Daily Prayers Wednesday, 23 March 2022
Good morning Cornerstone friends on another wonderful spring day. Today is a National day of Reflection. This started last year on the anniversary of the first year of lockdown. We are asked to pause at 12:00 midday for a minute to ‘Reflect, Support and Hope’ and think of all those who have died in the last year whether by Covid or others causes and for all who care for the sick and needy.
Psalm 147 verses 13 – 21
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates and has blest you with children within you.
He has established peace in your borders and satisfies you with the finest wheat.
Great is our Lord and mighty in power.
He sends forth his command to the earth and his word runs very swiftly.
He gives snow like wool and scatters the hoarfrost like ashes.
He casts down his hailstones like morsels of bread; who can endure his frost?
Great is our Lord and mighty in power.
He sends forth his word and melts them; he blows with his wind and the waters flow.
He declares his word to Jacob his statutes and judgements to Israel.
He has not dealt so with any other nations; they do not know his laws.
Alleluia.
Compassionate God, as you know every star you have created,
so you know the secrets of every heart;
in your loving mercy bring to your table all who are fearful and broken,
all who are wounded and needy, that our hunger will be satisfied in the city of your peace,
through Christ who is our peace.
Amen.
St Matthew Chapter 5 verses 17 – 19
‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.’
The gospel is another section of our Lord’s teaching to the disciples before they set out and about in Galilee. They have had the Beatitudes; ‘Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted’ amongst other seemingly topsy-turvy ideas. They have been told they are the ‘salt of the earth’, and now they get this. God is constant and none of his laws is going to be changed, but now they are going to learn about the ‘Grace of God, through Jesus Christ’ in enabling them to make fresh starts in order to continue towards perfection.
We learned last Sunday that repentance is not just being sorry, it is a complete turn-around. Grace is not being ‘let off’ from the realities of life, we are not sitting out the game on the benches; we have to keep working at our discipleship and remain true to our calling. We are encouraged like the fig tree in the parable to fulfil God’s purpose for each of us.
Let us pray for today’s disciples and our church leaders:
Almighty and everlasting God,
by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified;
hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people
that in their vocation and ministry they may serve you in holiness and truth
to the glory of your name through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen
Some thoughts for the Day of Reflection from the Church of England website about where we are now in our dealing with the Covid pandemic.
Reflect
Loving God,
You hold all our times in your hands, our past, our present, our future. Be close to us now as we remember all the difficulties and disappointments of the past year. Be especially close to all of us who are thinking of someone we loved and knew, but see no longer, whether family, friend, colleague or neighbour. Help us to trust that they are at peace with you, and comfort us with your presence.
Connect
Loving God,
You place us in families and communities, and we give you thanks for all those around us who serve us and help us in so many ways. Give wisdom to community leaders, to our schools, hospitals, care homes and other agencies who make a difference to our lives. Help each of us to have the courage to reach out with thanks and kindness to those around us and to speak words of faith as we share the good news of your love.
Hope
Loving God,
As we journey towards Easter, help us to live as people of hope, knowing that beyond the pain of the cross lies the joy of resurrection. Inspire us in our worship, through our churches and in our homes, that we may bring glory to you and joy to others. Be with those who are struggling in mind, body or spirit, and give courage to those who are facing uncertainty and change ahead. Help each of us to keep our eyes fixed on you, that we may reflect your light to all whom we meet.
We still have great unrest in today’s world and, while we are safe, many are suffering. We need to pray for the people of Ukraine and Russia and for all those who lead them on both sides of the conflict.
God of peace and justice, we pray for the people of Ukraine today.
We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons.
We pray for all who fear tomorrow, that your Spirit of comfort will draw near to them.
We pray for those with power over war and peace,
for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions.
Above all we pray for all your precious children at risk and fear, that you would protect them.
We pray in the name of Jesus the Prince of Peace.
Amen.
Archbishops Justin Welby and Stephen Cotterell
Don’t forget to pause for a minute at midday today and to remember that our clocks miss an hour on Saturday night, so that you are not an hour late for worship on Sunday morning when British Summer Time begins!
Don Head
