Gathering Prayers and Blessing based on Psalm 98
Gathering Prayers and Blessing based on Psalm 98
by Christine Dutton
Hopefully these are gathering prayers which bring us together to worship and sing a new song, recognising that the week that has past may have brought us joy or pain, celebration or struggle. The blessing continues the theme of singing. Gathering Prayers based on Psalm 98 O Sing…
Psalms for Everyone - Bless Us, and Enable Other People to see for Themselves
Psalms for Everyone - Bless Us, and Enable Other People to see for Themselves
by SPCK - John Goldingay
Bless Us, and Enable Other Peoples to See for Themselves Psalm 67 “God bless America.” The fact that this weekend has been characterized by commemorations of September 11 has made that plea once more resound. Now, the Old Testament is inclined to make a distinction between blessi…
Psalms for Everyone Part 2 - Don’t Trust in Leaders
Psalms for Everyone Part 2 - Don’t Trust in Leaders
by SPCK - John Goldingay
Don’t Trust in Leaders Psalm 146 I remember the winter’s day when I announced to the students at the theological college in England where I used to be the principal that I would be leaving the coming summer. To my surprise, it aroused a feeling of anxiety among a number of studen…
Psalms for Everyone - On Pleading with the King
Psalms for Everyone - On Pleading with the King
by SPCK - John Goldingay
On Pleading with the King Psalm 5 Tomorrow, South Sudan becomes a separate country, independent of northern Sudan. No one knows what the future will bring for it, but if you belong to South Sudan, you hope that it means an end to the conflict between the south and the north and t…
Recovering from Depression - Where is God?
Recovering from Depression - Where is God?
by SPCK - Katharine Smith
Where is God? Saying ‘yes’ to God So far we’ve been thinking about recovery from clinical depression and the healing of the wounds that might lie behind the depression. With the right medical treatment and therapeutic support we are setting out on the road of recovery. But before…
PAUL AND THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD - The Reality of Empire
PAUL AND THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD - The Reality of Empire
by SPCK - N T Wright
Chapter Five THE EAGLE HAS LANDED: ROME AND THE CHALLENGE OF EMPIRE 2. The Reality of Empire (I) Introduction By the time Paul was born, the empire of Augustus Caesar stretched from one sea to another – the Black Sea to the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean to the English Channel…
Salt
Salt
by Paul Glass
A meditation on Matthew 5:13-20 Salt Salt – being salty. The problem is, dear friend, that when I think about myself – the words that I say, the things that I do – it is not the word ‘salty’ that comes into my mind. I worry, Lord, that my Christian life is just a little bit bland…
Turning Around
Turning Around
by Paul Glass
The first mate of a pirate ship decides he wants to turn his life around Turning Around - Matthew 5. 1-12 Captain: 3 degrees to starboard Mr. Kelly. Kelly: Aye, aye, Captain. Captain: Steady as she goes. Kelly: Aye, aye, Captain...(pause) Captain? Captain: Yes, Mr. Kelly? Kelly: …
Times and Seasons - A Prayer for Homelessness Sunday
Times and Seasons - A Prayer for Homelessness Sunday
by Jan Berry
Prayers of Intercession A Prayer for Homelessness Sunday Hospitable God, we thank you for the warmth of home, for the security that surrounds us, for the care from knowing we belong. We pray for those for whom ‘home’ is not a place of safety: those whose relationships are scarred…
Times and Seasons - God of new beginnings
Times and Seasons - God of new beginnings
by Jan Berry
God of new beginnings God of new beginnings, you greet us in our joy when we step out in hopeful anticipation, delighting in a fresh adventure. God of new beginnings, you walk alongside us in our fear, when we drag our feet reluctantly to face the change we dread. Continues...
What do you seek?
What do you seek?
by Paul Glass
Regina and Reggie from the city ask what you are looking for. ‘What do you seek?’ John Ch. 1. 29-42 Reggie: Hi there, welcome. Regina: Listen carefully. Reggie: I’m Reggie. Regina: And I’m Regina. Reggie: We’re something big in the City. Regina: Really, really big. Reggie: So you…
Barefoot Prayers - Week 3 - Occasions
Barefoot Prayers - Week 3 - Occasions
by SPCK - Stephen Cherry
Week 3 OCCASIONS Prayer is often connected to occasions, whether they are special occasions or rites of passage. There is a deep intuition behind this and it helps us to find direction and draw the whole of ourselves – mind, body and spirit – into the moments, hours and days that…
Barefoot Prayers - Week 4 - Puzzles
Barefoot Prayers - Week 4 - Puzzles
by SPCK - Stephen Cherry
Week 4 Puzzles Life raises questions. It creates predicaments. It leads to situations that are not easily resolved and conflicts that refuse to be reconciled. Life is full of puzzles: and our prayer should embrace and hold some of the puzzles that we experience...
Barefoot Prayers - Week 1 - Gatherings
Barefoot Prayers - Week 1 - Gatherings
by SPCK - Stephen Cherry
Week 1 GATHERINGS This collection begins on the Sunday before Lent. Lent is itself a season of preparation, but even preparation can benefit from preparation. Shrove Tuesday is the focus of this, and can helpfully take the form of a day of clearing out and carnival. It begins on …
Barefoot Prayers - Barefoot praying