Prayer

St. James’ is a church that has prayer at its heart.  God is very much consulted BEFORE we do anything!  The church members care about the community and about the things happening in people’s lives.  Prayer is possibly THE most important activity of our lives.  It is one of the main ways that we develop a relationship with our Father in heaven.  In effect, it is talking and listening to God and getting to know him, and allowing him to share in every part of our lives.

At St. James’, we meet together to pray for the work and witness of the church here in Stalmine.  We have a monthly cycle of prayer (see below) which includes every Street, Lane, Road and Close within the Parish.  Of course, we have prayers during each service, which usually include prayers for the sick and needy, and those who have asked for prayer for whatever reason.   We have an emergency prayer chain, which provides immediate prayer through about fifteen people.  We offer individual prayer after each service.

Why do we do all this?   GOD CARES.  WE CARE.  Prayer makes a difference.  We see time after time the results of answered prayer and our wonderful God never ceases to amaze us.  We are not a church which exists just for Sunday.  We are a church that loves God and loves his people.  That includes everyone, church people or not.  You may feel that this talk of prayer is not for you, thank you very much.  You may feel that yes, there is something in it, but not for me just now.  You may be thinking, yes, I like the sound of this but don’t know what to do about it.  Of course we can pray in many different ways and places.  But it can be hard sometimes to start.  If you have something which you would like to say to God you may not know what to say or how to begin.  Sometimes it is easier if two people pray together.  Jesus tells us that if two or three come together in my name, there I am with them (Matthew 18.20).   Our prayer team members know God and have a living faith.  We all have prayer experience, and understand the need for confidentiality.  We consider it to be a great privilege to pray for, or with, somebody.  Would you like prayer?  Do you know someone who needs prayer?  Would you like to have a chat about prayer?

Please contact the Associate Priest, Pioneer Minister, or our Pastoral Team.

 

A Prayer for our Parishes, and for our new Parish Priest:

God our Father, you have welcomed each one of us in Jesus, and called us to be his body in this place.
Send your Holy Spirit at this time of uncertainty and change, to fill us with vision, energy, and faithfulness in prayer, that we may be true to our calling to bring new life to our community.
Guide with your heavenly wisdom those who are to choose a new priest for this benefice, that the one whom we receive may be a faithful pastor, and a wise and gentle shepherd of your people, ready to serve us with joy, to build us up in faith, and to lead us by example, in loving obedience to your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

 

Prayer for Vision:

Heavenly Father, we embrace Your call for us to make disciples, to be witnesses, to grow leaders and inspire children and young people.  Give us eyes to see Your vision, ears to hear the prompting of Your Spirit and courage to follow in the footsteps of your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.


Prayer for Ukraine:

Almighty God, seated above all the affairs of humankind and sovereign over nations and leaders, hear our prayer for Ukraine at this time of war,
that lives may be spared, national boudaries respected, and the forces of aggression be restrained.
Grant, O Lord, peace in your world in our time, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.


Prayers for the Dementia Sufferer

I need you to understand; and not to blame me, but Alzheimer’s.  I still need the compassion, and the touching, and most of all, I still need you to love me.  Keep me in your prayers, because I am between life and death.  The love you give me will be a blessing from God; and both of us will live for ever.

Pray for me, for I was once like you.
Be kind and loving to me – that’s how I would have treated you.
Remember I was once someone’s child, parent, or spouse: I had a life, and a dream for the future.
Speak to me – I can hear you, even if I don’t always understand what you are saying.  Speak to me of things in my past, to which I can still relate.
Be considerate to me: my days are such a struggle.  Think of my feelings, because I still have them, and can feel pain.
Treat me with respect, because I would have treated you that way.
Think of how I was before I got Alzheimer’s: I was full of life; had a life; laughed, and loved you.
Think of how I am now.  My disease distorts my thinking, my feelings, and my ability to respond; but I still love you, even if I can’t tell you.
Think about my future: because I used to.  Remember, I was full of hope for the future, just like you are now.
Think how it would be to have things locked in your mind, and can’t let them out.  I need you to understand, and not blame me, but Alzheimer’s.
I still need the compassion, and the touching; and most of all, I still need you to love me.
Keep me in your prayers, because I am between life and death.  The love you give will be a blessing from God; and both of us will live for ever.
How you live, and what you do today will always be remembered in the heart of the Alzheimer’s patient.

A prayer for World peace

O God of the nations, as we look to that day when you will gather people from north and south, east and west, into the unity of your peaceable Kingdom.
Guide with your just and gentle wisdom all who take counsel for the nations of the world, that all your people may spend their days in security, freedom, and peace, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

St James’ Diary for Daily Prayer

1st

THANKS : The created world and its peoples.

PRAY: The United Nations, the European Parliament.

COMMUNITY: Hall Gate Lane

2nd

THANKS : The worldwide Christian Church, Blackburn Diocese and its bishops.

PRAY: The Queen, her Prime Minister and Government.

COMMUNITY: Moss Side Lane, Lancaster Road

3rd

THANKS : Our own faith and those who taught it to us.

PRAY: All the churches in our Over Wyre benefice.

COMMUNITY: Cartgate, Cemetery Lane

4th

THANKS : Jesus’ birth, His humility and self-giving.

PRAY: Other denominations working in our community.

COMMUNITY: Back Lane (Preesall,) Monks Lane, Acres Lane

5th

THANKS : Jesus’ ministry, his gentleness and compassion.

PRAY: Our Deanery, the Area Dean, Chapter and Synod.

COMMUNITY: Park Lane.

6th

THANKS : Jesus’ death, His suffering and redeeming love.

PRAY: Those of other faiths, and those of none.

COMMUNITY: Birch Grove, Malvern Ave

7th

THANKS : Jesus’ suffering and his redeeming love.

PRAY: Our Parish Priest Andy and Judith his wife.  All preachers, worship leaders and visiting clergy.

COMMUNITY: Occupation Lane

8th

THANKS : The Kingship of Jesus, that he may be King of our lives.

PRAY: Our Pioneer Minister, Naomi and her husband, Ben.  Our SSM Dyllis and her husband John, and for Nicola our reader.  The baptism team.

COMMUNITY: Woodside Park Homes, Bradshaws Close

9th

THANKS : The gifts of the Holy Spirit and for its fruit in our lives.

PRAY: Churchwardens, PCC, Vision Champions, Social & Communications Sub Committee.  Our Pastoral Visitors.

COMMUNITY: Moss Edge Lane, Carr Close, Pennine Way

10th

THANKS : Our sins are forgiven, so we may forgive others.

PRAY: For the Sidespersons.

COMMUNITY: Wood View Lane, Sower Carr Lane

11th

THANKS : The beauty of creation.

PRAY: All who maintain and beautify our church.  The Finance and Facilities Sub Committee

COMMUNITY: Carr Lane, Brick House Lane

12th

THANKS : Opportunities to worship and serve. That we may use our God given-gifts.

PRAY: Our Organist, Choir and Music Group.  The Worship & Liturgy Sub Committee.

COMMUNITY: Back Lane, Swilkin Lane, Ned’s Lane

13th

THANKS : Our families and friends.

PRAY: Study Courses, our Little Fishes children’s group.

COMMUNITY:  The Heads Holiday Home Park

14th

THANKS : Those who support us in prayer.

PRAY: The Bible Study Group and our Prayer Chain.

COMMUNITY: The Sisters at Hyning

15th

THANKS : Our health and strength.

PRAY: Those with disabilities, for the sick and all who work to relieve suffering.

COMMUNITY: Brown Lane, Burrows Lane

16th

THANKS : The beauty of our surroundings and the food and employment the land provides.

PRAY: The farming community and our pets at home.

COMMUNITY: Smithy Lane, Foxfields, Birch Close

17th

THANKS : Our homes and security.

PRAY: Those who live in retirement or nursing homes, the housebound and those who care for them.

COMMUNITY: Carr End Lane

18th

THANKS : Our local community.

PRAY:  Local businesses, The Seven Stars,  P.H. Stables, hairdressers, the Post Office & Morrison’s.

COMMUNITY: Fairway, Fellway


19th

THANKS : Our freedom and relative wealth.

PRAY: Prisoners, especially prisoners of conscience. Prison Chaplains. The poor and refugees. Blackpool Street Angels / Streetlife.

COMMUNITY: Stalmine Country Park

20th

THANKS : The congregation of St. James Church

PRAY: Those recently baptised or confirmed. Those preparing for confirmation.

COMMUNITY: Stalmine Hall Park

21st

THANKS : The lives and examples of the saints, especially St. James.

PRAY: Loved ones who have died and the bereaved.  For funeral directors, crematorium and cemetery staff.

COMMUNITY: Head Dyke Lane, Burned House Lane

22nd

THANKS : Our schools and the church’s work in education.

PRAY: Children and teachers, especially at Stalmine C.P School, St. Aidan’s School & Moss Side Nursery. 

COMMUNITY: Moss House Lane

23rd

THANKS : Overseas Missionary Societies.

PRAY: The Mission and  Outreach Sub Committee, Church Army and all involved in evangelism.  Lex and Alan Hamilton.  Pray that we may witness to Christ in our community.

COMMUNITY: Union Lane., Hanley Close

24th

THANKS : Recreation and friendship.

PRAY: Wyre Villa F.C., the Bowling Clubs, the Village Hall Committee, the Parish Council and the Stalmine Residents Association; that these facilities and groups may be used to make strong links within our community.

COMMUNITY: Harwood Close

25th

THANKS : God’s provision of all our needs.

PRAY: Our treasurers, for good stewardship and sacrificial giving.

COMMUNITY: Strickland Lane

26th

THANKS : Help and support available locally.

PRAY: The Women’s Institute, the Over 60’s Group. The unemployed and retired.

COMMUNITY: Grange Lane, Corcas Lane

27th

THANKS : The privilege of serving Jesus.

PRAY: The ministry of every church member.  Pray that we may recognise each other’s gifts and talents.

COMMUNITY: Lynwood Drive, Sarah’s Fold

28th

THANKS : Those who give their time in the service of others.

PRAY: Charities and their volunteers, our Charities Sub Committee. Messy Church.

COMMUNITY: Hillside Drive

29th

THANKS : The privilege of reading the Bible in our own language.

PRAY: All who translate and explain the Bible.

COMMUNITY: Douglas Avenue, Ash Lea Grove

30th

THANKS : Answered prayer.

PRAY: The deepening of our spiritual life.

COMMUNITY: Those who have recently come to live in our community.

31st

THANKS : For Jesus.

PRAY: Renewal in the church, the fulfilment of God’s work through St. James’ and Vision 2026.

COMMUNITY: All who live and work outside our parish.