This Wednesday, 18 October, the church keeps the Feast of St Luke, patron saint of
doctors. In the Diocese we are inviting people to observe this as a day of prayer for
the NHS.
We give thanks for the quality of healthcare we enjoy in this country, compared to
many places in the world. We give thanks for all those who have dedicated themselves
to serving the health and well-being of others, not only as front-line medical and care
staff, but also those who provide administrative and support services in our hospitals
and medical practices.
We pray for all those who are stressed and burdened by the ever-growing demand on
the resources of the health service, and the responsibilities they carry on behalf of
society. We pray also for those who face hard new decisions of life and death which are
made possible only be advances in technology.
We give thanks also for the many dedicated people from other countries who come and
serve in the NHS, and pray that our needs may not simply drain resources from less
wealthy and privileged nations.
We pray for a church which bears witness to a vision of health and wholeness for all
in society.
On Saturday 4 November, the Festival of Healing will take place in the Cathedral.
This is a further opportunity to pray for specific needs for healing.
Bromsgrove Deanery – Rural Dean:
Paul Lawlor; Lay Chair: David Hargreaves
Swaziland (Southern Africa):
Bishop Ellinah Ntfombi Wamukoya
Diocese of Truro:
Bishop Tim Thornton with Bishop Chris
Goldsmith (St Germans)
Diocese of Tönsberg (Norway):
Bishop Per Arne Dahl
Diocese of Strängnäs (Sweden):
Bishop Johan Dalman
