The Spirit Within

Work of the Prayer & Spirituality Unit

The Coventry MU Prayer Circle The Mothers' Union Prayer Prayers Wave of Prayer
Project Idea: Shawl

Lambeth Conference Prayers

The Coventry MU Prayer Circle

Within the Coventry Diocese MU there is a large Prayer Circle whose members respond to requests for prayers when there is a need. All it takes is a phone call to a member who will notify one of the Prayer Circle Co-ordinators. Within a very short space of time the Prayer Circle will have been activated and prayers will be lifted up. Prayer can do so much and all the members happily give of their time when there is a need for prayer.

For details of how to request prayers see this PDF poster, or you can make an online prayer request.

The Mothers' Union Prayer

As a young woman, Mary Sumner took a special interest in women and their familes. When she started meeting with mothers in her husband's parish in 1876, Mary wrote the first Mothers' Union prayer. The current prayer (launched Autumn 2005), like the original, focuses on the real concerns and needs of women throughout the world.

Loving Lord

We thank you for your love so freely given to us all.
We pray for families around the world.
Bless the work of the Mothers' Union
as we seek to share your love
through the encouragement, strengthening
and support of marriage and family life.
Empowered by your Spirit,
may we be united in prayer and worship,
and in love and service
reach out as your hands across the world.
In Jesus' name.

Amen

Prayers

Prayers for Peace:

Father Almighty, we pray for your peace on earth,
For peace that is life giving;
For peace that is love-bearing;
For peace that is true freedom;
For peace that is purposeful;
For peace that is prevailing;

Father, deepen our desire for peace;
Restore our resolve for peace;
Increase our intent to work for peace.

Will for us your peace,
Perfect and prevailing,
For your Son, our Saviour Christ's sake.

AMEN
From a prayer by Pamela Wilding, Kenya

Spirit of truth and judgement, who alone can exorcize the powers that grip our world:
At the point of crisis give us your discernment, that we may accurately name what is evil,
And know the way that leads to peace, through Jesus Christ.

AMEN
A prayer by Janet Morley

Have mercy on us, Lord, for all the damage done to people by people in war,
And strengthen those who are striving to bring peace to our world now.

AMEN
A prayer by Angela Ashwin

A prayer for those in need:

Dear God, please bless all those who at this time are in need of your comfort and strength. Give them your peace to face whatever problem they have and may your generous blessings be on them. Amen

(George Appleton, Bishop)

Wave of Prayer

In July of 1920, about a hundred world-wide representatives of the Mothers' Union met in London. So powerful were the relationships forged during the week of discussion and prayer that definite steps were taken to maintain common commitments and goals. The Wave of Prayer was born!

Beginning in April 1921, members were asked to use daily, at midday, a simple prayer, filling in from a calendar the name of a country and diocese where the Mothers' Union was at work. For over eighty years this Wave of Prayer has swept on continuously throughout the organisation, enabling close links to be maintained between members in different parts of the world.

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Lord, Our God and Creator.

Bless all the Members of the Mothers' Union who are working throughout the world.

Support them in their efforts to bring Christian love, help and companionship to the communities in which they live.

Our Prayers today are for: ...

2008

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

(In September 2007, MU Coventry Diocese launched a Monthly Diocesan Prayer Diary which is available via the link above)

For information on the MU Prayer Diary booklet, please see publications

On a lighter note:-

Grant us a sense of humour, please,

The saving grace to see a joke,

To win some happiness from life

And pass it on to other folk.