God Within - 1 December

Reflection
We are sealed by the Holy Spirit of God, by our receiving his real stamp upon our souls; being made the partakers of the divine nature. This is, indeed, the design of his dwelling in us, to heal our disordered souls, and to restore that image of his upon our nature.” – John Wesley

We believe that God is already alive and active within us. Do we dare believe this? Are we really able to have the mind and heart of Zachariah, Elizabeth and Mary to hope that what God has begun in us will be fulfilled according to God’s plan for us? When was God last active in us? Do we sometimes spend so much time talking about God we forget to talk to God? The Scriptures tell us that the whole purpose of prayer and community is to support, celebrate and affirm what God is already doing within each one of us and in the whole community. God is within you. The flame of God’s life is in us, is alive in us already!

Prayer

Jesus, protector, I long for your coming.
The promise of new light and life is before me, give me the faith to believe in your presence this day.
Protect me from dangers and lead me through the darkness to the joy I so long to find in you.
Lift me from my sins and give me the promise and assurance of salvation with no more shame, only the light and saving grace of your love. May your peace come to my life and may it be evident in my relationships and daily living. Amen

Readings
Psalm 145, John 17, Hebrews 2: 5-15

Hymn/Song
Come thou Long Expected Jesus

An Unexpected Encounter - 30 November

Reflection

What comes to mind when you think of the word “faithful”? Do you think of commitment, loyalty, devotion, sticking with something even when it seems impossible or when it doesn’t make sense?

In Isaiah 1 we have God telling Israel that he has had enough of burnt offerings and sacrifices. The rituals they practiced had become an empty burden. What God wanted from them was faithfulness, to reach out to the oppressed, defend orphans and care for the widows. God asks them to look beyond themselves and see a hurting world that needed help and care.

As we think of those in our families, churches, community and world that need a reminder that God is present how can we show that? What can we do? Praying for a world in need brings us closer to our God. Acting this prayer out can bring others closer to God too. Just imagine you too can be the unexpected encounter others have with our living God. May God bless you in your rich encounters.

Prayer
Lord God I praise you for creating me and restoring me through
Jesus.
Word becoming flesh, Word indwelling
Word transforming, Word restoring
Word challenging, Word healing
Word sharing our weakness and making us whole. Amen

Readings
Isaiah 1:10-20, Matthew 8:1-4, 1 John 4:7-12 

Hymn/Song
O the bitter shame and sorrow

Behold a Virgin Shall Conceive - 29 November

Reflection
Isaiah 7:14 “ The Lord of his own accord will give you a sign; it is this: A young woman is with child, and she will give birth to a son and call him Immanuel” (Revised English Bible).

It seems so strange to think about the last supper during Advent. Don’t we have our seasons wrong? But as we pause, waiting to celebrate God made flesh, we have glimpses and reminders of his flesh and blood. We see God present in Christ’s first meal as well as his last. In those early days, Christ’s body was made vulnerable and small, totally dependent on his parents for everything. We are reminded of the depth of his love for us. Who among us would take the place of a child?

We see Christ reflected in the youngest baby gathered in worship. We see Christ reflected in an expectant mother. This is his Body, given for us. We are expectant parents in these days of Advent, men and women watching for signs of Christ born among us . Jesus came as a swaddled infant, then as a toddler scattering crumbs of bread, eventually as the honoured host. His grace has permeated our lives from beginning to end. We learn from Him the customs of His Table.

Prayer
Risen Lord, be known to me in the breaking of the bread.” Bless my table, Lord, to be a place of holy fellowship. Make me aware, this season, of how you are present among us. Amen

Readings
Isaiah 7:13-15, Luke 2:1-7, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Hymn/Song:
Born in the Night

God so Loved the World - 28 November

Reflection
Where did we get the idea of gift giving at Christmas? Of course there are the three gifts of the Magi and that is great in showing the elect paying homage. But John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son” is the true message of Christmas. This is the Christmas Story. John doesn’t reveal the how of the birth of Jesus. The New English Bible translation puts it “for this is the way God loved the world. He gave everything.”

The definition of love is action. God is giving and God’s action of giving is love. The real story of Christmas is not our gift giving but of God’s giving. It takes an intervention of God in human history to fix the world. This is no pretty picture—there is something wrong in the world - wrong that we cannot fix, nor science, nor philosophy, nor education ..it is God acting in love. Oh what a gift.

Prayer

Lord, give us hearts that never forget your love; to remain in your love whatever we do, whether we are asleep or awake, whether we work or rest. For your love is eternal life and everlasting rest; for this is life eternal - to know you and your infinite goodness.

May the flame of your eternal love never be quenched in our hearts; let it grow and brighten, till our whole souls are glowing and shining with its light and warmth. Amen

Readings

Psalm 130, Malachi 3:1-4, John 3: 16-21; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

Song/Hymn
God is Love

Being Awake or Woken Up - 27 November

Reflection

If we think of Advent as being a time of preparedness and of being attentive then this First Sunday of Advent calls us to be awake. Being caught napping at a critical point can at times be embarrassing. To be caught out in this way can result in us missing out on so much.

May we be ever vigilant to God’s Spirit moving in this world. Underpinning this vigilance is the hope that God will deliver on promises, in God’s time and in God’s way. On our side, may there be a deep yearning in us for the coming of the Lord, and God’s bringing to completion what was achieved in His death and resurrection. Is this desire for the Lord to come again strong in our hearts? Or are we quite happy to settle for the ‘same again, please’ of a more worldly celebration of Christmas, focussing on the elements that we enjoy but which are quite empty if they are taken away from their Christian origins and the hope for the future? May we be awake to God’s presence.

Prayer

Thank you Creator God.  
What a gift this day is from you from the blazing sunrise through a cloudy winter sky to the setting sunset.  
Lord in this day, may you gift me with a sight that I often miss at other times of year, when the weather is warmer and the sun rises before I get up.  In this day may I be aware of your grace lighting up my life. As I wait and watch in silence for your coming may I be filled with a sense of your presence in my life. Amen

Readings
Isaiah 2:1-5, Matthew 24:37-44 and Romans 13:11-14

Song or Hymn:
O come O Come Emmanuel

A promise .....

Have you ever had a promise broken? Of course you have - we all have. Some of those broken promises are more significant than others and some have lasting impressions. Our lives are filled with promises made by ourselves and others.

Each year Methodist Church members affirm their promises made at baptism and confirmation and recommit themselves to God. This is done in the Covenant Service which takes place in January or September (the start of the Methodist Year). Central in this service is holy communion, the time we remember God's everlasting covenant with us and how much we are worth to God. Our covenant to God is to follow and surrender to God's will and purpose. This means we are called to do things that are natural to us and others things we are not.

The Covenant Prayer is not easy to say, it challenges us in deep ways.

I am no longer my own but yours.
Put me to what you will,
rank me with whom you will;
put me to doing,
put me to suffering;
let me be employed for you,
or laid aside for you,
exalted for you,
or brought low for you;
let me be full,
let me be empty,
let me have all things,
let me have nothing:
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things
to your pleasure and disposal.
And now, glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours.'

In our world we prize our ability to make decisions and choose our own path in life. It can feel very hard to give that up. But this coveant prayer is like a love poem. It is about surrendering to God in love and joy. When we ofer this covenant prayer to God we can be assured that God, in mercy and grace, has already made a covenant with us. This covenant we see suprememly in Jesus as God's presence to us.

May God bless us as we journey with God in our lives.

Additional Prayers and Reflections

I have found these prayers so helpful - I hope you do to. May I wish you a very Happy Christmas.

To Bring Salvation

The Lord of the world did not consider it right to allow human beings,
for love of whom everything had been made,
to be besieged by sin and to be sold like slaves to death.
For this reason he assumed human form,
hid his invisible nature under visible guise,
and kept the visible nature free from the stain of sin.
Undoubtedly, it would have been easy for him
to save the human race without assuming the garment of the flesh.
He could have overthrown the power of death by a simple act of will.
He could have made the father of that power, sin,
disappear by exiling it from the earth in such a way
that no trace of it would remain on the earth.
Instead of that, he chose to demonstrate the holiness of his providential care.
To restore salvation to human beings
he did not employ as his servants the angels or archangels,
nor cause a piercing voice to resound from heaven.
He preferred to build for himself a chamber in the womb of the Virgin
and from there to come among us.
For this reason we think of him as man and adore him as God.
Begotten of the Father before the beginning of time,
he took of the Virgin a visible body.
He is the Being who is both new and pre-existent.

Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus
(393-460)

Prayer
Still, my Soul be Still

As I gaze in awe and thanksgiving at the manger soften my heart that I may
again be touched deeply by the truths of this season.

I offer my life in humility - help me recognise I am an inheritor of your kingdom and share in your work and joy.
Prepare our hearts and soothe the sadness that hinders us from feeling the joy and hope which his presence will lavish on us. Amen

Saturday 25 December - The Lord is Near

The Lord is Near

Readings - Isaiah 9:1-6 Psalm 96, Titus 2:11-14 and Luke 2:1-4

“For today a Saviour has been born for you who is Christ the Lord” Luke 2:11

Reflection
Each year through Advent we have the custom in our chapel of putting up a manger with straw but no infant. We place the infant there on Christmas day (though last year we forgot until the last hymn!) I don’t know if many notice the symbolism. Straw is basically useless, it is leftover stuff.
The crib is empty, vacant until God steps in.
Gazing at the nativity scene, a mixture of emotions can overwhelm—sadness at the barrenness of the manger or joy because God is not absent.

Does it feel like God is absent in today’s world? Are we excluding God from decisions in our lives and in public life? Where are the reminders of God in our society today? Where is God working?

We can become sad gazing at the scene yet we are reminded that God is indeed with us. He says “I am here, with you, don’t be afraid” The final word is not the empty manger, the last word is Jesus in the manger, risen Jesus in communion and the living Lord in our lives.

May we live this day to God’s praise and glory

Jesus is here. Emmanuel—God is with us

Prayer
Holy and Righteous God.
I thank you that your word is no longer solely a commandment but a gift of love, incarnate in Christ.
I thank you for the gift of knowing you for I now we know the living word.
Transform my life with wonder, expectation and joy.
Amen

Additional Prayer Ideas
We pray for those we know who, this day, feels as though God is absent.

For those unable to celebrate the Saviour’s birth.

We pray for the homeless and vulnerable who struggle to find shelter. For those seeking asylum and safety to be met by “no vacancy“ signs.

Friday 24 December - Holy Night - Remembering

Remembering

Readings - 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16 Psalm 89 :and Luke 1:67-79

“Praise be to the God of Israel” Luke 1:68

Reflection
On this Silent Night who are you remembering? As one year draws near its end and we recall its joys and sorrows, may our God, the maker of heaven and earth, manifest, in a child, be ever present with us in our remembering.
Each year we recount the familiar story - Mary and Joseph, the donkey, the star, angels, shepherds, cattle, stable and wise men? The story is steadfast, true and we know it so well. We have heard it, sung it and read it countless times over our years - so what changes with each passing year?

Do we appreciate more of the depth of love that brought God into our world in this vulnerable form? The immense losses that God suffered in the sacrifices of the incarnation? For yes, God has suffered loss too. God know. God understands. God has come to stand alongside us. What changes? We change - as we embrace this story once more may we open ourselves to the miracle of God with us.

Prayer

How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given
So God imparts to human hearts the blessing of his heaven
No ear can hear his coming, but in this world of sin
Where meek souls will receive him still, the dear Christ enters in.

Show me O God this night how to sing with angels, respond like the shepherds, gaze in adoration like Mary and Joseph and offer like the innkeeper. May I again respond to the familiar story with recognition, love and gratitude. Amen

Additional Prayer Ideas

We pray and remember all who this day long for stillness and silence.

For countries at war

For communities in turmoil

For individuals threatened by abuse and violence

Thursday 23 December - Light

Light

Readings - Malachi 3: 1-4, Psalm 150 and Luke 1: 57-66

“I will send my messenger” Malachi 3:1

Reflection
And is it true,
This most tremendous tale of all,
Seen in a stained-glass window's hue,
A Baby in an ox's stall ?
The Maker of the stars and sea
Become a Child on earth for me ?
Sir John Betjeman

There are only a few windows left on the advent calendar to open, a few notches of the advent candle to burn down. Nearly there! The birth of any baby is a wonderful, amazing thing. It is one of those things that takes our breath away. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of a most special baby, may the light of understanding and wonder lead us to a place of praise and worship.

It is only natural that parents and families have dreams and hopes for their newborn. Some sadly project their own lives on to them and others painfully abandon any hope based on their own life experience. But we should not overlook what the child already is: a child of God, one who is graced with a profound dignity and an eternal destiny. Not because of anything the child or its parents have done, but by the grace of the child of Bethlehem.

Prayer
All powerful God,
You made known the birth of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, by the light of a star.
May you continue to guide me with light and purpose.
Enlighten me with your radiance and strengthen me with your care.
Amen

Additional Prayer Ideas

We pray for all who long to celebrate with family and friends yet cannot.

For those:

serving in aid organisations or the military.

in prison

in hospital

who grieve and mourn

Wednesday 22 December - Christ Bearers

Christ Bearers

Readings - 1 Samuel 1:24-28 1 Samuel 2, 1, 4-8 and Luke 1: 46-56

“Now I give him to the Lord” 1 Samuel 1:24

Reflection
Throughout the world the song of the Magnificat is prayed by countless people.Mary’s prayer reveals the great desire of a nation in a glorious song:

God casts down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly. The hope of Mary is that the unjust domination of Rome and the unspiritual leadership of the Jewish scribes will not last.
God fills the empty with good things and the rich are sent away empty. Whilst hard to feel empty and acknowledge our need for God, we are then filled with blessings which are new every morning.
God has come to help his servant Israel and remembers his promise of mercy. Mary needed this help with Joseph, her family, the towns-people and God intervened.

We too are called to be Christ bearers in our world—yet first we need to receive him in our hearts. We are called out of our comfort zone to show mercy and compassion. May we be like Mary and respond with joy, eagerness and anticipation.

Prayer
Source of all that is light and life, truth and peace,
I have hope because your steadfast love never ceases and your mercies never end; they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.
I remember those who feel lowly and insignificant., who feel empty and abandoned. May peace and hope bring justice, comfort and freedom. Amen

Additonal Prayer Ideas
We pray for all who have shown us Christ and revealed your truth. We remember our church community that we may be inspired in new and bold ways to show your love.

Tuesday 21 December -To Help

To Help

Readings - Song of Songs 2:8-14, Psalm 33 and Luke 1: 39-45

“Why should the Mother of my Lord visit me” Luke 1:43

Reflection
Both Elizabeth and Mary are in changing circumstances. Elizabeth, sadly reconciled to not having children, finds herself pregnant and with a husband unable to speak. Mary is facing an uncertain future and the possibility of a child born out of wedlock. Yet both women are free enough in their spirits to praise God for all that God is doing in their lives.

In the midst of their changing circumstances they do not lose sight of God’s hand in their lives. As we approach Christmas, is the busyness and change to our routine causing us to lose sight of God’s hand on our lives?

But Mary did not go to Elizabeth to sing the Magnificat but to help her. In the same way, we must not go to our neighbours only to reveal to them the spiritual treasure we carry in our hearts, but also to share with them their sorrows, burdens, joys and responsibilities. If we do this then the time will come when we shall be able to open our hearts in order to share our spiritual riches with our neighbours. Then, together, we will be able to love the one who has shown us how to live in peace with one another.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, I long for your coming
O Come O Come Emmanuel.
Jesus came bringing the reality of peace and righteousness.
O Come O Come Emmanuel.
Jesus is coming again into our world bringing the realisation of God’s kingdom.
O Come O come Emmanuel
And ransom our captive souls. Amen

Additional Prayer Ideas
We pray for those struggling with change.
For those fearful of finances,those without paid work.
We remember those who fear the changes ahead of them.
May they know God’s peace.

Monday 20 December - Gods Ways Not Ours.

Gods Ways Not Ours

Readings - Isaiah 7:10-14, Psalm 24 and Luke 1:26-38

“The Lord himself will give you a sign” Isaiah 7:10

Reflection
We are on the brink of the nativity. Our sense of the one to come has been stretched, challenged, recast over the last few weeks. This astonishing revelation that God is confident enough to be vulnerable and confident in us to be vulnerable to us.

King Ahaz needed the appearance of strength and not vulnerability to carry out his military duties. Isaiah challenges the King to imagine what God may be like yet the King refuses, declaring he will not test God. Isaiah unhappy at the response seeks a sign from God - a sign of gentleness, quiet and ordinary, yet one which will
transform. A sign of a virgin with child bearing a son - Immanuel. That was so probably so far from the King’s mind but the truth is that God’s ways are not ours. God can be found in the most trying of circumstances for God is in all..

This day will you look for God?
Will you ask God for a sign?
Not a sign to test God but a sign to see God. For if you look you will find God in the ordinary, vulnerable and willing. You will find God in the one who holds your hand and in the one who cares for you. “Seek and you shall find”

Prayer

God of light I wait.
Give me freedom to walk in the footsteps of Jesus.
Let your light shine out for all to see by turning to those who call for my help.
Let me never turn a closed ear and heart away from the world.
Heal our world. Heal our past. Heal our community and churches.
Amen

Additional Prayer Ideas

We pray for all who feel judged and ignored by others. We pray for our churches and our call to spread the gospel to all people.

Sunday 19 December - Prayer - 4th Sunday in Advent

Prayer

Readings - Judges 13:2-7, 24-25 Psalm 71 and Luke 1 5-25

“Your prayer has been heard” Luke 1:13


Reflection
What an answer to prayer it was for Zechariah and Elizabeth. Childlessness was regarded as a disgrace in the Jewish culture at that time so their “fruitfulness” was focused on their spiritual lives by praying for and serving others with love.
Zechariah and Elizabeth waited and they waited. The waiting room is the place where time stands still. In the doctors, the dentist, the hospital waiting room it seems as though hours have passed then we view the clock and it is only ten minutes. When in a waiting room the world seems to come to halt– time slows almost to a stand still!

When the Bible extols us to “Wait upon the Lord”, we find if painfully difficult We live in a world where waiting is a rare phenomena. Waiting in line, people cut in. Waiting on the phone with the same tedious tune being played causes our blood pressure to rise as well as our phone bills. Why wait when we can have it now? Credit, fast food….we want it now but sometimes we just can’t have it now. Waiting is hard. The news for a test result, for health to improve, waiting for Mr or Mrs Right, the weight to drop off or go up.

When struggling with waiting may I encourage you to look at the life of Elizabeth and Zechariah, who encourage us to look to God and to remember that those who wait will mount up with wings like eagles. Dear friend, in your waiting may you know the God of hope.

The word gospel actually means “good news”. How fitting that is as we remember our responses to the cry “this is the gospel of Christ” and we respond “Glory to Christ our Saviour”

Prayer

I wait and look for you in my life.
I wait longing for the news I desperately want to hear.
I wait in desperation.
Help me to remember that “your grace is sufficient for me” that all I cling to I can lay at your feet. So I lay it down, my tears, my fears .. my all. Amen

Additional Prayer Ideas

We remember all who wait.

For all whose waiting will bring joy.

For those whose waiting will bring sorrow.

We pray that all will know God’s patience and love.

Saturday 18 December - What shall i do?

What shall I do?

Readings - Jeremiah 23:5-8, Psalm 117 and Matthew 1:18-25

“Joseph woke, he did what the angel said”

Reflection
Joseph has a decision to make and it is not an easy one. He saw what could be his new family, Mary the one to whom he was betrothed and her extended family including the deeply religions Zechariah. It was all looking wonderful when suddenly it all changed.

Mary had just returned form visiting Zechariah a true and deeply religious man when Joseph found out she was with child. What would Zechariah had said? If he accepted Mary’s account of things then why not Joseph. But it is difficult when you are the one directly involved - all advice is great, but in the end it is down to you.

Then Joseph has a revelation that changes everything. He sees something of the bigger picture. This child’s family is wider than he could ever imagine—this family involves you and me and heirs of God’s kingdom. It is no longer about genes it is about Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for we are all one in God’s eyes.

Our dilemmas are seldom resolved by divine intervention—at least not an angel Gabriel kind. We reflect, we pray, we ponder and seek advice then take action. If we honestly follow a process of surrendering to God then we can be at peace—even if the decision turns out to be wrong. We can comfort ourselves and be assured of God’s blessing if we can say “we made the best and most honest decision with the knowledge we had at the time.

Prayer
God forgive me for promises and commitments broken.
Often the spirit is willing but the flesh is week.
Help me to forgive others who have broken their promise to me.
May I be like Joseph willing to be obedient to your voice. Amen

Additional Prayer Ideas
We pray for all who receive unexpected and life changing news. News of joy and also that of despair. May Our God bless and direct them.