Pray Daily, Prayer Circle and Prayer Blankets
Scroll Down for Prayer BlanketsPrayers for the People within our Parish Family
Prayer Requests
Prayers for the People and Issues within our Parish Family and Community
We pray for all those who may be travelling this week.
As they travel: Andy, Evelyn and Ian Greenwood
In their times of sickness or approaching surgery:
Andrew Pratt; Peter Gardner; Marilyn Hohnke; Barbara Strong; Catherine Robertson; Allison King; Ann Higgins; Andrew Williams; Andrew Nolan; James Harding; Geoff; Pam; Shane; Debbie Day; Rob; Leticha Kelly; Sarah; Joan Hope; Reverend John Cuffe; Jeff Beaman.
Please speak to Reverend Rob or Reverend Angela if you would like someone’s name added to or removed from the prayer list.
Please pray also for our new Archbishop Jeremy and our Diocesan Bishop John .
Parish Prayer
God, we pray that the eyes of our hearts may be enlightened, so that we may know the hope to which you have called us, the riches of the glorious way of life you have for your people, and the immeasurable greatness of your power in us who trust you. Amen.
Based on Ephesians 1:18-19
Prayer of the Day and Week
Prayer of the Day
Second Sunday of Advent
God of our salvation,
you straighten the winding ways of our hearts
and smooth the paths made rough by sin:
keep our hearts watchful in holiness,
and bring to perfection the good you have begun in us.
We ask this through him whose coming is certain,
whose Day draws near, your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayer of the Week
Second Sunday of Advent
Merciful God,
who sent your messenger John the Baptist
to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation:
give us grace to heed his warning and forsake our sins,
that we may greet with joy the coming of our Redeemer,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
or
O Lord Jesus Christ,
who at your first coming
sent your messenger to prepare your way before you:
grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries
may likewise so prepare and make ready your way
by turning the hearts of the disobedient
to the wisdom of the righteous,
that at your second coming to judge the world
we may be found an acceptable people in your sight;
for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Message to the Parish on Prayer from Father Rob Sutherland
Prayer is an important part of who Jesus calls us to be. St Paul calls us to “pray without ceasing.” We pray in church and I hope everyone prays their own prayers often. Sometimes people ask one of the clergy to pray with them on a private matter but having a group who are dedicated to praying when people ask for it is part of our Christian ministry. Our Prayer Circle is a discreet group who will pray whenever anyone seeks prayer. Such requests are shared only within the Prayer Circle and via secure messaging. Christine Bodey has volunteered to manage the Prayer Circle. Prayer is an essential part of our faith relationship with God. The prayer circle is part of us seeking God’s support for the people of our parish. Please speak with Reverend Rob about joining the group.
Pray Daily – December 2024
Ongoing
· Parishes seeking new incumbents: Aspley-Albany Creek, Beaudesert, Beenleigh, Booval, Caloundra with Glasshouse Country, Gold Coast South, Hamilton, Hendra-Clayfield, Ipswich, Jimboomba, Maleny, Nambour, Roma, Waterloo Bay
· Schools seeking chaplains: Coomera Anglican College, Toowoomba Anglican School
Sunday 1 December
· The Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan
· The ongoing work of peace-making in Sudan & South Sudan
· The Anglican Church of Australia: The Primate - †Geoff Smith; The General Secretary - Anne Hywood; The General Synod and the Standing Committee
· The Parish of Goodna: Bronwyn Pagram
· Anglicare Australia: Kasy Chambers & staff
· State Chaplaincy Board: The Reverend Sue Barker
Monday 2 December – Frances Perry, founder of the Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne (d. 1892)
· The Diocese of Kitale – The Anglican Church of Kenya
· The Diocese of Adelaide: †Geoff Smith; Assistant Bishops - †Timothy Harris, †Chris McLeod, †Sophie Relf-Christopher; Clergy & People
· The Parish of Goonaneman: Iain Furby
· Anglican Schools Office, Church House: A/g Executive Director – Catherine O’Sullivan & staff
· Anglican Church Grammar School, East Brisbane: Headmaster - Alan Campbell; Chaplain – Sharon Mitchell; Lay Chaplain - Stephanie Cotroneo; Chair of School Council – Paul de Jersey, members of School Council; staff & students
Tuesday 3 December – Francis Xavier, priest and missionary (d. 1552)
· The Diocese of Kiteto – The Anglican Church of Tanzania
· The Diocese of Armidale: †Rod Chiswell; Clergy and People
· The Parish of Goondiwindi: John Rolley
· NQ Lotus Glen Correctional Centre: Jim Tsang
· Cannon Hill Anglican College, Cannon Hill: Principal - Gary O’Brien; Chaplain - Br Nathan James; Chair of College Council – Bruce Moy; members of College Council; staff & students
Wednesday 4 December – Nicholas Ferrar, deacon and man of prayer (d. 1637)
· The Diocese of Kitgum – The Church of the Province of Uganda
· The Diocese of Bathurst: †Mark Calder; Clergy and People
· The Parish of Green Hills Anglicans:
· NQ Townsville Women’s: Bernice Goon Chew
· Canterbury College, Waterford: Principal - Daniel Walker; Chaplain – Dan Talbot; Chair of College Council – Toni Bache; members of College Council; staff & students
Thursday 5 December
· The Diocese of Kitui – The Anglican Church of Kenya
· The Diocese of Ballarat: †Garry Weatherill; Clergy and People
· The Parish of Grovely: Stephen Briggs, Judy Shepherd, Deborah Hay, Robert Hay
· CQ Capricornia: Daniel Avenell
· Coomera Anglican College, Coomera: Principal – Patrick Innes-Hill; Lay Chaplaincy Team: Dom Fay and Rachael Stelzer; Chair of School Council – Mary-Anne Rulfs; members of College Council; staff & students
Friday 6 December – Nicholas of Myra, bishop and philanthropist (d.c. 342)
· The Diocese of Kivu – Eglise Anglicane du Rwanda
· The Diocese of Bendigo: †Matt Brain; Clergy and People
· The Parish of Gympie: Shaji Joseph
· State Chaplaincy Board: The Reverend Sue Barker
· Fraser Coast Anglican College, Hervey Bay: Principal - Joe Wright; Chaplain - Jeff Jarvis; Chair of College Council - Kirsti Kee; members of College Council; staff & students
Saturday 7 December – Ambrose of Milan, bishop and teacher (d. 397)
· The Diocese of North Kivu – Province de L’Eglise Anglicane Du Congo
· The Diocese of Brisbane: †Jeremy Greaves; Assistant Bishops - †Cameron Venables, †John Roundhill, †Sarah Plowman; Clergy and People
· The Parish of Hamilton: †Phillip Aspinall, Amanda Goldsworthy
· FSG (Family Support Group)
· Hillbrook Anglican School, Enoggera: Principal – Mark Zietsch; Chaplain - David Adams; Chair of School Council – David Marsland; members of School Council; staff & students
Sunday 8 December
· The Province of the Episcopal Church of Sudan
· The Diocese of Bunbury: †Ian Coutts; Clergy and People
· The Parish of Hendra-Clayfield: Jonathan Osborne - Locum
· Child Care Centres
· Matthew Flinders Anglican College, Buderim: Principal – Michelle Carroll; Chaplain - Kathrin Koning; Chair of College Council - Peta Grenfell; members of College Council; staff & students
Monday 9 December
· The Diocese of Kobe – The Nippon Sei Ko Kai
· The Diocese of Canberra-Goulburn: †Mark Short; Assistant Bishop - †Vanessa Bennett; Clergy and People
· The Parish of Hervey Bay: Greg Loumeau, Mamuor Kun peter, Vic Burgess, Lorraine Dawson
· St John’s Cathedral Shop
· St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School, Corinda: Principal - Toni Riordan; Chaplains - Gillian Moses & Julia Van Den Bos; Chair of School Council - Stephen Green; School Council members; staff & students
Tuesday 10 December
· The Diocese of Koforidua – The Church of the Province of West Africa
· Ministry to the Defence Force: †Grant Dibden; Chaplains & Members of the Defence Force
· The Parish of Holland Park: Morris Rangiwai
· Roslyn Lodge Pastoral Visitation Program, Mt Tamborine
· St Andrew’s Anglican College, Peregian Springs: Principal - Chris Ivey; Chaplain - Gary McClellan; Chair of College Council - Rosalyn Cheales; members of College Council; staff & students
Wednesday 11 December
· The Diocese of Kolhapur – The Church of North India (United)
· The Diocese of Gippsland: †Richard Treloar; Clergy and People
· The Parish of Inala: Jonathan Brook, Bev Bell, Bob Walsh, Lindsay Howie, Alex Gater
· Emergency Relief Programs
· St Hilda’s School, Southport: Principal – Virginia Warner; Chaplain - Patrick Duckworth; A/g Chair of School Council – Nick Ryan; members of School Council; staff & students
Thursday 12 December
· The Diocese of Kollam – Kottarakkara – The Church of South India (United)
· The Diocese of Grafton: †Murray Harvey; Clergy and People
· The Parish of Indooroopilly: Sue Grimmett, Lauren Martin, Mervyn Thomas, Howard Munro, Valerie Hoare, †Rob Nolan, Richard Browning
· Anglican Education and Care Services
· St John’s Anglican College, Forest Lake: Principal - Maria McIvor; Chaplain - Juliana Bate; Chair of College Council - Carla Tromans; members of College Council; staff & students
Friday 13 December – Lucy, martyr and virgin (d. 304)
· The Diocese of Kondoa – The Anglican Church of Tanzania
· Ministry with the Aboriginal People of Australia: †Chris McLeod
· The Parish of Ipswich North: Lorraine Lynch
· Churchwardens, Parish Councillors, Parish Nominators and Synod Representatives
· St Luke’s Anglican School, Bundaberg: Principal – Matthew Hughes; Chaplain – Erika Williams; Chair of School Council – Darren Hart; members of School Council; staff & students
Saturday 14 December – John of the Cross, mystic and teacher (d. 1591)
· The Diocese of Kongor – Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan
· Ministry with the Torres Strait Island People of Australia – Rose Elu
· The Parish of Ipswich: Lorraine Lynch, Michele Knight, Simon Arok, Elizabeth Chol, Dianne Leitch, Gavin Ott, Brenda Davis
· Liturgical Assistants in parishes and schools
· St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School, Ascot: Principal - Roslyn Curtis; Chaplain - Jasmine Dow; Chair of School Council – Lisa Worner; School Council members; staff & students
Sunday 15 December
· The Anglican Church of Tanzania
· The Diocese of Melbourne: †Philip Freier; Assistant Bishops - †Genieve Blackwell, †Bradly Billings, †Paul Barker, †Kate Prowd; Clergy and People
· The Parish of Ithaca-Ashgrove: Margaret Wesley, Pam Hynd, Jack Hammer, Kathy Hammer
· Home Carers
· St Paul’s School, Bald Hills: Principal – John O’Sullivan Williams; Chaplain - Mark Leam; staff & students
Monday 16 December
· The Diocese of Kongor – Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan
· The Diocese of Newcastle: †Peter Stuart; Assistant Bishops - †Sonia Roulston, †Charlie Murry; Clergy and People
· The Parish of Ithaca-Red Hill: Bill Colbrahams
· Sudanese & South Sudanese Congregations in Anglican Church Southern QLD (ACSQ): Bishop Daniel Abot
· The Glennie School, Toowoomba: Principal – Mary Anne Evans; Chaplain – Imelda O’Loughlin; Chair of School Council – †Cameron Venables; members of School Council; staff & students
Tuesday 17 December
· The Diocese of Kontagora – The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion)
· The Diocese of the Northern Territory: †Greg Anderson; Clergy and People
· The Parish of Jandowae:
· Converge International Industrial Chaplain
· The Southport School, Southport: Headmaster - Andrew Hawkins; Chaplain - John Dougherty; Chair of School Council – Adam Twemlow; members of School Council; staff & students
Wednesday 18 December
· The Diocese of Kootenay – The Anglican Church of Canada
· The Diocese of North Queensland: †Keith Joseph; Clergy and People
· The Parish of Jimboomba: Peter Moore - Locum, Ken Spreadborough, Maurice Collins, Jillian Crawford, David Lunniss, Ian Turnbull
· Indigenous Leaders and Communities in the Diocese
· The Springfield Anglican College, Springfield: Principal - Steven Morris; Chaplain - Jonathan Kemp; Chair of College Council - Michael Willis; members of College Council; staff & students
Thursday 19 December
· The Diocese of Eastern Kowloon – Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui
· The Diocese of North West Australia: †Darrell Parker; Clergy and People
· The Parish of Kangaroo Point: Richard James, Jane Mitchell, Sandy Marshall, Carol Palmer, Rod Winterton
· Camp Hill Care and Concern Group
· Toowoomba Anglican School, Toowoomba: Principal - Simon Lees; Chaplaincy team; Chair of School Council - Mac Drysdale; members of School Council; staff & students
Friday 20 December
· The Diocese of Western Kowloon – Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui
· The Diocese of Perth: †Kay Goldsworthy; Assistant Bishops - †Kate Wilmot, †David Bassett, †Hans Christiansen; Clergy and People
· The Parish of Kawana Waters: Steven Wockner, Ron Robins, Allen Neil, Kevin Lewis, Harry Sharman, David Pettett
· St Andrew’s Care, Caloundra
· West Moreton Anglican College, Karrabin: Principal - Geoff McLay; Chaplain – Jane Markotsis; Chair of College Council – Bruce Sackson; members of School Council; staff & students
Saturday 21 December – Thomas, apostle and martyr
· The Diocese of Krishna-Godavari – The Church of South India (United)
· The Diocese of Riverina: †Donald Kirk; Clergy and People
· The Parish of Kenmore-Brookfield: Deb Bird, David Dean, Geoffrey Reeder, Josie Yarham, Colin Nicholson, Sandra Kjellgren
· Anglicare SQ St John's Home for Aged Men - Toowong
· All Saints Anglican School, Merrimac: Headmaster - Patrick Wallas; Chaplain - Ann McGuinness; Chair of School Council - John Fradgley; members of School Council; staff & students
Sunday 22 December
· The Church of the Province of Uganda
· The Diocese of Rockhampton: †Peter Grice; Clergy and People
· The Parish of Kilcoy: Jilleen Chambers
· Anglicare SQ St Martin's Residential Aged Care - Taigum
· St John’s College UQ: Warden - Rose Alwyn; Chaplain – Samuel Dow; Chair of Council - John Peden; members of College Council; staff & students
Monday 23 December
· The Diocese of Kubwa – The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion)
· The Diocese of Sydney: †Kanishka Raffel; Assistant Bishops - †Peter Hayward, †Christopher Edwards, †Peter Lin, †Michael Stead, †Malcolm Richards, †Gary Siew Leong Koo; Clergy and People
· The Parish of Kingaroy: Ian Bailey, Gerald Greaves
· Anglicare SQ Symes Grove Residential Aged Care - Taigum
· St Francis Theological College, Milton: Principal – Ruth Mathieson; Academic Dean – Adam Couchman; staff, sessional lecturers & students
Tuesday 24 December
· The Diocese of Kuching – Church of the Province of South East Asia
· The Diocese of Tasmania: †Richard Condie; Assistant Bishop - †Chris Jones; Clergy and People
· The Parish of Laidley: Bob Blackburn, Bill Ross
· An Anglicare SQ Home and Community, Brisbane South Region
· Anglican Schools Australia Management Committee and Member Schools: President - Peter Laurence
Wednesday 25 December – The birth of our Lord: Christmas Day
· The Diocese of Kumasi – The Church of the Province of West Africa
· The Diocese of The Murray: †Keith Dalby; Clergy and People
· The Parish of Leichhardt: Vacant
· Anglicare SQ Home and Community, South Coast Region
· All Anglican Schools Business Managers/Bursars and Senior Leaders
Thursday 26 December – Stephen, Deacon and First Martyr
· The Diocese of Kumi – The Church of the Province of Uganda
· The Diocese of Wangaratta: †Clarence Bester; Clergy and People
· The Parish of Logan: Geoff Hoyte, Robyn Cairns, Ian Chevis, Peter Grevett, Carol Hebron, Dianne Murphy, Mary Smith, Peter Moore
· Anglicare SQ Out of Home Care, Central Region – Fraser & Gympie Residential
· State School Teachers
Friday 27 December – John, apostle and evangelist
· The Diocese of Kurunegala – The Church of Ceylon (Extra Provincial)
· The Diocese of Willochra: †Jeremy James; Clergy and People
· The Parish of Lutwyche: Jenny Simson, Allan Shephard
· Anglicare SQ Out of Home Care, Central Region – Sunshine Coast Residential
Saturday 28 December – Holy Innocents
· The Diocese of Kushtia – The Church of Bangladesh
· The Parish of Manly: Andrew Cooper, Dianne Black, Judith Phillipps
· Anglicare SQ Out of Home Care, Central Region – Gympie Foster & Kinship Care
Sunday 29 December
· The Episcopal Church
· The Parish of Mitchell: Gerry Bahre
· Anglicare SQ Out of Home Care, Central Region – Sunshine Coast Foster & Kinship Care
Monday 30 December – Josephine Butler, social reformer (d. 1905)
· The Diocese of Kutgi – The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion)
· The Parish of Milton Anglican: Ceri Wynne, †Jonathan Holland
· Anglicare SQ Out of Home Care, Moreton Region – Caboolture Foster & Kinship Care
Tuesday 31 December – John Wyclif, teacher and reformer (d. 1384)
· The Diocese of Kwara – The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion)
· The Parish of Maroochydore: Tania Eichler, Philip Robinson, James Hall
· Anglicare SQ Out of Home Care, Moreton Region – Brisbane Residential
Prayer Blanket Ministry - Help with Supplies
We have distributed more than 30 blankets since the ministry started. A wonderful outreach!
Thanks to those people who donated materials and made up blankets.
Yarn, knitted squares and 100% cotton fabric are always required.
INTERESTED IN CONTRIBUTING TO OUR PRAYER BLANKET MINISTRY?
In anticipation of the cooler months you might like to
• knit up some woollen squares
• Crochet around an existing one or two woollen blankets
• Make a patchwork quilt
• Donate materials for either type of blanket
Materials required—yarn, knitted squares and especially 100% cotton fabric. Thanks to everyone who has donated materials or made up blankets. This is a wonderful outreach and witness of our love for others and that we are praying for them in their time of need. See details of the Ministry below and become a part of it.
Details of the Prayer Blanket Ministry
If you have a friend or relative or someone you know who is suffering or in need and would appreciate prayer support please contact us by clicking here so that we can arrange for you to choose a prayer blanket as a gift from St Michael and All Angels Parish.
Our prayer blankets hang on the blanket ladder at the rear of the church. Each has been lovingly made for distribution to people we know who are in need of prayer support. This prayer ministry has proven a great witness of God's care for those who are sick or chronically ill, frail or recovering from illness or any other trouble.
Please feel free to take a prayer blanket should you know of someone who would benefit from prayer in this way. There is a blue book to fill in details of recipients so we can continue to pray to the Lord for them. Contact Rob, Anne or Margaret.
Prayer Circle
The Prayer Circle: Participants praying at home and keeping in touch by phone with each other. Members undertake to pray to the Lord regularly for all those in need or who have requested prayer. The format of the Prayer Group is being currently discussed. If you have suggestions as to how we might involve more parishioners to pray for those in need please contact Reverend Angela McNeill . Those in our parish for whom we are especially praying are listed in this week's Good News Times (GNT). Keep the list handy when you pray this week for your family and friends and those in need in our community.
How Should We Pray
Christians often use a simple acrostic as a guide to prayer: A.C.T.S. Each of the letters in this acrostic stands for one of the key elements of prayer:
(A) Adoration
(C) Confession
(T) Thanksgiving
(S) Supplication
But not only does this acrostic remind us of the elements of prayer, it shows us the priority we ought to give to each.
The first element of prayer should be adoration, or praise. The Psalms, which are inspired samples of godly prayer, are heavily weighted on the side of adoration. I’ve noticed over many years that as we grow in the discipline and in the delight of prayer, it seems that we naturally spend more and more of our time on this first element.
Second, prayer should include confession of our sin; as we remember who we are when we come into God’s presence, we see that we have come short of His holiness and have need of His forgiveness.
Third, when we pray, we should always give thanks, remembering the grace and mercy God has shown toward us.
Fourth, prayer rightly includes supplication or petition, bringing our requests for the needs of others and ourselves to God.
Here are some reminders from a pamphlet New Life in Christ:
- Thank God in all things, no matter how challenging circumstances may seem;
- During prayer focus on God instead of problems;
- Be specific, not general, during prayer;
- Pray in faith, and claim God's promises along the way; and
- Put full confidence in the faithfulness of God as prayers are offered to Him