To sell, newspapers need to be sensationalist; good news it seems doesn’t sell copies as well as bad news does. Does it seem as if the news you read is too severe, too dramatic, too big for you to manage?
Pick an eco-system that is close to your heart and pray with positive intention for that place. Perhaps focus your prayer on a plant, an animal or what this place means to you – and thank God for his wisom and grace in creation for this. Pray to ask how you can make a difference to help the niche you’re focusing on – and in doing so, you can help to be a positive force of change.
Coming together with others in prayer can be a meaningful experience, as we share with one another our faith and gratitude. However, sometimes we may not feel comfortable in vocalising our prayer. This method can help us come together in prayer, but overcome that reluctance to say out loud the desires in our heart.
Random acts of kindness are an easy way of making prayer practical and positive. It can move our focus away from our needs, and onto the needs of others.
Here is a way of praying for others by using your fingers to trigger you into thinking about different groups of people.
Stick a favourite prayer up on the fridge door, then each time you visit the fridge, you can say that prayer.
The summer holidays are a time to do things we wouldn’t get to normally, but they’re also a time for us to regain our energy.
‘I Bow Down’: performed before intercessions on 25th August 2019 – words and Music Cindy Rethmeier, performed by Jane and Leigh of St Mark’s choir.
Each individual has their own battles and challenges, and is known and loved by God. Pray simple prayers of blessing over the lives of those around you and make people watching a prayer activity.
Prayers given on our Family Communion service on the ninth Sunday after Trinity.