Growing as Kingdom People: Worshipping God Creatively

During Advent, we are encouraging the whole diocese to come together in prayer as we seek to grow as Kingdom People. Each week will focus on one of the four elements of our church life which were highlighted in our recent open conversations as essential to growing as a healthy and sustainable Church: Worshipping God creatively, making disciples, sharing hope and transforming communities.

Please join us in this dedicated period of prayer for the future life of our diocese.

Sunday 29 November – Worshipping God creatively

Reflect:

How have you been praying and worshipping during Lockdown? Some people have discovered praying at home in a new way, either alone, or with family members, or joining church online one way or another. Many people have been able to discover the value of daily prayer. One of our clergy said that before 2020 they were nearly always alone in church for Daily Prayer. Now they never have fewer than ten people sharing online in Morning and Evening Prayer, with different people leading and reading each day. Thomas Cranmer would have been delighted to see his vision of daily prayer being the ‘work’ of the whole people of God coming alive in a whole new way. Others don’t have internet, but still set aside a little time each day, at home, or outside to be consciously in the presence of God. To feel his presence, his mercy and his love. To bring before him all that is on their heart.

Pray:

God of all the world, as we worship you, may we feel today the good news of your love, and know its truth within us. May we rejoice in that love day by day through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Act:

Why not worship God as part of your daily exercise through the week. Could you pray for different parts of your local area as you walk around it?

Mon 30 November

Pray that our worship will always be the best that it can be, reaching out to those of different generations.

Tues 1 December

Pray for those churches able to offer online worship, that it may be a comfort to those unable to make it to our churches on a Sunday.

Wed 2 December

Pray for all those who help to bring music to our worship.

Thur 3 December

Pray for all those who lead worship in our churches, that they will feel inspired and inspire others through their preaching and teaching.

Fri 4 December

Give thanks for those churches in our diocese who are resourcing other parishes and helping them to grow and develop.

Sat 5 December

Pray that we will look for opportunities to start new congregations and find ways to revitalise existing groups.