Prayers

A Prayer for International Women's Day

A Prayer for International Women's Day — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 14:50:00 +0000

Today, as we mark International Women’s Day,
we thank God for women and girls all around the world.
For those who have stepped into roles which have been costly,
who have pushed past the obstacles of injustice,
who stand tall with pride and dignity in the face of oppression,
whose resilience inspires and gives hope.
For those whose lives inspire us all to become better human beings,
Creator God, we give you thanks.

We pray for people all around the world
For the gifts and resources in our hands,
For the knowledge and experience in our minds and bodies,
For the love and encouragement in our hearts,
For the change which is made possible through our words and actions.
We freely and wholeheartedly offer them to you creator God,
You who has made all equal in your image,
That in our working together and in partnership,
we might become the best version of humankind you envision,
where we all equally belong,
are seen and empowered,
to fulfil our potential in this world.

Amen

A Prayer for the Middle East

A Prayer for the Middle East — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 15:30:00 +0000

God of love,
As we see and hear the news of the devastating violence wrought upon
and within the Middle East,
we hold your broken world before you in prayer,
We pray for lives lost, for people who mourn, and for those living in fear
We pray for people stranded and in need of safe routes and safe harbours.
We long for peace and pray that those who wage war might exchange weapons for words.
Help us to know how to pray, how to speak and how to act,
that we might remember our call to follow the Prince of Peace,
In whose name we pray,
Amen.

World Cancer Awareness Day

World Cancer Awareness Day, Wednesday 4th February 2026 — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 11:53:00 +0000

World Cancer Awareness Day, Wednesday 4th February 2026

Lord Jesus Christ, we join our hearts to Your heart today as we consider the impact on each and every person across the world who has cancer.

As we acknowledge the mix of shock, fear, sadness, anxiety and the stress of coming to terms with their ongoing situation, help us to pray wholeheartedly that our earnest thoughts, prayers and positive energy are sensed by all through Your Powerful Name.

We pray too for every close family member and for their friends. Help them to know with certainty that You are aware of their every emotion and that You long for all to seek and keep seeking comfort, peace and strength from Your everlasting loving and caring embrace.

We give thanks to You, Lord Jesus, and ask Your blessing on each surgeon, doctor, nurse and carer.

We pray that as the family of Christ we will be faithful in prayer with every gesture, look and word to show support and encouragement with comforting and sensitive caring love as opportunity is gifted to us in the days ahead.

In Your Name.

Amen.

Prayer for Holocaust Memorial Day

A prayer for Holocaust Memorial Day — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 15:38:00 +0000

Holy God,

On this Holocaust Memorial Day we remember the six million Jewish persons whom the Nazis murdered. Some names known to us but all known to you. We remember, too, those who survived and bore the physical and emotional consequences. We pray for our neighbours today, our Jewish communities who still feel the effects of the Holocaust and the fear that antisemitism continues to bring.

We remember, also, the thousands of other victims of the Nazi regime. Those who were disabled, gay, Roma, Jehovah’s Witnesses, political opponents, and those who were brave enough to stand up and say that what was happening was wrong. As we think this year of the need to ‘bridge the generations’, forgive us when we have allowed ourselves to hate others. Forgive us when we have chosen not to stand up against hatred, and forgive us when we choose to forget because it’s more comfortable than remembering the horrors of what has happened.

Yesterday, today and forever you are God. Your love endures forever. We hold before you all victims of genocide and hatred and ask that you bring peace and justice. May we never forget and may we be equipped to make a better world.

Amen.

Prayer for flooding in Southern Africa

Prayer for flooding in Southern Africa — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 15:29:10 +0000

Heavenly Father,
We lift before you all affected by flooding across Southern Africa at this time.
We pray for those who have lost loved ones, homes, crops and livestock;
Enfold them with your comfort, love and grace at this time.
We lift before you all in the Methodist Church in Southern Africa who, along with others, are seeking to respond to the many challenges and urgent needs.
And we pray for all efforts to address the ongoing consequences of climate change around the world.
May we act with wisdom to mitigate its’ impact and bring hope and stability for all who are most affected.
This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Prayer for Iran

Prayer for Iran — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 16:35:00 +0000

God of Peace,
We hold the people of Iran in this time of deep distress.
Where there is fear - grant Your peace.
Where there is violence - bring Your protection.
Where hearts are hurting - pour out Your comfort.

Loving God, we pray especially for those mourning the loss of loved ones,
for those who are injured, imprisoned, or afraid,
and for those seeking justice, freedom, and dignity.
Surround them with Your love.

We pray for leaders and those in authority -
grant wisdom, restraint, and compassion.
Turn the hearts of those with power toward healing,
not harm; toward reconciliation and peace

In our prayers, we remember our sisters and brothers
who worship with us in our churches here in Britain
We thank you, God, for the blessing they bring to our church communities.
God of mercy, we ask for Your Spirit to move in Iran -
to bring peace, hope, and a future of justice.
May Your love be known by every person affected by these events.

Amen.

Christian Unity Week

CTBI — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 15:53:00 +0000

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is 18 to January 25. The theme this year is “There is one body and one Spirit”, based on Ephesians 4:4.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ,
You bring us together in all our diversity,
as family and church.
In the face of so many situations on earth,
where hope has given way to despair
and hearts are wounded and emptied by disappointment,
renew our strength and unify us.
Help us to share Your hope wherever we find ourselves.
You are the true Light,
who casts out the darkness of sin,
despair and brokenness,
who shines into our hearts, releasing the joy
and the true hope of Your eternal love for all.
Amen.

You can find information and the CTBI resources for Christian Unity Week this prayer was taken from here.

LGBTQI+ History Month (February)

LGBT Solidarity Circle — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 15:31:00 +0000

Loving God,
Show us the way to make our worship spaces and congregations welcoming to all who seek your face.
Cause us to lift the barriers which prevent us from being welcoming.
Change the hearts of those who do not welcome difference and who are reluctant to embrace the full gospel of Christ.
All are welcome.
We are one body.
One Church.
Amen.

A Prayer in response to the attack at Bondi Beach

A Prayer in response to the attack at Bondi Beach — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 10:42:18 +0000

Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who grants us light, sustains us in life and guides us in the ways of holiness.

On a day when peaceful celebration has been distorted through acts of violence and hatred, we pray for those who have died and been injured in the attack at Bondi beach at the beginning of Hanukkah.

Comfort those who have lost loved ones. Strengthen them and grant them peace.
Stand close to those who seek answers and with those tasked with understanding and responding to these acts of violence.

May the deep darkness of this day be met by responses of respect, compassion and solidarity as we continue to draw alongside our sisters and brothers of Jewish faith in our prayers.

We pray for an ending to all acts of religious or racially based hatred that we may dwell in your light and seek a world in which all may walk safely alongside their neighbour.
Amen.

Prayer for those affected by cyclonic destruction in parts of Asia

Prayer for those affected by cyclonic destruction in parts Asia — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 14:22:00 +0000

Separate Cyclonic systems have caused flooding, mudslides and devastation across Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. As part of the response the Methodist Church is in touch with its partners to prepare Solidarity Grant funding from the World Mission Fund.

We hold the situation in our prayers:

Loving Creator God,

We pray for the people of Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

May those who have lost love ones and homes know your comfort.

May those working in essential aid know your strength and support.

May those managing operations know your guidance.

We pray in particular for churches in the region as part of their community, caring and responding first to people in need.

Help us to work and pray in solidarity with them.

We hold in prayer all those in Britain worried about family and loved one, that they know your steadfast love.

In the name of Christ we pray,

Amen.

Prayer for International Day for Persons with Disabilities

Prayer for International Day for Persons with Disabilities — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 14:25:35 +0000

Loving God,

We thank you for your creation, and that you have made every one and each of us in all our own unique ways. We thank you for the gifts that you given to us. Help us to use the gifts for your will to serve you and others in your Kingdom. If we haven’t please help us to recognise the gifts you have planted in us.

We pray for the International Day of Persons with disabilities. In your eyes, you see us as equal, and you love us and seek to use us no matter what our disabilities are. We pray for those who don’t feel the same way and we pray that they know they are loved by you and are encouraged seek your will and purpose. Let them be supported and encouraged by those around them to seek positions of leadership or any other role within society and the church for they can promote and embrace diversity and inclusion. We thank you Lord for being the loving equal God you are.

In Jesus’ name, Amen

World AIDS Day, 1 December

Michaela Youngson, Assistant Secretary of the Conference — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 15:59:00 +0000

A prayer for World AIDS Day, which takes place on 1 December 2025.

God of love,
on this International AIDS Day,
we remember all who have died as a result of this disease
and we recognise the global inequalities in the treatment
and care of those living with and dying of AIDS today.
We give thanks for significant changes in diagnoses
and treatment that have contributed to saving the lives of many people.
We honour the courage and passion of campaigners
and activists who continue to work in the face of stigma and bigotry.
We pray that the hopeful target of zero transmissions of this disease by 2030 might be met.
You have created all people in your image and we pray that every person affected by AIDS will know they are valued and loved.
In the name of Christ.

Amen.