MetCPA

Supporting officers and staff to be the best that they can be

Prayer Letter

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Prayer Letter from Alice

Hello everyone,

Last week in the Prayer Letter I shared an old Chorus with you.

“I stand before the Presence of the Lord God of Hosts”.

My mind has continued to stay in that area ever since.

My week has again been manic for many reasons and I know I need to take time out to renew my strength in the Lord.

I want to encourage you to do that, by sharing another Chorus with you, written by Noel Richards.

 To be in your presence
 To sit at your feet
 Where your love surrounds me
 And makes me complete

  To rest in your presence
  Not rushing away
  To cherish each moment
  Here I would stay

  This is my desire, O Lord
  This is my desire
  This is my desire, O Lord
  This is my desire

May I encourage you to take time out with Him. I know I need to do so.

Many Blessings as you spend time with Him this week.

Alice.

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Prayer Letter from Alice

Hello Everyone,

During the week at some stage, I have a nudge from God, “Here is the basis for this coming week’s Prayer Letter”. It can happen even before the present one hasn’t even left my lap top. This PL is one such case. All I knew was that the Chorus below featured, nothing else came along to go with it. By now I would have written the PL for this coming Friday. It is Wednesday Morning as I write. God knows.

It was late last night when I learned of the serious stabbing that had taken place in the Elmbridge area on a PCSO. Thoughts and Prayers immediately went out to her, family, Colleagues, Emergency Services that dealt with the happening, the MCT where I am a Chaplain who would have been called out. The list includes Insp: Bert Dean who is the Commander there and their Chaplain.

I am leaving with you the Chorus God gave me as stated earlier, it tells us who we are in Him. I am so pleased that at times like this, He cares and I have a place to go, to share with Him my deepest thoughts and sadness.

I stand before the presence of the Lord God of hosts,
a child of my Father and an heir of his grace,
for Jesus paid the debt for me, the veil was torn in two,
and the Holy of Holies has become my dwelling place.

During such times in which we live, please join me in standing in His Presence

I have returned to my lap top and it is now late Wednesday afternoon. Have heard that the PCSO has left hospital and is recovering at home. PRAISE THE LORD                        

We are in His Grip.

Alice.

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Prayer Letter from Alice

Hello Everyone.

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.

On June 2nd 1953, I found myself in a neighbour’s house, early in the morning, sitting on a hard chair; looking at a very small black and white TV set. The only one in our road in our small village in Wales (Yes, I am old!). I was in the front row of chairs huddled together; so that as many people as possible could see the Coronation of the Queen. My very young memory of the time tells me clearly, I was bored. All these people walking towards me in very odd clothes. I was being told, “Alice please stop wriggling; I cannot see the TV”! Eventually my Mum came to the front, picked me up and sat me on the floor. That was even harder and even more boring!

Little did I know that the building, Westminster Abbey had been closed for 6 months as it was being prepared for the Coronation of our new Queen. A railway track had been installed directly into the ancient building to transport tons of wood and metal to construct stadium like seating; to house 8,000 guests, normally the building would take 2,000.

I don’t remember Princess Elizabeth arriving or being crowned, but I have since learned over the years, how much she loves Her Lord and Saviour.

She said on her Coronation Day –

I am sure that this day – my Coronation, is not a symbol of a power and a splendour that have gone; but a declaration of our hope for the future and for the years I may, by God’s Grace and Mercy, be given to reign and serve you as your Queen.

May this be our desire too, for as long as God grants us breath, to serve in the capacity to which He has called each one of us. Amen.

In Hm and in His Strength alone

Alice

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Prayer Letter from Alice

Hello Everyone,

Last week I received the following from one of my Co Chaplains in Surrey Police.

“A good friend whom I prayed with yesterday shared with me an image of a tapestry that looks beautiful but, on the back, it is full of messy thread. It reminded me that in spite of the ‘mess’ of the world; it is still beautiful and the Lord is working in the background helping us navigate the mess. It’s a lovely image to me”.

As the above spoke to my friend, it spoke to me too, in a personal way.

I know I am very good at putting on a good front, when perhaps so much is going on inside and around me.

It says in 1 Chronicles 28, 9-10:

“The Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you”.

I want to be someone that God can use, I want to be that beautiful tapestry that the world around me, needs to see. But … in turn I need to care for myself, in allowing The Lord to point out the untidiness in my heart and life, so that I can be a Blessing to and for Him.

Again, I appreciate you in all you are and do. Thank you.

In His Grip

Alice.

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Prayer Letter from Alice

Hello Everyone.

Late last week, I was part of a CPA Prayer Group here in Surrey; we were bringing our concerns to the Lord. One participant said very early on in his Prayer:

“We are hard pressed on every side” (2Cor: 4. 8 – 12).

Later that day I went on to visit one of my Chaplaincy Departments. I heard of the enormous pressure they were feeling. Whist there, I happened to see a number of the Team smiling. I spoke to the Leader and referred to the smiles, she too was smiling. Her answer was, “We are smiling through the pain”.

The day before, I was in various Departments as a Chaplain, yet more concerns being picked up by myself; of the enormity of the work load being held. Then yesterday, I attended a Requiem Mass. The final Hymn – Be still for the Presence of the Lord is moving in this place. Words taken from Psalm 37.7.

“Be still in the Presence of the Lord and wait for Him to act”

Be still for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place
He comes to cleanse and heal
To minister His grace
No work too hard for Him
In faith receive from Him
Be still for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place.

(David J Evans)

As I sang the above words, I knew that I had to leave them with you, His Children needing His Grace, His Power and His Healing at this time.

May you know His Deep Ministry this coming week.

In His Grip.

Alice.

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Prayer Letter from Alice

Hello Everyone,

A Personal Story of The Unexpected:

Last Sunday, because of an Award I had received from Woking Borough Council last year; I was invited with a Guest – my younger Daughter Rachel; to a Civic Happening in the Town Square in Woking and afterwards for Refreshments at a local Hotel.

This was the occasion of “Giving the Freedom of Woking to all Ranks of the Army Training Centre at Pirbright”. It was a tear-jerking moment as the Military Band marched into the Square followed by many Soldiers. We were amazingly close to them as we sat in the front row.

A Christian Service was held. So good to hear the word of God spoken out in the centre of our Town. We eventually made our way to the Hotel with people I recognised such as our local MP and other Dignitaries. Rachel and I arrived in the Banqueting Suite; many tables were already filling up. We chose to sit on an empty table in the far distance.

Soon we were joined by the Major, who had been in charge of the proceedings in the Square, the one carrying the Ceremonial Sword. His voice filling the Square as he shouted his orders. This time in a normal, friendly voice he said to us, “Hello ladies, please may I join you, my name is James”.

Rachel and I said later how we could hardly believe what happened. Why us?

He stayed with us for the rest of the time, off-loading his life to us and sharing what it was to have held together the Military happening we had just experienced.

In hindsight, I recalled that morning at home; as I do every morning, I had held out my hands to the Lord and said, “My hands are empty Lord, for you to place into them what you want me to do today”.

 My favourite verse also came to mind, Ephesians 2.10:

As His Children, we are created to do good works which He has created in advance for us to do.

What an honour and a privilege had been mine and Rachel’s.

I pray that this coming week, God will surprise you, as He places opportunities into your hands that are totally unexpected.

In His grip.

Alice