URC Prayer Handbook

The 2027 URC Prayer Handbook – A larger belonging

The 2027 URC Prayer Handbook is edited by Susan Durber (Moderator-Elect of the URC General Assembly) and Jonnie Hill. The artwork is by Neil Thorogood (Moderator of the URC General Assembly).

Susan and Jonnie write: “As Christians, we turn to prayer not simply out of duty, but as a way of paying attention to God, to one another and to the deeper movements of the heart. In times marked by anxiety, division and uncertainty, prayer remains one of the ways we seek God’s presence and help, as we long for a belonging larger than fear could ever offer.

“We may understand prayer differently and favour different styles, rhythms or words. We might hold different views about how prayer is heard or answered. Yet across centuries and traditions, prayer has sustained people of faith: expressing gratitude and lament, opening hearts to hope and binding communities together so that we do not journey alone.

“Within these pages are prayers of many kinds: prayers for corporate worship and private devotion, prayers of praise and thanksgiving, confession and intercession, prayers for ordinary days and difficult seasons. Together they reflect the richness and diversity of the church’s prayer life.

“Writing prayers is itself an act of vulnerability and trust and many of the prayers gathered here
moved us profoundly. We give particular thanks to Neil Thorogood for his beautiful and striking images, themselves an offering of prayer.

“And we offer our thanks to those who helped shape and produce this handbook with such care and creativity. Wherever and however these prayers are used, in churches, homes or hospitals, at meetings or in moments of quiet reflection, may they draw us nearer to the God who is always drawing near to us.”

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Thank you

Thank you for your prayers for the 2027 Prayer Handbook.