Prayer Diary

In the week beginning 4 October, we pray for the following people and concerns.

Our volunteers

We give thanks for all those who generously give their time and gifts to support the life of Holy Trinity and Mosaic. We pray especially for those involved in maintenance mornings, welcoming, refreshments, service leading, flower arranging, serving and our children’s activities. We pray particularly for everyone involved in Holy Trinity Children’s Church and Mosaic ‘Sparklers’.

Shelter

We bring before God the work of the staff and volunteers of Shelter, giving thanks for the many individuals and families supported by the charity. We pray for those who are homeless or experiencing difficulties with housing, for those living in temporary accommodation, and for all who are living in sub-standard, insecure or unsuitable accommodation. May they find safety, dignity and a secure place to call home.

Our hospitals and healthcare services

We pray especially for Wexham Park, Frimley, Prospect Park and the Royal Berkshire Hospital, and for our local GP surgeries, dentists, podiatrists, physiotherapists and community pharmacists. We pray for all healthcare staff and those involved in primary and community healthcare, giving thanks for the care and support they provide to patients and their families.

A prayer during the vacancy

Heavenly Father, we place our parish in your loving care during this time of vacancy. Guide us with your wisdom, unite us in faith and strengthen us in hope. Bless all who lead and serve among us and prepare the heart of the shepherd you are calling to this community. May we remain faithful in prayer, joyful in service and steadfast in your love.

Our world

Give us the courage to protect this fragile Earth. Help us to mend what has been damaged, restore what has been lost, and act with wisdom, compassion and urgency. May our choices honour future generations and bring healing to the world we share.

Those for whom we pray

We pray especially for Sue Parker, Patricia Hughes, Peter Hughes, Jemma Evans, Ray Hobbs and Carl Bennett.

Those who have died

We remember all who have died recently and pray for their families and friends as they grieve. May they know the comfort and peace of God.

At Year’s Mind

We remember Ivy Cheetham, Jack Dearden, Valerie Diana Southgate, Frederick Charles Sharpington, Edward George Noble, Frederick Charles Kirkham and Valerie Bishop.

Prisoner of conscience

We pray for Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a Nigerian musician who was convicted of blasphemy in 2020 after sharing audio messages in the form of a song he had written. The messages were deemed derogatory towards the Prophet Mohammed. Yahaya was sentenced to death under the strict blasphemy laws operating in northern Nigeria. He remains in prison. Proceedings have stalled, with no current prospect of an appeal. We pray for Yahaya as he waits, for his family and supporters, and for those involved in his case. May justice, mercy and compassion prevail, and may Yahaya be given courage and hope during this difficult time. We last prayed for Yahaya in April this year.

Our children and young people

We pray for our Youth Group, Sparklers and Children’s Church at Holy Trinity. We give thanks for the health, wellbeing and joy of our children and young people. We pray especially for children who are less fortunate; for those who experience abuse, neglect, or poverty; and for those whose circumstances are difficult. May they be protected, supported, and surrounded by people who care for them.

Médecins Sans Frontières

We bring before God the work of the staff and volunteers of Médecins Sans Frontières. We especially pray for the MSF teams responding to the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on 24th June. Their teams are providing basic healthcare, mental health support, health promotion, and water and sanitation services through mobile clinics in affected communities. MSF has also provided approximately 8.5 tonnes of emergency medical supplies. We pray for all those affected by this disaster and for those working to bring healing and practical support.

Older people

We pray for our local care homes, especially Bickerton House and Clement House. We pray for all the residents, their families, and visitors, and for the staff who care for them. May those who are lonely or vulnerable know God's presence, comfort, and love.

A Prayer for our Vacancy

Heavenly Father, we thank you for your faithfulness to Bracknell Parish and for all who serve you at Holy Trinity and at Mosaic. During this time of vacancy, guide us by your Holy Spirit. Strengthen us in worship and fellowship and help us to trust in your good purposes for our parish. Grant wisdom and discernment to all who are involved in seeking a new priest. Prepare the person whom you are calling to serve among us, and prepare us to welcome them with generosity, faith, and love. Help us, in this time of waiting, to continue to grow together in faith and to make Christ known through our words and actions.

Persecuted Christians

We pray for Amina and Shamila, two teenage sisters from Kibenge in Kasese District, Uganda, who escaped from their burning home on 6th September after it was allegedly set alight while they were sleeping. Reports say that the incident followed their conversion from Islam to Christianity. We pray for their physical and emotional recovery and for their safety and protection. We pray that they will be surrounded by people who will support and care for them, and that they may know God's presence, peace, and strength in the days ahead. We also pray for all Christians around the world who face persecution or hostility because of their faith.

We especially pray for

Pippa Lloyd and family, Adelaide and Robert Bunker, Jeff Dennis, Ann Warren, Andrew Brown, Peter Hughes, Ray Hobbs, Jemma Evans, Carl Bennett & Jackie Pugh & Richard Curtis.

We remember

All who have died recently and pray for their families and friends as they grieve. May they know God's comfort, peace, and loving presence.

At Year’s Mind

Mildred Carter, Laura Hall, Beverly Ann Bolton, Daisy Walden, and Margaret Watson.

Prisoner of conscience

We continue to pray for Dr Fitsum-Berhan Gebrenegus, an Eritrean Orthodox priest and psychiatrist who was arrested in November 2004 because of his religious activities and leadership within the Mekane Hiwet Medhane-Alem Church. He has reportedly been held incommunicado at the Wengel Mermera Central Criminal Investigation Interrogation Centre in Asmara for more than 20 years, without charge or trial. Before his detention, he served as a senior physician at St Mary's Psychiatric Hospital in Asmara. We pray for Dr Gebrenegus and for all those who are imprisoned because of their faith or beliefs. We pray for their safety, strength, and perseverance, and for justice and freedom for those who have been detained without due process.

Battle of Britain Sunday

We remember with gratitude all those who served during the Battle of Britain, especially the pilots and aircrew who risked and gave their lives to defend our nation. We give thanks for their courage, sacrifice, and sense of duty, and we remember their families and all who suffered during those difficult days. We pray for all who serve in our Armed Forces today, asking God to grant them courage, wisdom, and protection, and that we may always work for peace and reconciliation among the nations.

Our parish

We pray for Holy Trinity and Mosaic, our Town Centre Mission, and our administrators, Linda and Sally. We pray for all who worship, serve, and minister within our parish, and for God’s guidance as we seek to make Christ known.

Our emergency services

We pray for all those working in our local Police, Fire and Ambulance services. We pray for their safety, courage, and dedication as they serve and protect our community.

Those who work for charities

We pray for the many people who give their time and energy to charitable work, especially Share and The Food Bank. We remember all those who are hungry or struggling to provide food for themselves and their families throughout the world, including those in our own country who live on one meal a day or less, or who do not know where their next meal will come from. May they receive the practical help and support they need.

A prayer during the vacancy

Heavenly Father, we place our parish in your loving care during this time of vacancy. Guide us with your wisdom, unite us in faith and strengthen us in hope. Bless those who lead and serve among us and prepare the heart of the shepherd you are calling to this community. May we remain faithful in prayer, joyful in service and steadfast in your love.

Those for whom we pray

We pray especially for Linda and Darren Edwards, Jean and Brian Sturges, Laura Chase, Rosalind Willatts, Jemma Evans, Ad Young, Ray Hobbs, and Peter Hughes.

Those who have died

We remember before God all who have died recently and pray for their families and friends as they grieve. May they know God’s comfort, peace, and loving presence.

At Year’s Mind

We remember Frederick (Fred) Hibbert, Florence Ridgers, Glyn Leyshon Phillips, Rosemary Taylor, David Ralph Elan, and David Foster. May they rest in peace and rise in glory.

Prisoner of conscience

We continue to pray for Pastor Yang Rongli, aged 70, of the Golden Lampstand Church in Shanxi Province, China. Pastor Yang and her husband have suffered severe persecution for practising their Christian faith. Their church building, paid for by their large congregation, was destroyed by the Chinese authorities in 2018. Since we last prayed for Pastor Yang in June 2025, she has been sentenced to 15 years in prison on charges of “fraud”, a charge sometimes used against pastors of unregistered churches. She is not due for release until 2036. Her husband is serving a sentence of nine years and seven months. Pastor Yang is diabetic and in poor health. We pray for her safety, health, and strength, for her husband and for all those who suffer persecution because of their Christian faith. May God sustain them and give them hope, courage and peace.

In the week beginning 27 September, we pray for the following people and concerns.

Holy Trinity and Mosaic

We pray for our curate, Beth, and all those who help to lead our services and make our worship possible. We give thanks for their commitment, gifts and service to our church communities.

Mind Berkshire

We pray for the staff and volunteers of Mind Berkshire and give thanks for the support they offer to individuals and families. We pray especially for all those experiencing difficulties with their mental health, that they may find hope, support and care.

Our schools

We pray for Harman’s Water, Holly Spring, Crown Wood and Ranelagh. We pray for the pupils as they learn and grow, for their teachers and support staff, and for the well-being of their families and homes.

Our bishop and diocese

We pray for Bishop Mary, Archdeacon Stephen and all the diocesan and archdeaconry staff. We pray especially for our Area Dean, Gareth Morley, asking God to guide and strengthen him in his ministry.

Our link diocese

We pray for the people of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands as they recover from the effects of Hurricane Melissa. We also pray for all those affected by the current drought, particularly those facing severe difficulties in accessing clean and safe water. May God strengthen communities and provide for those in need.

Those for whom we pray

We pray especially for Nicole and Freya Evered, Koi Wan, Clint Frost (Debbie and Ellen), Richard Gibbs, Janet Hayley, Fabio Pio Marques, Jemma Evans, Ray Hobbs, Peter Hughes and Carl Bennett.

Those who have died

We remember all who have died recently. We pray for their families and friends as they grieve, asking God to surround them with his comfort, peace and love.

At Year’s Mind

We remember Monica Hair, John Wilson, Pamela Sybil Gibbs, Derek Jackson, Joe Roberts and Charles Makings.

Prisoner of conscience

We pray for Amber Nadeem, a 13-year-old Christian girl in Pakistan whose circumstances have raised serious concerns about her safety and wellbeing. We pray for Amber, her parents, family and friends, and for all who love and care for her. We pray that she will be protected from further harm and coercion, and that those responsible for her care will act with wisdom, compassion and justice. We also pray for all children around the world who face persecution, abuse or the denial of their basic rights and freedoms. We give thanks for the release of Pastor Hao Zhiwei, aged 54, whom we last prayed for in June this year. He had been detained in Ezhou City Prison, China, since 2019.