Last updated 30th April 2025

Blackburn Prayers; Answers to Prayer; Pathways to Prayer and other prayer resources

Praying with greater depth and urgency for the Kingdom of God to come
Introduction to Blackburn Prayers
Daily email and printed versions

'Answers to Prayer'
Pathways to Prayer
Additional Prayer Resources

The Diocesan Vision Prayer

Praying with greater depth and urgency for the Kingdom of God to come

As one of the four focuses of the 'Making Disciples' area of Vision 2026, we want to help you to spend regular time in prayer.

Why Pray?

As we all have different ways of talking with our friends, families, neighbours and colleagues, so we also have different ways of talking to our Heavenly Father. Wanting to pray is the beginning of a relationship with God that can grow and grow

Praying can be woven into everyday life. Prayer is not just something done in church. It is about praying with others, praying alone, at any time and any place. It is living life in a relationship with God.

When we pray, there are millions of Christian people all around the world also praying; daily in churches, in their homes, in their cars, at work. You might not hear them. You might feel very along in your prayer; but you are not along.

If you would like help in praying, why not look at the resources below.

Introduction to Blackburn Prayers

Every month 'Blackburn Prayers' is circulated around the Diocese. Blackburn Prayers, available in a number of formats, is used by many parishes and individuals as a daily prayer resource to support their intercessions.

Blackburn Prayers features a different set of prayers for people, places and events; local, national and international including: our parishes, schools and their leaders, Vision 2026, overseas missionaries, diocesan meetings and special events, the anglican communion, our link dioceses as well as a daily 'Bible Challenge' Bible verse.

Daily email and printed versions

To subscribe to a daily email version of Blackburn Prayers, please click the link here to do so and you will receive the prayer topics for each day, every day, direct to your inbox first thing in the morning.

If you would prefer to receive a printed copy of Blackburn Prayers you can also do so. To subscribe to the monthly collated pdf email contact karen.ashcroft@blackburn.anglican.org to request being added to the list.

Latest edition: May 2025

2025

April 2025
March 2025
February 2025
January 2025

Other Editions: 2024

December 2024
November 2024
October 2024
September 2024
August 2024
July 2024

'Answers to Prayer'

Hands outstretched with open palms We have also introduced an important new feature to Blackburn Prayers - Answers to Prayer. This involves a new page on this website which you can access here and the opportunity to submit answers to prayer via the email given on the page.

Pathways to Prayer

Image of pathway through green trees with sign post pointing to 'Lectio Divina', 'Meditation' and 'Prayer Journal'. Pathways to prayer is a wonderful way to help your church community explore fresh perspectives on patterns and styles of prayer, meditation and contemplation through a diverse range of workshops.

A team of speakers from the Diocese are available to help you host a Pathways to Prayer event in your parish or deanery, tailored to the specific areas of prayer that you would like to explore from a variety of traditions across the diocese.

Recent workshop themes have included...

Lectio Divina
praying though the senses
Using prayer stations
Praying out loud in small groups
Praying in the Franciscan tradition
Praying with children
Prayer journaling
Prayer and meditation

Typically a Pathways to Prayer event runs in the morning or afternoon; opening with a short time of worship, a Bible reading and a short talk on prayer followed by a variety of hour-long prayer workshops where participants can try out a way of praying which is new to them. After a short break the workshops are then repeated so participants can try a different experience. The time concludes with a few minutes together at the end for a final prayer.

“Prayer is something which often people feel they should know how to do and so feel afraid to ask. Pathways to Prayer wonderfully helps people to start praying and is a fantastic resource for any church.” – The Revd Michael Print, vicar of St George’s Chorley.

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If you would like to find out more about hosting your own event in your parish or deanery, please contact the Making Disciples Team: makingdisciples@blackburn.anglican.org

Additional Prayer Resources

There are some great websites and apps which can aid your prayer. Click Here to see a list of some which we recommend.

The Diocesan Vision Prayer

Heavenly Father, we embrace Your call for us to make disciples, to be witnesses, to grow leaders and inspire children and young people. Give us the eyes to see Your vision, ears to hear the prompting of Your Spirit and courage to follow in the footsteps of your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. AMEN

Sarah Marston and Ronnie Semley, last updated April 2025

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