Issuu

OCTOBER 2026 – JANUARY 2027

CARE Prayer Diary

In this issue: Precious Human Lives The Kingdom of God Servant-Heartedness Children at Risk Modern Slavery Health and Healing Loving Mercy, Acting Justly Hospitality Peace on Earth Breaking Addictions Artificial Intelligence Ethics Gender Identity British Politics

‘For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.’’ PSALM 139: 13-16 (NIV)

The CARE Prayer Diary is written by Revd. Celia Bowring. To read online please visit: care.org.uk/prayer-diary praynow4.org/care To update your mailing preferences, please call: 020 7233 0455 or email: mail@care.org.uk.

Revd. Celia Bowring

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OCTOBER 25 – 31

PRECIOUS HUMAN LIVES Father God, You love all that You have made, watching over every 25 human being, to draw us to believe and turn to You for forgiveness and salvation through Your Son. May many people respond to Your Spirit and yield their lives to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen. SUN

59TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1967 ABORTION ACT Lord of all compassion and mercy, we reflect on the tragic loss of over 11 million lives lost to abortion since this Act came into effect and its painful impact on so many individual women. We intercede for a change of attitude; to begin to reverse this situation where abortion is so acceptable and normalised yet often risks mothers’ wellbeing. In Jesus’ name. Amen. MON

Loving Shepherd, we remember the many ‘forgotten’ children and 27 adults in the world who live in abject poverty and other dire circumstances with little human hope of escape. Help them to believe You have not forsaken them forever. For Christ’s sake. Amen. TUES

Lord Jesus, we pray for the estimated 49,000 children and young adults in the UK who are affected by a life-limiting or life-threatening condition. Please bless them and those who care for them with a sense of Your loving presence. By Your grace. Amen. WED

‘For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.’ JOHN 3:16-17 (ESV)

Lord, please comfort parents, siblings and other family members 29 who have lost their baby during pregnancy, at birth or soon afterwards. Help those around them to support them sensitively at this time of grief. By Your grace. Amen. THURS

Thank You, Lord, for answering prayer, and for the failure of the proposed Assisted Suicide legislation recently brought to the parliaments of both Holyrood and Westminster. Please inspire politicians and others to respond to the need for palliative care for all who need it. In Your mercy. Amen. FRI

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH is tomorrow. Dear God, thank you for the many charities and organisations that serve the persecuted Church around the world, campaigning for those in prison, raising awareness, praying and providing other support for our brothers and sisters who suffer. For Christ’s sake. Amen. SAT

‘God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.’ (Augustine – a modern, streamlined paraphrase of a passage from St. Augustine’s book Confessions, Book 3, Chapter 11)

NOVEMBER 1 – 7

THE KINGDOM OF GOD ALL SAINTS DAY - Giving thanks for those who have gone before 1 us in the faith. Lord of the Church, we remember all believers who, through the centuries, have worshipped You, served Your people and brought the gospel message to the world. Help us to follow their example, seek first Your kingdom and gladly do Your will. For Your name’s sake. Amen. SUN

Holy Spirit, we pray that through Your power and love more people – young and old, of whatever background and belief, will turn from the sin of not believing in the Father, understand how Christ died to save us, surrender their lives to Him and join a church. In Your mercy. Amen. MON

Lord of the Church, may those who have been appointed as 3 evangelists, preachers and teachers, pastors and leaders remain faithful to the gospel; proclaiming that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom and Jesus is the way, truth and life. Please keep them from error and enrich them through Your holy, loving presence. By the Spirit’s power. Amen. TUES

Father, please enable Christian men and women in the public eye to act as faithful light and salt as servants of Your kingdom working in politics, education, media, arts and entertainment, science and technology and other spheres of society. For Christ’s sake. Amen. WED

‘So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” … your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.’ MATTHEW 6:31-33 (NIV)

God of all truth, please grant wisdom about the growing 5 interest in ‘Christian Nationalism’ that aims to enshrine some biblical values in UK law and government policy but ignores the core of the gospel. Please shine light into this situation, revealing what is good and where we need to be vigilant. In Jesus’ name. Amen. THURS

Thank You, Lord, for the dedication of thousands of 6 youth workers in churches and other organisations who are sharing the gospel with children and young people. Please open hearts and minds for many to believe and enter Your kingdom! By Your grace. Amen. FRI

Merciful Lord, privileged as we are to be allowed to worship You freely, we intercede for our brothers and sisters in the 50 countries where an estimated 315 million Christians face the most extreme persecution. May they know Your strengthening daily presence in their lives and remember Your promise of eternal life. In Jesus’ name. Amen. SAT

An estimated 2.67 billion people identify as Christian – about one third of the global population. In the 2021 census, 31.1 million UK citizens (46.5% of the population) identified as Christian. Approximately, Scotland scored 39%, England and Wales 45% and Northern Ireland 80%. Around 8% actively practice their faith.

NOVEMBER 8 – 14

SERVANTHEARTEDNESS REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY We pray for all who have died or 8 suffer as a result of conflict; those whose lives are disfigured by war or terror; for service men and women, for civilians; and for those held captive, each one remembered by and known to God. May He give peace. Amen. (Reverend Vic Van Den Bergh, former chaplain to National Memorial Arboretum) SUN

WORLD ADOPTION DAY Father, we pray for the estimated 5.4 million children globally in orphanages, and countless more who have no family able to care for them. Please inspire more Christians and others to open their hearts and homes to a child in need of adoption. For Jesus’ sake. Amen. MON

Lord, please bless those who care for a family member or friend at home, especially individuals who are struggling with their own health, financial and other challenges. May they be strengthened and helped each day. By Your grace. Amen. TUES

Sovereign God, we ask You to raise up leaders to positions of authority and responsibility across the world who will humbly and unselfishly serve their communities, promote prosperity and peace and care for those who are most vulnerable. In Your mercy. Amen. WED

‘Have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though He was God… He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being… humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.’ PHILIPPIANS 2:5-8 (NLT)

Loving God, please bless volunteers who freely offer their time to support a cause they care about. We pray for more people to find appropriate opportunities that will benefit others and bring fulfilment to themselves. By Your grace. Amen. THURS

Thank You, Lord, for the servantheartedness, kindness and 13 generosity of so many people in our lives – both those close to us and strangers we meet. Please remind us to be thankful and encourage this attitude to spread across society. In Christ’s name. Amen. FRI

Lord Jesus, we want to be ‘good and faithful servants’ saved by grace, to ‘serve You with gladness’* and ‘through love be servants to one another.’**. Please help us to live like that. For Jesus’ sake. Amen. SAT

(*Psalm 100:2 **Galatians 5:13)

‘True service comes from a relationship with the Divine, deep inside – out of whispered promptings, divine urges… The ministry of small things is a daily service. Large tasks require great sacrifice for a moment; small things require constant sacrifice.’ (Richard Foster, author of ‘Celebration of Discipline.’)

NOVEMBER 15 – 21

CHILDREN AT RISK Dear Lord, Your Word is filled with accounts of miraculous 15 protection. We claim that power for vulnerable children. Make Your little ones invisible to people who seek to exploit them. Whisper in their ears to run and hide until the danger passes. For Jesus’ sake. Amen. (World Vision prayer) SUN

Father, please help social workers and other professionals to identify babies and children who are being subjected to abuse at home or in other settings. We pray that these victims will be kept safe and receive support and wise counselling. In Christ’s name. Amen. MON

Gracious Lord, we continue to ask for wise, workable measures that 17 would effectively restrict children’s inappropriate use of digital technology. Please help parents, school leaders and others concerned to understand this issue and set effective limits that benefit young people. By Your grace. Amen. TUES

God our Healer, please help children and young people 18 trapped in the misery of poor mental health to move towards holistic paths of recovery that will provide stability and hope. Grant wisdom and strength to their parents and carers. In Jesus’ name. Amen. WED

‘Defend the rights of the poor and the orphans; be fair to the needy and the helpless. Rescue them from the power of evil people.’ PSALM 82:3-4 (GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION)

Father, as global spending on military weapons steadily rises 19 and conflicts increase, we grieve that 20% of the world’s children are growing up within 30 miles of a war zone. Please provide the resources required to protect and meet the urgent needs that result from this situation. In Your mercy. Amen. THURS

WORLD CHILDREN’S DAY 20 Lord, thank You for every initiative that champions the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, supported by almost 200 countries. Please inspire more leaders of nations to take serious action to guard and provide for all children. For Christ’s sake. Amen. FRI

Merciful God, we pray that the Barnardo charity’s government 21 contract to provide Independent Child Trafficking Guardianship to support young victims of modern slavery and exploitation will be effective and that many under-18s will receive the support they really need. In Jesus’ name. Amen. SAT

‘With a global pandemic, political instability, cultural shifts and global crises, life for young people has become more unpredictable and difficult.’ (Youngminds.org.uk)

NOVEMBER 22 – 28

MODERN SLAVERY Almighty God, please help the estimated 50 million victims of 22 modern slavery: forced to work for little or no pay in miserable living conditions and often subjected to physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. May many look to You for ways of escape and find safe places where they can recover and begin to rebuild their lives. For Christ’s sake. Amen. SUN

Lord, we pray that the Immigration and Asylum Bill will show compassion for the vulnerable, ensuring survivors of modern slavery are protected and supported, and wicked trafficking gangs face tougher penalties, that their evil deeds are brought to light. In Jesus’ name. Amen. MON

Father, we remember the thousands of migrant workers in 24 compounds across SE Asia who are forced to conduct online scams, with those failing to meet targets and being barely fed, often abused and receive no medical attention. Please help governments and police forces to end this heinous crime. In Your mercy. Amen. TUES

INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN God of justice, we pray for greater success in preventing gender-based violence – estimated to affect 1 in 5 women globally. Please grant wisdom to activists as they challenge issues such as domestic violence, forced marriage and other forms of slavery. In Your mercy. Amen. WED

Free those who are wrongly imprisoned… Let the oppressed go free and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them. ISAIAH 58:6-7 (NLT)

Good Shepherd, please watch over vulnerable individuals in conflict areas, refugee camps and other places where they might be targeted by trafficking gangs, including here in the UK where asylum seekers are at risk. We pray that they will find safety. For Jesus’ sake. Amen. THURS

Thank You, Lord, for anti-trafficking organisations, 27 many of them Christian, working to reform legislation, carry out investigations, rescue victims of slavery and support them following their traumatic experiences. We pray they will continue to receive the resources needed and be increasingly successful in their mission. By Your grace. Amen. FRI

Wed 2 Dec is the INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR ABOLITION OF SLAVERY Lord, may this day of awareness encourage governments, organisations, and individuals worldwide to come together and take steps to eliminate modern slavery and support survivors. For Christ’s sake. Amen. SAT

‘The Government must act to refocus efforts on preventing harm, supporting survivors of exploitation, and to greater emphasise the need to tackle the perpetrators of these horrendous crimes. Modern slavery will not end through identification alone; it requires stronger enforcement, greater disruption of trafficking networks and real consequences for those profiting from exploitation.” (Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, Eleanor Lyons)

NOV 29 – DEC 5

HEALTH AND HEALING Father, we know that true shalom – health and peace – springs from 29 believing and opening our lives to You, trusting in Jesus who died to save us from sin and death. May many more people seek this wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit, especially those who are struggling with physical and mental health challenges. By Your grace. Amen. SUN

Jesus, our Healer, we pray for 30 people in poor communities who live with health problems but have little or no access to the support they need. Please bless the work of Christian medical and disability charities seeking to help them. In Your mercy. Amen. MON

WORLD AIDS DAY Lord, we commit to You the 41 million people worldwide living with AIDS today. Please bless services that provide testing, medication, care and support, and grant success to prevention strategies that can reduce the spread of this terrible disease. For Christ’s sake. Amen. TUES

God of compassion, we thank you for the NHS, and for the dedication of those who work in it. Give skill, sympathy and resilience to staff members caring for the sick, and wisdom to those engaged in medical research. Please reveal and provide ways to meet the major challenges facing the NHS currently and in the future. By Your grace. Amen. WED

‘I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him!”’ LAMENTATIONS 3:21-24 (NLT)

Holy Spirit, please strengthen adults and children who have mental health problems: experiencing anxiety, fatigue, sadness, loneliness, panic and other distressing physical and emotional symptoms. Help them make progress in their healing and bless all who encourage and care for them day by day. In Jesus’ name. Amen. THURS

Loving God, thank You for hospice and palliative care that ‘eases the physical and emotional pain of death and dying, letting people focus on living, right up to the end’* We pray for more funding and greater support to extend this provision throughout the UK. In Your mercy. Amen. *(hospiceuk.org) FRI

Father, we remember the thousands of Christians who work 5 in medical and healthcare settings. Please bless the Christian Medical Fellowship in their mission of ‘uniting and equipping Christian doctors and nurses to live and speak for Jesus Christ.’ In His name. Amen. SAT

The NHS was established in 1948, aiming to provide health services to all UK citizens, funded by taxation and free at the point of use. It now costs the country £27.6 billion a year, almost half of which pays for the salaries of its two million employees. The NHS faces many financial and operational challenges as demand grows for medical and social care; the workforce is under pressure and there are complex organisational problems.

DECEMBER 6 – 12

LOVING MERCY, ACTING JUSTLY Sovereign God, You alone administer true justice, and Your 6 nature is to show mercy and grace. Inspire and equip Your Church to help people affected by poverty, economic and social exclusion, unemployment and other disadvantages, by the power of Your Spirit. Amen. SUN

Lord, we pray about the release of thousands of offenders from prison well before the end of their sentences. Please grant wisdom to those responsible to ensure that people sentenced for violence, rape, serious child sex and grooming offences are not eligible, and help them to find long-term solutions to this serious problem. In Christ’s name. Amen. MON

God of compassion, we pray for young people who are being 8 radicalised by extreme groups and exploited by criminal gangs to commit violent acts and engage in drug dealing and other harmful activities. May many come to receive Your mercy and find freedom to live normal, fulfilling lives. For Jesus’ sake. Amen. TUES

Father, please strengthen all who serve in our courts and tribunals: 9 judges, magistrates, barristers, other legal professionals, support staff and jury members, with integrity and wisdom so that everyone appearing can receive a fair hearing. May the innocent be protected and the guilty justly punished. According to Your mercy. Amen. WED

‘He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.’ MICAH 6:8 (NIV)

HUMAN RIGHTS DAY: promoting and celebrating fundamental freedoms Creator God, may today remind us of the importance of these rights, based on shared values of dignity, fairness, equality, respect and independence, being applied to everyone regardless of their nationality, gender, religion, race or background. May Your will be done. Amen. THURS

Thank You, Lord, for the recent new use of technology that is 11 bringing many more shoplifters to justice. We pray that as this is applied to similar crimes, offenders will be discouraged and the number of cases would decrease across the UK. In Your mercy. Amen. FRI

Gracious God, we lift to You people released from prison as they try to adapt to life outside and find employment, accommodation and support to rebuild their lives. Please lead them to those who can help and keep them from reoffending. In Jesus’ name. Amen. SAT

‘It is not our lavish good deeds that procure salvation, but God’s lavish love and mercy. That is why the poor are as acceptable to God as the rich. It is the generosity of God, the freeness of his salvation, that lays the foundation for the society of justice for all. God’s concern for justice… should also permeate our lives.’ (Timothy Keller)

DECEMBER 13 – 19

HOSPITALITY

Jesus our Redeemer, thank You for preparing a place for us in Your 13 Father’s house to dwell with You forever! We pray for many others to hear and believe the gospel, to be adopted into Your family and welcomed into the kingdom of heaven. In Your name. Amen. SUN

Father of the fatherless, who loves to set the lonely in families, please 14 bless adoptive and foster families. Give them tender understanding and patience as they care for these children and let trust and love grow day by day. For Christ’s sake. Amen. (*Psalm 68:5,6) MON

God of justice, in the midst of differing views about immigration among politicians and the general public, we humbly ask You to show us as a nation how to both show compassion towards people in great need and be wise in responding to the challenges of increasing numbers of illegal immigrants seeking to come here. In Jesus’ name. Amen. TUES

Father, please grant a spirit of WED compassion and grace to everyone 16 who welcomes a person into their lives: by offering accommodation or a meal, listening to their story and inviting them into a local church family or other community group. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

‘Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.’ HEBREWS 13:2 (ESV)

Thank You, Holy Spirit, for the hospitality and peaceful welcome 17 that Christian retreat centres and communities offer to people from all backgrounds to reflect on life, explore faith and discover a deepening relationship with You. By Your grace. Amen. THURS

INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS’ DAY: highlighting contributions made and challenges faced by those who move to a new country. Father, thank You for the rich diversity that can exist where people from all over the world live together – especially in churches. We pray for a spirit of acceptance, fostering respect and openness to migrants as they adjust to being in the UK. In Jesus’ name. Amen. FRI

Gracious Lord, we remember the 170,000 Ukrainian people who since the outbreak of war have been welcomed to the UK through the Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme. We pray for their ongoing welfare and thank You that hospitality has been provided in their hour of need. By Your mercy. Amen. SAT

‘The German word for hospitality is ‘Gastfreundschft’ which means friendship for the guest... It means the creation of a free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy.’ (Henri J. M. Nouwen)

DECEMBER 20 – 26

PEACE ON EARTH

Thank You, Jesus, Prince of peace, 20 for freeing us from the sin that separated us from God. Help Your Church to ‘make every effort to keep united in the Spirit, binding ourselves together with this peace.’* when disputes arise. In Your mercy. Amen. SUN

(*Ephesians 4:3)

‘For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord… And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”’ LUKE 2:11-14 (KJV)

Lord Jesus, You said ‘blessed are the peacemakers.’ Please impart 21 wisdom, patience, opportunity and success to negotiators, and others sent to reconcile individuals, groups and nations in conflict with each other. Help them to find just and workable ways forward. By Your grace. Amen.

Loving Lord, please intervene in families where misunderstanding, unforgiveness and other factors have caused hurt and driven people apart. Help offended parties to humble themselves, putting away anger and pride and be willing to make peace this Christmas. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

Lord, over this Christmas period may the joyful message of the gospel spread throughout our broken world as millions gather in cathedrals, churches and other places to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Please inspire Your people to share their faith with family, friends, neighbours and strangers. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

CHRISTMAS DAY Prince of Peace, thank You for 25 leaving Your heavenly throne and the company of angels to be born and laid in a humble manger. Today we remember the shepherds and Magi who came to worship You, bringing gifts, and we gladly offer You our hearts. By Your grace. Amen.

MON

TUES

Sovereign God, we intercede on behalf of the millions of people 23 suffering because of wars and other armed conflicts taking place throughout the world. We long for peace and an end to violence and destruction. In Your mercy, hear our prayer. Amen. WED

THURS

FRI

Holy Spirit, as He faced the cross, Jesus promised: ‘Peace I leave 26 with you; My peace I give to you... Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.’* May we receive this peace afresh daily, especially when trials come. By Your power. Amen. (*John 14:27) SAT

Armed conflict: • takes lives and causes life-altering injuries • destroys civilian infrastructure such as hospitals, water facilities and schools • forces millions of people to flee their homes • disrupts livelihoods and food systems • leaves deep psychosocial scars and fractures communities. (International Red Cross)

DEC 27 – JAN 2

BREAKING ADDICTIONS

God our Rescuer, please help people who are gripped by an addiction they fear has become unmanageable. Give them strength to seek support through counselling, medical and psychiatric care, recovery groups, but above all, call on You for deliverance. In Christ’s name. Amen. SUN

Loving Spirit, we intercede for the 28 growing number of individuals who are in the powerful grip of habitual self-harming, obsessivecompulsive and eating disorders and other debilitating conditions. Please bring healing to them. In Your mercy. Amen. MON

Lord, with betting advertising, promotions and links to sport, easy 29 access to arcade machines and gambling-like features in online games, many young people are being drawn to gambling. We pray for government and other influential bodies to implement greater controls to reduce these opportunities and enticements, in order to protect young people from gamblingrelated harms. In Jesus’ name. Amen. TUES

Dear Lord, we pray for Ofcom to 30 become more effective in policing porn sites in the UK: ensuring proper age verifications to protect children are in place and imposing appropriately heavy penalties to punish those who ignore the law. For Jesus’ sake. Amen. WED

‘If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.’ 1 CORINTHIANS 10:12-13 (NLT)

Father, we remember the estimated 1.4 million adults in 31 Britain with a gambling problem, especially those whose lives have been overtaken by the consequences of debt, relationship breakdown and physical and mental wellbeing. Please deliver them and their families from the damaging effects of this addiction. By Your grace. Amen. THURS

God of hope, thank You for the many addiction recovery groups 1 throughout the country that offer ‘12-step therapy’ and other programmes for people who want to conquer a compulsive habit. May Your Spirit minister true freedom to them. In Your mercy. Amen. FRI

Lord our Healer, we lift to You those whose lives are being 2 tragically damaged through abuse of alcohol, drugs and other toxic and addictive substances. Please especially help the police to prevent the blatant distribution of increasingly harmful drugs and bring dealers and gangs to justice. In Jesus’ name. Amen. SAT

750,000 people in the UK are addicted to alcohol, 400,000 to illegal drugs, 275,000 to gambling. Over 17,000 deaths resulted from drug or alcohol related causes last year. This is exacerbated by: growing supply and use of ketamine and other increasingly potent substances, increased drug supply into prisons, new distribution methods that are difficult to track and control, people often lacking support. (‘Addiction in the UK’ The Forward Trust)

JANUARY 3 – 9

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) ETHICS AI: computer software or machines able to do tasks that normally need human brain power. Instead of just following a strict list of commands, AI can rapidly access a vast amount of information, find patterns, and make choices or solve problems on its own. O God, thank You for commissioning men and women to develop the boundless potential of Your wonderful creation of human life. We confess that because of sin all human achievements are susceptible to evil influence. Please shield us from harmful consequences caused by unchecked, rapidly advancing AI technology. In Your mercy. Amen. SUN

Lord, we pray for new opportunities as AI takes over more jobs and changes our lives in so many ways. ‘We are Your handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which You prepared in advance for us’* so please help us to serve You faithfully, bearing good fruit in all we do. In Jesus’ name. Amen. MON

(*Ephesians 2:10)

God of justice and truth, please reveal effective strategies to 5 counter threats posed by ‘deepfakes’ – false AI videos, pictures or audio clips that create pornography, enable financial scams, ruin personal reputations and destroy public trust. By Your grace. Amen. TUES

Lord, we intercede for tighter WED controls to regulate the 6 proliferation of immoral, unpredictable and politically destabilising attacks of drones and other ‘autonomous weapons systems’ that use AI alone to identify, select and destroy targets. In Your mercy. Amen.

‘Understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice.’ PROVERBS 2:5-8 (ESV)

Thank You, Father, for the imagination and skill of 7 scientists and computer programmers working at the forefront of AI. Help them to recognise that they need Your wisdom and guidance as complex ethical issues arise, to ensure that new technologies are safe and will dignify humanity, benefit our world and honour You. In Jesus’ name. Amen THURS

Mighty God, please direct the development of the UK government’s 10-year ‘AI Opportunities Action Plan’ to invest in developing systems that will boost economic growth, provide future jobs and improve people’s everyday lives. By Your grace. Amen. FRI

Lord of love, we lift to You the unhealthy attachments many 9 people are developing with ‘AI companions.’ Please help anyone pursuing such deep emotional and romantic digital connections to turn instead to human friends, counsellors and confidants and also seek a relationship with You. In Your mercy. Amen. SAT

‘While artificial intelligence developed so far has proved very useful, I fear the consequences of creating something that can match or surpass humans… A super-intelligent AI will be extremely good at accomplishing its goals, and if those goals aren’t aligned with ours, we’re in trouble.” (Prof. John Lennox: mathematician, bioethicist and Christian apologist.)

JANUARY 10 – 11

GENDER IDENTITY

In defining who someone really is, transgender activists claim sex (a person’s biological make-up) is less important than gender (an internal sense of self). For example, ‘if you feel you are a woman, regardless of your biology, you really are a woman’. Lord, Your Word teaches that women and men are distinctly 10 different in many ways, yet in our deepest identity as Christians ‘there is neither male nor female; for we are all one in Christ Jesus.’* Lead Your Church into the truth that both sexes are equally valued by You. In Jesus’ name. Amen. (*Galatians 3:28) SUN

Compassionate Saviour, we remember children and adults 11 who are experiencing confusion, mental distress and others’ negative reactions as they navigate their personal transgender issues. Please lead them to people who can give wise support and draw them to find true peace through Your saving love. In Your mercy. Amen. MON

Gracious God, we pray that the TUES Conversion Practices Bill, seeking 12 to ban ‘practices aimed at changing or suppressing someone’s gender identity or sexual orientation’, will not result in legitimate parental guidance, pastoral care and prayer becoming illegal. By Your grace. Amen. Father, please grant protection to WED the 220 vulnerable individuals aged 13 11-16 who are participating in the current Pathways clinical trial, to assess the effects of puberty blocking drugs. May their findings expose the dangers of delaying natural pubescent development and lead to a change of policy regarding this and other sex-change medication and treatments, especially for children. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

‘So, God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.’ GENESIS 1:27 (ESV)

Lord of grace and truth, we pray for parents and other adults who are 14 concerned about a child or young person who is doubting their gender, wanting to use a name and clothes that identify them as the opposite sex, or considering legal, medical or surgical transitioning. Please help them to navigate this journey with wisdom, strength and compassion. In Jesus’ name. Amen. THURS

God of justice, thank You for the 2025 UK Supreme Court ruling that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex, and what this means for hospitals, refuges, sports clubs and others. May this protection be strengthened. For the honour of Your name. Amen. FRI

Lord, please strengthen and comfort those accused of having ‘gender critical views’ and facing possible prosecution for stating their opinions, complaining about transgender people using women’s facilities or making other comments. May they obtain justice. In Your mercy. Amen. SAT

‘Almost two-thirds of girls identifying as transgender have a mental health condition. Around one third have autism or another neurodiversity. 41% of young people who identify as transgender do not identify as heterosexual, and links have also been established with eating disorders.’ (care.org.uk)

JANUARY 17 – 23

BRITISH POLITICS

Lord, please continue to raise up people in national and local 17 politics who will speak clearly with steadfast faith and wise authority, to promote life-affirming legislation and policies that can protect us from exterior threats, provide for vulnerable people and bring true prosperity to communities across the UK. In Jesus’ name. Amen. SUN

Sovereign God, we ask You to watch over Prime Minister Andy 18 Burnham and the First Ministers of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales – Michelle O’Neill MLA, John Swinney MSP and Rhun ap Iorwerth MS. Please grant them wisdom and strength to carry out their demanding duties efficiently and honourably. By Your grace. Amen.

‘Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him.’ DANIEL 2:20-22 (ESV)

MON

Holy Spirit, please strengthen Christians who have been elected 19 or are employed in many roles within the political sphere – especially those whom You have specifically called to champion good causes and challenge unrighteous beliefs and attitudes. For Christ’s sake. Amen. TUES

Compassionate Saviour, we pray 20 that politicians and others will find effective strategies to meet the growing social, medical, care and other needs of Britain’s ageing population – the number of people aged 85 and over being set to double by 2050. In Jesus’ name. Amen. WED

O God, as we confront possible aggression in the UK, and work for 21 peace abroad, we ask for Your protection, wisdom and provision. Grant sound judgement and discernment to our government, especially Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting and their advisers. In Your mercy. Amen. THURS

Creator and Sustainer, thank You that this world’s needs are 22 provided for so long as they are shared fairly and wisely. Please direct those with responsibility for the UK’s economic affairs facing growing debt, rising costs and other demands. By Your grace. Amen. FRI

Father, we pray for political affairs to be increasingly carried out in a spirit of conviction and civility, with debates conducted with respect and social media no longer being used to insult, deceive and attack opponents. For Jesus’ sake. Amen. SAT

Andy Burnham has been profoundly affected by Catholic teaching; acknowledging the importance of individual responsibility, the common good and people working together toward it. ‘Britain flourished most when it took seriously the virtues Christianity helped embed: Duty before entitlement. Truth over convenience. Love of neighbour, expressed in the service of others... they form the foundation of Britain.’ (Kemi Badenoch)

At CARE, our vision is simple: we want to see politics renewed and lives transformed. For more than 40 years, we have sought to bring truth and grace into the public square. We believe Christians have a better story to tell than what our broken world can offer, rooted in Scripture and modelled by Jesus. We long to see a society in which everyone can flourish as God intends them to.

WHAT WE DO

Engaging the Church

Equipping Politicians

CAREORGUK

Empowering Future Leaders

CARE.ORG.UK

CARE (Christian Action Research & Education) Chief Executive Ross Hendry | Co-founder Revd. Lyndon Bowring 53 Romney St, London, SW1P 3RF | 020 7233 0455 mail@care.org.uk | PrayerMate: praynow4.org/care Care is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales (No 3481417) Charity No: 1066963 | Scottish Charity No: SC038911 This product is recyclable