Evening Prayers Tuesday, 11 August 2020
Good evening Living Stones, and welcome once more as we gather together at this evening hour.
1 Corinthians 16:13and 14
“Be on your guard:
stand firm in the faith;
be people of courage;
be strong.
Do everything in love.”
I am taking up the theme of this morning: ‘fortitude’, which means ‘endurance and courage’.
Over the years I’ve met numerous people who have shown a quiet, courageous approach to life, despite their physical disability or debilitating illness; and marvelled at their endurance and courage. Somehow, they have found an inner strength that carries them through their various difficulties.
Not all have been Christians. However there seems to be the possibility within all people to discover this capacity of serenity and perseverance.
I believe all humankind are made in the image of God, and God’s grace is freely given to all, even if the person does not acknowledge that this inner strength is God given.
It is often retrospectively that we realise that we have found inner resources within ourselves that we did not think we possessed. Then we can marvel at how God has been there, guiding and strengthening us through even the darkest of times.
Maria Willis wrote,’ Father, hear the prayer we offer,’ as long ago as 1859 and it is still treasured by Christians today.
Let us now pray it together.
Father hear the prayer we offer:
not for ease that prayer shall be,
but for strength that we may ever
live our lives courageously.
Not for ever in green pastures
do we ask our way to be:
but the steep and rugged pathway
may we tread rejoicingly.
Not for ever by still waters
would we idly rest and stay:
but would smite the living fountains
from the rocks along our way.
Be our strength in hours of weakness,
in our wanderings be our guide;
through endeavour, failure, danger,
Father, be thou at our side.
Amen
Ann Lewin writes in her book, ‘Watching for the Kingfisher’ this poem as a response to ‘Father hear the prayer we offer’.
Not for ease? Why not?
What’s wrong with ease?
For most of us the
Problem is not self-indulgence,
But that we allow ourselves too little.
Prohibitions, counsels of perfection,
Drive us and load us up with guilt.
Time enough for courageous living
And all that rock-smiting.
Let’s rest and wander in green pastures
When we find them, make the space
To let ourselves be loved;
Build up our strength
And grow in confidence;
Drinking living water springing
In great fountains;
Feed on the Bread of Life which
Satisfies.
Then we shall have provision
For the journey, and at last
Arrive, not too unpractised
In the art of resting
In His presence.
Let us pray.
Father, we thank you for being with us through the journey of life.
Jesus, we thank you for walking with us on our journey.
Spirit, we thank you for strengthening us on our journey.
Father Son and Holy Spirit, thank you for being for ever active in our lives. Amen.
Fill us Father with your Spirit of life and hope
and guide us on our pilgrimage of Faith; that we may walk with Him
who is the Way the Truth and the Life;
your Son our saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
In peace we will lie down and sleep;
for you alone, Lord. make us dwell in safety.
Abide with us, Lord Jesus.
For the night is at hand and the day is now past,
As the night-watch looks for the morning,
so do we look for you O Christ.
May the love of the Lord enfold us, his joy fill our hearts;and the Blessing of God be with us and all our loved ones, this night and always. Amen
Good night Living Stones
Jill and Paul Le Sueur.
