Prayers

Liz Slater manages to articulate her prayers so beautifully and clearly and says everything in such a way that I feel. I wanted to share them with you here, for things to think or pray about.  

Let us pray.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, you promised through your son Jesus Christ to hear us when we pray in faith. Thank you Father.

So we come to you now in faith with our requests. 

Father God,  we lift up our church, your people, to you. We pray for the clergy of all churches. bring all clergy towards you, especially those taking up new posts.. We pray your blessing on those who lead and organise services in church and those who enable services and coffee stop meetings online and those who have other responsibilities such as wardening or working in the offices during these difficult times. Give them strength and wisdom. Bless each of us, whoever we are, whether at home  watching or worshipping with others in church. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for our world. Help us to  understand learn from discoveries that are being made about links between the environment and the pandemic.  For example, where our over exploitation of the natural world has led to eco-systems being unbalanced and viruses spreading beyond their usual hosts. Where a reduction in air pollution during lock down has seen an increase in insect life. Help us to take this seriously so it does not get forgotten during the urgency seriousness of other immediate decisions needing to be made. Help us not to forget. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for our national leaders. Give them wisdom as difficult decisions need to be made. Help them to communicate with honesty and transparency.  Help them to work together with all interested parties for the common good of the four nations in the UK. We continue to pray for those who have continued to undergo anxiety about their exam results. Again,w e ask for wisdom as Sixth forms, Further Education colleges and universities struggle to honour promises of places.  Also for firms offering apprenticeships who may not themselves be sure of their own future.  Be with those those who,  in spite of everything, have missed expected places. Help those, whose remit it is, to be imaginative and creative, in their support.

We pray for the safe return to school for pupils, teaching and non-teaching staff.  Strengthen those who have responsibility for ensuring  safety on site, and trying to resolve problems like crowded lunchtimes and break times. We think of bus drivers coping with travel to school and we think of families concerned about transmission in school between adults in school and transmission from pupils into the home.  We think of parents who do not want to send their children back to school. Father there are so many anxieties and so much  stress. Father, we place all of that in your hands. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Father, in this year of bewildering disruption, disease and dismay, help us to look to you and not be overwhelmed because you are our strength, our shield, our rock.

We pray for the nations of the world. Help leaders as they cope with an increase in Covid cases again.

Help nations to work together more and to cooperate over prevention, treatment and vaccines. 

We pray for those whose future employment  and income is uncertain, those who must quarantine but who are short of income, those who will find it difficult to pay rent, landlords, whose main income is from renting accommodation and and those who rely increasingly on food banks

We continue to pray for Lebanon  for the people of Beirut, as they cope with food and power shortages as well as COVID19.

We pray for the people of Belarus as the outcome of the recent election are contested.

We pray for the rigours of North west China as people are being moved to re-education camps.

We pray for the people of Hong Kong as they seek to retain their freedoms.

For Californians as they confront hundreds of fire outbreaks.

And the preparation for fair and democratic elections in the USA

Strengthen Christians in all these situations so that they can support others. Keep us faithful in praying for then. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for all those who are sad because of family members who have died.  We pray for those who are not well....Comfort and strengthen all those we have give them your healing and your peace.  Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

And for ourselves- Lord, as we think of how you met and called your first disciples,we thank you that you meet us wherever we are and whoever we are. Help us to remember that you are the  God who notices, however ordinary or insignificant we feel. The God who meets us in our everyday lives at home, at school, at work.  Thank you that when we accept your unfailing love and amazing Grace, you become God with us, who walks with us throughout our every day lives of highs and lows, understanding everything that we feel. 

So we ask, for ourselves, that you will teach us to walk in the light of your presence,  to love with your heart of compassion, to trust in the word of your promise.  So that all of our being,  all our whole being praises you and we are able to proclaim with heartfelt joy, that HALLELUJAH!  OUR GOD reigns.

Merciful father, accept our prayers for the sake of your son, our saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Prayers and thoughts

I really liked the prayers from our church Youtube  service the other day, which I have transcribed, and I wanted to share them as they articulate all the things I've been praying and thinking about. Even if you aren't someone who prays, thinking about these issues is important and giving them some time!
I'm glad that I am able to talk to God about these things and share my fears and give petitions.

"We pray this morning for our world, your world. Such great turmoil and distress. We ask for your guidance for all those who bear heavy responsibilities for making International, national and local decisions. For world leaders, for our government and opposition as they seek to make the correct decisions.  For our local councils as they continue to provide services in our local community.
for scientists as they examine data and explore options and for researchers they work to find antidotes and vaccines.  Father, may they act with honesty, transparency and integrity, with clarity of thought and an ability to admit and to learn from mistakes. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for those who feel that they have a very uncertain future, with no work, reduced income, for those who now rely on food banks, for those who have become homeless.  Father, give them your reassurances and help them, to commit their future to you. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for those who are alone and unable to meet friends or family. Father let them be aware of your presence and your friendship.

We pray for those who are exhausted, with much more work than usual and with unaccustomed roles. for health professionals and all who are working in hospitals. for those who work in crematoriums and funeral parlours, for those who deliver food and supplies and post. For supermarket workers and takeaway food suppliers, for those who work for foodbanks. For parents who are having to homeschool their children.  For teachers designing online work and teaching children of keyworkers. For children and young people who should be at school and college. Father renew their strength and stamina.

As we remember young people, we think of young families- be with these families as they cope wiht limited outings, who are not able to see relatives and friends.  Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Ass we bring our own congregation to you, bless all preachers and those leading flocks. Thank you that we have the technology to lead and connect. Help us to reach out to those who can't do this.

Pray for all those who are sad because someone they know or love is ill or has died. Also for those who are unwell and have other needs.  In the quiet moment, we lift up others known to us.
Father, uphold and comfort them and help them to know your presence. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Father. help us to remember your love to us and the certainty and hope we have in you.  Thank you for the constance we have in our families, in our friends, in the season of Spring surrounding us.  And for your unfailing love surrounding us and your saving Grace, that no matter what we have done and whatever happens, you are God who is Emmanuel, God with us, who walks with us through everything.

Merciful Father, accept our prayer for the sake of your son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

St Patrick's Day outfit

 Hello there,

I hope you are well. I thought I'd share the outfit I wore for most of the day (I say most of the day as I woke very late and threw on a sweatshirt which had a big stain on it, to wear to church and some trousers which I later changed out of).
CBC reminded me it was St Patrick's Day so I decided to don a green dress.  This sheep-print dress was made by fellow blogger Char (over at T-rexes and Tiaras) which I bought from her in a Wardrobe sale and it fits me perfectly.  I decided to wear it with a white collared vest top underneath.

On my collar, I wore 2 of my Irish pin badges I bought during my cruise visits to Ireland in 2016- a little Shamrock and a Celtic cross.  Boots, tights and socks to finish it off.

I confess to you here, that I have been very worried this week about something related to health matters, something bothering me for a while (I'm having some tests) and at church today, I was filled with such gratitude as I felt God's presence in that service. I was shown such love and compassion and support through both the sermon- about God's omnipotence, through the bible readings of psalms - particularly Psalms 89, 46 and  Psalm 91; through the actions and words of others, through the songs, "You were the word," by Hillsong and Chris Tomalin's "Good, good God,".  Be still and know that I am God was a song in a concert last night I watched and it was the reading today. I think that was God speaking to me. I confess that perhaps in part, I really have been thinking that perhaps I have failed on so many levels that God had given up on me but what a lie that is!  No matter what may come of what is going on, I know he is with me.  If you are in the habit of praying, please pray that what is going on is not what I am worrying about and that God will heal.  Perhaps I am oversharing but I believe in the transformative prayers of faith and I am sharing for that reason.

Sending you much love.

x

10 (or maybe 11) reasons to be thankful

After the horrid day I had yesterday and the start of today, I cannot believe the blessings and lovely things that happened despite all this.  I am thankful for these.

1.  I truly believe all the prayers of yourself, colleagues and friends helped. All the positive message you left and the compassion and sympathy, thank you.

2.  So many colleagues sent me kind text messages, people were so kind to me today.

3. The caretaker left me 2 bunches of flowers flowers and a lovely note on my chair, 

4. I had decided to be pragmatic and be calm and still try to do nice things and I'm glad I did, I had a curious serenity over me today which was much needed, it was God with me.

5.  All my lessons progressed well, most of the children really concentrated and listened.

6. As part of my Year 4 lesson, we were comparing a piece of Japanese Gagaku music to  Balinese Rindik.  Having to listen to these over and over again was lovely since these were the two types of world music I loved the most at University. Also, children have this real delight and fascination with anything to do with Japan. It is curious and sweet.

7.  As I left school, I turned my phone on and was greeted with 14 delighted and thank you messages from the some of the 20 friends and family I decided to send a "have a lovely day" message to.

8. On the way home from school, the Student loan company contacted me just now and told me

they owe me a rebate of £531 (I paid it off over 2 years ago but somehow this only happened now).

9. I came home to a late birthday parcel from my lovely penpal Lucy which was just a joy and delight accompanied by such thoughtful and fun cards and a really kind and interesting letter that I want to reply to instantly!!!

10.  As I walked home from the station, I felt really hungry and wanted to pop into the chip shop to grab a sausage or something. As I went in, there was a queue of 4 people AND 20 elderly folk seated who were eating in. I stood for a few minutes waiting as the staff there were trying to juggle the dishing up of the people's orders from the large party.  I decided that I should probably skiddaddle and I walked home, slightly wishing I could have got something! I came through the door and discovered that CBC had left over chips for me as he'd been peckish on the way home and got fish and chips!!  So I got chips for free and saved CBC's from going in the bin!

11. And the best of the lot- the conclusion to the horrid thing was a compassionate, generous one with all the things I prayed for being as hoped. 

I cannot tell you how much I am feeling blessed. It just felt like all of that was a complete Godincidence. 

THANK you to YOU!

What are you grateful for?

xx

A prayer or happy thoughts request...

If you read this and you either pray or wish good for someone, please could you pray or keep me in happy thoughts. There is a house we realllllllly like that we really want but it is very popular AND it is with the Estate Agent that the house we WERE going to buy was with.  We're rather convinced that he doesn't like us and thinks because of the whole disaster of that, that we are unreliable and scatty (he was rather pushy over using certain solicitors or having already had one ready and about quick decisions) and might possibly avoid giving us a house viewing or putting the buyer off us.  Please could you pray or think happy thoughts that:
a) our fears over the Estate Agent's feelings about us are unfounded and he will be impartial.
b) that the price won't get pushed above asking price over it being so popular.
c) that we will get to see it and make an offer.
d) that if the house is right for us and has no serious faults, that we might get it!

Sorry to put it out there but my friend had an OFSTED today for her pre-school after them getting a Requires Improvement a while back and asked for my prayers and they got a GOOD! So I know it works!


Much love,

Kxxx

Being a Peacemaker

It's funny, I have always thought of myself as being a peacemaker but I'm not sure that it is actually true. Sure, I don't want to rock the boat at times but this is more that I don't like a disturbance or upsetting people by saying things. But being an active peacemaker- hmmm, I think I fail to do that.
Take when I am cross about things, I just moan about them. Moan, moan, moan...
That's not being a peacemaker at all.

But at church today, it was one of those services like Songs of Praise where people could nominate their favourite hymn.

Someone chose Make me a channel of your peace which is supposedly a Franciscan prayer.
And they said how appropriate the words were for the current world crises that are occurring.  Doesn't matter your religion or sentiments, the words are something I would strive to achieve, in order for peace to really be true in this world.  If anyone could take objection to these, I would like to know how. They are beautiful aims.


Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred let me bring your
love.
Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord
And where there's doubt, true faith in
you.

Chorus:
Oh, Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul.

Make me a channel of your peace
Where there's despair in life, let me bring
hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there's sadness, ever joy.

Chorus:

Make me a channel of your peace
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
In giving to all men that we receive
And in dying that we're born to eternal
life.

Chorus:

What does that mean? What can I do:

• To share peace in all situations
• To be someone who sows love in a situation of hatred rather than bitching about it or inflating the ire further.
• To be forgiving in the case of injury.
• Strengthening others in their faith.
• To be someone who takes their time to console others when life is difficult rather than moaning and expecting sympathy for their own difficulties.
• To try and understand others, their situations and difficulties rather than feeling misunderstood by others.
• To wholeheartedly love others rather than seek for others to love me.
• To be the one who brings hope rather than being that harbringer of doom and gloom.
• To be the light in someone's life not to bring sadness or dark to their situations
• To try and be a joy-bringer when people are sad.
• To always forgive
• To pardon others what they have done wrong.
• To give to others rather than taking.

Ah...that sounds the most excellent of ways to be. It sounds hard but that is an ambition it would be good to strive for rather than any job or other achievement.  That is the most excellent of ways- being a true peacemaker.

xxx

3 days to go

Hello! Sorry, I have been rather AWOL as I have been trying to get wedding preparations done. I am sitting here with a to do list of two pages with 3 days to go. CBC has been asleep in the armchair for three hours as he tries to write his speech (rather like an MA dissertation methinks!) and I trying to not panic and get things done! We had a bit of a nightmare today in that we were planning to buy plants for the tables at the wedding reception. BUT, everything looked tired and old and CBC and I were snapping at each other as we tried to choose the least manky looking plants. Finally, as we got into the car with them, we realised that plan B would be preferable and we would try to buy cut flowers and went back and returned the plants! So, I went to charity shops and located 8 glass vases and texted all my friends to ask if they had some I could borrow! What a last minute adventure! Here's hoping we find some lovely flowers! Pray for time to go slowly for me, if you are in the habit of praying. Pray for CBC and I to be alert, efficient and productive. Pray for that peace that passes understanding! And if you're not, please send happy thoughts my way!!! Looking forward to catching up with you some point soon! forgive me if I am totally awol as I will be on my honeymoon!!!! Phew! Lots of love, Kezzie x