United in Prayer

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As I live alone most of my praying is done with no-one else present. That is fine, I find a place that is comfortable and quiet and have a conversation with God. This means that without any distraction I can concentrate on prayer and the conversation I am having. But I’m sure God doesn’t want us always to prayer alone. He made us for fellowship and He knows the power of corporate prayer.

By praying with others, a solid and united prayer is going up to heaven. When we are praying together there is also the opportunity to be vulnerable about our struggles. It is only too easy to give the appearance of having everything together in our Christian life. What a privilege it is to hear of others’ difficulties and to have the opportunity to jointly pray about them.

The Bible tells us in Ecclesiastes ‘Two are better than one,’ and Jesus says ‘where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I in the midst.’

The writer of Hebrews reminds us, ‘Let us consider how we might spur one another on towards love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together as some are i n the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another.

And James 5:16 says ‘Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

Cloud Cover

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Every morning as I pray I sit looking up at the sky. By turning my eyes heavenwards I helps me to concentrate on God and not on earthly things. My mind is so easily distracted that I need this prompt.

Yesterday the sky was a vivid blue which led to a warm sunny day. This morning the sky is overcast and grey and a gentle rain is falling. I’m sure it’s not scientifically correct but I felt as if the world was clothed in a protective blanket. (although I expect the sun was probably shining in Africa or even Manchester!)

I had a feeling of protection and safety. I know that God is present in rain or shine, but my feeling this morning was one of sanctuary and security. The psalmist knew this feeling only too well. God was his rock and hiding place. Therefore I was reminded once again of God’s love and started the day rejoicing in spite of the rain.

Bethlehem

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My friend has just returned from a trip to the Holy Land. He lamented the situation of Bethlehem. The security wall round the city is now finished and covered in graffiti. He found the atmosphere of the city was hostile and intimidating. Wisely or sadly, he avoided visiting the ‘holy’ places’ as he felt as they were only tourist attractions with little religious significance.

A number of years ago i visited the same city with the same party. At that time the wall was not quite completed, but we had to get out of the coach for a security check as we went in and out of the city. No doubt it’s the same now, or even worse. At one time when I was a passenger, the car was attacked by missiles as it was known to be owned by a Christian.

I reflected on the significance of this city in Biblical history; there are many references. Bethlehem was the place chosen by God to be the birthplace of Jesus. This fulfilled the prophecy. In Micah 5:2, ‘You Bethlehem, although you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me, one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.’ Then in Matthew we read, ‘Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea.’

I fear there is weeping over Bethlehem today!

God is Ahead of Me

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If I’m directed to the same passage of scripture twice in the same day, I think God must be trying to get a message into my stubborn mind. As I only read two or three scriptures each day I pay very careful attention to the repeats.

This happened to me one day last week. I was directed to one particular scripture, firstly on paper and then on my mobile phone reading. I thought about it but felt it had no relevance to my particular situation. Then on the Sunday morning the preacher used the same passage. I was really confused; three repeated messages but no particular meaning to me.

Two days late an unexpected, unwelcome occurrence disrupted in my life. It was then I realised that God had spoken four times. The messages of comfort and assurance suddenly made sense as I now recalled the words that had been placed before me the previous week. Peace filled my mind and soul where I would have expected none. My God had gone before, He knew the end from the beginning.

Search Me, O Lord

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I don’t know if cars are the same these days but ‘back in the day’ I never let my car get low on petrol. I was told that an emptyish tank would suck up the grit and sludge at the bottom of the tank . This would imp[air the running of the car. I think I was over zealous, a half empty tank meant a visit to the petrol pump.

When I pray ‘search me, O Lord,’ I imagine Him scouring out my soul. He exposes the sin deep within me which no-one else ever sees. My heart and soul contain plenty of muck and grime which He needs to deal with. My heart needs a good clean out, then my spiritual performance will be enhanced. I pray, ‘Renew a right spirit within me me, O Lord.’

A Day Like None Other

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The two disciples of Jesus thought it was a normal journey to Emmaus, Just seven miles from Jerusalem they had done it many times before. They had been hearing strange rumours but nothing had affected them personally. Then they were joined by a stranger on their journey who proved to be the risen Lord. The seven miles back to Jerusalem would have seemed like no distance at all.

They burst into the room where the disciples were gathered,. We can imagine their excitement as they rushed to tell their story, words tumbling out of their mouths. ‘At first we thought He was a stranger.’

It was when He broke the bread.’

‘Why didn’t we guess.’

‘His hands and feet were scarred.’

‘He explained the scriptures so profoundly.’

Their babbling was suddenly stopped. Jesus stood among them. He needed only four words. ‘Peace be with you.’

After the Resurrection

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We were discussing the other day as to whether Jesus was fully human and fully divine after the resurrection. We thought about the fact that He was eating breakfast with His disciples showed that He was fully human. We also remembered that Jesus appeared inside locked rooms, something He didn’t do before His death.

When we thought about the human side we considered how He would feel knowing the crucifixion and resurrection were behind Him and that He had completed the work that He had been sent to earth to do. He didn’t primarily come to earth to do miracles, though this was something He did. He came to die for the sins of the world from the beginning of time to the very end. His cry on the cross is actually one word in the original Greek of the Bible ‘tetelestai.’ It says it all.

The Widow at Zarephath

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The saying goes ‘One good turn deserves another.’ A good saying but not executed much in our societies. This widow in this story was in such great need that she was preparing the last meal for herself and her son before preparing to die of starvation. How unwelcome Elijah’s request would have been! There would not be enough food for three people but nevertheless, she obeys. You can’t gainsay a prophet’s command.

Her obedience was rewarded a hundredfold. The jar of flour would not be used up and the jug of oil would not run dry until the drought was over. She would be catering for Elijah for the next few years. Then we are told that some time later the young son would fall ill and die. Again her kindness would be rewarded yet again. Elijah performed a miracle and brought the lad back to life.

This meant that neither the widow or her son died of starvation during the period of drought. She would also be depending on her son to provide for her as he grew up and this he was able to do because of Elijah’s intervention. Our God is a future-planner.

Missed Out

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Because of double booking or ill-health I hate missing out on anything. I can’t imagine how terrible Thomas would have felt by missing out on the first appearance of Jesus after His resurrection. When he met the others they would all have been bursting with the news. They had actually seen Jesus alive! Not having had the same experience Thomas would have felt completely ‘out of it.’ This may have explained his outburst.

When Jesus did appear a further time Thomas was there and specially included by Jesus. How embarrassed he would have been when Jesus made the offer. ‘Put your finger here, see my hands.’

Do we sometimes say to God ‘If only this or that would happen, I would believe?’ We can’t treat God like that, we can’t bargain with Him.

The Clouds

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I know that God is everywhere on earth and in heaven, but I love looking at the clouds and imagining Him up there. When the sky is bright blue (sky-blue) I can think of Him up there looking down on His world. It is as if the blueness goes on for ever. When the sky is dark and overcast I know that He is still there beyond the darkness.

Clouds dark or otherwise are so insubstantial. A change of wind direction or speed they are gone. Compared to the vastness of the sky they have no depth. They have formations, they change shape, have different forms and different names. Are our problems as passing? Some are and with guidance and help from God they disappear. Others are more severe but still need the help of God.

When I pray I find it difficult to stay focused as my mind wanders. But by looking at the skies it helps me to stay ‘grounded.’ Grounded in the presence of my God.