New Year’s Prayers: Thank you Father, that you are the God of new beginnings. At the start of another year, we give ourselves to you afresh and ask that you would renew our hearts. Throughout 2009, may we learn to love you more deeply and to serve you more effectively.

New Year’s Prayers: Pray for the staff team at CMS Ireland, working in the offices in Dublin and Belfast and developing partnerships with churches and Global Partners. Pray that God would bless each member of the team and that, together, they would help people to engage more deeply in mission.

Kenya, Urban Development Programme, All Saints’ Cathedral, Nairobi: Give thanks for the recent Medical Camp in Kayole for the community members under the care of UDP. Many doctors and medical staff from the congregation of All Saints’ Cathedral volunteered to give the whole community a medical check-up. Please pray for those who were found to have serious conditions, including one lady who was diagnosed with cancer.

Kenya, Urban Development Programme, All Saints’ Cathedral, Nairobi: Please pray for the students from the UDP communities who recently sat national examinations. The results will be released in January — please pray that the candidates will be admitted to good secondary schools or (if graduating from secondary school) will have sufficient points to gain entry to university.

Kenya, Urban Development Programme, All Saints’ Cathedral, Nairobi: Please pray about the food shortage in Kenya, which has led to huge price rises for the population. The recent rains have been very scattered, so even the next crop is uncertain. Pray that the UDP community members will have enough to eat in the weeks ahead.

Nepal: Pray for Sarah Hutchinson who has been engaged in a STEP programme with CMS Ireland since September, working in the Belfast office. Tomorrow, Sarah heads to Nepal to begin a five-month placement with our Global Partners there. Pray that Sarah will settle-in quickly and will know God’s peace.

Nepal: A CMS Ireland team departs this evening to visit our partners in Nepal. Pray for this META visit, that all who take part will be challenged and inspired by their experience and that they will be an encouragement and a blessing to those they meet in Nepal.

Nepal, Human Development and Community Services: Pray for the work of HDCS, as it manages programmes in healthcare, community development and education. In particular, pray for the staff in the Kathmandu office and for Tirtha, SP and the other leaders. Pray that they will continue to have opportunities to show God’s love and share their faith.

Nepal, Human Development and Community Services: Pray for the work of ABBS, the school for children with physical disabilities and profound learning needs. Pray for the staff and the children of the centre to know God’s love and friendship. Pray also for the families of the children.

Nepal, Sundar Dhoka Church: Pray for the leadership team of Sundar Dhoka church, that God would give them wisdom and grace as they continue to offer direction to the church. In particular, pray for Babukaji and Goma Adhikari, in their leadership roles. Pray also for all those who attend the church.