Skip to main content

March Prayer Column

Image
By

Prayer: cloudy or fair?


Some time ago I was taking a photo of a scene I wanted to draw.  To my surprise, I was verbally abused by a passer-by, (a) for indulging is such a time-wasting pursuit as photography, and (b) because he didn’t want to be in the frame as he walked on ahead of me (so he isn’t).  It took quite a lot longer to say than that may imply, but, well, you let these things pass.  We all have our off days.  Soft answers turn away wrath, and all that.

But then a few days later on the way into Bradford he got on the bus (I’m almost sure it was the same guy), and proceeded to have a serial row with the driver: jumping the queue for a ticket when the person ahead was taking a bit of time; calling the driver names when asked to keep in line, making rude assertions, loudly; and at the end of it all (would you believe) promising to pray for him as he was so obviously in the grip of Satan!  Understandably, I felt, the driver declined his offer: “I have no need of your prayers.  I have plenty of people praying for me.”  Like a dark cloud, you were glad when it passed.

I confess I didn’t join in.  I didn’t try to act as a peacemaker, or even pray.  I sat tight, like everyone else on the bus.  What would you have done?  What would Jesus have done?  I rather think he would have radiated light in some recognisable way.  Belatedly, then, I pray: Lord, please fill me with your life and light.  Give me gentle grace towards others, even when tempers are short.  And Lord, please speed my reactions to reach out through the Spirit on behalf of your kingdom in every situation.

Roy Lorrain-Smith

A prayer for each week

Lord of all peace, and of peacemaking, please give me your peacefulness within, but also peaceableness towards others, especially those whom I find irritating – but who are made in your image, just as we all are.
Amen.

Lord God, Heavenly Father, Champion of the put-upon, please give me that combination of compassion and courage to stand up for those who’re being bullied or abused – and not just think about it afterwards.
Amen.

Creator Lord, maker of the entire universe, even down to the detail of human ability to talk, please guard my lips and help me watch my words, that what I say may more closely match your Living Word, Jesus.
Amen.

Lord of space and time, and of people and events, thank you for sending Jesus to rescue us when we screw up.  From the wrath of impatience and injured pride, and our hot hurtful words, please save us, as only you can.
Amen.

Lord Commander, King of kings, please take more charge of me.  Please heal me from anger, and angry thoughts, and words, and worse.  Please take away all my anger that harms your kingdom, or help me control it.
Amen. 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Biblefresh Festival 11 June 2011 - bookings now open

By
Bradford North and South Circuits invite you to their city-wide Biblefresh Festival Saturday 11 June 2011 Full details and booking form
Post a Comment
Read more

July message from Rev Phil

By
Dear Friends,      The Methodist Church makes provision for its ministers to take a three-month sabbatical break from the routine of ministry every seven years – this year, in my case! By the time you read this letter, I will have already started my sabbatical and I will be absent from the circuit from mid-May to mid-August.     This is not an extended holiday but an opening to do something different, as a way of being refreshed in ministry; an opportunity to ‘power down’ and to get away from a hectic, diary-driven ministry, in order to spend more focused time with God. It is a requirement and not an option for ministers to take their sabbatical break.     There have been two main aspects to consider in planning the sabbatical. The first has been to decide how I should use the time. For your interest, I am pressing on with studies begun through Leeds University (which could lead to the award of a PhD), reflecting on my wor...
Post a Comment
Read more

Godly Ways 8-10 March 2013

By
Godly Ways CODEC  and the  Dales Biblical Literacy Project  present: A weekend of Worship – Teaching – Workshops. WHEN : March 8th to 10th 2013 (Starts Friday evening) WHERE : Elm Ridge Methodist Church and Bondgate Methodist Church, Darlington and Ingleton Methodist Church SPEAKERS: Revd. Professor David Wilkinson  is a Methodist minister and Principal of St. John’s College, Durham. Well-known as a writer, speaker and broadcaster, David has wide-ranging interests, although he is especially concerned about science and religion. Revd. Dr. Peter Phillips  is a Methodist minister and Director of Codec, a research centre housed at St. John’s College, Durham. For many years, Pete served on the staff of Cliff College. He has a great interest in the New Testament and in communicating the faith in a digital age. Revd. Ron Willoughby  is an ordained minister with the Southern Baptist Convention in the United States, now living in this cou...
Post a Comment
Read more