Wherever we are on our journey in faith, prayer is a significant part of it. Prayer is for everyone, and everyone can pray.
As part of living out our values in every corner of our diocese, Bishop Richard has called us all to join in a Year of Prayer in 2023. This invitation is offered to explore different ways of praying, there are activities to join in and opportunities to create your own prayers and prayer activities either as a church or as part of a small group, or in the quiet of your home.
We hope through prayerful engagement across many communities, villages and towns of our diocese that lives will be transformed and that more people will come to know Jesus Christ.
The key events for the Year of Prayer begin in January 2023 with a special Festival of Light at Hereford Cathedral.
To join any of our Year of Prayer events, please visit the relevant month on the events section of our website and register your details
January opens with two prayer workshops details of which can be found below including registration and joining instructions:
Prayer Workshop - North (Church Stretton) 14th January, 10am
Prayer Workshop - South (Hereford) 21st January, 10am
There will also be a special Festival of Light opening service at Hereford Cathedral, details can be found on the events page, to help us get an idea of numbers, please do drop an email to our communications team
February - we are offering a week of online accompanied prayer further details including how to register and what is involved can be found on our events page.
March - we will be hosting a very significant date for the diary. A special Bishop's study day led by Pete and Sammy Greig at St Lawrence's Ludlow, which will take place on Wednesday 29th March
April is the first of our four Exploring prayer days which will be hosted at Craven Arms Community Centre - further days are planned in May, June and September in various locations across the diocese.
Do watch this space for further details and please regularly visit our events page for more updates. Events are advertised regularly in our weekly eNews, do sign up to receive this email update from the Diocesan comms team
You can create an event of your own. We encourage churches to advertise their events in all the usual places. If you are looking for ideas and inspiration, please take a look at our ideas guide for churches. Don't forget to update your website or Church Near you webpage or get in touch with the team for more help, support and guidance.
We have created some branding guidelines to help you advertise your own prayer events as well as social media. If you are looking for ideas and inspiration, please take a look at our ideas guide for churches.
The following are ways to help you advertise your event locally:
A Church Near You / Your Church website
List your onsite and online prayer events on AChurchNearYou.com.
Print / Email
Don't forget to add events to your social media pages and any printed or email newsletters, magazines or pew sheets. We have created some easy to use templates on Canva.com which you can edit and use locally:
Printed materials
We have produced prayer cards for key seasons and festivals throughout the year. Download a low-colour print version here.
We have created some A6 postcards designed to be given by congregation members to their friends and family, inviting others to join them at any Year of Prayer event held in church.
They offer space to write details of the event as well as contact details for more information.
This A4 poster can be used to promote a Year of Prayer event on a church or village noticeboard. It can be resized to print on A5 for use in parish magazines.
There are a number of useful resources available to help you with our small group prayers. Including our seasonal prayer cards
Please check out our ideas guide for churches and communities.
We also have 2 booklets available with prayers:
Prayer guide for the Community
Ascension Day prayer walk Resources:
There are a number of useful resources available to help you with developing prayers with and for Young People.
Here is a link to a website with useful infomation on Prayer Spaces In Schools
Year of Prayer branding and resources
Prayer Ideas Find Events