Prayer column: August 2013

The year of the bee

It’s a way of focusing interest: ‘The year of...’ Bees are vastly important in the cycles and balances of nature, on which our welfare depends in this world, in which we have been given our tending and keeping role. We can do things better once we’ve learned more. That’s the message.

But it’s only part of the message we really need to hear, which might be better styled ‘The year of the be’. No amount of learning will make any difference if we don’t change. No amount of fresh resolve will achieve anything of lasting importance if we don’t radically alter the way we go about things. Jesus came to make such a difference. He sent his Holy Spirit to carry on the work of transformation – so we could actually be different: really doing Jesus things the Jesus way.

That’s why the rest of creation (including the bee) is waiting with such eager longing for the revealing of the children of God (Ro 8:19-21), because as we allow the Spirit to change us into how we should be, into Jesus-likeness, then liberation and healing spreads to all the cosmos. Let’s pray that promise into being. Let’s pray for the year of the be(e), today and every day.

A prayer for each week

Lord of creation, to you be all praise: for the cosmos, for our lives, and for the roles you have assigned to us in your kingdom.  May our lives match our words.  Amen.

Lord of language, giving comprehensible words of wisdom, guidance and grace – sweet to the soul and health to the body – may we hear with ear and heart.  Amen.

Lord of plenitude, lavish in giving, deep in healing, tireless in tending, may we trust your promise of provision, and pass on (not hoard) your rich blessings.  Amen.

Lord of the hive, creating community, enabling industry, gathering fruitfulness, and spreading wealth and wellbeing, pull us together under your reign.  Amen.

Your own prayers