May I suggest you simply spend time holding or focusing on a cross – maybe your Palm Sunday Cross, and remembering our Lord’s death and resurrection.

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Spring – the time for sowing and planting – and it’s nearly here!

The Bible contains many references to plants. Jesus described himself as the vine; Hosea wrote about ploughing the soil prior to planting. In Psalm 1 we read, “He (a man who follows God), is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.”

Perhaps as you choose and sow your seeds, in the place you have prepared, and water them and watch them grow, until you can harvest the crop, or enjoy the flowers, you may consider your spiritual life, and include the thoughts in your prayer time. 

• How have you prepared yourself to receive God’s word? 
• What choices have you made? 
• What could you do to nurture God’s life within you? 

At the same time, we need to remember and pray for those who struggle with these matters, and, on a much more practical note, to pray for farmers everywhere as they work to produce food: this is a Coptic prayer from Egypt printed in the Christian Aid Prayer Diary:

Bless, O Lord, the plants, the vegetation and the herbs of the field,
that they may grow and increase to fullness and bear much fruit.
And may the fruit of the land remind us of the spiritual fruit we are to bear.
Amen

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Something to do

Light a candle and sit quietly, watching the flame. Think how a flame gives warmth and light: both of these are essential for life. Remember how God spoke to Moses from the burning bush. Remember how Jesus came as ‘The Light of the World’. Pray that your heart will be warmed by hearing God’s word, and your path lit as you follow Jesus.

A Prayer of St. Columba

My dearest Lord,
Be thou a bright flame before me,
Be thou a guiding star above me,
Be thou a smooth path beneath me,
Be thou a kindly shepherd behind me,
Today and for evermore.

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JANUARY TASKS

There is a picture in ‘Scouting for Boys’ of Lord Baden-Powell sitting amidst the family fun of Xmas Day, writing letters. He said that a present wasn’t really yours until you had said ‘thank you’! – so, I ask, “Have you written your Xmas ‘thank you letters’ yet?” – And, while you are about it, why not write a letter to God as well, to say thank you for all his blessings, and for the greatest gift of all, the gift of His Son? 

And, have you made any New Year Resolutions? Mine is almost always the same (- which tells you how bad I am at keeping it!): I vow to be better at keeping in touch with my friends and relations by visits, letters and ‘phone calls. I reckon it would be good to include God in that list as well, and to try and spend time listening and being more alert to His presence!

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Christmas is Coming

“Christmas is coming: The goose is getting fat”

 

Well Christmas has been coming at least since August! We know because of the advertisements with which we are bombarded. Have you ever examined the words used to make some of the extravagant claims? A few years ago I wrote a prayer, using an idea from one of the ads on the front of a magazine. I wonder if you might like to use one or some of the advertisements which appear at this time, as a starting place for prayer?

Sharing Evening

As promised, an opportunity to share ideas, ( - or just come and enjoy food and each other’s company!)

Thursday 11th December
7.30pm at Sue’s
Share prayer, Share fare!
If you wish, bring prayer ideas and nibbles to share, but come anyway!

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Praying with the Saints

I have to admit I am sometimes a little envious of churches dedicated to one particular saint. Then one might make an effort to find out all one can about his, or her, life and ministry and have a special affection for them. Anyway, my suggestion is to choose a particular saint to focus on. There may be a particular prayer associated with ‘your’ saint, maybe written by him or her. You may be able to imagine being alongside him or her. You may give thanks for them and the gifts they were given. My favourite is Alban. Would I have had his courage? Can I say, “I am Sue and I worship the true and living God!”?

Something to pray for

Often in his writings, St Paul makes it clear that we are all saints, so our friends in church are, literally “All Saints”. Just as it would not be possible to name and pray for all the saints, as previously suggested, so it might be difficult to pray individually for all the folks at church. However, some time ago, a “Prayer Chain” was created, whereby you pray for a particular member of the congregation, and someone else prays for you. If you are not in the chain, speak to Alvis Taylor.

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Something to do

This month’s idea comes from several sources. The 17th century French monk, Brother Lawrence, working in the monastery kitchen, found it just as easy to converse and pray to God there, as in church. Pat, leading the mid-week service at my friends’ church last week, included a prayer/poem which used each day’s activity as a starting place for a prayer: Monday: Washing Day and being cleansed from sin, etc. One week last month in the Tearfund Prayer Diary, each day took a different regular activity such as cleaning our teeth, going to school, etc., as a reminder to pray for those who may not have easy access to water, education, etc. So that is this month’s suggestion, that you choose some everyday activities, and use them as a starting point for prayer, either for yourself, or for others whom the activities remind you of. If you would like to write them down, maybe next month we could gather together and pray each other’s prayers.

Something to pray for

Please read and pray about the need for action on Climate Change, and Christian Aid’s Hunger for Justice campaign.

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Something to do

Then Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish, looked up to heaven, and gave thanks to God.” As we come to the Harvest Festival, and thank God for His provision for us, I wonder if you generally say Grace at meal-times? Sadly, I only tend to remember when I have guests and there hasn’t been a crisis in the kitchen! Perhaps now is a good time to start, using your own words, or reading one. Some of you may have one of those wooden cubes with a prayer on each side. If not – why not make one from card? – And here are some prayers you may like to use:

Thank you for the hands that sow the grain, 

Thank you for the hands that fish the sea, 

Thank you for the sunshine and the rain, 

Thank you for the hands that care for me. 

Amen

Food for our hunger, water for our thirst, 

Shoes for our little feet, but first things first: 

Thanks be to Heaven, Thanks be to God 

That we go satisfied, sheltered and shod.

O God, to those who have hunger give bread, 

and to us who have bread, give the hunger for justice. 

Amen

That last prayer provides a link to other matters we may pray about: justice and provision for the poor and needy; care for God’s earth; the practice of welcome and hospitality.

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Something to do

- Choose a spot that may be special for you: maybe a corner of your garden, or a seat in the park, or a church, or - - - ; or if you are away on holiday, maybe a place with a beautiful view, or a beach, or - - - . Spend time there praying, thinking, listening, meditating, knitting, reading, - - - . Buy a post-card of that place, or draw it, or take a photo, - On the back of the card maybe write about how you feel when there, or copy a poem about that place, or write a prayer, or - - -. When back in the busy world, use the card to remind you of the quiet times in that special place. Next month there will be the opportunity to share those special places.

Something to pray for

• Remember friends and family away on holiday, that it will be a time of enjoyment, & relaxation, and that they will be safe.
• Remember those who cannot manage to go away, that they too will be able to find fun and a chance to rest at this time.
• Remember the organisations who work to provide holidays for those in need.

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