Skip to main content

Prayer column - January 2021

Image
By

Just when you thought it was safe to go back...

A lower R number, easing restrictions, vaccine(s) rolling out, surely a little light at the end of our long dark tunnel... and then a new rampant c-v strain, and the portcullis slams down once more.  Hopes dashed, plans ruined, livelihoods threatened or axed.  For how long, how long...?

But that question “How long?” rings a Bible bell.  Haven’t we heard it in the Psalms, from people going through the wringer in their day?  Yes, I checked, and it’s at least fourteen times (eg, Ps 13), and for good measure once also in Revelation from martyrs awaiting God’s justice (6:10) – all addressed to God in heartfelt longing, just like us.

And yet, even asking that question of God (or shouting it at him in protest) indicates some sort of trust: that he is there, and can be approached; that he does know our condition, and our future; and that he can act, however trying his timescale.  And from that realisation flows a sort of peace, because it dawns on us that the tagline “Just when you thought it was safe” is deceptively deficient.  Because once we are in God’s hands we are always safe, eternally safe, beyond-death safe, safe whatever befalls us.  Didn’t Jesus himself say so? “... some of you will be put to death... but not a hair of your head will perish.  By your endurance you will gain your lives.” (Lk 21:16-19).  So think eternal, but don’t try to endure alone, for he has also promised to be with us always when we pray, right to the end of the age (Mt 18:20; 28:20).   So the “How long?” prayer is not a bad place to start.

Roy Lorrain-Smith 

A prayer for each week

How long, O lord, how long?  Will this virus ravage us and our systems for ever and you do not act?  Save us, O Lord, save us in this time of trial, both worldwide and personal.  Amen. 

How long, O Lord?  And yet do we not see your hand in government responses, national and regional.  Please bless our leaders and advisors with wisdom and competence.  Amen. 

How long, O lord?  And yet do we not see your hand in the miraculous tithing of the timescale to produce vaccines?  Please bless our scientists with insight and commitment.  Amen. 

How long, O Lord?  And yet do we not see your hand in the commitment of our health workers.  Please continue to bless them and their managers with strength and compassion.  Amen. 

How long, O Lord?  And yet do we not see your hand in greater openness as we greet and chat more.  Please bless us ¬with concern and endurance in all our necessary distancing.  Amen.

Your own prayers

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Virtual Worship - 13 February 2022

By
Welcome to worship with the Bradford North Methodist Circuit this morning. This service will be shared this morning by Rev Nick Blundell and the members and friends at Bolton Methodist Church. Service Sheet   (pdf) Call to worship We are blessed to be here today. We are blessed to be together today. We are blessed to be a family. We are blessed that God is with us. Let us enjoy God’s blessing as we worship today. Lord, thank you that we are blessed. Help us to recognise all that you have given to us. We pray that not only will we reflect on your blessings we will also seek to be a blessing to others, with your help and in your name. Amen. Hymn You might like to sing, or reflect on David J Evans’ hymn at Singing the Faith 20, Be still. for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One, is here. Prayers Father, we worship and adore you for the light you bring to this dreary time of year, when we long for spring. Thank you for the blessing of every shoot and bud, the reminders of your...
Post a Comment
Read more

April 2014 Prayer Column

By
Prayer for Bradford City and Surrounds What are we all doing for our contribution for the p4b Lenten prayer, on your chosen day – Monday or Tuesday 14-15 th April ? Here are some ideas Get a picture of the place, or the bit that matters most to you: ·          Look at a map: see where you are, and your neighbouring areas ·          Collect some photos: places, faces, events, memories ·          Stand at a viewpoint over the area you want to focus on ·          Take a walk through the area, or a bus, or even drive Listen to what’s going on in the area: ·          Scan the T&A or freebie local paper, Look North, Calendar, radio ·          Listen to what they’re saying  at bus stops, shop queues, etc. ·  ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Virtual Worship - 6 February 2022

By
Service Sheet (pdf) Welcome to worship wherever you are in the Circuit, come and join i n with the people of Allerton as we gather to worship God together. In a pretty setting opposite Ladywood Park, overlooking green space and its own graveyard, the congregation gathers from the surrounding area, a mix of faces, cultures and traditions, coming together to worship God. Call to worship: Come and worship the Lord: Cry, Holy, holy, holy! Come and praise the name of our God: The whole earth is full of his glory! Song We begin with HP 9/StF 55 Immortal, invisible, God only wise, praising God in his glory. Prayers We worship you, God of all: high above us, your glory more than we could bear to see. You have formed and shaped our world; and we look up and see the grandeur of the mountains, the power of the seas, the distant stars, the long-lived trees, and we marvel. Yet your love is also poured out upon the lowliest of creatures, insects that live but a day, sea creatures never seen by hum...
Post a Comment
Read more