Morning Prayer Tuesday 11th. August 2020

Welcome to Cornerstone Morning Prayer. Let us pray.

Lord, we thank you or the gift of this new day. Lord, you care for all our needs, send us faith that we, who think our problems are great, may trust in that which is greater, your everlasting power and mercy, Amen.

A 17^th Century hymn writer, Paul Gerhardt, wrote this lovely hymn.

Put thou thy trust in God,
in duty’s path go on;
walk in his strength with faith and hope,
so shall thy work be done.

Commit thy ways to him,
thy works into his hands,
and rest on his unchanging word,
who Heaven and Earth commands.

Give to the winds thy ears;
hope, and be undismayed:
God hears they sighs and counts thy tears;
God shall lift up thy head.

On the last Sunday morning before Cornerstone Church closed its public worship, I preached a sermon on ‘Fortitude.’, which my dictionary defines as, ‘Courage in endurance.’ We certainly need that quality as day follows day, week follows week and month follows month, and still there is no sign that this pandemic has been or will be defeated at any time soon.

Jesus said, ‘Happy are those who do not lose faith in me.’ Matthew 11.6 An old preacher was asked to define Christian perseverance. He answered: It means, firstly, to take hold; secondly to hold on; thirdly and lastly, to never let go.’

I would like to share with you how Sir Ronald Ross discovered which of over 2,000 species of mosquitoes which exist was the carrier of the malaria parasite , It is a perfect example of perseverance and fortitude. Ross dissected mosquito after mosquito, each of which took two or three hours of intense peering through his microscope. After many months he came down to the last three without any success. On the morning of the 20^th August, 1897, he saw one had died. He looked at the last but one. He took the stomach out and searched the remainder of the body, but found nothing. Wearily he turned to the stomach tissue, and there he saw a circular object, which contained black granules exactly like those seen in the mosquito parasite! The basic problem was solved at last. The species of mosquito was Anopheles. That evening he wrote these words;-

This day designing God
has put into my hand
a wondrous thing. And God
be praised. At his command
I have found thy secret deeds,
O million-murdering Death!
I know that this little thing
a million men will save–
Oh death, where is thy sting?
Thy victory, O grave.

Let us pray for those who care for the sick and for all medical researchers:

Gracious God, give, skill, sympathy and perseverance to all who are caring for the sick, and also your wisdom to those searching for a cure. Strengthen them with your Spirit, that though their work, many will be restored to health; through Jesus Christ our Lord, AMEN.

Let us pray for all who are fearful, and all who are suffering:

O Lord, at this time of uncertainty and suffering, sustain and support the anxious and fearful, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may rejoice in your strength, knowing that nothing can separate

Let us pray for ourselves in the words of Sir Francis Drake:

O Lord God, when you give to your servants to endeavour any great matter, grant us also to know that it is not the beginning, but the continuing in the same, until it be thoroughly finished which yields the true glory; through him who for the finishing of your work, laid down his life for us, our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, Amen.

And a prayer by Barbara Glasson, (President of the Methodist Conference), for the Christian Community.

We are not people of fear:
we are people of courage.
We are not people who protect our on safety;
we are people who protect our neighbours’ safety.
We are not people of greed:
We are people of generosity.
We are your people God,
Giving and loving.
Whatever it costs
For as long as it take
Wherever you call us. Amen.

May the love of God enfold you, the power of God protect you,
and the leading of the Holy Spirit guide you now and always, Amen.

Thank you for joining with us this morning

Jill and Paul Le Sueur.