Welcome to the FWW Prayer Guide for January. We hope it will be useful for personal prayer, but also for those who lead intercessions in services. Do pass it on to others. Any feedback from use of the Guide would be most welcome. We also use the Guide as the basis for our quarterly online prayer meeting. The next meeting will be on January 8th from 1.00 – 1.30 p.m. For the Zoom link, and any feedback, please email dickjohnson@faithatwork.org.uk The guide is in three parts: an introduction to the theme; a written prayer or collect; and finally, specific items for prayer for this month.
2025 Prospects
In our January prayer guide we focus on the year ahead, both in terms of employment and the economy, but also our chaplaincy to those at work. With political uncertainty and conflict dominating global headlines, many remain anxious. On top of this tax rises on businesses, and inflationary pressure on public sector budgets, produce uncertainty in the economy. To take one example. In order to balance the West Mercia Police budget for 2025/26 it is projected the police precept on council tax could rise by 5%.[1] And in the retail sector the New Year always brings uncertainty as retailers assess whether they have had a good Christmas. For chaplains, both with the police and retail, there will be many conversations about how this will impact workers – with job security a key topic.
For FWW, 2025 will also be a year of change as we complete our move to become a volunteer led charity, with the retirement, from his FWW role, of Development Officer Dick Johnson, at the end of October.[2] As part of this, in the first quarter of the year, FWW will be undertaking a Chaplaincy Impact Survey amongst workers, chaplains and church partners, to help us focus on the essentials of continuing to deliver much needed workplace chaplaincy.
Almighty God, in Christ you make all things new;
at the dawn of this year, pour out your healing, grace and peace
upon all uncertain for their jobs, families and communities;
and strengthen and inspire us to share your love through chaplaincy,
as we seek to comfort the anxious,
bring hope to those who despair,
and light to those who know only darkness.
This we pray in the name of him who is our incarnate and risen saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen
Especially we pray for:
- All workers who face uncertainty in their employment as they face the challenges the new year brings, and for fulfilment and enjoyment in using God-given skills and talents in their work. (Be specific in your prayers, praying each day for someone you know in their work. If you’re not sure what to pray for someone, why not ask them.)
- Those who have responsibility for leadership and setting budgets in public sector organisations across Worcestershire, including county, district and borough councils, health and social care sectors, and the ambulance, police and fire service. Especially pray for Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion, Chief Constable Richard Cooper, Chief Fire Officer Jon Pryce and chair of the Fire Authority Kit Taylor.
- Chaplains to police and fire in Worcestershire (Stuart Sandys, Tim Williams, Sue Copsey, Nahid Uddin), Herefordshire (Mike Wilkinson, Richard Glasspoole), Shropshire and Telford (Jem Trehern, Keith Locke), and Dick Johnson (Lead Chaplain).
- Chaplains as they visit and support workers facing financial challenges and uncertainties.
- The FWW Chaplaincy Impact Survey, planned for early 2025, that will gather feedback from those involved with our chaplaincy work, and help us plan for chaplaincy over the next three years.
- In our cycle of prayer for the work of FWW, this month we pray for:
- Chaplains: In Kidderminster – Barbara Pugh and Albert Wilkinson, chaplains to market traders.
- Trustees: Mary Austin, as she steps down this month as trustee having served for 10 years, 4 of them as chair. Give thanks for her enthusiasm and leadership as she moves on to new challenges.
[1] West Mercia Police share of council tax could rise by 5% – PCC – BBC News
[2] Although Dick will retire from his paid role with FWW at the end of October 2025, he will continue as a volunteer with FWW, and in his role as Lead Chaplain to West Mercia Police and Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.