Faith & Worship"Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptised by one Spirit so as to form one body – whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. And so the body is not made up of one part but of many."
(1 Cor 12:12-14 )
Time is something I have
so little of, Lord,
But then you know that!
I am a busy person.
Busy for you, Lord.
doing your work.
It's tiring, very tiring,
and at times I wish it were not so,
that I had time for others,
for myself,
for you…
'Son, you have all the time in the world
and beyond.
You give so much,
and yet leave no time
for receiving.
That's not how it's meant to be,
It should not be you striving to do my work,
It should properly be I doing my work through you.
There is a difference, you know!'
In your time, Lord, in your time,
Take the imperfect that is me,
and create
the person that I could be.
In your time, Lord, in your time.
It is not ours to know
the time or place
when you will return.
We have enough to concern us
in these present times,
in the day to day business
of living.
But one thing is certain,
of this I am sure,
we are all a part of history,
and history has a purpose,
an end point,
a destination,
and we should live our lives
as if that destination
is ours also.
Lives lived with purpose,
watchful,
prepared,
in expectation.
For if the time is hidden,
it may catch us unawares,
our temples full
of unwashed linen,
dirt and debris.
Perhaps we'd better
get the dustpan out, Lord,
do some unseasonable
spring cleaning!
Thank you Father,
for the selfless giving of time.
For those often quiet saints
who do not argue their theology loudly,
engage in lengthy debates,
over complex doctrinal issues,
or make their presence felt
within the hallowed space
of Church Council meetings,
but simply get on with doing
the business,
visiting the sick, the aged
and the lonely,
a shoulder to cry on,
a listening ear
and the reassurance
of one who cares.
Thank you Father,
for all those quiet saints,
who live their faith through their lives
in a world that often forgets
that you were never too busy to listen,
never too busy to minister to needs,
never too engrossed in work
to bring hope and wholeness into lives.
Thank you Father,
for your quiet saints.
Lord God, help us to love those
whom we find it difficult to love.
Give us a heart that reaches out
to those we would otherwise ignore.
Give us the strength not to cross
to the other side of the road,
but to play the part of the Samaritan.
This will not be easy, Lord.
It is not in our nature.
We spread our love thinly
among those we can relate to,
those who share our values
and those who do not threaten
our comfortable lifestyle.
It's not easy, Lord
and on our own we shall fail.
But with your help all things are possible.
You led the way,
and it is your example that we look to.
You turned the values of this world upside down.
Do the same with us, Lord.
Help us live the reality of your Love.
By your Word were all things created.
By your Word were all things given.
That all might live in your garden,
Eat the fruit of the land,
Drink your living water,
Grow in strength and wisdom,
Husband and wife,
Brother and sister,
Mother and child.
©John Birch · Prayers written by the author may be copied freely for worship. If reproduced elsewhere please acknowledge author/website
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