“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
9 What do workers gain from their toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 NIV
Loving Lord God,
You, Lord God, were before time and are beyond time and that takes some thinking about for me. Meanwhile we live in our time and this scripture still says it all. Written by a man, probably King Solomon, who had probably seen it all or almost all in his lifetime! Seasons of everything good and bad. These verses are still quoted today. There is a time for everything. Sometimes it feels like all the seasons come at once. We rejoice, we mourn, we hope we worry. We laugh and we weep. Life happens.
One thing is true, amidst all the changing seasons, Your purposes God, stand firm. Even when we may not always see or understand. We may question why You allow some things to remain or occur. We may fervently pray for peace, an end to pain and suffering, we do not always get the answers we hope for. But we know You are in the midst of everything that happens working out Your purposes. And one day You will make everything clear and new and there will be no more pain. You will personally wipe away all our tears (Revelation 21:4). Be our Rock now for these times.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Suggestions for prayer . . .
God our Rock,
For our close family.
For our extended family, friends, neighbours.
For our fellowship, ministers and congregations. Churches where the flame needs rekindling.
For all the Paralympians going home to retire or start training again.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). For their family relationships..
For Ukraine. You, God, bring an end to war not by violence.
For Gaza, all the Middle East. Step into the midst with Your peace. A miracle to overcome hatred.
For farmers and market gardeners who depend on the seasons.
For those who farm with wildlife in mind.
For those already worried about the coming winter.
For those going through tough seasons with finances, family or work situations.
For us to see above the clutter of today to the beauty of this season and the people in our lives.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 12th September 2024
Faithful one, so unchanging
Ageless one, you’re my rock of peace
Lord of all I depend on you
I call out to you, again and again
I call out to you, again and again
You are my rock in times of trouble
You lift me up when I fall down
All through the storm
Your love is, the anchor
My hope is in You alone
Lyrics: Brian Doerkson