Skip to main content

Prayer Column - June 2021

Image
By

A kingdom of priests?

According to Peter, in Jesus we are a royal priesthood (1 Pe 2:9), and the words are echoed twice in Revelation (1:6; 5:10), drawing on a promise to the Israelites as they were being given the ten commandments (Ex 19:6). It’s even implied in the making of humanity as the image of God and stewards of his creation, marred when they rebelled (Gen 1:26-31; 3:1ff). What does it mean to be a royal priesthood? As his image humans were to represent God. And as we love God, so we love his world. We treat it as God would, and raise its problems to him in prayer for healing.

Our dealings with God are largely spiritual (prayer; heeding his word), but must also affect the way we live. Likewise, material problems on earth have spiritual elements too – hence the need for being a priesthood in our stewardship. Lest we forget this, the Old Testament is replete with references to the

disobedience of God’s people harming the world, and the whole Bible looks forward to a time when, through Jesus’ spiritual salvation and Lordship, all will be physically well on earth once more, and for ever: no more discord (Is 65:17ff; Ro 8:18-25; Rev 21:1ff).

We are called to pray for progress at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 26) in November, and also to change the way we live, to help the environment. Both the spiritual and the physical are right. Both are part of our priestly stewardship through Jesus. He came to save the whole world, starting with humans, and we are his friends if we do what he tells us. Indeed, how can we call him our Lord if we don’t? (Lk 6:46; Jn 15:14). We need prayer for our own obedience too, if nature is to thrive. 

Roy Lorrain-Smith

A prayer for each week

Creator and Re-creator Lord, saving your world beginning with us as stewards, please so change us (and me) that we may play our part in your kingdom of healing. Amen.

Creating and Re-creating Lord, endlessly inventive and rich in everlasting promises, please fill me with confident hope in your plan to save the world through Jesus. Amen.

Creating and Re-creating Lord, complete in yourself and perfect in all you do, please transform me by the renewing of my understanding of Jesus as our Saviour and Lord. Amen.

Creator and Re-creator Lord, who came here in human form to show us how to live and to make it possible, please lead in the way we should go, in step with the Spirit. Amen.

Your own prayers

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

For such times as these! - A good news story from Windhill!

By
For such times as these! (Esther 14:14) On June 1st James Stannet (from e:merge , a Christian Youth organisation) began his youth work for Christchurch LEP in Windhill. He says, "Well! June has been a really busy but very productive month. On Wednesday, in the park, numbers are climbing week by week, now averaging 25. Good partnerships have been made with local organisations. this has been a blessing: enabling us to deliver varied sport activities and build good relationships.' 'The Hope Revolution, youth event, based at Christchurch LEP was a massive hit. A BIG Thank you is expressed to the Church for the support, encouragement and prayers. 200 people attended the Fun Day. Despite the rainy weather, 100 young people took part in local projects: two house clear-ups, school garden project (Windhill Primary) and running the Fun Day. 10 Christian Organisations working together resulting in several families requesting Christian children's activities.' ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Circuit Talents Challenge

By
"For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money ..." Matthew 25:14-30 Why don't you take up the Circuit Talents Challenge by taking a £5 note and making it grow for the Circuit? More details ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Youth and Children - time to Get Set

By
With youth and children on your mind for the 2012 Games, here's three ways to be to be at your best. 1. Sign up for the Youth and Children workshops at Get Set - the day for churches to get ready for the Games. Youth and Children are both among the 11 workshops at our 'Get Set' days throughout the UK. At the ' reach and minister to young people' workshop you will discover: Custom-made resources for school ministry How to engage with those beyond the church through a youth café How sport can play a strategic role in youth At the 'reach and minister to children' workshop you will discover: Custom-made resources for the summer of 2012 and beyond Simple ways to add va-va-voom to reaching children Engaging children in ministry to their friends The vital do's and don'ts when developing a team But don't come alone . The workshop choice will give your church new ideas, strategies, skills and resources to help them well beyo...
Post a Comment
Read more