Beauty surrounds us, but we usually need to be walking in a garden to know it - Rumi
In these dark days .when coronavirus is still causing havoc across so much of the world, where there is so much sadness, pain and anguish, it is perhaps understandable to ask "Where is God in all this?" After nearly forty years wandering in the desert, often going without food or water and still not reaching the Promised Land, the Israelites must have felt exactly that. "Where is God?" Towards the end of his life Moses gave the people this assurance: 'The Lord himself goes at your head; he will be with you; he will not let you down or forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged' Deuteronomy 31:8 RSV. We too can hold firm to that assurance; God will never let us down or forsake us. He will always be with us. For that assurance I thank God.
My Intercessions for last Sunday took the Lectionary readings as a basis, since they speak of our faith in God who will never let us down. . I reproduce them here in the hope that you will find comfort in them. God is faithful to us through all the storms of life, yet our faith in God is so very small Faithful God, we thank you that our churches are opening so that we may worship you together in communion and share the Eucharist once more. Hear our prayer for those of our family who are unable to join us here at present. We bring before you too, all those who are persecuted for their beliefs and may not pray openly. Strengthen Peter and John our bishops, Michael, Graham and Peter our Priests, and all your Church in the service of Christ, that we who confess your name may be united in faith, live together in love, and reveal your glory to the world. Lord in your mercy Faithful God, the world is a stormy place, racked not only by the coronavirus pandemic but also by hatred and violence, confusion and bewilderment, restlessness and fear. As your Son stilled the storm, so we pray that your calming and reassuring presence may be sensed, bringing peace and goodness, righteousness and hope. Lord in your mercy Faithful God, sometimes in the storms of life we let each other down, we mishandle opportunities and come to the end of our strength or patience. Bless us with your love that will never let us down. Give grace to us, our families and friends that we may serve Christ in one another and love as He loves us. Lord in your mercy Faithful God, we bring to you those who are suffering in mind, body or spirit. We remember especially those facing long and incurable illness; those cast down by the cares and sorrows of daily life. In your mercy maintain their courage, lift their burdens and renew their faith, that they may find in you their strength, their comfort and their peace. Lord in your mercy Faithful God, we place in your loving keeping all those who have died, knowing their dependence on you and your limitless mercy. We thank you for them and their gifts to the world, and ask that we may in our turn come across the waters of death to meet you and live in your company for ever. On another topic my friend Lauren offers a Sonnet for the Feast of the Transfiguration which can be found on Malcolm Guite's website: https://malcomguite.wordpress.com/2020/08/06/a-sonnet-for-the-feast-of-the-transfiguration-6/ Do have a look at this beautiful sonnet, it is well worth it. May God walk with you and bless you all.
1 Comment
Steve Givens
14/8/2020 02:10:39 pm
Beautiful, spirit-filled prayers!
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AuthorI am an Authorised Local Preacher in an Anglo Catholic parish church, in the Diocese of Essex UK Archives
February 2022
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