July 2014 Prayer Column

Prayer and trafficking

In prayer (as in all discipleship) we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the ‘powers of darkness’ led by the devil (Eph 6:11-12). He always deceives to destroy (John 8:44), and we can use this knowledge in our praying. Take human trafficking, for example:

Deception: ●Riches are used as a lure, offering a better way of life (we’ve been similarly hoodwinked for a long time) but you can’t serve God and money (Mt 6:24). ●There’s often corruption of officialdom by bribery. ●Blatant lies are told to victims, and probably to ‘customers’ – ●who’re duped to see sex as a god of satisfaction, ●and who’re obviously cheating on their wives, to whom they have made marriage vows. Marriage is a gift of God, to be honoured (Gen 1:24; Mt 19:15; Heb 13:4). ●You may be able to add other points.

Destruction: ●Prostitution is doing for money what should be done for love, and the commercialisation of sex is degrading. ●Money is being used to humiliate the poor, when it should be used to help. ●Sexual immorality is against God’s law, and distorts gender relationships. ●It is wrong for one gender to oppress the other , ●especially when force is used, leading to enslavement . Human rights are denied and life is made less. ●Disease often ensues, and then spreads by further contact – far afield. ●From disease comes death by degrees, and destruction is completed. ●You may be able to add other stages in the process.

Each of these is a prayer point, for claiming the Lordship of Jesus.

Roy

A prayer for each week

Lord of Truth, please help us to see the truth, to tell the truth, and live the truth – and please expose the lies of those involved in human trafficking. Amen.

Lord of Fidelity, faithful to your word, please show us the truth in Jesus; and pour weedkiller on all the harmful false gods invading your garden. Amen.

Lord of Life, lavish in your blessing, please help us to honour your gifting. Please also defeat the schemes of those who undermine marriage by lies. Amen.

Lord of Resurrection, able to save from the depths and restore, please lift our lives; and bless rescue workers helping the victims of trafficking. Amen.

Your own prayers

Comments

Christmas Day Worship 2021

Today is the day - Christmas! The central candle is lit. The waiting is over. The child is born. As we celebrate the Feast and Holy-Day of Christmas, with the Psalmist (Ps. 98:4-6) we proclaim: Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn – shout for joy before the LORD, the King. Prayer Let us pray: Generous God, even as we praise you for the good news of today, and seek to shout for joy at the coming of the Christ-child, we acknowledge Mary’s mix of pain and joy, both today and in the days to come. As we do so, we face our own emotions on this difficult and delightful day, and ask your help to live it well. Amen. Carol You might like to sing, or reflect on the words of Geoffrey Ainger’s hymn at StF 193/H&P 95, Born in the night, Mary’s child, a long way from your home; coming in need, Mary’s child, born in a borro...

Virtual Worship - Christmas worship

Welcome Welcome to this service for Christmas Time. We hope that this act of worship will help you to celebrate the good news of Christmas. Call to worship I bring you Good News of great joy, for a Saviour has been born to you. For unto us a child is born, a son is given, Alleluia. Carol Prayer Gift giving God, how mighty you are. How wondrous the gift you have given. Foretold and promised now born among us How blessed we are. Born to redeem us, to rescue and keep us. How blessed we are. Born to transform and to take us to glory. How blessed we are. Born out of love, born to give love How blessed we are. O God incarnate gow blessed we are by your extraordinary being. God gives to us His son and to those who seek it, forgiveness of their sins Go and share the gift, show the love and know the peace that God gives Amen. Prayer of confession Generous, overwhelming God In the excitement and joy of this day We take a moment to reflect and...

Pastoral Letter - 9 December 2021

Dear friends We have been through a lot together over this last 18 months since the pandemic first started, as households, as communities and as the people of the church. At times we have struggled, but we have also recognised the support we can offer one another in times of adversity. When things have been far from normal, we have adapted in new ways to continue the life and mission of the church. In the face of great hurt and great need, we have found the value of faith and hope. Since the summer we have seen signs of hope in the re-opening of buildings and the re-starting of some of our church and community groups. However, recent news of a new variant of the virus has once again raised the level of concern. Clearly, the pandemic is not yet over. Consequently, as I am sure you are already aware, the government has decided that there is a need for greater restrictions to be in place once again - see detailed guidance dated 8th December. In the light of this, the Methodist Church...

Bradford North Circuit

Search This Blog