Skip to main content

September 2014 Prayer Column

Image
By
Choppy seas

How lovely it is to sail through life on calm waters, with a following breeze, in good health, well fed and supplied, surrounded by sunshine in pleasant company.  So lovely that we can be lulled into thinking it the norm, and our well-merited right.  Then we can easily feel ill done by when life shows itself in its true colours: disturbances, delays, disruptions, disagreements, disappointments, diversions and dead ends, in all our careful plans and purchases.  Shrilly we protest: How dare they!  

But plain sailing is not the norm, not this side of eternity.  Jesus warned us: in this world we shall have tribulation (Jn 16:33).  And though he goes on at once to reassure: I have overcome the world, he certainly did not mean we’d never have contrary winds or tempestuous circumstances.  Rather, he leads us through them – safely, if not always comfortably.  His reassurance speaks of two things, both essential for our praying.
  1. Hope.  The risen, ascended Jesus IS Lord of all, and IS working out his salvation, for us and the whole creation.  Such promise!
  2. Peace.  Meanwhile, he bequeaths us his peace in the midst of seas too choppy to navigate on our own (Jn 14:27).  Peace beyond understanding.  Peace to rule and guide.  Keep in contact! 

So, as well as trusting prayers for help in all our difficulties, gratitude and praise are in order, as we remain unshifting in our course like a fully stabilised ocean-going liner, although it may sometimes feel more like we’re in a coracle, unable to see over the wave tops.

Roy Lorrain-Smith

A prayer for each week

Lord, who stilled the storm which threatened to sink the boat, rebuking the uppity wind, please bring your calm to our lives now, and to those we name before you.  Amen.

Lord, who walked the waves on a stormy night to be with your disciples in contrary headwinds, please come to us tonight, and give us your peace in our difficulties.  Amen.

Lord, who answered the needs of all whom you met, feeding the hungry and healing the ailing, please meet our problems now: sort them out or see us through.  Amen.

Lord, who opened blind eyes, liberated from chains, and strengthened lame limbs, please repair us: bless us, that we may follow the paths you have chosen for us.  Amen.

Your own prayers


Labels

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

May message from the Ministry Team

By
Dear friends One of the ‘deep wells’ that replenishes my spirituality is the practice of ‘Lectio Divina’ which is an ancient method for praying with the Bible. It literally means ‘divine reading’, or ‘reading in a godly kind of way’. We rush about so much these days and practising the discipline of a slower reading of the Bible to allow it to speak to us is an integral aspect of Lectio Divina. If you want to try it yourself, read slowly a short passage of text that you have decided upon in advance, letting your awareness rest in turn upon each word. As you read, be alert for any particular word or phrase that draws your attention in a special way. Then meditate on this word or phrase, allowing it to engage you fully. Does the word connect with some aspect of your own experience? As you hold this in your heart, let yourself become aware of any answering words, images, or memories that arise in you. Then finally respond through prayer to the word you have heard, simply and directl...
Post a Comment
Read more