Prayer Options

The committed prayer of individuals, the planning group, the PCC and the congregation is the spiritual heartbeat of the church as it prepares for Giving in Grace. The appointment of a prayer coordinator who is willing to invest time and commitment into developing resources is invaluable. In addition the clergy have a special responsibility as chaplains to the planning group to support the prayer coordinator and to model committed prayer to the planning group and to the congregation.

As in any physical body there should be in the body of the church a number of pulse points, where the beat of the heart is felt clearly. Look for and develop the pulse points in the prayer life of the church

• The Ormskirk case study gives an overview of how one parish sought to be creative in prayerful preparation for Giving in Grace.
• The document Prayer Options offers a number of practical suggestions that will enable a church to be creative in encouraging and planning prayer as part of the programme.
• A Litany of Thanksgiving is based on Bible references to God’s generosity and our response to it.
• The web page Prayers for the Programme has a number of prayers which can be used.
  • A specially commissioned Giving in Grace prayer which parishes might wish to use as an additional collect during Giving in Grace.
  • The text of the General Prayer of Thanksgiving. This is the most wonderful explanation of all we have to give thanks for and all we should offer.
  • The closing prayer from the Annual Methodist Covenant can be used as a corporate act of commitment as well as a resource for personal prayer. This beautiful prayer has been well received by parishes in Liverpool and we are grateful to the Methodist Church for permission to reprint.
  • Also included, by permission, a beautiful Iona prayer