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 different prayer resource with a particular focus for everyone.
one small child's prayer offering
Words are unimportant in approaching God.
Instead, let us go to God with the same attitude one child had
as she sat almost hidden in the midst of a field of waving wheat.
When her grandfather went looking for her,
from a distance he heard her going through the entire alphabet,
softly saying, "A, B, C, D, E…"
Curious, her grandfather asked,
"What are you doing?" "I'm praying, Grandpa.
But I don't know the right words,
so I'm saying all the letters
and letting God put them together."
From The Alchemy of Awareness by Lorraine Sinkler
The Third Sunday of Epiphany - Prayer for Justice -
Grant us, Lord God, a vision of your world as your love would have it:
a world where the weak are protected, and none go hungry or poor;
a world where the riches of creation are shared, and everyone can enjoy them;
a world where different races and cultures live in harmony and mutual respect;
a world where peace is built with justice, and justice is guided by love.
Give us the inspiration and courage to build it, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Submitted by AFP executive member Rev’d Stephanie Donaldson
Second Sunday of Epiphany - A Martin Luther King Jr. Day Prayer
God of Justice, God of love,
as you do, may we see all people as your beloved.
Move us with your love to act for dignity for all people,
to stand not in charity but solidarity
with those who are oppressed.
Save us from the temptation to wish but not to risk,
to hide behind our privilege, to let others sacrifice.
Sustain us with your hope, to trust your presence,
to rely on your grace in all things.
Fill us with the spirit of your peace,
to face violence and cruelty with gentle persistence.
Beloved, hold us in your arms, for the road is long,
and the struggle is hard—but the future is yours.
Steve Garnaas-Holmes
Prayer in Preparation for Worship
O God of mystery, you are always greater than our thoughts can comprehend, and always more than our words can contain. Give us humble minds and open hearts, that the language of our praise may be new every morning, and our silence pregnant with your Word; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
SSJE (Society of St John the Evangelist – Anglican Brothers) newsletter Dec 2025