During this week, which embraces both the Death & the Resurrection of Jesus, please pray for,
All those whom we know who have experienced bereavement since last Easter…
All those for whom the Easter season is a reminder of loved ones no longer with us…
During this week, please pray for…
Our local churches & congregations as we make preparations to celebrate the events of Holy Week – Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, & beyond – that even though ours services will necessarily be different in form and structure, that they will nevertheless be faithful to the Gospel story, in such a way as to be relevant to the lived experience of all who will share in them…
So, were you, like me, one of the 9.6 million viewers who tuned in last Sunday evening to watch the first episode of series 6 of ‘Line of Duty’? I have to admit that I’ve been hooked right from the very beginning: Superintendent Hastings (Ted), DI Fleming (Kate), & DS Arnott (Steve) – AC 12’S finest – they are family.
Next Tuesday, the 23rd March will be the anniversary of when we first went into ‘lockdown’. At that time none of us quite knew what lay ahead of us. But we did have a sense that this was serious. Well, now we know. And having lived through it, each one of us, nothing more need be said. But it may be that for all of us, there is a need to think about just what this last year has meant for us…
During this week, we look out on the world. Please pray, remembering…
Those countries where Covid-19 continues to cause large scale suffering. Where healthcare facilities are stretched beyond breaking point. Where the virus is just another problem alongside famine, disease, war, civil unrest, poverty, unemployment…
During this week, which includes ‘Mothering Sunday’, or ‘Mothers’ Day’, please pray…
For ‘Mother Church’; for those who shared their faith with us, nurtured us and encouraged us. For the various congregations of which we have been a part over the years. For fellowship in the Gospel with sisters & brothers in Christ…
o, did you watch ‘that’ interview? What did you make of Meghan & Harry? Did it change your mind about the Royal Family? I confess that I did not watch it. But whether you did or not, none of us is immune to the issues raised, most especially that of alleged racism. Paul says that ‘all have sinned’ – which means that all of us, at some time or another put ourselves first at the expense of others;
During this 3rd week of Lent, which contains within it on Friday 5th the ‘World Day of Prayer’ prepared, organised & facilitated by the women of VANUATU, we pray…
Today, Wednesday, is Budget Day; one of the great political ‘set piece’ occasions of the year. It used to be that everything in the Budget was kept a closely guarded secret until revealed by the Chancellor during his actual Budget speech. Nowadays it is as if it is ‘open season’ on what the speech will contain. Its not for me to comment on any particular proposals. Each one of us will reach our own judgement about such things. But it does serve to remind us that whilst the Pandemic is primarily a human tragedy –
In the 2nd week of Lent, we think of the immediate situation confronting us all, the Global Pandemic, & its consequences…