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

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

July 2014 Prayer Column

By
Prayer and trafficking In prayer (as in all discipleship) we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the ‘powers of darkness’ led by the devil (Eph 6:11-12).  He always deceives to destroy (John 8:44), and we can use this knowledge in our praying.  Take human trafficking, for example: Deception :  ●Riches are used as a lure, offering a better way of life (we’ve been similarly hoodwinked for a long time) but you can’t serve God and money (Mt 6:24).  ●There’s often corruption of officialdom by bribery.  ●Blatant lies are told to victims, and probably to ‘customers’ – ●who’re duped to  see sex as a god of satisfaction, ●and who’re obviously cheating on their wives, to whom they have made marriage vows.  Marriage is a gift of God, to be honoured (Gen 1:24; Mt 19:15; Heb 13:4).  ●You may be able to add other points. Destruction :  ●Prostitution is doing for money what should be done for love, and the commercialisation of sex ...
Post a Comment
Read more

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