Let Us Pray

Prayer for our Friends across the Province

Give thanks for Archbishop Samy in Egypt, Bishop Ashley in North Africa, Bishop Jerimiah in Gambella, and Bishop Martin in Ethiopia & the Horn of Africa. Pray for those who are shaping their Diocies, their teams, constitution, synods and ministries.

Archbishop Samy and the Provincial Synod are refining their strategy, forming new teams to support and steer churches and sector ministries. Uphold them as they travel, serve and represent the Province in church, mission and humanitarian forums.

Bishop Jerimiah serves clergy, lay ministers, Mother Union leaders and members throughout Gambella. Pray for the completion and consecration of the Cathedral; for unity across churches; for leaders and workers to be equipped and resourced; and for congregations to grow in love, faith and knowledge of Christ and his purposes.

Bishop Martin is at Addis Abada, supporting the leadership team at St Mathew’s and clergy and congregations beyond. Pray for believers in Eritrea, Djibouti and Somalia; foer leaders of emerging Anglican churches in Assosa; for clergy and lay readers; and for wisdom to navigate delicate situations in these countries.

Bishop Ashley serves the Diocese of North Africa. Pray for churches in Algeria, Chad, Libya, Mauretania and Tunisia. Pray for Revd. Craig Watson, newly arrived at Holy Trinity Algiers; and uphold Revd. Crimson Jebakumar and the congregations in Tripoli; remembering those currently suffering under heavy pressure.

Archbishop Samy asks for wisdom and energy for established and emerging congregations in Egypt, as they seek to be a ‘Living Church for a Better Society’. Pray for new initiatives in Hurgada, Ismailia, Luxor and Minea; for Archdeacons David Aziz and Imad Basilios; for directors and teams serving the five ministry sectors - Education, Development, Medical, Media & Culture, and Social; for Refuge Egypt and all who reach out to Sudanese fleeing from conflict and war; and for Archbishop Mouneer as he leads Gosour, the Centre for Muslim - Christian Understanding & Truth.

St Athanasius Provincial Seminary is led by Dr Shady Anis, and has branches in Egypt (Alexandria School of Theology), North Africa (St Cyprian) and Gambella (St Frumentius). Through a growing number of campuses, each aims to form local leaders for the church through providing theological training and spiritual formation. Give thanks for the gradual gaining of PhD’s by faculty and progress towards accreditation of AST Courses.

Closing Prayer

• May the Province of Alexandria flourish, grow and faithfully fulfill God’s purposes.

• May the Lord preserve the church’s unity, and protect faith , identity, teaching and witness.

• May God give Archbishop Samy, his Episcopal team, and all who serve with them wisdom and energy to encourage congregations and leaders as they make relationships and build bridges for the gospel in each setting.

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified; hear our prayers which we offer for all your faithful people, that in our vocation and ministry we may serve you in holiness and truth to the glory of your name; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Benedictus Luke 1:68-79

‘Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them.

He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said to to his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us - to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising of the sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet in the path of peace.’