Daily Prayers Friday, 11 November 2022

Lord, I praise you. Your presence in my life brings peace and let’s my soul rest.

Good morning, Cornerstone Friends! Yes, today is Armistice Day and I hope as many of you as possible can be at The Rose today in remembrance.

After more than two years, we are away from MK on a true vacation, far away from demands of family and circumstance, so my prayers for you today will focus on rest and calm. David says in Psalm 4:8:  In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone Lord make me dwell in safety.

Thank you Lord for looking after me, even when the turmoil of my life blocks your calming voice. Help me to look forward to the challenges this new day will bring and to trust that you will see me safely through to evening.
AMEN

Matthew11:28-30.  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

There are so many pressures and crises in our world just now that respite from personal unease is quickly overlaid with anxiety for unstable government, disintegrating climate and a European war. Taking a break from worry in a place where one cannot rush to intervene brings space to discover peace, to set aside care and to rest, to learn to be calm again, to have time to sleep. I can light a candle and focus on its tiny pool of light. Deciding to bundle all my care into a big heap and dump it all at Jesus’ feet brings me to a calm place, suitable for listening….there is no traffic, just the gentle rolling waves and the occasional squawk of a green parakeet.

Lord in the noise of today may I find your calm centre and ease my soul into rest. Speak to me of your peace in the beauty of this place that I may find my relaxation in you.
AMEN

Here is a common blessing from Paul:
Romans 15:13 – May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

This is refreshment – a chance to consider and re-set priorities, to re-charge stores of hope.

Lord, in this noisy, tumultuous world bring war mongers to the peace table, open the eyes of the powerful to the needs of the poor, bless the COP27 with a common cause and may we all contribute our small part to hope’s renewal by the power of the Holy Spirit.
AMEN