Skip to main content

Prayer column for March 2014

Image
By
Expecting the unexpected


You may not have heard of Charlestown Meadows – fields by Buck Lane on the lower edge of Baildon about to be built on – unless you’re an avid reader of the Telegraph & Argus.  It’s council-owned land, and they are putting in infrastructure in the expectation, or hope, of attracting private enterprise.  So it did, early on, in the guise of travellers’ caravans, but they can’t have filled in the right forms and were turfed out, leaving behind them the usual jetsam of their presence, including, to my surprise, a towelling dressing gown which still graces the approach road to the site.  It caught my eye and I did a rough and hasty sketch of it one afternoon.

Why?  And what’s this got to do with prayer anyway?  Well the ‘why’ is simply that it caught my eye and seemed bizarre enough to note.  And the prayer connection is that it occurred to me afterwards that we don’t do enough if it – I mean we don’t do enough of noting the bizarre, the unexpected, the unusual, especially in unlikely and out-of-the-way places.  Because that’s where and how God often seems to choose to work in response to our prayers.  So we may miss his answers and toss them aside as insignificant flotsam if we’re not watchful.  Perhaps I should have done a more careful drawing.

Roy Lorrain-Smith

A prayer for each week

Lord of the obscure, as well as the under-your-nose obvious, please open our eyes to see what you are doing in Bradford North, that we may support your work and glorify your name, through Jesus.  Amen.

Lord of jobs, and fields, and industry, and prosperity and harvest, who loves to give richly through earth’s bounty, please may we respond to your generosity with thankfulness, and work wisely with it.  Amen.

Lord of the unexpected and surprising, calling unlikely people in out-of-the-way places into your service, please help us to discern your hand and support your work, as you lead, through Jesus our Lord.  Amen.

Lord of the moment, whose Spirit moves mysteriously, now pointing to this or prompting that, please awaken us to his blessed nudging, open us to his fresh hope , and arouse us to eager obedience.  Amen.

Lord of all life’s jetsam and flotsam, which to us may seem but worthless waste, please work your miracle of recovery on our rejects and wreckage, that our failures may become a fanfare of your glory.  Amen.

Your own prayers


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Share the joy of Christmas with older people

By
The most important Christmas Card you’ll send this year Methodist Homes (MHA) are asking YOUR CHURCH to share the joy of Christmas with older people this year.  Could you take the time to write just one extra Christmas card which will be passed to an older person cared for by MHA?  To take part, please refer to the further  details and an order form . Instructions of how to take part, as well as special Christmas cards designed by an MHA resident for your church members to write their own messages of goodwill and friendship, are included in the Christmas Friendship Appeal pack. “May I express my gratitude for your lovely idea of asking folk (including children) to send Christmas cards. We appreciate the warmth and concern of the whole idea.”  MHA Resident
Post a Comment
Read more

Bradford Ukelele Group ‘Splinters’

By
I had heard from a friend who had seen them that this ukulele group might be suitable to entertain our Luncheon Club at St Andrew’s. Arrangements were made for them to come but, unfortunately, due to a heavy snowfall, we had to cancel their visit. We decided to invite them again, through the Ladies Fellowship and open it up to all who wanted to attend an evening concert. Tickets were sold, help pledged and cakes promised, as we were assured that cake helped the musicians to perform at their best! They were such a lovely, friendly group of people and we just sensed that we were going to enjoy a really good night. Some 50 people turned up to support, which helped to create a great atmosphere. We were given songbooks (and percussion instruments!) so that we could join in and also make requests for our favourite songs from their list. It was such an uplifting, joyful, fun evening with songs old and new, many bringing memories from the not-too-distant past. Everyone put aside...
Post a Comment
Read more

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