1. Prayers for the week 11 February – 15 February 2019
Prayer theme: Prayers for the Sick
11th February is the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and World Day of the Sick.
Jesus wanted the people to know that Jesus wants our total good as human beings. Jesus forgave people their sins and ministered to the sick.
We pray for healing for the sick and recognize the selfless work of doctors, nurses and people working in healthcare who dedicate their lives to healing others.
One of the charities we support is Hospice Africa: an organization who care for the sick and dying in Sub-Sahara Africa. We pray for the work they do and those they look after.

2. Ave Maria (Lourdes hymn)
Monday 11 February .
Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes
Ave Maria (Lourdes hymn)

3. Monday 11 February
As we observe World Day of the Sick, we join in praying for those who are sick and those caring for them. Pope Francis calls to mind the example of Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta. "Saint Mother Teresa helps us understand that we must love everybody, without distinction of language, culture, ethnicity or religion, especially for those who suffer.“
Loving and compassionate God, we come to You to pray for those who are ill, that they may experience your love and compassion. Help us to reach out to those we know who are sick, to reach out to them to be kind and gentle. We pray for those who care for the sick, that they may be always kind and caring. Fill us with vision and courage to pursue research that will bear fruit in healing. Empower us to struggle against the injustices of the present health care systems. We pray for those who have died, that they may rest in your eternal lover and peace. O God, hear our prayer—these we have spoken and those yet in our hearts. We trust in your loving response. Amen.

4. Tuesday 12 February
Healing Lord, We pray for all those who are sick. Especially those with no-one to care for them or tell the they are loved. We pray for all our friends and family who are ill at this time. We do not know if our prayers will heal them. What we ask for is that we will be more attentive to their needs, to see life from their point of view, to give them our time in a visit, to think carefully about what would make them feel better. Loving God, we place those who are sick in your care. Amen.

5. A reading from the Gospel according to Mark:
Tuesday 12 February
A reading from the Gospel according to Mark:
Then a leper came to Jesus, begging on his knees: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”
Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” And Immediately the leprosy left him, and the man was cleansed.
Dear Jesus, you healed the blind, the lame, the crippled, people with different kinds of pains and illness. We pray to you for healing. Help us bring comfort , support and love to all those who are ill. Amen.

6. Wednesday 13 February Hospice Africa
We pray for Hospice Africa. Give courage and compassion to doctors, nurses and all those tending to the sick in their care, often in difficult circumstances. Help them not to grow weary.
We pray for the sick, take away their fear,
grant them acceptance and dignity.
Move our hearts to reach out to those in need
in whatever way we can. Amen.

7. Wednesday 13 February
African palliative care, according to Hospice Africa Uganda (HAU) founder Dr. Anne Merriman from Liverpool, is based on an ethos of hospitality, which manifests as a unique blend of African and Christian spirituality. There is an Ugandan greeting “You are welcome”… welcome into my home, however humble, however grand. The Christian Rule of St. Benedict tells us to welcome all guests “as if they were Christ.” Hospice Africa begins the day with 5-10 minutes of prayers for students and staff alike: hymns are sung, drums drummed, and announcements made in community before the serious business of tending to the poorest of the poor with life limiting illness begins. According to Dr. Anne, “in palliative care, we see our relationship to God through our relationship to people. Our prayer is our work: not something we necessarily have to do in a church.”
Dear God, we pray for Hospice Africa and the work they do. Help them in all their effort to do good despite difficult circumstances. Grant courage and perseverance, that they may show the love of Christ to all those in their care. We pray that their community of faith sustains them.

8. Thursday 14 February
Dear Saint Valentine, Teach us to love unselfishly and to find great joy in giving. Enable all true lovers to bring out the best in each other, may they grow in the love of God. Amen.
From the letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Love is patient and kind It doesn’t envy or boast, and it’s never proud. Love is not rude or selfish. It doesn’t get angry easily or keep track of wrongs. Love doesn’t delight in bad things, but it rejoices in the truth. Love always protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres. Love never fails.

9. Thursday 14 February

10. Afternoon Prayer and Reflection
Lord
Thank you for the morning, for watching over me and walking with me. May I find joy and understanding this afternoon, in all I do. Grant me the zest and the strength I need to work for you until nightfall. Amen
Let us pause for a few moments in silence and remember those family members and friends who need our prayers and support today…………
Let us say together the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen
May the Lord bless us and keep us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen