Do you pray best with a systematic Approach?

• Ask God to give you an open heart to anything he might want to point out to you on the way.

• Unity is not the same as uniformity… thank God for the unity that is growing between churches and individuals from very different backgrounds.
• As we spend more time working and praying together we may unintentionally cause upset and hurt because of our different view points and understandings. Pray that we learn how to overlook an offence. Ask God to help us see the good and choose to believe the best of each other. 
• Although we all speak English, there can be many ‘church languages.’ Pray for good communication - that we will be able to both understand and speak to each other clearly.

• Outreach events? – pray for people to come with open ears and hearts. pray for speakers to have a winning manner and to communicate clearly.
• Leaders lunches? – pray for an increased measure of unity and trust between them. Ask God to forgive any bad feelings or jealousies from the past. Pray for firm friendships to be established. Ask God to protect them and bless their marriages.
• Love Croydon events? – Pray for good organisation for both local and central events. pray that the church won’t simply say it loves Croydon, but will demonstrate it through acts of kindness, increased unity and meeting deep needs. Pray that God will provide the resources required: money, manpower, creativity etc.
• Training /conferences?- pray that God’s people will be equipped for the work they are called to do.

• Pray for the work of Croydon Council.
• Pray for wisdom in all its administration and decision–making. Pray for responsible policies to be drawn up and implemented. Pray for compassion, insight and integrity to characterise our Councillors. Pray for those who carry weighty responsibility for making books balance when so many needy causes are competing for the money.
• Thank God for those who clean streets and collect rubbish or serve as lollipop men/ladies or dinner ladies – jobs we so often take for granted - pray that the Council will be a good employer.
• Croydon is a Fair Trade Borough. Ask God what that might mean for you?

• Pray for safety on our streets and for a reduction in crime. Pray that people will be able to live peacefully, without fear.
• Thank God for the work of our Police Force. Pray that they will walk in safety and act with integrity. Pray for insights and successes in the solving of crimes. Pray for good relationships to be built up between police and local churches
• Pray for the work of ‘Street Pastors’ (look at ‘local ministries’ section)
• Pray for God to diffuse the tensions between rival gangs. Pray for wisdom for those looking at the underlying issues of gang culture. Ask God to show us how to pray.
• Pray that our courts will be known for their fair and just sentencing. Pray for wisdom and truth to be recognised.

• Pray for safety in our schools and for children as they travel between home and school.
• Pray that students who want to learn will feel free to study without fear of being ridiculed or bullied.
• Pray for skilled head teachers who can motivate and lead.
• Pray for staff to be enthusiastic about their subject and able to communicate well.
• Pray for those working with special needs children and those trying to get alongside students who have been excluded
• Pray for any needs you might be aware of in your own local school.

• Lunar House on Wellesley Road is the Home office centre that deals with refugees and asylum seekers. Thousands of visitors pass through their doors. Pray for the staff who have to check and asses each applicant. Pray that they will make right decisions and root out deceptions and false claims.
• The council has a legal obligation to house and support genuine cases. Pray about the tensions this causes in the housing department, where Council properties are limited and many are on the waiting list. (Remember that Jesus commended those who welcomed, clothed and fed the stranger.)
• Thank God for the work of the Croydon Refugee Centre and pray that he will renew and equip the staff and volunteers who work hard to offer help and hospitality to many refugees in our town.
• Pray for peace between all cultures, races and religions in the borough.