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I once was lost…

“Today, if you are reading this and you have been marginalised, belittled, ostracised, or left out in the cold; if you have made mistakes, hurt others, or hurt yourself; if you have walked away from relationships, said harsh words, or behaved badly; if you are continually hijacked by inappropriate or disturbing thoughts, desires, or feelings; if you feel undeserving, a lack of self-worth, or that you are unlovable; then hear the message of Jesus — that God loves you, has come to you, and wants you to find your home in them.” Rev Gav, 2022

Daily Bread

Morning Prayer

Your love, O Lord, is never ending
and your mercies endure forever.
They are new every morning.
Great is your faithfulness!

The night has passed, and the day lies open before me,
and so, at the dawn of this new day, I come before you
with an open heart and ready to be filled with your love.

As I rejoice in the gift of this new day,
so may the light of your presence, O God,
set my heart on fire with love for you.
Fill me with your life-giving Spirit
that I might be Jesus to all I meet
and a vessel for your unending love.

Loving God, who abides in heaven,
you are the Father and Mother of us all.
May your holiness be declared,
your justice be observed,
your will be embraced,
and your kingdom be established
on earth as in heaven.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and testing, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
And from the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.

Prayed 51 times.

Afternoon Prayer

Where can I go from your spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, you are there.
If I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I ride the wings of the morning
and dwell by the farthest ocoeans,
even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me fast.

Holy God,
kindle in me the fire of your love
that I may bring warmth to the world.
May I be led from death to life,
from falsehood to truth;
from despair to hope,
from fear to trust;
from hate to love,
from war to peace.
And may I be so anointed with your Spirit
that I may be filled with both your peace and joy,
and live and work to your praise and glory.

For all that has past I thank you
and for all that lies ahead I give you praise.
May my eyes be open to see you
in all whom I serve and encounter.

Help me be Jesus to the world.
Help me be your hands and your feet.
Help me have your heart for the broken-hearted.
Help me be Jesus to a world
that needs you more than words can tell.
Help me be Jesus to the world.

And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
be with me and all those I hold dear,
Now and for evermore.

Prayed 19 times.

Evening Prayer

Be still and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations.
I will be honoured in the earth.

Loving God,
As this day draws to a close
may I know your grace, mercy, and peace.
Cleanse my heart and mind
of all anxiety, weariness, and pain,
and in the stillness,
may I know your loving presence.

As I reflect on my day,
I give you thanks for all that has been done
And let go of all that has not been done,
handing it over to you
to make good that which I am unable.

For the love I have shared, I am grateful.
For provision and nurture, I am grateful.
For kindness given, I am grateful.
For the sorrow I have caused, I pray for forgiveness.
For injustices ignored, I ask for mercy.

As I look forward to this night
I cast my fears upon you –
fears of the world’s darkness
and fears in my inner being.
May I find my rest in you.

May the peace of your Spirit
that transcends all understanding
fill me and all those I love and hold dear.

Tomorrow is a new day
with new joys and new possibilities.
May I wake tomorrow
feeling refreshed, expectant, joyful,
and with a heart full of your love.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.

For you are with me,
now and always.

Prayed 10 times.

Night Prayer

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Holy God,
Into your hands I commend my spirit.
Keep me as the apple of your eye.
and hide me under the shadow of your wings.
Protect my conscious and my unconscious,
and guard me as I sleep this night
that my dreams will be filled with hope
and my rest be in your loving arms.

Spirit, in whom I live and move and have my being,
from you, nothing is hidden.
Breathe into me your cleansing wind
that I may be filled with your unending love.

Before the ending of the day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That you, with steadfast love, would keep
Your watch around us while we sleep.

From evil dreams defend our sight,
From fears and terrors of the night;
Tread underfoot our deadly foe
That we no sinful thought may know.

O Father, that we ask be done
Through Jesus Christ, your only Son;
And Holy Spirit, by whose breath
Our souls are raised to life from death.

Jesus Christ,
I cast my burdens unto you,
and ask that my soul might be refreshed as I sleep.
For I am yours and you are mine.
Now and forever.

Prayed 31 times.

Thursday 15th May (Rev Gav)

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But it is to fulfil the scripture, “The one who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.” I tell you this now, before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am he.Very truly, I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.’

"I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me."

This week I was trolled on social media. Someone hiding behind a pseudonym bombarded me with a mixture of questions and observations about Christianity, and as time went on they gradually became more toxic. It was clear that they were not interested in genuine dialogue, even admitting that they had been, "doing this (to Christians) for years."

I don't know what drives someone to become so bitter and twisted — perhaps some kind of negative religious experience or trauma? Sadly, I know of many who have been physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually abused from the pulpit or by 'Christians'. Some are consciously aware of the impact this has had had on their lives, yet others lash out and barely know why.

Being a priest means I am a public figure, and to many I represent the God or the Church with whom they are so angry. And so, their anger finds its target or focus, they take aim, and they fire a barrage of abuse, rationalising it as fair and just.

I remember a pastor once telling me that 'this is nearly always about that', meaning the abuse in the present is nearly always about something else going on in a person's life. For example, the bully seeks to control through power and coercion because another area of their lives was or currently is out of control.

Another pastor friend of mine likes to use the phrase 'hurt people hurt people' but that's not always true. Perhaps a better way of putting it, but less catchy, would be 'the hurting of people is often caused by hurting people'.

The point is that we must try not to take abuse to heart. We are messengers of Christ. We are God's agents or ambassadors in the world. We are not God, therefore, when someone takes pot shots at us they are literally 'shooting the messenger'.

Predators isolate and pick off the weak and injured prey. When you are trolled, bullied, or abused, stand firm and be calm, loving, and generous, but above all, seek wisdom, support, encouragement, and advice from Christian friends who love you. Do not try and stand in your own strength. You are part of a team. It's called your church, and we are here for you. They will either help you stand or lead you out of danger.

Holy God
When I am bullied and I am on the receiving end
of physical, verbal, emotional, mental, or spiritual abuse,
help me to remember that 'this is probably about that'
and to not take it personally.
As I seek to respond in love,
remind me to reach out to my church family
for wisdom, support, encouragement, and advice.
Thank you for not leaving me alone.
Yours forever.

Prayed 11 times.

Our weekly Insights and Bible Study plus Member Creativity.

Insights

Rev Gav | May 12

In what way was John’s revelation radical?

A beautiful and elaborate golden throne with red velvet seat and back sits on a plinth in a darkened room.

John paints a picture of how things will be for a great multitude that no-one can count from every nation, tribe, people, and language.

Two ducks swim across a calm lake, one following in the wake of the other.

May 4

What can we learn from Peter?

We can see ourselves reflected in the story of Simon Peter — a story where we drop everything to be with Jesus, discover that Jesus values us, that through his resurrection we are forgiven, and that our love, however flawed, is enough.

Apr 28

What is our ‘new work’ in Christ?

What does your church do collectively to declare Jesus Christ as Saviour and to bless the community that it serves?

A stone tomb with a large round rock that can be rolled away from the entrance.

Apr 20

Why was Jesus resurrected?

The power of God lives in us to bring about justice, peace, grace, and mercy in the world, and this is why, on Easter Day, we gather and proclaim, “He is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!”