Collect for 2 Sundays before Lent
Almighty God, you have created the heavens and the earth and made us in your own image: Teach us to discern your hand in all your works and your likeness in all your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit reigns supreme over all things, now and for ever.
Romans 8: 18 – 25
Matthew 6: 25 – 34
‘So do not worry about tomorrow’. Trust me, says Jesus.
People talk about ‘earning trust’, as if trust is a reward for positive behaviour. They consider that because they feel they have done lots of good stuff in the past, people’s trust in them should be mandatory.
But in fact, trust is not ‘earned’. It never can be. It can only be awarded. Jesus never forces us to trust Him because of what He has done. He died for our sin, unconditionally – and then gives us a choice. He asks us to award Him our trust when the future consequences of obeying Him will likely cause suffering, hardship and ridicule. In our pain, we shout to God; Why have you forsaken me?
Trust answers that question by proclaiming ‘Thy will be done’. In the face of whatever may befall, we trust in His love. Our trust in Jesus is the gift we award Him, given freely and unconditionally. He will never, ever, betray it. Our prayer is simply ‘Father, into your hands I commit my Spirit’.
Faith means little when God’s plan is the same as our plan. Faith is everything when it isn’t. When we don’t understand, when the things of the world tempt – and often overcome – us. When disaster happens. When we feel alone and helpless in the face of tragedy; all we can do is turn to Him, and leave the future in His hands.
Remember – F.A.I.T.H. – ‘ Forsaking All, I Trust Him’
Previous Posts
Praying Together 7th April 2024
We are challenged to decide what we need to ‘see’ to believe – and then to seek it in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Praying Together 31st March 2024 Easter Day
“I have seen the Lord”. It is difficult to imagine her emotions. She has seen the Lord! She doesn’t yet understand fully – but her eyes have seen Him. Her life is changed for ever, and she doesn’t care who knows it.
Praying Together 24th March 2024
But Jesus is aware of what He will have to endure in order to fulfil His mission of salvation – and He sets the necessary elements in motion.
Praying Together 17th March 2024
The Anglican Church of Ireland has produced an excellent example of the way in which St Patrick’s life embodies the Five marks of Mission – a real cause for celebration and a model for us to follow (And by the way, St. Patrick’s flag colour is blue, not green.)
Praying Together 10th March 2024
It’s a day of being aware of, and thankful for, the caring and loving relationships that exist within family and friends.
Praying Together 3rd March 2024
And what of our anger? Is it based on injury to self? Injury to others? Or injury to love, to forgive, to serve? Can we defend it at the foot of the Kingly throne?
Praying Together 25th February 2024
‘Which am I – the chicken or the pig? Jesus makes it clear that in following Him, there is no half-way house – our values are either of the material world, or of the Kingdom.
Praying Together 18th February 2024
The world is in flames. Are you impelled to put them out? Look at the cross. From the open heart gushes the blood of the Saviour. This extinguishes the flames of hell. Make your heart free by the faithful fulfilment of your vows;
Praying Together 11th February 2024
It’s the same for us – we cannot build our faith on just one or two aspects of Jesus’ story. The fundamental truth we need to accept that He is risen from the dead and He is Lord, alive.
Praying Together 4th February 2024
He asks for no reward, save that of loving His creation, His Father and our neighbours (all of them) as He loves – do we even do that?
Praying together 28th January 2024
So, says Paul, eat or don’t eat. Stop making a fuss over things that don’t matter, and get on with loving your neighbour.
Praying Together 21st January 2024
as we celebrate this week of Christian Unity, let us consider what service we could offer together, that we wouldn’t be capable of achieving on our own – the whole being much greater than the parts.