As we approach the Crown Nominations Commission meetings where our new Bishop will be discerned, we ask that all join us in prayer.
For more information about the process for the election of our new bishop on our Vacancy in See page.
A short prayer for our Bishop's Appointment
Lord God,
We are in awe of the power of your love. A love that saves us. A love that transforms us. A love that enables us.
As we wait on the unfolding process of the Bishop's appointment you have commissioned your servants to make, by your Holy Spirit paint our hearts with the picture of whom you have ordained to be shepherd for this Diocese and all its people. Give us the eyes we need to see, the ears we need to hear and the wisdom we need for the time of selection.
And Lord, encourage all those who place their lives in the light for their possible appointment and bless each of them and their families as they search out your will for them at this time.
Thank you Lord, for your promise to hear and honour these our petitions.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
Amen
A prayer for us in an All Age Service
Heavenly Father, thank you that nothing happens without your knowledge and as we prepare to receive our new bishop, we pray for our diocesan family. We are thankful for all those who have been instrumental in the selection process, for the many prayers that have been offered and for your direction and care.
We pray that your presence will continue with us and your spirit will brood over us. We pray that our new bishop will be a person with a heart for your people, who keeps you at the centre of everything they do and who represents you with humility and grace. May they lead with a gentle spirit and always be reliant on the Holy Spirit for guidance.
With grateful hearts, Lord, we thank you. Amen
A prayer for use in formal intercessions
We are praying for the new bishop, continually asking God to fill them with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that the bishop even now, may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might, that the bishop may have great endurance and patience.
We give joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified this person to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light and to serve in the Diocese of Peterborough.
Prayer Resources for families and schools
The new bishop – Who might they be?
A bishop is a man or a woman who will look after our churches in our diocese, helping us to share Jesus’ good news. Over the next weeks a committee is praying and discerning who might be the next bishop. Why not join in with the praying so that we are part of the blessing upon this new person. You may like to pray for the new bishop as they apply for the role, for their family, for our Bishop John who the new bishop will work with, but is doing the Bishop’s job on his own at the moment. Take a strip of paper and write your prayer. See it as a blessing pleasing to God, and weave into the tapestry of prayers from everyone else
You will need:
- Picture of a bishop with title ‘The new bishop – Who might they be?’ And paragraph as written
- Strips of colour paper onto which prayers for our new bishop can be written
- Strips of paper can be woven into a chicken wire frame
- Pens
- Praying for life and new growth in our diocese. What do you long for in our diocese?
Who are the people who need the blessing of God? Where are the places that need his restoration and light? Who is lost, least and last and needs to be found, built up and restored? As we await the arrival of our new bishop, why not take a leaf and write your prayer of life on the tree. Why not join in with the prayers of other churches for our new bishop who will be appointed in the next few months as someone who will bring this life
You will need:
- Paragraph printed out
- Cut out green leaves
- Pens
- Either a 3-D tree made from thick cardboard, or a few branches cut out of brown paper and mounted on the wall
- Bluetac or tape to stick on leaves
Encourage school or family to think about each finding a way in their week to pray
Get creative
-
Try prayer walking
-
Try setting an alarm on your phone and praying the Lord’s Prayer wherever you are when it goes off
-
Try going somewhere different to pray (Jesus used a garden and a mountainside)
-
Try silent prayer
-
Try painting your prayers
-
Try writing poetry
A community prayer wall
Set up a prayer wall in church/school with the big title: ‘I pray for God to send a new bishop who will…. you may like to download this poster with hopes that have been written by children from our church schools as inspiration.
Where families, church members, members of the community are encouraged along with children and staff to write a prayer
You will need:
- Postits
- Pens
- A big poster with ‘I pray for God to send a new bishop who will…’
- A description of what a bishop does, etc