Morning Prayer Meeting – Thursday 12th December 9.00 -10.00 am at Christ Church Parbold
This is weekly event until 19th December, then pausing until 9th January 2020.
A time of prayer for God’s renewing work in All Saints’ and in Christ Church. All welcome. Come when you can.
Wendy’s Prayer Thought for for December 2019
News and TV programmes often reveal hostile confrontations between the police and members of the public Some are reasonable, others are bizarre and unwarranted. A photo and comment of two men in prayer posted on Facebook went viral. One was a law enforcement officer, and the other a young man who when interviewed later said; “I just wanted him to know that I appreciate him.” This is what happened on the night of 21st September 2019. Cameron Tucker, a sheriff’s deputy, his wife Justine, Kerrigan Kaiser and two others were dining out at Zaxby’s restaurant in Deland, Florida. The Tuckers had chatted briefly with another person whilst waiting at the counter. They had never met before and soon went to their chosen tables. The stranger, Juan O’Neal was a student at Stetson University in Deland, and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. During the evening the Holy Spirit urged him to go over to the Tuckers’ table to ask if he might have a moment of prayer for the sergeant’s protection. In his words, “I just wanted to encourage them, and be a light, and just share the love.” Tucker though surprised readily agreed.
Justine Tucker was moved by the scene of the two men with their heads bowed in prayer. She took a quick snap and put it on Face Book. With it she wrote: “Tonight was a night that I will never forget. The picture is a reminder of God’s constant love and perfect timing. Tonight we had an amazing encounter with an incredible young man named Juan. He came up to Cameron and asked if he could pray over him for his protection. After crying my eyes out we got to have an amazing conversation with the gentleman. He was on fire for God, and you could feel His presence in the room. He said he had felt compelled to talk to us and pray over Cameron.”
Fox News showed the video and interviewed the two men. The deputy sheriff said. “We can use all the prayer we can get. I couldn’t be more thankful that he stopped by that day, and gave me a recharge not only with the public but with my faith as well.” Juan admitted that it was not the first time he had prayed with a stranger. This time the urge came because “seeing some of the stuff my Dad goes through, I could only imagine what sergeant Tucker could go through.” His Dad is a law enforcement officer in Georgia.
Many people look forward to the Christmas season for the special meals they will enjoy with family, friends, work colleagues. Hotels and restaurants have their special menus with their mouth watering starters and desserts, let alone the main courses. Conversations will be on endless subjects, and many reminiscences. They may be serious or hilarious. Could there be an appropriate moment to express appreciation to someone present, to give them a boost, or fill them with hope?
Juan did that through his request to pray for Cameron. If not audibly we can all pray quietly for someone seated at the table. Just try it! No prayer is ever made in vain, for God hears every prayer. Whenever, where ever we pray something always happens. We ourselves are brought closer to God, and closer to the one we are praying for. We exercise our faith believing God will touch the person’s life. Praying in love and compassion for others is important because God’s power has unlimited possibilities. God can do far more than we can ever imagine.
This is what Paul assures us of in his doxology found in Ephesians 3:28 “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work in us, to Him be glory in the church through Christ Jesus throughout all generations and ever and ever. Amen”
There are many different types of prayer. There are some websites and apps below which you may wish to try to develop your prayer life.
Three Minute Retreat
Do you feel that it’s hard to find time for prayer?
Even a short time spent in prayer can help you to refocus and to connect with God. Rev’d Sue and Reader Diane recommend this website which offers a guided 3 minute retreat. There’s a time to pause, a short reading, two questions to get you thinking and a little prayer. You can get it as an app for different types of mobile phone too.
https://www.loyolapress.com/retreats/simple-rules-start-retreat
The Prayer Course
In autumn 2019 our sermon series followed the prayer course which is presented by Pete Grieg of the 24/7 payer movement. It is a great general guide to different types of prayer.
Ignatian Prayer
Ignatian prayer is a way of praying which sometimes involves imagining yourself in a Bible story and having an encounter with Jesus.
The take time website has some excellent meditations of different lengths which you may like to try. There is a charge on this website after an initial free trial.
United Christian Broadcasters (UCB)
UCB produce a great daily devotional which is recommend by our church. It is a helpful reflection on a very short daily Bible reading which helps readers to apply Biblical truths to their everyday lives. Click on the link below to read or listen to the UCB ‘Word for Today’ They are free to use.
https://www.ucb.co.uk/word-for-today
Pause/Pray
Pause/Pray is a free series of Bible reflections, available as a podcast or download. They include original music, guided prayers and themes related to daily life. A new one is available each fortnight. To stream or download the episodes or subscribe to the podcast go to iTunes or your regular podcast app.https://www.engageworship.org/pausepray
Our Diocesan Prayer.
Heavenly Father, we embrace Your call for us to make disciples, to be witnesses and to grow leaders. Give us the eyes to see Your vision, ears to hear the prompting of Your Spirit and courage to follow in the footsteps of your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. AMEN
This Prayer Page
At All Saints’ Appley Bridge, we believe that earnest, thoughtful, regular and honest prayer is the key to our individual and collective relationship with our wonderful Creator, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. If you want to share a prayer or prayers on this page, do not hesitate to contact us with your thoughts. If there is a situation that you wish to bring before God and would like us to be mindful of as a Church family, share it with us. We want to share together what we want to say to Him.