The Lord of the dance - June 2016 prayer column

If you’re a dancer you may want to kick at the use of this analogy, but we’re reading a book (King’s Cross by Timothy Keller) which likens Christian faith to a dance. His point is that, whoever we are, we can’t always be at the centre of a dance: we must also circle round others. And that’s the nature of relationship. It’s also the nature of God – in three persons, in relationship, like a dance. A dance into which we are invited, and for which we were created, and in which alone we shall find full joy. Rebellion, which began in Eden, is insisting on God dancing round us: I must understand, or have, or do, or be – anything but walk in faith, or trip to the divine.

It made me wonder about prayer. In prayer we relate to God as we speak, and even more as we listen, and most of all if we trust and obey. But is our prayer like that – mine or yours? How much dancing with the Lord is there in our prayers, alone, or in church, or in our prayer meetings? Are we ever guilty of using prayer as a cover for getting what we want? Prayer may sound holy, but it isn’t if it’s selfish. Nor if we just crank the handle of intercession without pausing to ask God how we should pray for those we hold up before him (what we should be asking for) – not to mention listening for his call to move in sync with them as well as him – like helping, or healing, or encouraging, or listening, or praying for (much?) longer. In faith, with the Lord of the dance.

Roy LS

A prayer for each week

Lord God, who danced in the morning when the world was begun, please help us to dance in stewardship to the rhythm of your beat. Amen.

Lord God, who invites all to dance with you, following, following, please help us to abandon hindrance and step wherever you take us. Amen.

Lord God, whose dance spans all time and every day, with compassion for the lame, please help us to raise them to their feet in your name. Amen.

Lord God, who danced to the Father’s call even on that bleak Friday, leading to Easter Day gold, please help us also to trust and obey. Amen.

Your own prayers

Comments

Godly Ways 8-10 March 2013

Godly Ways CODEC and the Dales Biblical Literacy Project present: A weekend of Worship – Teaching – Workshops. WHEN : March 8th to 10th 2013 (Starts Friday evening) WHERE : Elm Ridge Methodist Church and Bondgate Methodist Church, Darlington and Ingleton Methodist Church SPEAKERS: Revd. Professor David Wilkinson is a Methodist minister and Principal of St. John’s College, Durham. Well-known as a writer, speaker and broadcaster, David has wide-ranging interests, although he is especially concerned about science and religion. Revd. Dr. Peter Phillips is a Methodist minister and Director of Codec, a research centre housed at St. John’s College, Durham. For many years, Pete served on the staff of Cliff College. He has a great interest in the New Testament and in communicating the faith in a digital age. Revd. Ron Willoughby is an ordained minister with the Southern Baptist Convention in the United States, now living in this cou...

HOPE Together & HOPE Revolution

Dear friends, You are personally invited to attend an exciting evening at Bradford Academy that we hope will bring people together from Bradford and Leeds to see how further Unity, Prayerful Worship and Missional Transformation can develop between the two cities. Back in July 2012, we saw over 50 young people, 12 leaders and several churches from across Bradford and Leeds join together in a 2 day pilot mission. We partnered with a local church in Bradford to share and witness to Christ's love in word and deed. In addition to this, we included young people in the conversation of ways in which to help connect both cities in the future. There are many people interested in exploring the potential of developing something on a larger scale, culminating in a week of mission across the two cities in 2014. Your attendances and input will help shape the way forward: We would like to invite you to an exciting evening of information about HOPE Together and the y...

Welcome Service for Rev Clare Davison 30 November 2013

There will be a Service of Welcome for the new Minister, Rev Clare Davison on Saturday 30 November 2013 at 4pm at Little Lane Church . A tea will be served immediately following the service. This is likely to be along the lines of a similar meal we held recently with hot meat sandwiches and buffet. For catering purposes will you please let us know if you would like to join us for the meal. Email: secretary@littlelanechurch.org.uk

Bradford North Circuit

Search This Blog