Prayer Diary For Week Commencing
Sunday 18th January 2026

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."  1 Timothy 2: 1 – 2 NIV.

Please pray for our government both locally and nationally as they have to make very difficult decisions.  So often whatever they do many people feel that it is wrong.  Pray that they will make decisions that will benefit as many people as possible.

Please pray for the country of Iran where there has been unrest and protests against the government since the 28th December.  This has now spread to 68 towns and cities.  
A US human rights organisation has claimed that 2,500 people have been killed by government forces while the Iranian government claims that 2,000 people have been killed by terrorists.  There is now the risk of leaders of the protests being executed.  Pray that people in this country will get far more freedom and not be at risk for just saying that they disagree with what the government are doing.

Please pray for our parliament as it has to think about how to deal with dangerous material on the internet.  Pray that the authorities will be able to clamp down on things that would do people harm.  Also pray about the effect on people of fake news on the internet.

Pray about the problems in this country for young people with social media, including the amount of time, especially the very young spend on the internet and on their phones.  It is being realised that some children are being damaged by this and are not developing proper speech and relationships.

Please continue to pray for Israel and Gaza.  Although there has been a ceasefire agreement for some time now there appears to have been very little movement towards a total cessation of violence.

Continue to pray about the war between Ukraine and Russia.  Recently Russia has used a different, far more powerful weapon against Ukraine.  Pray for the normal people on both sides, those being bombed and shelled in Ukraine and also Russians who do not want the war and are being damaged financially by the sanctions and all the money the Russian government is using to fight this war.

Please pray for our preachers who are preaching next Sunday. 
Pray for the preparation as well as the service.
Susan Chambers taking a Communion service at North Thoresby, John Boardman at Keelby 
and Chris Norman at The Haven.

Please pray for the Church in Bulgaria where by far the biggest religion is Christianity.  
This country suffered under Communist rule from 1947 – 1989, and troubles remain.  Corruption, crime networks, and poverty affect many lives.  Abortion, while less than in the past, is still widespread, and divorce is common.  The populace continues to age even as its overall numbers have been steadily declining since 1986.  Many young people leave Bulgaria (one of the poorest EU countries) to find work and opportunity in other nations.  Pray for the Church to demonstrate God's love in this country where racial tensions are strong and hope is rare.

If anyone has any specific requests for inclusion in the prayer diary, 
contact Christopher Norman on 878492 or email chn.lacebynor@gmail.com.