Saturday, February 6, 2010

I know we are already into February,

but to me it still feels as though it is very early in this New Year.

So, at the start of it,

I thought you might find encouragement in these words of James Keller:

Hope looks for the good in people, instead of harping on the worst.

Hope opens doors, where despair closes them.

Hope discovers what can be done, instead of grumbling about what cannot.

Hope draws its power

from a deep trust in God and the basic goodness of people.

Hope 'lights a candle', instead of cursing the darkness.

Hope regards problems small or large, as opportunities.

Hope pushes ahead when it would be easy to quit.

Hope puts up with modest gains,

realising that 'the longest journey starts with one step'.

Hope accepts misunderstanding

as the price for serving the greater good of others.

Hope is a good loser, because it has the divine assurance of final victory.

with my best wishes for you now and always,

Sunday, December 20, 2009

As we are in the last few days of Advent,

I thought you might be able to make use of this Advent prayer.

with my best wishes for you now and always,

Loving God,

we thank you for this season of Advent,

this time of preparation, thanksgiving, challenge, and reflection.

Open our hearts and minds to all you want to say to us.

We thank you that you sent your Son, Jesus

to live among us,

to show us how much you love us,

to help us come to know you,

to show us how to live.

We thank you that the life of Jesus

brings joy where once there was sorrow,

hope where once there was despair,

faith where once there was doubt.

Forgive us

for when we have lost sight of the message of Advent,

for when we have let the wonder of it all be swamped

by our busy preparations for Christmas,

by our out of proportion concerns with what is often unimportant,

and by our failure to live in your way.

Be with us now

in this time of prayer,

in all the people here,

in our concern for our families and friends,

in our efforts to help the poor of the world.

Open our hearts and minds to all you want to say to us,

so that we may prepare well during Advent

and truly celebrate Christmas.

Monday, November 30, 2009

A few years ago I came across this comment and prayer,

I think it was written by Anthea Dove.

with my best wishes for you now and always,

"Increase our longing for Christ our Saviour and give us the strength to grow in love."

(Opening prayer: First Sunday of Advent)

Let us listen to the words of this prayer

that begins our time of preparation for Christ's birth.

Let us read with open minds and open hearts and try to make the prayer our own.

We should also remember the millions of diverse people throughout our world

who are beginning this Advent season of waiting and longing with us today.

What are we longing for?

For Jesus, that he may become ever more real to us,

the one who longs for us even more deeply than we long for him.

For peace in our world and an end to violence, hunger and despair.

For justice, freedom and unwavering hope.

But it is not enough to long.

If we truly search for the light of God's Word,

we will not be content simply to bask in the warmth of his love.

We will realise our need, our calling, to follow him.

We will see that it is our vocation to love one another,

to be his hands, his eyes, his voice,

as we seek to serve our brothers and sisters in this world.

We must be a part, however small, of the struggle for peace and justice.

Lord Jesus, as this season of Advent begins,

help us to make it a special time of preparation for your coming.

Let it be a time of prayerful meditation

and renewed commitment to you, for whom we long,

and to our brothers and sisters throughout the world.

Monday, November 9, 2009

A prayer for Remembrance Day,

with my best wishes for you now and always,