Skip to main content

Prayer Column - January 2022

Image
By

The turn of the year

As a new year approaches we tend to wonder what lies ahead, hoping always to shake off the past’s bad record and for something better to come, as if hoping could make it so. We wonder about next year because of course we don’t know what lies around the corner (however great the store of human knowledge, and however thorough our Googling). Search as we may, and it’s a royal honour to do so (Prov 25:2), some things are known only to God: times and seasons fixed by his authority are not for us to know (Acts 1:7), for the future is his.

This is a time to remind ourselves of God’s omniscience: he does know (Rom 11:33). He knows the plans he has for us – plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us a hope and a future (Jer 29:11). And it’s time to remember also that God is not far-off and aloof, but a loving, heavenly Father who wants a close living relationship with each of us, day by day and breath by breath – he sent Jesus to bring us back to him. So we can put our hand in his and be led and guided into and through the future that is unknown only to us – to a place and a time where with him all shall be well, for ever.

So today, as long as it is called ‘today’, seek the Lord and get to know him as loving Parent. Read his word to us (the Bible) and let it read us, for it is living and active, inwardly searching thoughts and intentions, and deeply revealing (Heb 4:12-13). And as we pray, share with him our thoughts and fears, our praise and hopes – in words, or just incoherent feelings, for he understands. But also listen, for there is much he wants to say to us: as he leads and guides, challenges and corrects, promises and reassures.

Roy Lorrain-Smith

A prayer for each week

Dear Lord – such uncertain times! But its only us that don’t know. So please, Lord, lead us safely through the year ahead, whatever your plan. Amen.

Dear Lord – such threatening times! But the victory is always yours, and through Jesus can be ours too. Please give us faith to trust and obey. Amen.

Dear Lord – such unstable times! But though nations may seethe and rage and totter on the brink, please give us inner peace, through Jesus. Amen.

Dear Lord – such wayward times! But though many cast your guidelines aside, please help us trust in your word as the only secure foundation. Amen.

Dear Lord – such hopeless times! But despair creeps in when we’re deaf to your word. Please open our ears and hearts to your glorious future. 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

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

Christmas at Thackley

By
Our Christmas activities started in early November collecting donations for Christmas hampers for Bradford North Foodbank. Our Christmas Fair swiftly followed on a very chilly late November morning with the first snow of winter! The Fair raised over £600 and we are grateful to Monday Mums for serving refreshments, to the Ladies Group for their yummy cake stall, to the Brownies for their chocolate tombola, the Guides for their tombola and for making lip balm and to everyone else at Team TMC for the many varied ways in which they contri buted to the success of the morning. For several years we have shared one big Christmas card and given the money we would usually spend on cards to charity. The charity is Caring for Life which changes lives by sharing Jesus' love with the vulnerable; if you've not visited their wonderful coffee shop, make it a New Y ear's resolution to do so - http://www.caringforlife.co.uk/ . This year's fabulous Chr...
Post a Comment
Read more