Prayer for the Week

Monday 26th April

Yesterday was 'Good Shepherd Sunday', so here is a prayer in that context:

 

Merciful Father, you gave your Son Jesus Christ to be the good shepherd, and in his love for us to lay down his life and rise again: keep us always under his protection, and give us grace to follow in his steps; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

All the best

Eleanor

Revd Eleanor Goodison

Priest in Charge, Hoxne Benefice

Tel: 07876 143579

It is hard to sum up this week, which takes us through the Last Supper, Jesus's arrest and crucifixion, his death and mighty resurrection, in one prayer.  Maybe this one, designed to be used along with washing others' feet on Maundy Thursday, will be good throughout the week.

 

Monday 19th April

In the light of the recent incidents of arson in Hoxne, here is a prayer for those made anxious by them and for those responsible, that God may turn their hearts and that they may find a better way.  It is based on one from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

O God, where hearts are fearful and constricted, grant courage and hope.

Where anxiety is infectious and widening, grant peace and reassurance.

Where distrust twists our thinking, grant healing and illumination.

Where spirits are daunted and weakened, grant soaring wings and strengthened dreams.

All these things we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our Saviour.

Amen.

All the best

Eleanor

Revd Eleanor Goodison

Priest in Charge, Hoxne Benefice

Tel: 07876 143579

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday 12th April

I am taking the liberty of suggesting two prayers this week, following the death of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh:

God of our lives, we give thanks for the life of Prince Philip, for the love he shared among us,and for his devotion to duty.  We entrust him now to your love and mercy, through our Redeemer Jesus Christ. 

Amen.

Merciful God, be close to all who mourn,especially The Queen and all members of the Royal Family. May they know the hope of your promises and the comfort of your love, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Amen.

All the best

Eleanor

Revd Eleanor Goodison

Priest in Charge, Hoxne Benefice

Tel: 07876 143579

 

Easter Monday

5th April 2021 

 

Here is this week's prayer, written by Ian Black:

Risen Lord, in bursting from the tomb you have broken the power of death and we see there is no darkness that can overcome your love. Breathe into our lives the wonder of your saving glory, that our song may ever be your alleluia.

Amen

All the best

Eleanor

Revd Eleanor Goodison

Priest in Charge, Hoxne Benefice

Tel: 07876 143579

 

Monday 29th March 2021

 

It is hard to sum up this week, which takes us through the Last Supper, Jesus's arrest and crucifixion, his death and mighty resurrection, in one prayer.  Maybe this one, designed to be used along with washing others' feet on Maundy Thursday, will be good throughout the week:

 

Lord Jesus Christ, you have taught us that what we do for the least of our brothers and sisters we do also for you: give us the will to be the servant of others as you were the servant of all, and gave up your life and died for us, but are alive and reign, now and for ever.

Amen

All the best

Eleanor

Revd Eleanor Goodison

Priest in Charge, Hoxne Benefice

Tel: 07876 143579

 

Tuesday

23rd March 2021

As we are now into Passiontide, here are some verses from a great Passiontide hymn to form our prayer for the week:

Ah, holy Jesu, how hast thou offended,

that so to judge thee mortals have pretended?

By foes derided, by thine own rejected,

O most afflicted.

For me, kind Jesu, was thy incarnation,

thy mortal sorrow, and thy life's oblation;

thy death of anguish and thy bitter passion,

for my salvation.

All the best

Eleanor

Revd Eleanor Goodison

Priest in Charge, Hoxne Benefice

Tel: 07876 143579

 

Monday 15th March

For this week, here is an Irish prayer from the 15th century, appropriate for Lent:

 

O Son of God,

do a miracle for me

and change my heart.

Your having taken flesh

to redeem me

was more difficult

than to transform

my wickedness.

All the best

Eleanor

Revd EleanorGoodison

Priest in Charge, Hoxne Benefice

Tel: 07876 143579

 

 

8th March 2021

Today is International Women's Day, so here is a prayer based on one written for this day last year by Revd Rosie Frew, Convener of the Church of Scotland's Faith Nurture Forum:

On this International Women’s Day, as we celebrate and give thanks for the achievements of women, we remember the women who have played a part in our lives.

As we acknowledge the challenges women still face, we pray that all women may know equality of healthcare, of education, of wealth, of prospects.

We pray that all women may know themselves to berespected, safe, included, empowered.

We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ in whom there is neither male nor female.

Amen.

All the best

Eleanor

Revd Eleanor Goodison

Priest in Charge, Hoxne Benefice

Tel: 07876 143579

 

 

 

 

 

 

1st March 2021

The World Day of Prayer (which used to be known as the Women's World Day of Prayer) falls on Friday 5th March this year.  We won't be holding a service locally but here is a prayer from the resources prepared on the theme 'Build on a Strong Foundation':

Heavenly Father you provide the raw materials for us to work with.

With the sand and cement we produce the binding for the bricks producing the solid foundation for our construction.

With Your word and following your instructions, we can produce the solid foundations for our life and your work here on earth.

Our trust is in you Lord, the house-builder. Amen

(written by Mary Judd)

Further details of the World Day of Prayer, led in 2021 by the Ladies of Vanuatu, are available at wwdp.org.uk.

All the best

Eleanor

Revd Eleanor Goodison

Priest in Charge, Hoxne Benefice

Tel: 07876 143579

 

 

22nd February 2020

A prayer this week for the beginning of Lent:

Heavenly Father,

your Son battled with the powers of darkness,

and grew closer to you in the desert:

help us to use these days to grow in wisdom and prayer

that we may witness to your saving love

in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

All the best

Eleanor

Revd Eleanor Goodison

Priest in Charge, Hoxne Benefice

Tel: 07876 143579

 

 

15th February 2020

This week's prayer is the Collect for Ash Wednesday, which of course falls on 17th February:

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing that you have made and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: create and make in us new and contrite hearts that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may receive from you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen

All the best

Eleanor

Revd Eleanor Goodison

Priest in Charge, Hoxne Benefice

Tel: 07876 143579

 

 

8th February 2021

I have written this week's prayer myself, focusing on the current severe weather:

Creator God,

you made the heavens and the earth, summer and winter:

we give thanks for the enjoyment many find in the snow.

At the same time we pray for all those who are suffering from the cold,

for those who are struggling to heat their homes,

for those who cannot get out to buy food and necessities,

for those whose vaccine appointments have been cancelled,

for those who feel more isolated than ever.

Let us all feel the warmth of your love

shown to us in the gift of your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

All the best

Eleanor

Revd Eleanor Goodison

Priest in Charge, Hoxne Benefice

Tel: 07876 143579

 

 

1st February 2021

This week's prayer is the one adopted by the Church of England in response to the terrible toll of 100,000 deaths from Covid 19.  It is suggested that we pray each evening in February at 6.00 pm:

Gracious God,

as we remember before you the thousands who have died,

surround us and all who mourn with your strong compassion.

Be gentle with us in our grief,

protect us from despair,

and give us grace to persevere

and face the future with hope

in Jesus Christ our risen Lord.

Amen.

All the best

Eleanor

Revd Eleanor Goodison

Priest in Charge, Hoxne Benefice

Tel: 07876 143579

 

25th January 2021

Next Sunday has been designated 'Growing Younger Sunday' in this diocese, so this week's prayer is one specially written for Growing Younger Sunday:

This week is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  Here is a prayer on that theme, written by Ian Black:

Lord Jesus Christ,

you call a rich tapestry of people to follow you

and challenge us with a new commandment

to imitate your love.

Give to us the gift of your grace

to fulfil this calling with joy and gladness,

that the world may rejoice in your praise.

Make us one as you are one

with the Father and the Holy Spirit,

eternal Trinity, now and for ever.

Amen

All the best

Eleanor

Revd Eleanor Goodison

Priest in Charge, Hoxne Benefice

Tel: 07876 143579

 

18th January 2021

Sadly, we have had to take the difficult decision to close Hoxne church for public worship for the time being.  Although the government is allowing churches to open during this lockdown, the current surge in cases locally means that we feel it is right to cancel services for now, as many other churches are also doing.  The church is still open once a week on Wednesdays for private prayer, as we assess the risk as much lower when only one or two people are there at a time.  And we continue to hold services online on Facebook and on Zoom.

 

All the best

Eleanor

Revd Eleanor Goodison

Priest in Charge, Hoxne Benefice

Tel: 07876 143579

11th January 2021

Here we are in lockdown again!  This week's prayer for Epiphanytide draws on the writings of Gregory the Great:

O good Jesus,

Word of the Father and brightness of his glory,

whom angels desire to behold:

teach me to do your will

that, guided by your Spirit,

I may come to that blessed city of everlasting day,

where all are one in heart and mind,

where there is safety and eternal peace,

happiness and delight,

where you live with the Father and the Holy Spirit,

world without end.

Amen

All the best

Eleanor

Revd Eleanor Goodison

Priest in Charge, Hoxne Benefice

Tel: 07876 143579

4th January 2021

A prayer for epiphany 

Generous God,

everything we are and have comes from you;

in adoration we lay before you

the sweet fragrance of our worship,

for you alone are worthy of our praise and thanksgiving;

in service we lay before you

our money, power and choices,

for in your will we find true freedom and direction;

in trust we lay before you

our pains and longing for healing,

for you hold the goal of our lives' journey

and the hope of salvation

in Jesus Christ,

King of kings and Lord of lords.

Amen

 

All the best

Eleanor

Revd Eleanor Goodison

Priest in Charge, Hoxne Benefice

Tel: 07876 143579