUGHT

January 16th 

2nd Sunday of Epiphany

Our prayer today seeks the glory of the Lord as revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Eternal Lord,

our beginning and our end:

bring us with the whole creation

to your glory, hidden through past ages

and made known

in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

PENNY'S PRAYER AND THOUGHT

January 17th 

Seeing God’s glory. In our online service John reminded us to look out for signs of God’s glory. We see this reflected in creation, in the beauty and wonder around us. Today you might like to spend some time looking at something that reminds you of that glory. If you are able to go out you might see something beautiful in a scene or a view. If you are not able to go outside choose something you can look at home - may be a picture, a sky through the window or even just look at your own hand. We live in an amazing world let us thank God for it.

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View our YouTube service here. 

God of all glory thank you for giving us glimpses of that glory in the world we see all around us.

But we thank you most of all for your glory revealed in Jesus Christ, in his life. In his sacrificial death and in his rising from death. Thank you Lord. Amen.  

SARAH'S PRAYER AND THOUGHT

January 18th 

“They have no wine.” (John Chapter 2 verse 3)

With those words at the wedding party in Cana, Mary, Jesus ‘s mother, speaks a truth about our lives, a truth that at some point we all experience. There comes a day when the wine gives out. The glass is empty. The party is over. On that day life seems empty and dry. There is no vibrancy or vitality. Nothing is growing or fermenting within us. Our world is colourless and tasteless. The bouquet of life is absent and we are living less than fully alive. Mary’s words hold before us some serious questions and wonderings. Why has the wine of our life given out? What relationships have run dry? What parts of us remain empty?

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Loving Lord, please will you open our eyes to see you afresh today, to know the joy you bring and the promise of life in all its fullness. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

MARI'S PRAYER AND THOUGHT

January 19th 

Once again Jesus is confronted by the religious leaders (Mark Chapter 3 verses 1-6). Jesus is in the synagogue and sees a man with a withered hand. He asks the man to come to Him. Turning to the Pharisees he asks them if it is lawful to “do good” on the Sabbath? Was it better to heal someone on a special day or ignore their suffering?

His critics did not know how to respond. They kept silent. Jesus was saddened and angry at the hardness of their hearts. He turns to the man and quietly asks him to stretch out his hand. The man does so and his hand is healed.

There are lots of things withered in lives today. Can we be ready to “stretch out our hand” and be as Jesus is and help someone? Jesus was being watched to see what he might do, yet it did not stop him from doing good. 

God, give the courage we need to do what we know to be the right thing.  Remind us there is never a wrong time to do the right thing. Show us how to follow your example demonstrating goodness towards others without hesitation and doubt. Thank you for showing us how to be when we see others in need.

PETER'S PRAYER AND THOUGHT

January 20th 

Caring for yourself as well as others

Mark chapter 3. verses 7–12

On one occasion, Jesus took to a boat to extract himself from the crowds of people eager to see him, or better, receive his healing touch. Sometimes Jesus, too, had to step back for a while, in order to see and be seen, to re-charge his emotional and spiritual batteries. Often he would take himself away, even from his disciples, to a quiet place to be with his Father for a time. No one can be giving of themselves one hundred percent of the time, and no one should expect it of others either. There are many in our society who do give of themselves, hugely. The most obvious are those who work in the NHS, but there are many others who do their best to meet genuine need. They are entitled to have time out, both from work and from often inflated expectations. In our own attempts to help and heal we, too, need to allow ourselves time to stand back from it all and find a ‘quiet’ place, from time to time.

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PRAYER

Lord you have taught us that in serving others we are serving you; we pray for all who serve in agencies of care and relief; encourage them in times of disappointment, frustration and weariness, and give them needful rest, so that by their work people and creation may be restored to fullness. Amen

ROBERT'S PRAYER AND THOUGHT

January 21st

Some thoughts and a prayer for Friday.

I was given a copy of Bede’s History of the English Church and People for Christmas.  Bede, like me a proud Northumbrian, recorded the crucial part played by Kings, Saints and commoners in establishing Christianity in these islands.  Among those pioneers was St Aidan of Lindisfarne who died in August 651; he is known as the “Apostle of Northumbria”.  This prayer is traditionally ascribed to Aidan.  It describes the rhythm of the tides and seems particularly appropriate for the coast of Northumberland.

Leave me alone with God as much as may be.

As the tide draws the waters close in upon the shore,

Make me an island, set apart, alone with you God,

holy to you.

Then with the turning of the tide,

prepare me to carry your presence,

to the busy world beyond,

the world that rushes in on me,

till the waters come again,

and fold me back to you.

JOHN'S PRAYER AND THOUGHT

January 22nd

Prayer for Christian Unity

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The Week of prayer for Christian Unity is 18th-25th January 2022.

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O Thou kind Lord! Unite all.

Let the religions agree and make the nations one,

so that they may see each other as one family

and the whole earth as one home.

May they all live together in perfect harmony.

O God!

Amen.

JOHN'S PRAYER AND THOUGHT

January 23rd

3rd Sunday of Epiphany

Our prayer today looks to the Gospel or Good News Christ brought to the world.

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God of all mercy,

your Son proclaimed good news to the poor,

release to the capves,

and freedom to the oppressed:

anoint us with your Holy Spirit

and set all your people free

to praise you in Christ our Lord.

Amen

JOHN'S PRAYER AND THOUGHT

January 8th 

Mission

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This prayer seeks strength that we may witness to the Good News throughout the coming year in our community.

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Almighty God,

who called your Church to witness

that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself: help us to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may be drawn to you;

through him who was lifted up on the cross,

and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

PENNY'S PRAYER AND THOUGHT

January 8th 

As positive test rates for Covid are still high in our area today’s prayer asks God to bring peace and healing to our nation and all places affected by the pandemic.

We pray for those suffering the disease, for those with long Covid, those who isolate and for all who minister to the suffering either at home or in our hospitals. We pray for medical staff suffering from exhaustion and anxiety, for those who have to make decisions about the safety of others, for the researchers and vaccine producers and all nations and peoples who are touched worldwide.

We pray that our trust in God will comfort us, make us caring for others and enable us to move forward.

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We ask, Lord God, fo healing and peace for all we are suffering the effects of the pandemic.  For those who are ill, those who care for them and those who worry or are isolated. Those who have decisions to make and those who mourn the loss of loved ones.  Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

JOHN'S PRAYER AND THOUGHT

January 9th 

Baptism of Christ

John the Baptist’s baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan marked the beginning of Christ’s ministry and was the start of his recognition as Messiah and Lord.

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Heavenly Father,

at the Jordan you revealed Jesus as your Son:

may we recognize him as our Lord

and know ourselves to be your beloved children;

through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Amen.

PENNY'S PRAYER AND THOUGHT

January 10th 

The New Testament of the Bible very often mentions watching, waiting and being aware of what is happening and what is going to happen.

“Continue praying, keeping alert, and always thanking God” says Colossians chapter 4 verse 2.

“ Be alert, Britain needs lerts” was an old joke but it is no joke that we do need to be watchful , looking to see what God is doing in the world, and as well as watching, God gives us the opportunity to join in with what he is doing in the world and our own community.

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May the Lord,

when he comes,

find us watching and waiting.

Amen.

Photograph: Oil spill P. Horseman.

SARAH'S PRAYER AND THOUGHT

January 11th 

When we do something “in the name of someone” we do it on his or her behalf. We baptise on behalf of God – in God’s name

There is also another understanding of “in the name of”. As well as being on behalf of, “name” in the scriptural world is often associated with “nature”. We are baptised, immersed, into the nature of Christ.

No little sprinkling and quick wiping, however valid, adequately symbolically expresses this profound reality. Generous pouring, immersion (in), or submersion (under) is needed.

As in all sacraments, what is true in Christ, and true for all, is now a reality for this one. The vocation and revelation true for Jesus this day at the Jordan, is through our baptism true for me and you. May we give up our lives to God’s service and be found worthy of our calling.

Almighty God,
you anointed Jesus at his baptism
with the Holy Spirit,
and revealed him as your beloved Son;
grant that we who are baptised into his name
may give up our lives to your service,
and be found worthy of our calling.

Through Jesus Christ your Son, Our Lord. Amen

Photograph: Oil spill P. Horseman.

MARI'S PRAYER AND THOUGHT

January 12th 

Today’s scene in Mark, chapter 1 verses 29-39, shows the importance of availability. These first hours of Jesus’ ministry are a whirlwind of activity of helping others. It may well have been for us too as we look back over the recent festivities whilst caring for the needs of others. Many make themselves available to those who are in genuine need. We do though need to find a balance between those needs and our limited resources. It’s not helpful working ourselves to the point of ‘burnout’. Having time with God, to pray, reflect and renew our energy is central as Jesus shows here by going away to a deserted place to pray. Let us remember to stay close to the source of his love.

Jesus, this Gospel portrays a very busy day in your life. Our days, as you know, can be busy too. Yet you found time to pray, help us to try to do the same. Bless our time given to prayer and to caring for the needs of others.  We seek your energy in finding a quiet place to connect with you, remind us that sometimes this is most important thing we can do.  Amen

PETER'S PRAYER AND THOUGHT

January 13th 

The Inner Life

Today the Church remembers George Fox (16-24-1691), the founder of the Quakers. He was, for his day, a free thinker when it came to matters of faith. He believed in ‘the inner life of the living Christ’ and taught that truth could only be found through the Inner Voice speaking directly to each soul. His society of ‘The Friends of the Truth’ formed in about 1646 was composed of like minded people who were protesting at the authoritarianism and thought control of the Church at that time. He and his followers faced ridicule and persecution.  Today this notion of personal encounter with God is much more acceptable and it is widely believed now that, with guidance from the Church, and through the agency of the Holy Spirit, people can walk with God themselves.

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PRAYER

Lord God, heavenly Father, may the Holy Spirit - The Comforter - who proceeds from you, enlighten our minds, lead us into all truth, and accompany our walk through life in you service; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

LINDA'S PRAYER AND THOUGHT

January 14th 

As the pandemic continues to be part of our lives, we find that it is more and more difficult to make plans for future events and that current events are having to change. This can be very unsettling and frustrating leading to a lack of hope for the future. We need to remember that God has a bigger plan for us all.

Loving Father give us patience to accept the changes that need to happen.  Fill us with hope for the future which is part of your great plan. Amen.

Image - Little Shore Sunset P Horseman.

PETER'S PRAYER AND THOUGHT

January 6th 

Epiphany - Light of the world. 

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As it begins its journey through a new year humanity continues its search for light in the darkness. We believe there is a light.

Today the church celebrates the Feast of the Epiphany; the unveiling of the light that is for all people, near and far. This is why, at Epiphany, we tell the story of the Wise men, foreigners from afar, who, guided by a star, travel many miles to visit the infant Jesus. Now the story is out! Jesus Christ, Light of the World has been born to dispel the darkness that covers all its people whoever and wherever they are. God’s glory appears in human form. Life on earth will never be the same again!

PRAYER 

Father God, the star that led the Magi to the stable announced to the world that its Saviour was born. Today we live in a world that is still covered by darkness, and still needing to make that journey to the stable door. May our lives reflect your light day by day, as we seek to serve where you have placed us that we might be the means through which others can encounter the light of Jesus Christ. Amen

FRIDAY'S PRAYER AND THOUGHT

January 7th 

As many of us are closing the loft door on our Christmas decorations, in other places and in other cultures it is Christmas Day. Orthodox Christians celebrate today as they are working to a different calendar. Today we give thanks for the diversity of customs within the Christian Family worldwide. We also pray that we may learn from each other and accept out differences, because we all follow One – Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Lord and Heavenly Father we give you thanks for the world=wide church. We have many different ways of celebrating our shared faith but we are joined in out following of the Lord Jesus Christ.  help us to learn from each other and accept our differences.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

SARAH'S PRAYER AND THOUGHT

January 4th

In many parts of the world, Epiphany is marked by feasting, special food, different local customs and the giving of gifts (in some places, the gifts which Christians in the west exchange on Christmas Day are given at Epiphany). In the midst of the greyness and gloom of western winter days, we peer through the tinsel and tawdriness of so much of our commercial Christmas to find the precious jewel at the centre; the Nativity, that birth, that magical story of mystery and angels and starlight and song that glows through time and space to lighten our darkness, to warm our hearts, to dazzle our senses. So we should, because it is indeed infinitely precious, that moment of love and self-sacrifice and cherishing, that moment of freely-chosen obedience and risk and hope, that moment of God speaking. Indeed, the glory of the Lord has risen upon us. (Isaiah. Chapter 60: verse 1)

Christ of the East, Christ of the South, Christ of the West, Christ of the North: We turn our faces to you trusting and believing for love and grace to shine upon us and to radiate to all. We turn our lives to you even if we know only in part what we will one day know fully even as we are fully known. Now may faith hope and love, love most of all, abide in us as we journey together through this year. Amen

MARI'S PRAYER AND THOUGHT

January 5th 

Summoned by the Star.

A long poem written by W. H. Auden in 1942, “For the time being, A Christmas Oratorio”, has been described as a meditation, a reflection, a lifelong journey through the Nativity. It’s a poem that can inform the Christian life. Following God’s star, a journey of seeking continues. Those on this journey of discovery do not limit themselves with non-essentials, they actively search…

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Apparently a fourth Wise Man did not arrive at Bethlehem because he didn’t follow the star all the way, turning aside to do something else. His activities were limited to time and space, when God called him to a vision of eternity. Perhaps, many of us find ourselves in the same way: engaged in many things and too busy to follow the star that leads to fuller life. We must not miss God's opportunity to follow the star so we use these questions from Auden’s poem.

Is this the reason to follow the star?

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To follow how to be truthful now is the reason I follow the star. To discover how to be living now is the reason I follow the star. To discover how to belong now is the reason I follow the star. Wise men discover how to be human is the reason to follow the star.