MetCPA

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

Prayer Letter

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Prayer Letter 11th November 2016

Hello everyone,prayer-letter

Again I need to thank Simon for standing in for me; this time whilst I was away on my holiday. His “Down to earth, this is actually happening now” writings; resulted in a number of people contacting him and thanking him.

Today, (Wednesday 9th Nov), I have attended the Thanksgiving Service of PCSO Oliver Greenway’s Dad, who died very suddenly a few weeks ago. Thank you for your prayers for Oliver, his family and friends. Continued Prayers for them please.

On-going Prayer too for two Officers who are long term sick at home; one in the Met and one in Surrey. C and S. I have been in touch with them in the last few days and they are weary of not doing what they want to do – be at work, support their Force, work alongside their Colleagues and serve their Communities. They also want to be active parents to their children and support their family.

Sometime ago I was asked by an Officer in Surrey Police to Pray for a situation in their family. Whilst I have been away, I have heard that things are just beginning to change. A small improvement has been seen. When – as Police you are supposed to be brave and expected to sort out the world’s problems, it is not always easy to admit to having personal/family problems.
So this week, instead of us Praying for each other within the work situation, please can I ask you to Pray for family relationships within Police Families.

My verse for this PL, crossed my path while I attended yet another Thanksgiving Service earlier in the week. It was the second Hymn “The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll not want” Psalm 23. We sang it to the tune Crimond, so warm and caring. As you think about and perhaps read this Psalm, may you know that inner-caring, God has for you in relation to all aspects of your family/personal life and those whom you love dearly, around you.

Please feel free to contact me at any time by adding a comment below or by clicking here

May you know the special love God has for you as you care for your family.
Praying daily for you.
In Him
Alice.

Date for your diary: 16th November at 2:30pm, Westminster Cathedral. The Catholic Police Guild are holding their annual remembrance service for fallen officers. Click here for info

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Prayer Letter 31st October 2016

Hello Everyone

I hope you are all well and have had a good weekend?

I am stepping in again for our Alice as she enjoys a week’s leave and wanted to share with you my last week. It was one of those weeks! Everything, certainly at the beginning of the week, was just doom and gloom. Late on Saturday we had received an email at home about major work that was planned to start on the Monday that brought on the worries. As a result, my wife’s insomnia set in and she wasn’t sleeping at all well. Life at work was just hectic. The adage “over worked and underpaid” seemed to fit well. I was praying but they just didn’t seem to be getting out. I felt hemmed in and isolated.

The week did improve. Unexpectedly two small acts of kindness (at work) lifted my spirits and the workload had eased, and then on the Friday I was reminded of why I do this work. I was involved in running a drugs operation and we came across many young people who were found in possession of drugs. One boy was living with his grandfather as he just didn’t get on with his parents, and I couldn’t understand why that was. Another girl was a classic Child Sexual Exploitation victim. She didn’t want us to tell her mother about the drugs as she would get beaten “black and blue” and also made homeless.

As I reflected and prayed into this at Church yesterday, I was so grateful that we have a Father who loves us and that there is nothing that we can do that would separate us from this love. This week’s scripture then is from Lamentations 3:21-23

“This I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: the steadfast love of the Lord never cease, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.”

[ I’ve just realised this is the same as last weeks, just from a different version! Alice’s scripture was so timely!]

God broke my heart for these children a few years ago, (and he continues to!) and this showed me that he knows exactly where I am, and what I am doing.

Our Father also spoke to me in the form of a picture about my prayers. I was given a picture of a gold arrow encrusted with jewels that shot through the gloom and was raised up to heaven. It told me that my prayers had been getting through all along and that they were precious in the sight of our Father. I hope that this encourages you in your prayer life this week. 🙂

Can I ask you to pray

  • For our Alice as she enjoys her “summer holidays.”
  • For Oliver, following the sad passing of his father a few weeks ago.
  •  For all those who don’t know the love of the Father.
  • For the planning work that continues behind the scenes for Surrey Police’ first Carol Service. We have received such favour in this. I do hope you will join us on the evening. [ Monday 12th December 2016, 7.30 for 8pm, St. Saviours Church, Guildford.]
  • Thanks for the success of the Annual Celebration of Christianity in the Police Service

I pray that you are blessing to those around you this week, even if you don’t feel like you are.

Have a good week.

Simon

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Prayer Letter 21st October 2016

Hello everyone,prayer-letter

Immediately into a request for Prayer.

  • Sometime ago, you may recall that I had attended a Baptism of a PCSO – Oliver from Woking, in the River Wey in Hants. He was and still is looking to go into Full Time Ministry in the area of Youth work.
    I received an email yesterday telling me that he had “found” his Dad, having passed away. It would appear at the time Oliver was on Duty, but I have no knowledge of the context of this happening. I know it is one of the top horrors for Police on duty, to discover a member of their family, or a close friend, dead. Please would you Pray for Oliver at this time. He is a young Dad himself. Also for his Colleagues as they rallied to his support yesterday.

I received a reply from last week’s Prayer letter:

Thank you Alice. It is amazing that you can still read the bible and read things for the “first” time. God keeps things from us “for such times as this.” 🙂

I read that and took it two ways, firstly, “How amazing is it Alice that after all these years you can still find something new in the Bible; and at your age as well, surely by now you should have read it cover to cover!” The smiley face took me down that road.
I also saw it to mean. “How amazing to see a verse that you need to see for the first time because now is the time you need it in your life“. I have a feeling the second explanation was probably what my friend meant. I can still see why the smiley face fits that too.

I received this reply as well,

“I just wanted to let you know that when I open my inbox on a Monday morning , the prayer letter is the first thing I look for . When work is so manic, it’s that few minutes of peace and thought that help me get through the day. The verse is always of great encouragement and I just wanted to say thank you“

So today I want to leave this verse with you,

The LORD’S loving kindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3: 22 and 23.

Yes thank you Lord, what I need today is not what I needed yesterday, you are aware of my immediate need.

The Chorus “The Steadfast Love of the Lord never ceases” comes readily to mind. Perhaps you can locate that on You tube and listen to it as I have done, be aware of your surroundings though please.

Please leave a message in the comments section below, or contact me by clicking here.

Many Blessings in Him
Alice.

 

Editors note: Listen to the Maranatha Singers perform the worship song mentioned today here

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Prayer Letter 14th October 2016

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for your replies to last week’s PL.prayer-letter

One reply stated “I will keep the verse close to me as I face a very busy week” the verse being “You are here for such a time as this” Esther 4.14.

We have Prayed for the appointment of a new DCC in Surrey Police. I have read today the Chief’s email, stating that Temporary DCC Gavin Stephens has been appointed. Many Congratulations Sir. As with all the Senior Leaders in the forces that receive this prayer letter we will keep you in our Prayers as you continue to lead the Force forward.

Remaining in the theme of the last few weeks – of the call of those who were the beginning of the foundation of the Christian Church; I want to leave with you today the following verse.

” When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realised that they were ordinary men, they were astonished, but they took note that these men had been with Jesus”. Acts 4 13.

I have to admit, I “saw” this verse earlier this week for the first time; what an encouragement to all of us. Nothing outstanding about these men, but they “knew” Jesus.
I continue to encourage you all to spend time with the Lord and to recognise His Calling of you as part of Surrey/Sussex or the  Forces of London

It’s not too late to reserve a place at the Celebration of Christianity in the Police Service. It’s this Tuesday, and starts at 6pm. Click here to reserve your free ticket.

Many Blessings
In Him
Alice

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Prayer Letter 7th October 2016

Hello everyone,

Amongst the replies from last week’s PL, I received the following –

  • ‘All the days ordained for me were written in your book, before one of them came to be “is really handy to keep at the forefront of one’s mind during the tough days. We know that many in the police service are having tough days – I’m sure this verse that you have focussed on today will comfort many more than just me.”
  • “Reading your Prayer Letter today about Joseph has given me real encouragement – thank you.”

For Praise and Prayer

  • We have been Praying for Helen Collins. I have today received news that the outlook for her is very positive. Please continue in Prayer for her.
  • Prayer for former Surrey Chief, Lynne Owens as she continues to walk along the path as Head of the NCA, please.
  • For long term sick, two of whom I am aware across different forces C and S.
  • Prayer for the commissioner of the Metropolitan Police following his retirement announcement, and of course prayers for those who may replace him.
  • Prayer for the Annual Celebration of Christianity in the Police Service on the 18th October, Central London. (Please come along if you can)

Last Sunday, one of our Leaders in my Church, started his Sermon with the Bible reading of Jesus calling the fishermen who would become His Disciples. They would also be the beginnings of the future Church as we have known it to be and can see it today.
As I thought about this, I had to admit, they would not have been my choice, (sorry fishermen/women). Influential, well educated, important people in the township would have been at the top of my list.

As you continue on a daily basis to work for your Force, whether it be Surrey, Sussex or the police services of London, please be encouraged too.

“You are here for such a time as this” Esther 4.14.

I can see that the time is tough to be in the Police Force. God has placed you there. You have been called, just as Jesus called the fishermen.
My daily Prayers are with you in all you are, in all you do and in all you see.
And again, from me, “A Very Big Thank You”

God Bless you and keep you. May His Light shine upon you and give you His Peace.
Alice.

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Prayer Letter 30th Sept 2016

Hello everyone,

Thank you Simon for stepping in to write last week’s Prayer Letter. To me it was a breath of fresh air. Thank you.

I have now returned from spending special time with my American family who were with me during the last three weeks. Thank you Lord.

Following the last PL I wrote, I received the following-
“I want to thank you for your words of encouragement. There has been a real sense of heaviness and difficulty around this week, but reading your words, I did exactly as suggested, and came and sat at the feet of Jesus. Oh, what a place to sit, wait and be refreshed, to give it all to Him, to know that all things are held by him and through him. He is Sovereign over all. Thank you again for such encouraging words”

This was not the only reply; I was encouraged to hear that a number of you found it helpful to take time out and to “Come”, before the Lord.

  • Prayer please as the new Surrey DCC is chosen and appointed.
  • Continued Prayer for Helen Collins please.
  • Prayer for the Commissioner of the Met, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe as he prepares to hand over the reins.
  • Prayer for the Annual Celebration of Christianity in the Police Service, coming up on 18th October, in Central London.

Recently I have been studying the life of Joseph. What has come across is that every one of us has a destiny, which I believe is God’s Plan. Every day is His and what He has prepared for us to do. There are days when I can say “Well, where was God in that?” a little like the “pit days/prison days” for Joseph. But if these days had not happened, he would never have become the person God had destined for him. So my verse today is Psalm 139. 16.

“All the days ordained for me were written in your book, before one of them came to be”.

God bless you in your daily walk with Him in your calling within your Police Force, in your family life and with friends.

Please feel free to add a comment below, or to contact me by using the form here

I continue to Pray for you all every day.
Alice