Skip to main content

Prayer Column - October 2020

Image
By

Could do better

The two little boys next door have taken to calling us Joy and Rean, despite repeated parental correction. We hear their shrill voices calling to us over the garden wall or when we meet in the street. Though we’re not sure which of us is Joy and which is Rean, we stand not upon the order of our naming but give them our attention. Contact is made.

Likewise, I don’t think it matters much if we get a bit mixed up with our name for God when we pray. Most prayers in the Bible are addressed to God, but some are to Jesus, and though few if any are directed to the Holy Spirit, he certainly wants to speak to us: teaching and guiding us about what to do and where to go, and with whom. Moreover, when we call out to God, by any of the names given to him in Scripture (and there are many, reflecting different aspects of his nature – though the NT special, always preferred by Jesus, is still ‘Father’: as in, When you pray, say, Our Father who art in heaven...), by whatever name we use he is not going to be stuffy about it. He listens. Contact is made, and there is communication.

Sometimes the little boys next door have no time to listen to us because either or both of them won’t stop talking themselves, so conversation can be a bit one-sided. It’s a lot better than nothing, but I do wonder if some of our prayer time is like that. And, like the old school report, we could do better. Listening better so we can do better.

Roy Lorrain-Smith 

A prayer for each week

Almighty God, with whom nothing is impossible in the working of your great plan to restore all creation, please give us faith to work with you, whatever you call us to do. Amen.

Heavenly Father, commanding yet compassionate, loving enough to discipline your children through Jesus your Son, please fill us with your Holy Spirit that we may honour you. Amen.

Most High God, above all other rival claimants to power in our lives, please help us to worship you – in words of praise, but also in lives of willing and thankful obedience. Amen.

Lord Jesus, we worship you as our Rescuer and Leader, taking us back to God. Please help us abide in you as your words abide in us, and in our lives bear fruit that glorifies him. Amen.

Your own prayers
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

A year in the life of Baildon Methodist Church

By
The snippets below are taken from Baildon Methodist Church report to the Charity Commissioners for the year ending August 2017. Church membership increased to 187 by the end of the year. As a further development of the Jesus Shaped People programme, which we found so inspiring, (https://www.jesusshapedpeople.net/) a five-week teaching programme entitled ‘Parables For Baildon’ again took place in the New Year, studying the relevance of the Parables in relation to living today. A ‘Family Focus’ leaflet, updated seasonally, was produced listing all activities and events available at Baildon Methodist Church for children and young families. Events during the year included a harvest supper and entertainment, a Gilbert & Sullivan evening, a comedy night, a Church Anniversary social, Action For Children Christmas Fayre and concerts by Village Voices, Aire Valley Male Voice choir and Woodhouse Grove School. In the autumn, the Church hosted a visit by a group of young Palestinian dan
Post a Comment
Read more

Methodist Women in Britain

By
Ladies of the Bradford North Circuit, welcome to an introduction to MWiB! Methodist Women in Britain is a movement within the Methodist Church, which seeks to resource individual women and women's groups in a variety of ways. It came into being in July 2011, formed through the coming together of Women's Network and other women's meetings within Methodism. MWiB is more than a meeting. Many women may feel that it is not for them, because they do not already attend a women's meeting. The movement is there for ALL women in Methodism. There are opportunities for meetings within circuits, and at District and Connexional levels, which are all held on a regular basis. MWiB seeks to offer a broader menu for women today. There are many opportunities to meet locally, nationally and internationally. Resources are available for individuals to use at home, at work or within their families. MWiB is very active nationally; details of events can be found in the Methodist R
Post a Comment
Read more