Methodist Prayer Handbook

Our prayers share in the sorrows and joys of our lives, churches and communities across this world.

For 2026/2027, the words Sorrow and Joy are chosen like grid references on a map, compass bearings. As with many paradoxical word phrases – faith and doubt, life and death, light and darkness, noise and silence – ‘sorrow’ and ‘joy’ are like ingredients mixed and baked in a batch of bread, blended and distilled, creating the unique flavours of our lives.

As a Church, we offer mission, ministry and worship in a world increasingly in conflict and divisions, bringing much sorrow. How we deal with conflict and divisions personally and together within the life of the Church matters. How do we respond faithfully and fruitfully as peacemakers and reconcilers to each other and the world?

In our collective life of faith, we want to recognise and support Methodist people who may need a boost of joy in the Lord to keep being and doing what we are called to be and do. Those who give freely of their time to serve the Church in a voluntary capacity and for people who minister in diverse and often challenging circumstances.

May our prayers recognise that sorrow and joy run and flow through each other and through each one of us, because maybe one is the way to the other, because Jesus holds them both with us.

• 31 days of prayer with a daily lectionary
• Prayers offered from Global Partners and district representatives of the Methodist Church in Britain, and Methodists around the UK
• Prompts for personal and creative prayer

How to submit material for the next Prayer Handbook

The theme for the 2027/2028 Prayer Handbook will be announced during autumn 2026. Prayers of 120 words or less, and photos to accompany them, can be emailed to prayerhandbook@methodistchurch.org.uk by 11 January 2027.

A story of renewal

The revitalisation of the Prayer Handbook for the 2025/2026 edition, Our Story, Our Song, began a new chapter in its long heritage. Watch the video to learn more.