Meet our New Volunteer Prayer Writers

We are excited to see two new volunteer prayer writers contribute to the Together We Pray resource.

Māmari Stephens and Tim Overton were chosen from a highly competitive pool of over ten applicants, reflecting the strong emphasis our Diocese places on prayer.

Together We Pray offers liturgy-based prayers drawn from the revised common lectionary. Parishes across the Diocese can easily access and download these prayers for their worship services at anglicanmovement.nz/prayer-resources. Be sure to check Prayer Resources — Anglican Movement each week to see the most up-to-date prayers available.

Māmari and Tim bring unique perspectives and a passion for prayer to their new roles.

Māmari says, “Sharing words in prayer can be a powerful and beautiful way to enrich our worship experience.

"I was drawn to this opportunity because it allows me to contribute words that can be used by others in their prayer life," she explained.

In addition to offering a service to others, Māmari sees the role as an opportunity for personal growth.

"Honestly, I also see it as a chance to become more disciplined in my own prayer practices," she confessed.

"What better way to deepen your prayer life than by writing prayers for others?"

Tim says he finds inspiration in the prayers of others.

"I was attracted to the Prayer Writer role because, as someone who strives to lead an active prayer life (and struggles to do so), I find the words and liturgies of others to be helpful scaffolding," he said.

"I'd love to help others in this way."

Tim has served as a chaplaincy assistant at Chaplaincy VUW. It meant providing pastoral care and leading services and prayers.

"This role underlined the importance of prayer in communal contexts," he says.

"Additionally, I write poems and creative reflections in my spare time and occasionally lead Prayers of the People at church."

"Whenever I've led prayers of the people, my tendency has been to keep the 'categories' of prayer broad and the language simple."

Tim believes this approach allows for greater participation and a wider range of petitions.

"My hope is that this allows participants to raise the variety of their petitions," Tim says.

Don't forget to visit Prayer Resources — Anglican Movement each week anglicanmovement.nz/prayer-resources to see the latest prayers from Māmari, Tim, and the Together We Pray team.

ENDS