1 Peter 2.2-10: “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
As you come to him, the living Stone – rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him – you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says:
‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.’
Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,’
and,
‘A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.’
They stumble because they disobey the message – which is also what they were destined for.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
Colin lead a short reflection regarding both Biblical and modern-day hero’s and their flaws, pointing out that being human, we all have flaws and that God can use us anyway. But likewise, being human and having flaws we should seek Gods help and guidance to overcome them so they don’t overshadow or taint the good God can do through us. He gave examples of Martin Luther King jr, who was both a champion of the civil rights movement and a womaniser, of Leo Tolstoy whose unyielding perfectionism woven into his radical faith isolated him from his family and friends and thus what should be life giving became stifling and the very recent example of Mike Pilivachi, whose flawed character and safeguarding breaches has forever tainted Soul Survivor ministries for many despite it being where they found their faith. He also gave the example of Henri Nouwen as someone to follow; whose flaw was loneliness, insecurity, and a hunger for approval, but who rather than let these hold him back or taint his character, was open and honest about them, offering them to God each day and through that vulnerability and honesty, enabled others to be equally honest and vulnerable and get the support they needed. It is the paradox of Gods Kingdom that strength comes through weakness, as ultimately and supremely displayed by the sacrifice of Jesus.
Colin ended with a prayer which he invited others to make their own “Create in me a clean heart O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence and take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore me to the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you (Psalm 51:10-12 – NLT)
Prayer requests:
- For Street Pastors with ill members of their family, for Gods healing and protection over them
- For N and S, that God would help them end their homelessness soon.
- For the gentleman that wanted money for his tube fare, that he got home safely.
- That the police incident at Tesco’s ended peacefully and swiftly.
- For the two men having a play fight by Wealdstone station. That God would give them peace.
- For the 6th form guy and girl, that they got home safely and for God’s blessing over the next stage of their lives.
- For the intoxicated man with his shirt off, that he got home safely and without further harassment.
- For those that regularly sleep in transit hubs and don’t engage, that God might intervene in their lives so they might seek and find help to better their situation.
Oh gracious and loving Father, who sits on the throne in heaven watching and caring for us. We bring before you our prayers and gratitude:
- We thank you for the wonderful service provided by 111 in response to emergencies and the attentive and compassionate care provided by the ambulance service. Father heap your blessings on all the staff who work within the service, fill them with love and care for their work and may the get great joy from results of the help and support they provide.
- We pray for M , a long-term friend of C, who lost her husband suddenly. We pray for M who passed away a few weeks ago. Comfort and draw the families and all those who are mourning close to you during this difficult time.
- We pray for recovery of A’s purse that was stolen while she was out shopping. We also pray for the thief to be touched by their conscience and return the purse and seek and accept your forgiveness.
- A gives thanks for her daughter’s help with gardening chores that she finds difficult to perform herself. She is thankful for the beautiful blooming plants.
- We pray for those who suffered during the attack at Golders Green, we give thanks there were no fatalities but pray for the climate of fear that has arisen to disappear.
- We pray for the ongoing crises in the Middle East and continue to pray that war will not break out and tensions to ease.
- We pray for A’s sister staying in a hotel while her property is renovated following a fire. We pray for accessible washing facilities while work at her home is completed.
- V gives thanks for the beauty of nature especially that observed during the visit to the Lake District. Thank you Lord for the beauty of your magnificent creation.
- We pray for E and her husband who are not well. Healing Father restore them to full healthy and strengthen them daily through you grace.
- We pray for those who are hard of hearing to be able to communicate and make their wishes known clearly and those who have full hearing to be patient and attentive.
- We pray for our Jewish community to be safe and feel welcome, valued and wanted wherever they are in the world. Heavenly Father please shelter them from any more attacks. We pray for the attackers and those hostile to the Jewish community to be changed and demonstrate love like that shown by our Saviour Jesus to his enemies.
- We pray for our SPs and PPs caring for loved ones who are unwell and those who are recovering from illness themselves. Heavenly father watch over them and bring help and support where it is needed, encouragement and hope so they can return to serving you in their roles.
- We give thanks for the visit to St Anselm’s church and the positive responses the SPs received, we pray those who expressed interest will be become part of the HSP team after training.
- M gives thanks for the smooth running during very busy weeks at work and your gracious hand over her that was evident during that time.
- We continue to pray for our Christian brothers and sisters in Nigeria through ongoing persecution and are being killed as the world remains blind and silent to their suffering. Dear Father you are not blind nor silent to their suffering, you have blessed them with a faithfulness that is a lesson to the Christian community worldwide. We pray for their safety and protection and their enemies to be banished from their midst.
- M also prays for your guidance when witnessing despair and need in the streets, to know how to approach and deal with that need. Let your spirit guide her actions towards those situations.
- We pray for the local council elections taking place this week. For wise and selfless leaders to be elected who will serve selflessly with Christ-like attitude.
- We pray for those seeking employment, lead them to the roles you have chosen for them, and they do not lose hope because you are a God of provision. We give thanks for those who have found new openings.
- Q brings prayers for C who is homeless and not trusting of authorities to get and accept help with her situation.
- O prays for SPs to continue to show God’s love during their patrol.
- We pray for J’s mum who is in hospital to recover and return home soon.
- C prays for the brokenness in the world and for calm and peace to return in all troubled places.
- E prays for the planned marches around the country to proceed peacefully. She gives praise and thanks for the testimony from a young man in her church who was guided by the holy spirit from a planned mass fight. We give you thanks and praise God for his wisdom and pray you would make young people open and close to their parents.
- M prays for the country and government especially with the recent passing of legislation that could cause political uncertainty.
Lord in your grace and mercy, hear and receive our prayers. All this we pray in your name and in the loving name of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen