About Prayer

Prayer is at the centre of the spiritual life of a Christian. It is about connecting and communicating with God.  There are as many ways of praying as there are individuals. Our personalities and life experiences influence how we pray.  Each week the AFS shares a new and different prayer resource for your reflection.

The third week of Lent
The Fast Life
Fast from judging others;
Feast on Christ dwelling in them.
Fast from fear of illness;
Feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute;
Feast on speech that purifies.
Fast from discontent;
Feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger;
Feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism;
Feast on hope.
Fast from negatives;
Feast on encouragement.
Fast from bitterness;
Feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern;
Feast on compassion.
Fast from suspicion;
Feast on truth.
Fast from gossip;
Feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from problems that overwhelm;
Feast on prayer that sustains.
Fast from anxiety;
Feast on faith.
- Author Unknown

 

... focus on Iran
A PRAYER FOR IRAN
BY THE RT REVD DR GULI FRANCIS-DEHOANI, BISHOP OF CHELMSFORD
Ever loving God,
who hears us in our anguish and distress,
and longs for us to be free.
We pray for the people of Iran
and the wider Middle East,
at this time of fear and uncertainty.
Be near to those who are anxious;
bring comfort to all who are suffering.
Guide those with the power to make decisions,
and lead them in the ways of wisdom, compassion and moderation:
that people of good-will would seek harmony and reconciliation.
Join us with our Christian brothers and sisters in all places,
in praying for peace with justice,
through him who is the prince of peace,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The second week of Lent
Jesus,
you have known us from the beginning of time,
you have known us in the depths of our dreams and in the darkness of our shame,
you know us as your beloved.

Help us to own that core identity more and more in this season of repentance and mercy.
Give us the rock-solid assurance of your unwavering faith in us
as we seek the same in you.

Amen.
- Author Unknown
 
The first week of Lent
Gracious Lord, as we turn to you in repentance during this season of Lent let us see your grace more clearly. In the light of your faithfulness, to us and for us, allow us with confidence to open our lives to you so that we may be renewed and remade in Christ who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, Amen. 
( Peter Robinson  - Wycliffe College)
 
 
Come, My Light
Come, my Light,
and illumine my darkness.
Come, my Life,
and revive me from death.
Come, my Physician,
and heal my wounds.
Come, Flame of divine love,
and burn up the thorns of my sins,
kindling my heart
with the flame of thy love.
- Dimitrii of Rostov
A PRAYER FOR THE PARISH
O God, our heavenly Father, bestow upon our parish the rich blessings of your loving kindness; that we may prove ourselves a people of your favour and glad to do your will. Make us alive to all the opportunities and responsibilities of our time. Keep us open to all who need our love and fellowship and inspire us with a vision of a world won for Jesus our Lord.