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 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.
Praying Together January 14th 2024
Plough Sunday has its roots in medieval times, when the parish church was often used to store a communal plough in the winter months, then being decorated and blessed before the rhythm of the agricultural season begins once more on Plough Monday
Praying Together 7th January 2024
When the world looks at us, sees our actions, our life, do we reflect the light of Christ, and further His Kingdom? Or do we deepen the darkness?
Praying Together 31st December 2023
Jesus – the revolutionary terrorist according to the Sanhedrin – is different, however, in one unique regard.
His only weapon is love.
Even for enemies.
Which is how His Victory is won.
Praying Together 25th December 2023
Without the crib, there is no cross.
Without the cross, the crib has no meaning.
Unto us a child is born…
… a Saviour who is Christ the Lord.