A knock at the door of Bradford North Circuit

This is the nearest I've got to a picture of Bradford North: a view across Shipley and Bradford to the higher hills beyond. I wonder how God sees it, from his far greater height, to the depth of every humanheart?

The children trailing home;
Workers making their way;
Householders keeping house;
Elderley resting in care.

All his beloved creation. Each his child of potential in Jesus. As far as the eye can see, and faith can feel, and trust can rely. In Jesus. It's promise - he's Lord. It's challenge - if he's our Lord.

As we face the future as Bradford North Circuit, from Baildon to Thornton, and from Calverley to Harecroft - 18 bodies of witness to the Lordship of Jesus - this promise and challenge come to us afresh. And we must pray his Lordship into a living reality that others can see.

Lord, I know you're standing at Bradford North's door. i can hear your knocking in the vacant seats and absent children, in the emptying coffers and thickening deafness to your word. Please, dear Lord, let me open my door in the name of Bradford North and welcome you in. By your Holy Spirit throw wide aslo my inner doors that have limited you for so long, and cleanse what you find there - taking control and being my Lord, of all that I am and do. fill me with boldness to live to the full for all to see, the new life you promise, to the glory of God in Bradford North Circuit.

Roy Lorrain-Smith

A prayer for each Sunday in August 2011

7 August 2011
Lord of hopefulness, endowing life with something richly to look forward to, from the cradle through the grave to eternity beyond, please teach us (oh, teach us!) that only in you, Lord Jesus, can our deepest hopes and dreams come true. Amen.

14 August 2011
Lord of all keepfulness, lord of all joy, who watches over us and all that is ours with sovereign eye, please fill us with trust in your keeping, and with peace in all circumstances, making us keepers of others in our turn, through Jesus our Lord. Amen.

21 August 2011
Lord of all helpfulness, who ordained work and occupation for us, please bless us in all our doing, that our works may indeed be good in your sight, and, in the likeness of Jesus, create in us servant hearts and minds, eager to help in times of need. Amen.

28 August 2011
Lord of all restfulness, who created the concept of time off, please fill our days of rest with active thankfulness and praise: grateful for all that is past, and trustful for all the wonders you have in store for us, through jesus our Saviour and Lord. Amen.

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Bradford North Circuit

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