“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.” Ephesians 4:1-7 NIV
God our Keeper,
Or was Paul suggesting here that You are his jailor? No!!! A prisoner for You not of You. Sometimes thou we do feel we are unable to change things and feel trapped. By a job that is work and not a career. One that brings no satisfaction. By young children at the age they are very demanding and continues longer because they live at home longer. Because we lack the funds to do what we really want to. Because life is not always what we hoped it would be. Because we are passed the age we can do anything about it?
Paul refused to be anything but like Jesus even when the imprisoned him for preaching about You, God. He lived and he still preached that Your way is best. That You do not just help those who seem to have it all. Or those who seem to be having prayers answered. He gives grace to those of us pootling along in life as generously as to all.
Our calling is to be humble, gentle, patient, loving each other even in annoyance. Help us. And to receive Your grace through Jesus in abundance. Christ was never stingy, the 5000 were fed till they were full. We receive eternal life and forgiveness without measure not a ticket to attend the feast in heaven and then leave! And through it all, in it all and with us all, You are our God and Father and love us. Praise You.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
God our Keeper,
Keep our family, friends, church fellowship and neighbours safe in the knowledge of Your love and provision. Help those who do not yet fully know You be moved to pray and find You a good God and worthy of praise. Remind us to pray first, think second. Grant us grace as we struggle with some aspects of our lives.
Ukraine, Morocco and Libya. All have limitless needs and a need of Your divine help and comfort. Help change their situations with peace, comfort, and human aid and compassion.
We pray for our King and Government and are not even sure what to pray so we commit them to You for You to work in their lives and to point them to their calling to serve the nation.
We pray for those actually in prison, and the chaplains and Christians who work there. May there be seeds of Your love and lifestyle sown that take root. We pray for those who are released and that You will provide a way forward that gives them the choice of a good life.
Thank You for autumn a buffer before the winter and a rest for the land.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 23rd September 2023
I remember this from school assemblies.
Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy,
whose trust, ever childlike, no cares could destroy:
Be there at our waking, and give us, we pray,
your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day.
Lord of all eagerness, Lord of all faith,
whose strong hands were skilled at the plane and the lathe:
Be there at our labours, and give us, we pray,
your strength in our hearts, Lord, at the noon of the day.
Lord of all kindliness, Lord of all grace,
your hands swift to welcome, your arms to embrace:
Be there at our homing, and give us, we pray,
your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day.
Lord of all gentleness, Lord of all calm,
whose voice is contentment, whose presence is balm:
Be there at our sleeping, and give us, we pray,
your peace in our hearts, Lord, at the end of the day.
Lyrics: Jan Struthers (1901-1953)
Jan Struther is the pen name of Joyce Torrens-Graham. Used because she was a popular novelist. Mrs. Miniver was a popular, among many other books, poetry, hymns, novels and satires. She wrote Lord of all hopefulness when she and Percy Deamer were editing Songs of Praise 1931 version. During World War II she left London for New York where she continued writing and raising her children. She died there from cancer.