Prayer

October 2018 

A Prayer Encouragement from Rev’d Wendy Williams

There are numerous times in the history of the Israelites when they knew that it was God who had helped them, and only He could have done so, when they were plunged into desperate situation. We have an example of this when they were under the leadership of Samuel, their new priest and judge. The people had begun to seek God’s forgiveness as they set about destroying their idols, so Samuel gathered them together at Mizpah and prayed for them. They had shown their contrition by fasting. Samuel acknowledged it by pouring out water as a symbol to signify their cleansing.

While this was taking place, the Philistines drew near. The Israelites filled with fear asked Samuel to intercede for them saying, “Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, and pray that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” 1 Samuel 7:8. Samuel also offered a burnt offering to God. The Israelites prepared for battle with their enemy. God intervened with supernatural help. God thundered a loud thunder clap. It created panic among the Philistines” and threw them into confusion; and they were routed before Israel.” God had secured victory for His people. The Philistines were well beaten, and the cities they had seized were taken back. Samuel wanted to honour the Lord for His intervention, and for answering his prayer for help, so he “took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”v.13. ‘Ebenezer’ actually means ‘stone of help.’ It was erected to remind the people of God’s faithfulness, care and protection. He had not abandoned His repentant people. He had rescued them through His covenant love.

When we turn to Psalm 86 we learn how David as an individual prayed to God asking the Lord to help him. He was feeling desperate, wanting comfort and peace of mind. He earnestly desired God’s help. He was depending on Him, and trusting Him for mercy. David was speaking to God with whom he maintained an intimate relationship. “You are my God, be gracious to me, O Lord; for to you do I cry out all day long.” We note that God was present with him, and he knew he was safe in God’s hands. Moreover, David had no doubt that God would hear him and answer him whenever he was in trouble. “In the day of my trouble I call on you, for you will answer me.” v.7. David had raised his Ebenezer, and the Lord has helped him in his time of need.

In times of trouble we are blessed when we pray to God, for He is always faithful. He hears us, and He is a great helper. He never abandons us. Never be afraid to cry out to Him, even to persist from morning to night. No prayer goes unanswered.

100 Days of Prayer for Peace

Starting on 4^th August 2018,  this prayer initiative commemorates the 100^thanniversary of the of end of the First World War. On that day in 1918 King George declared a day of prayer, and peace was declared 100 days later. The Archbishop of Canterbury is promoting 100 days of prayer starting, August 4^th 2018.  For more details and suggestions to support your prayer you can download a booklet from the link below.

100-YEARS-WEEK-1-16    or visit the website https://www.remembrance100.co.uk/100-days/

Being Built into a Spiritual House 

1Peter2:5 our chosen text for the year 2018 should keep reminding us that we find our life in Christ, and our place in His family, the Church. He is the master Mason building us into a fellowship of believers so that we might grow spiritually. Paul reminds us of this in Romans15:1-2. “We who are strong ought to bear with the failures of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbour for his good, to build him up.” This is why we see ourselves asliving stones. Cranfield wrote ‘The free lance Christian who would be a Christian but is too superior to belong to the visible Church upon earth in one of its forms, is simply a contradiction in terms.’

We need to remind ourselves that one stone is of little value on its own, but stones in the plural can make a great pyramid, or a Canterbury Cathedral, so we as living stones are being built into a spiritual house. Each of us has a designated place and a place to fill because God knows where He wants us to be. Paul testified to this in his description of the Church as a Body. “A body has many parts” he said, “God has arranged the parts of the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.” 1Corinthians 12:18. We are being fashioned and joined together in community to live in contact with our Lord and saviour now and in the future. He enables us to have stability, security, and strength.

The late Rev Billy Graham wrote about one of his friends who suffered greatly during the Depression. He lost his job, his wife, his fortune and his home. He like Job who lost everything, and suffered physical pains too, tenaciously held to his faith. One day he stopped to watch some men repairing the stonework on a huge Church. One of them was busy chiselling a triangular piece of stone. He was intrigued and asked him “What are you going to do with that?” The workman stopped and pointing upward said, “See that little opening away up there near the spire? Well I’m shaping this down here, so it will fit up there.” Tears filled the friend’s eyes as he walked away. God had spoken through the workman to explain the ordeal through which he was passing.”I’m shaping you down here, so you’ll fit in up there.”

May we allow Christ to shape us as living stones, fitting us to serve Him in the present, whilst knowing that He is preparing us for our place in eternity.