Skip to main content

December 2013 Prayer Column

Image
By


Hey, have you heard...?

What about that, then?  It’s very human to gloat over the fall of someone, especially if they’re prominent or well thought of.  The news industry thrives on it, and always has.  You only have to lower your voice in a certain way to get instant attention from all around.  The words of the whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body (Prov 18:8).  But they don’t do any good when they get there.
Gloating’s very human, but sub-Christian.  So how should we react when someone falls from grace or goes astray, especially a fellow believer?  Here are some suggestions:

1.    There but for the grace of God go I.  Reflect on our own vulnerability and pray for continued protection and guidance (1 Cor 10:12).
2.    Thus humbled, reach out compassionately to restore the fallen (Gal 6:1).  The gift of prayer brings everyone within our reach.
3.    If we’ve been hurt, remember the ‘f’ word: forgiveness (2 Cor 2:7).  And we may have to pray for the strength we need for that.
4.    Temptation is common to us all (1 Cor 10:13).  Thus we can pray for all (us too?) straying nearer the precipice than is safe, perhaps blindly. 
5.    With Jesus, no one is beyond repair, however broken they may seem.
The Lord be with us all.
Roy Lorrain-Smith 

A prayer for each week
Lord God, holy and almighty, merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, please guide our steps amidst all the many pitfalls, through Jesus.  Amen.

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me – and work in me your miracle of calling and leading, of guiding and keeping, and of mending and moulding me more into the likeness your Son Jesus.  Amen.

Let all the words of my mouth and even the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and redeemer, that you may be glorified and others healed, through Jesus.  Amen.

Heavenly Father, please bless us and keep us, wayward though we may lean: pull us back into line, retune our sat navs to home on you, and lead us safely by your chosen paths, with Jesus.  Amen.

Lord, Teacher, Companion, Counsellor, Helper, Spirit of Truth, please open our ears and eyes, that we may worship God truly, with heart, mind soul and strength, with and through Jesus.  Amen.


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Soupermums! Wilsden Trinity Church

By
Do you have a young baby? Looking for something to do? If the answer is yes then Soupermums is for you. We're here from 11 until 1 every Monday, Mums (and dads) have a rest and the babies can play. Have a lovely sit down whilst you sip on a brew. Enjoy having someone else make lunch for you! Come along to Wilsden Church, meet the rest of the group. Lovely ladies cuddle the babies, whilst you eat your soup. Chat with the mums, new friends you will make. Swap tips and advice over a slice or two of cake. So what are you waiting for? come on along, For homemade treats, good company and if you're lucky a song. We're looking forward to meeting you, please come take a peek, 11-1 at Wilsden Trinity, we're here every week! Celine V  (a Soupermum!) Where can new mums go, to have lunch where it’s warm and safe and you get to eat fresh soup and homemade cakes, while someone holds your baby? Too big an ask? Not at Wilsden Trinity! Every Mond
Post a Comment
Read more

Methodist Women in Britain

By
Ladies of the Bradford North Circuit, welcome to an introduction to MWiB! Methodist Women in Britain is a movement within the Methodist Church, which seeks to resource individual women and women's groups in a variety of ways. It came into being in July 2011, formed through the coming together of Women's Network and other women's meetings within Methodism. MWiB is more than a meeting. Many women may feel that it is not for them, because they do not already attend a women's meeting. The movement is there for ALL women in Methodism. There are opportunities for meetings within circuits, and at District and Connexional levels, which are all held on a regular basis. MWiB seeks to offer a broader menu for women today. There are many opportunities to meet locally, nationally and internationally. Resources are available for individuals to use at home, at work or within their families. MWiB is very active nationally; details of events can be found in the Methodist R
Post a Comment
Read more

A year in the life of Baildon Methodist Church

By
The snippets below are taken from Baildon Methodist Church report to the Charity Commissioners for the year ending August 2017. Church membership increased to 187 by the end of the year. As a further development of the Jesus Shaped People programme, which we found so inspiring, (https://www.jesusshapedpeople.net/) a five-week teaching programme entitled ‘Parables For Baildon’ again took place in the New Year, studying the relevance of the Parables in relation to living today. A ‘Family Focus’ leaflet, updated seasonally, was produced listing all activities and events available at Baildon Methodist Church for children and young families. Events during the year included a harvest supper and entertainment, a Gilbert & Sullivan evening, a comedy night, a Church Anniversary social, Action For Children Christmas Fayre and concerts by Village Voices, Aire Valley Male Voice choir and Woodhouse Grove School. In the autumn, the Church hosted a visit by a group of young Palestinian dan
Post a Comment
Read more