Second week in Ordinary Time BACKGROUND: This week we are taking part in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The theme for this year is “What does God require of us?” The materials have been prepared by Christians working together in South India, In many parts of India the Caste system is still evident with the Dalit caste being the poorest. Many Christians in India are from a Dalit background. During this week of prayer Christians are called to share together practically how they can answer God’s question through the Prophet Micah and find ways of acting justly, loving tenderly and walking humbly with God. As we walk this path of life, which the church refers to as a ‘pilgrimage’ we pray that the churches will lead us to break down divisions, for Christ leads us to be one not divided. For more resources see:

We will begin by making the sign of the Cross Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. All: Amen We pause to think of any special intention we want to pray for today. We light our Form Candle for all our prayers today.

Monday 21 st January – St Agnes Reader: Saint Agnes was a young Christian girl who was martyred in the 3rd Century at the age of 13. She is the patron saint of girls. Jesus said “No one sews a piece of un shrunken cloth on an old cloak, if they do the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and the tear gets worse. And nobody puts new wine into old wine skins, if they do the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the skins too. No! New wine, fresh skins!”(Mark 6:19-20) Together we pray: All: Lord, we love to talk, forgive us when we fail to listen. Christ talked of love, may our conversations be always out of love. God of life, lead us to justice and peace. Amen Reader: We pray today for the Yr9 Students on retreat at the Briars.

Tuesday 22 nd January – St Vincent Reader: St Vincent was a Deacon of the Church in Spain who was put to death for believing in Jesus in 304AD. O let there be rejoicing and gladness for all who seek you. Let them ever say: ‘The Lord is great’, who love your saving help. (Psalm 39) Together we pray: All: In Christ’s brokenness on the cross, you transformed our lives. Lord we crucify you again by our disunity. Walk with us as we share together our lives. God of life, lead us to justice and peace. Amen

Wednesday 23 rd January Reader: Jesus said, “The Kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes off happy, sells everything he owns and buys the field. (Matthew 14:44) Together we pray: All: Lord we know that life with you is the eternal treasure that we seek. Help us to seek for unity amongst Christians so that we may proclaim better our joy of the Kingdom of God. Amen

Thursday 24 th January - St Francis de Sale Reader: St Francis de Sales was Bishop of Geneva in the 17th Century and is Patron Saint of writers. He reminded people of how much God was in love with all his people. ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ And looking round at those sitting in a circle about him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother and sister and mother.’ (Gospel of Mark 3:31-35) Together we pray: All: Heart of Jesus fill us with your love. Help all who share God’s message through the media to be guided by your spirit. May the words we use today be inspired by you. Amen

Friday 25 th January – The conversion of St Paul Reader: I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant. You are to tell others what you have seen of me today and what I will show you in the future. I will rescue you from the people of Israel and from the Gentiles to whom I will send you. You are to open their eyes and turn them from the darkness to the light and from the power of Satan to God, so that through their faith in me they will have their sins forgiven and receive their place among God's chosen people. (The Acts of the Apostles 26:16-18) Together we pray: All: Lord convert our hearts to live the life you have planned for us. May the prayers of St Paul help us to turn our back on all that is evil and follow the way of the Lord. Amen

School Prayer Prayer of Saint Benedict We pray Lord, that everything we do may be prompted by your inspiration, so that every prayer and work of ours may begin from you, and be brought by you to completion. Amen Saint Benedict – Pray for us