Skip to main content

January 2015 Prayer Column - Treasures old and new

Image
By
‘Every scribe that has been trained for the kingdom of God,’ said Jesus, ‘is like a master of a house, who brings out of his house what is new and what is old’ (Mt 13:52).  Come January, then, what do we want that’s new without losing those old treasures we should keep for ever?

There’s new clothing of Christ to replace the old, worn-out rags of our former conduct: compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience, not forgetting mutual forbearance (Col 3:12ff).  New clothes may feel a bit stiff to start with, but with a bit of wear we soon fit them – and they offer a warmth that the old ones never did.  Clear out the old wardrobe.

Then there’s a new sense of purpose which comes from understanding the will of the Lord, shedding the folly of self-determination, which leads only to self-destruction (Eph 5:15ff).  New too is the world we wait for with such hope (never outdated), i.e., this one which the Lord is even now making new and righteous through our obedience of faith: following him trustingly, whether or not we fully understand (Ro 16:25ff; 1 Pe 3:13).

That mention of following brings me to the old that is never to be abandoned: the way of the Lord – the ancient or everlasting way that so many stray away from, deceived by false signposts.  The Psalmist had the right prayer for this change of year (or any other time):  Search me, O God, and know my heart!     Try me and know my thoughts!   And see if there be any grievous way in me,  and lead me in the way everlasting.  (Ps 139:23f; cf. Jer 6:16)

Roy Lorrain-Smith

A prayer for each week  

Guardian Lord, who oversees our lives during all times and stages, please give us confidence to face the future, whatever in may be, trusting Jesus.  Amen.

Guiding Lord, who sees the destination as well as the signposts, please direct all our steps on the way – along your path, with you and to you.  Amen.

Gracious Lord, who came to earth in Jesus to seek and save the strayed, please call us back from our many follies, to worship and work with you.  Amen.

Great and mighty Lord, Creator of all, Rescuer of all, and Mender of all, please change our clothes, renew our focus, and make us more like Jesus.  Amen.
 
Your own prayers
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Circuit Talents Challenge

By
"For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money ..." Matthew 25:14-30 Why don't you take up the Circuit Talents Challenge by taking a £5 note and making it grow for the Circuit? More details ...
Post a Comment
Read more

The wind among the trees

By
I sat among the trees once. And a wind was blowing. Quite a strong wind; I could hear it in the trees –   rushing, rushing. A lovely sound, soothing to my ears. I stopped what I was writing and began to listen. I remembered that Jesus said that the Holy Spirit was like   the wind. You could hear it; see its effect. But you couldn’t see the wind itself. You couldn’t see   where it was coming from, nor going to. And I wondered, “Are you showing me something about your Spirit, Lord?” So I sat, and I listened, and I watched. They were big, old trees where I sat. Tall they were, in an ancient wood, well-branched,  shapely. Beech, grey bark against the clear blue of the sky. And leaves: they were leaves that knew the wind;   leaves that let the wind know them. They looked, like beach leaves look in a wind: full of life –   and with a certain beauty all their own. I watched the great crowns of those great trees. I watched the branches sway and the ...
Post a Comment
Read more

For such times as these! - A good news story from Windhill!

By
For such times as these! (Esther 14:14) On June 1st James Stannet (from e:merge , a Christian Youth organisation) began his youth work for Christchurch LEP in Windhill. He says, "Well! June has been a really busy but very productive month. On Wednesday, in the park, numbers are climbing week by week, now averaging 25. Good partnerships have been made with local organisations. this has been a blessing: enabling us to deliver varied sport activities and build good relationships.' 'The Hope Revolution, youth event, based at Christchurch LEP was a massive hit. A BIG Thank you is expressed to the Church for the support, encouragement and prayers. 200 people attended the Fun Day. Despite the rainy weather, 100 young people took part in local projects: two house clear-ups, school garden project (Windhill Primary) and running the Fun Day. 10 Christian Organisations working together resulting in several families requesting Christian children's activities.' ...
Post a Comment
Read more