Previous Reflections

Gracious God, as lockdown eases we acknowledge the anxiety and insecurity felt by many people this morning, particularly those who have been shielding, and for whom the opportunity to leave their homes is a very daunting prospect. May we as a community seek to support them through this time of transition. So too, we remember those young children, who will return to school for the first time this morning and walk into a school environment that is somewhat unfamiliar to them. We remember their teachers, endeavouring to reassure them and keep them safe and their parents making the decision whether or not to let their children return. We remember too the education authority and teachers in our local community,  still trying to discern when they feel will be the right time for their schools to reopen. And we acknowledge those who are continuing to nurture and educate the children of front line workers. God of love, we need Your assurance and Your strength to navigate through the days and weeks ahead. And we ask for wisdom for those in power as they steer us forward. As we celebrated the gift of Your Holy Spirit yesterday, on the day of Pentecost, we ask for the outpouring of Your Holy Spirit across our nation, to guide and to comfort and to assure us of Your presence, in every home, every school, every workplace. Lord God, in You we place our trust. Amen

Reading: Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 1 John 4.7
Reflection: What would the world be like if everybody loved each other? Imagine that! Of course love is difficult because our human nature, although capable of great love, is imperfect. Our selfishness keeps getting in the way.
I think that the evidence that we actually know God is the fact that we have the ability to love everyone unconditionally. All the commandments are fulfilled in this, that we would love one another. That’s it. God is asking us to love one another in our words and in our deeds. It’s not necessarily easy, let’s be honest! It is only possible with the Father’s love, Christ’s example and the Spirit’s power. And God teaches us to love as we pray. To pray is to love.
Prayer: Loving God, help me to know you more. Through knowing you, may I show you more and love as you love. Please show your love to my  friends – through me and others who love you.

Love is lived out. Love is not just a declaration. It is commitment in action. That God feels love for us is absolutely amazing. It is humbling. God is always patient and kind with us, seeking to shape our lives by love.
One thing that God can really challenge us on is whether our Christian lives show something different, which is worth living for. If there’s nothing that looks particularly necessary or attractive about being a Christian, then what’s the point? What if we went out of our way to try to demonstrate God to as many people as we could, not just in our prayers but in our actions and in our praise? What if we were loving people, full of God’s goodness, joy and grace? People would notice: they might not call it ‘God’ at the time, but there would be something special about us – our relationship with God. The fruit of that relationship is a loving nature.
Prayer: Loving God, thank you for the way you love us. Please help me by the power of your Holy Spirit to love as you love, so that  people may come to know you.

For the next 11 days our prayers have been written by Thelma Commey, Methodist Youth President 2019/2020, for the global prayer initiative ‘Thy Kingdom Come’.

Reflection:
John 3.16 is one of the best-known verses in the Bible because it emphasises God’s love for everyone. Jesus didn’t just love those who are easy to love, he loved the people who hated him, who despised him; he loved the people that others looked down on. He didn’t just love some people – he loved the whole world.
This speaks about the action that God took to show us love – it shows us how love is an active word. God loved us so much that God sent Jesus for us. Not because of anything that we did, not because we deserved it; but because God is a loving God. God’s love is selfless and sacrificial and shows us what we are worth. If God can love anyone, the least we can do is to do the same.
Prayer:
Loving God, thank you that you gave your Son, Jesus, for me and for all people. Help me accept the love that you showed me in sending your Son. I pray for my  friends. Please open their hearts to your love. And teach me to love more truly. Amen

In Psalm 107:29  we read, ‘He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed’.
God of Peace, whatever our emotions this week, whatever high or lows we may have experienced, we come before You this morning and ask for Your peace. Help us to hear Your still, small voice speaking to us today assuring us of Your presence with us. So too, we ask for peace for our family, our friends and our neighbours in whatever situation they find themselves this day. May You calm our thoughts and fill our hearts with the knowledge of Your infinite Grace and Love. Amen.

Gracious God, we come before you on V.E.Day. We may not be able to physically hold hands, but we pray that we will be united in Your Spirit. We pray for unity across the world as we continue to journey together. So too we pray for peace for all nations. The charity Christian Aid, whose work we will celebrate this Sunday,  tells us that Love never fails, Love unites us all, so God of love,  we pray for an outpouring of Your love in our world today. Amen.

Gracious God, we bring before You this morning all those who care for others, remember especially those caring for their loved ones at home, and who have lost their network of support during this health crisis. God of love, in their isolation, give them strength and assurance. And so too we pray for those being cared for who may be feeling anxious and confused with the change to their daily routine. Gracious God, we pray for Your presence in all our homes today. May we all find comfort and assurance in knowing that in You we find our strength.

You are Emmanuel, God With Us.

Amen

Gracious God, we realise that these are unprecedented times for the leaders of nations and those who seek to advise them. As our Government begin to consider the next steps forward to be taken, we pray for a discerning guidance and wisdom so that the decisions made will best support the complexity of this situation, which effects people in so many different ways. So too, we pray for all leaders across the world and a sense of unity and support across all nations. Gracious God, our lives have changed and the road ahead feels uncertain,  but you remain steadfast and sure and so we continue to put our trust in your great power and love. You are our Creator and we are your children. Be with us this day Lord, we pray, Amen.

Gracious God, we lift before you this morning, all those affected by the sad events unfolding in our care homes. We pray for families grieving the loss of loved ones. We pray especially for all staff committed to caring for others in such difficult circumstances and we give thanks for their compassion and selfless giving. We pray too for all those lovingly caring for others in their homes, be they family members or professional carers. We pray for an outpouring of Your love wherever people reside,  a  love that brings strength and courage and assurance to those who need it most this day. And so too Lord, we ask that you will  be with each and everyone of us throughout this day, and may we too feel the peace of your presence in our hearts, Amen.

God of Grace, we will keep silence this morning,  for all those Key Workers who have died on the front line, saving others. We are thankful for their skill and selfless giving, may they rest in the peace of your eternal presence.  But so too,  we acknowledge the sorrow  and the grief of their loved ones.  And so this morning, we ask you to comfort and heal our nation Lord, may your presence be felt and give courage, hope and strength in the days ahead. Amen.