Skip to main content

Prayer Column - May 2021

Image
By

Only if...

Photo by berenice martinez on Unsplash
The conditional ‘if’ is a big part of our lives:
· If you’re good all afternoon you can have an ice cream
· If you finish the marathon you’ll get a medal and a T-shirt

Effort is rewarded, but effort is essential to get the reward! Obvious, but not always popular: the naughty child screams for the ice cream anyway; levelling lobbies want everyone to get a prize, even for just starting.

So perhaps it’s not surprising that we rejoice in all the benefits that God promises, but sometimes tend to overlook the ‘if’ bits, such as in:
· (Jesus will) present us holy and blameless and above reproach before God, if indeed we continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that we have heard (Col 1:22-23).
· You are my friends if you do what I command you (Jn 15:14).

Sometimes the ‘if’ is implied, as in:
· The one who endures to the end will be saved (Mk 13:12-13).

The rewards of ‘enduring to the end’ are vast and glorious, but the Christian road is demanding and calls for serious commitment. However, remember that we are not alone: we have the Holy Spirit’s help and guidance anytime and always by prayer; we have each other for mutual encouragement as we all go through the mill; and we can be strengthened by praying for each other on the way.

Roy Lorrain-Smith

A prayer for each week

Dear Lord, I praise you for calling me to faith, but please help me now: I get tired, I get tempted. I need to sense your presence, urging me on. Amen.

Dear Lord, it all seemed so plain: I believed, and I promised to follow. But now it’s not so obvious. Many argue against – please convince me afresh. Amen.

Dear Lord, the world declares that I am wrong to believe all you did and all you taught. Please give me courage to hold my faith firm to the end. Amen.

Dear Lord, ‘Count the cost,’ you said, and now I see why! I do still believe, but I feel I’ve hit a brick wall. Please can you show me the way through. Amen.

Dear Lord, thank you so very much for others in the faith I know. I am so cheered by their example. Please help me to encourage others likewise. 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

Children’s Ministry Enabler - Vacancy

By
Bradford North Circuit is advertising for the 2 nd time their need of a Children’s Ministry Enabler v   Hours of working 37per week, on a 3-year fixed contract. v   Salary in the region of £19,000-£20,000 p.a., dependent on  qualifications and experience. v   The post holder will work individually and in partnership with  churches in the Circuit to evaluate and support existing work  with children and to investigate opportunities for new work. v   DBS certificate will be required. If you are interested in more details Please request an Application pack by emailing: recruitment@bradfordnorth.org.uk for the attention of Mrs. Lynne Keating Deadline for receipt of completed Application Forms: 12 noon on Wednesday 5 th November 2014 It is a genuine occupational requirement that the post holder is a Christian
Post a Comment
Read more