Prayers for the vacancy-in-see process and the new Bishop of Portsmouth
Vacancy-in-see prayer, July 21: the Rev Rajiv Sidhu, curate, St Cuthbert and St Aidan, Copnor
Vacancy-in-see prayer, June 23: Canon Tom Kennar, rector, St Faith's, Havant
Tom prays for the Crown Nominations Commission, which is meeting this week to discuss the next Bishop of Portsmouth
Vacancy-in-see prayer, June 16: Matt Lockwood, communications assistant
Matt prays for the selection of our new bishop in the context of our Live | Pray | Serve vision
June 9th: Lauren McDermott, Assistant to Diocesan Secretary & Deputy Diocesan Secretary
Suggested Prayers
You may wish to include the following in the intercessions:
Give thanks for Bishop Christopher’s leadership and ministry among us.
Pray for God’s blessing on him, and Sally, in retirement.
Pray for pray for strength and wisdom for our archdeacons, diocesan secretary, and those who work alongside them in leading our diocese, in the responsibility they will carry during the vacancy.
Pray for the members of the Vacancy in See Committee and all involved in the appointment process. Pray that they will clearly articulate our diocesan values. Pray for grace and the guidance of the Holy Spirit and that God will call and equip the next Bishop of Portsmouth.
Pray for ourselves and all in our congregations, that we may seek to grown in depth, impact and number.
Any of the three prayers below may be used:
As we give thanks for the ministry and leadership of Bishop Christopher, we pray for the appointment of his successor:
Heavenly Father,
In your Son, Jesus Christ,
the whole Body of the Church is joined together as one
with Christ as the Head,
Be with us, by your Holy Spirit,
as we pray for the appointment of a new bishop.
Preserve our unity and guide all involved in the appointment process,
that with prayer and honest reflection,
they may discern your will
that your Kingdom may come,
in this diocese, and in the world
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Heavenly Father,
As we give thanks for the ministry of Bishop Christopher among us,
and await the appointment of our new Bishop,
we pray you will refresh and renew us
by your Holy Spirit.
Give wisdom and grace to our dean, archdeacons, diocesan secretary, and those who work alongside them.
Help us as we seek to live, pray and serve
so that your kingdom may come in our diocese and throughout the world.
Bless all those who are seeking to discern your will:
that with prayer and honest reflection,
they may know the mind of Christ,
and select the person of your choosing.
We pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Heavenly Father, bless the work, worship and witness of the diocese of Portsmouth.
Support our dean, archdeacons and diocesan secretary as they lead us in this time of transition
and all who now seek vision and clarity for the next stage of our journey as a Diocese,
that in due time we may welcome the Bishop you have called to serve us in the future.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
June 2: the Rev Richard Wyld, director, Portsmouth Pathway
Richard draws on recent studies from the Book of Revelation as he prays for the process to appoint our new bishop:
Vacancy-in-see prayer, May 26: the Rev Gregg Mensingh, rector, Botley and Durley, and vicar, Curdridge
Gregg recalls the Biblical story of how David became king, which reminds us that God looks beyond outward appearances. He prays that those charged with appointing our new bishop are similarly inspired:
Vacancy-in-see prayers, May 19: the Rev Dozie Moneme, vicar, St Paul's Church, Barton
Vacancy-in-see prayer, May 12: the Rev Ruth Hewlett-Shipley, curate, Wickham and Shedfield
Vacancy-in-see prayer, May 5: Canon John Byrne, Permission to Officiate, All Saints, Denmead
Vacancy-in-see prayer, April 28: Debbie Sutton, diocesan lay chair
Vacancy-in-see prayer, April 21: the Very Rev Anthony Cane, Dean of Portsmouth
The Dean thanks God for the outstanding ministry of Bishop Christopher over the past 10 years - and prays for our next bishop
Vacancy-in-see prayer, April 7: Canon Will Hughes, vicar, St Peter's, Petersfield, and acting Archdeacon of the Meon
Will puts the new appointment in historical context and prays for those charged with appointing the new Bishop of Portsmouth
Vacancy-in-see prayers, March 31: students from Charter Academy, Portsmouth
Vacancy-in-see prayers, March 24: the Rev Jenny Gaffin, vicar, Hayling Island
Vacancy-in-see prayers, March 17: Canon Bob White, St Mary's Church, Fratton
Vacancy-in-see prayers, March 10: Canon Hugh Wright, vicar of St Catherine's and Holy Trinity, Ventnor, and Bonchurch
Vacancy-in-see prayers, March 3: the Ven Peter Sutton, Greatham, Hawkley, Empshott and Priors Dean:
Vacancy-in-see prayers, February 24: Emma Kerby, St Peter's, Bishop's Waltham
Vacancy-in-see prayers, February 17: Deb Henning-Vears, Clanfield and Catherington
Deb prays for our vacancy-in-see process to find a new Bishop of Portsmouth in the context of our Live | Pray | Serve vision:
