September 2014 Prayer Column

Choppy seas

How lovely it is to sail through life on calm waters, with a following breeze, in good health, well fed and supplied, surrounded by sunshine in pleasant company. So lovely that we can be lulled into thinking it the norm, and our well-merited right. Then we can easily feel ill done by when life shows itself in its true colours: disturbances, delays, disruptions, disagreements, disappointments, diversions and dead ends, in all our careful plans and purchases. Shrilly we protest: How dare they!

But plain sailing is not the norm, not this side of eternity. Jesus warned us: in this world we shall have tribulation (Jn 16:33). And though he goes on at once to reassure: I have overcome the world, he certainly did not mean we’d never have contrary winds or tempestuous circumstances. Rather, he leads us through them – safely, if not always comfortably. His reassurance speaks of two things, both essential for our praying.

Hope. The risen, ascended Jesus IS Lord of all, and IS working out his salvation, for us and the whole creation. Such promise!
Peace. Meanwhile, he bequeaths us his peace in the midst of seas too choppy to navigate on our own (Jn 14:27). Peace beyond understanding. Peace to rule and guide. Keep in contact!

So, as well as trusting prayers for help in all our difficulties, gratitude and praise are in order, as we remain unshifting in our course like a fully stabilised ocean-going liner, although it may sometimes feel more like we’re in a coracle, unable to see over the wave tops.

Roy Lorrain-Smith

A prayer for each week

Lord, who stilled the storm which threatened to sink the boat, rebuking the uppity wind, please bring your calm to our lives now, and to those we name before you. Amen.

Lord, who walked the waves on a stormy night to be with your disciples in contrary headwinds, please come to us tonight, and give us your peace in our difficulties. Amen.

Lord, who answered the needs of all whom you met, feeding the hungry and healing the ailing, please meet our problems now: sort them out or see us through. Amen.

Lord, who opened blind eyes, liberated from chains, and strengthened lame limbs, please repair us: bless us, that we may follow the paths you have chosen for us. Amen.

Your own prayers

Comments

Christmas Day Worship 2021

Today is the day - Christmas! The central candle is lit. The waiting is over. The child is born. As we celebrate the Feast and Holy-Day of Christmas, with the Psalmist (Ps. 98:4-6) we proclaim: Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn – shout for joy before the LORD, the King. Prayer Let us pray: Generous God, even as we praise you for the good news of today, and seek to shout for joy at the coming of the Christ-child, we acknowledge Mary’s mix of pain and joy, both today and in the days to come. As we do so, we face our own emotions on this difficult and delightful day, and ask your help to live it well. Amen. Carol You might like to sing, or reflect on the words of Geoffrey Ainger’s hymn at StF 193/H&P 95, Born in the night, Mary’s child, a long way from your home; coming in need, Mary’s child, born in a borro...

Prayer Column - January 2022

The turn of the year As a new year approaches we tend to wonder what lies ahead, hoping always to shake off the past’s bad record and for something better to come, as if hoping could make it so. We wonder about next year because of course we don’t know what lies around the corner (however great the store of human knowledge, and however thorough our Googling). Search as we may, and it’s a royal honour to do so (Prov 25:2), some things are known only to God: times and seasons fixed by his authority are not for us to know (Acts 1:7), for the future is his. This is a time to remind ourselves of God’s omniscience: he does know (Rom 11:33). He knows the plans he has for us – plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us a hope and a future (Jer 29:11). And it’s time to remember also that God is not far-off and aloof, but a loving, heavenly Father who wants a close living relationship with each of us, day by day and breath by breath – he sent Jesus to bring us back to him. So ...

Virtual worship - 19 December 2021

Advent 4: Thinking about BLESSING Service sheet (pdf) Hymn: STF 187 The Angel Gabriel From Heaven Came Introduction Christmas is only days away now. How will you welcome Jesus into your home this year? After last year’s loss and longing, will the blessings of this year’s Christmas celebrations have any extra special meaning for you? Today’s worship is focussed on signs of greeting and blessing. Call to worship Come, greet one another in the name of the Lord. Come, bring all you have and be blessed. Come, and worship the God of the great and the lowly, and share your hopes and fears. Come, young and old – for God is calling you. Collect for today As we light this Advent candle, may its flame be for us a sign of blessing. As Mary and Elizabeth greeted each other, and Mary praised God for the blessings received, may we know God’s blessing in our lives and community, as we offer prayers and praises in Jesus’ name. Amen Hymn: STF166 Christmas Is Coming The Church Is Glad To Sing How do you ...

Bradford North Circuit

Search This Blog