Hello Everyone
Christine and I were Listening to the ‘Bible in a Year‘ being read to us by David Suchet. The daily readings on one particular day started with a reading from the 3rd chapter of Proverbs verses 1-10. Each day the readings start with a Psalm or Proverb followed by a New Testament reading ending with one from the Old Testament. Christine and I look forward to listening to David, he reads so well. The tonal changes and empathise in his voice help us to take in what has been read to us. It was a reading from the book of Proverbs which struck a chord with both of us.
P.R.A.Y
Pause as you pray this Prayer of Approach.
Loving Father, I still my soul now and remember that You are here with me, you are here in me, you are here for me. Lord Jesus, I worship You. Holy Spirit, I welcome You.
Wisdom Bestows Well-Being Proverbs 3 v 1–10
Do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favour and a good name
in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him,
and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil, this will bring nourishment to your bones.
Honour the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops;
then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
Since the second wave of the COVID-19, wellbeing has been high in people’s minds. Daily bulletins of new thoughts and measures, facts and figures have not been encouraging – reaching one hundred thousand deaths, and more critically ill in overrun hospitals, and more and more new cases daily.
Wellbeing comes in many distinctive guises. Not many people rush to get hold of a bible to make them feel good. The passage of scripture above, dwells on our relationship with God and the whole of His Creation from which our wellbeing springs.
The Theme of this year’s Winter Watch with Chris Packham and Team was ‘Natural Well Being’. The team displayed and shared their knowledge of the outdoors through the medium of our television sets, in our homes. There was real energy, joy and euphoria in following the wildlife, and appreciating the flora and fauna, around the UK.
Chris Packham says ‘connecting with nature is important to us, and there are so many of us who enjoy the natural wellbeing of being outdoors or simply watching the birds in the garden from our patio doors or windows and we can now be mindful of the changes that are starting to occur heralding spring.
There is more interest in Mindfulness in these days of lockdown. Winter Watch paused for 90 seconds in each of its eight episodes to give time for some of our five senses to kick in. (Touch, sight, smell, hearing and taste).
Ruth Esther Vawter – Pray Blog Author – gives us her contribution on senses and wellbeing
I believe in God because I see Him around me.
I believe in God because I Feel the presence of God.
I believe in God because I can smell His fragrance.
I believe in God because I can hear Him speak to me in various ways.
I believe in God because I can taste and know that He is God.
I believe in God because I believe the living word of God is true.
Our two Archbishops Invited us to set aside time every evening to pray, particularly at 6pm each day. More than ever, this is a time when we need to love each other and prayer is an expression of love.”
So let us take up this invitation to pray each day
Let us remember the work in the NHS, the sick and all those bereaved.
Let us pray for the safety of all front-line workers.
Let us pray for our government. the economy, the nation and the world as we battle with this pandemic. Let us pray for the rolling out of the vaccination programme.
In the Order of Compline –Last corporate Prayer of the day takes its form from psalm 17.
Compare Psalm 17 v 6-8 with the Compline Prayer.
6 I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;
turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
7 Show me the wonders of your great love,
you who save by your right hand
those who take refuge in you from their foes.
8 Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings.
Compline Prayer
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit;
For you have redeemed us, O Lord, O God of truth.
Keep us, O Lord, as the apple of your eye;
Hide us under the shadow of your wings.
KEEP US AS THE APPLE OF YOUR EYE & HELP US TO FIND OUR SAFETY UNDER THE SHADOW OF YOUR WINGS
KEEP SAFE AND KEEP PRAYING
Peter
