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February 2016 Prayer Column

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Going with the ebb and flow?
Feb.  Dawns come earlier.  Springtime promises.  The blessed annual cycle of the seasons.  To be recognised and welcomed, thankfully, before God – who else?  And, just as we know that the year has warmth and winter, seedtime and harvest, so similar seasons come upon our spirit lives: thus we can pray for eyes to see and lips to tell how great is God Almighty who may see fit to lead us through ebbs and flows of restraint and restoration, that all may be well with our soul.  Even in our frosts there is good cause to praise, while yet praying for a thaw.
There are other thankful cycles too: day and night, marking our living routines; sleeping and waking; rest and activity.  Though nights are sometimes fraught with worry, joy comes with the morning (Psalm 30:5).  We can pray to the Saviour for help in troubles: that they be solved; that we endure; and that we are victorious over all that would dent our faith.  But there’s something in that verse too about lifetimes, and each of us has only one of those, however long or short – but the Psalmist sings that God’s favour can cover it all.  So pray for his favour; and give praise for its lasting (indeed, its everlasting, as we now know through Jesus).
But of course there are some changes which if unchecked become trends, not cycles.  Water flows downhill, and so may our morals without the holy restraint of God’s laws.  No one need teach a child to sin for they learn that perfectly well by themselves, but goodness grows well in a field of loving discipline, enriched by watchful prayer, bearing fruit in its season.
Roy LS
A prayer for each week
Lord of the winter, sometimes making our leaves fall and buds dormant, please work in us your inner, deep transformation, ready for new growth.  Amen.

Lord of the spring, creating out of dark earth fresh shoots of rich promise, please generate in us good and glorious growth, pleasing in your sight. Amen.

Lord of the summer, of middle times and maturing competence, please enhance our rich diversity of flowering, with your full vernal wonder.  Amen.

Lord of the autumn, of fruity colour and of prolific harvests, please store up in us all the reserves we need for whatever winters you plan for us.  Amen.

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