police

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for the comments on last week’s Prayer Letter, including the following-

“Thank you for your weekly prayer letter. It’s one email that offers peace, wisdom and rest. It does not demand action; it isn’t bound by time”.

I read this earlier this week –

      Too often our tiredness does not come solely from doing too much.
          It also comes from doing too little of the things that refuel us.
                      Give yourself permission to take time for you.

On Sunday Morning last, I watched an On-Line Service from a Church in Oxford where my oldest Grandson was leading Worship – Proud Grandma in many ways. The Vicar spoke and asked the following questions-

                                       “Am I a wandering generality?”

                                             “What am I living for?”

The Vicar went on to refer to the verse –

                        “For me to live is Christ, to die is gain”. Phil:1. 21.

He encouraged us that living for Christ, in turn brings us a Peace. We are then able to bring it to those around us, particularly in this totally unbelievable time in which we find ourselves. 

May you know His Peace.

God Bless you and keep you.

In Him

Alice.

Hello Everyone,

Earlier this week I read the following –

“We are all on an orb,
In the middle of nowhere.
During a Global Pandemic,
Where no one can go anywhere.
It’s OK to feel a little lost at times”.

Below this writing, a cartoonist had caught the atmosphere so well. It made me feel very vulnerable.

Yesterday, 26/1/2021 was an important date in my life. I am not as old as my Birth Certificate would have you believe! Because I was born in the hills of Wales, snow was regularly on the ground, as it was yesterday. So friends were unable to get to me for my Party. It will also become an important day in the History of this Pandemic, 100,000 people having sadly lost their lives to this Virus.

I have had to truly take hold of what has been a Faith I have had since a young teenager:

“In the beginning; God created the Heaven and the Earth”. Gen 1.1.

We move from there through the Old Testament, where from time-to-time references are made to the coming of Jesus and the ultimate outcome:

“He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His Wounds – we are healed.” Is: 53.5.

And finally –

“The same Saviour who died for us, is now interceding for us in Heaven. As our High Priest”. Rom: 8.34.

“My Peace” says Jesus, “I give unto you”. John 14.27.

Blessings during these difficult days.

In Him

Alice.

Hello Everyone,

Here we are again, another week into 2021 and I have heard someone say, “It is no better than 2020”. Yes, it is continuing to be truly difficult. And then the news broke of the death of DC Alex Protts from Staines’ CID yesterday. A much-loved Officer, highly admired by so many and a friend. As writer and readers of this PL, we send to everyone involved our deepest sympathy. Family, Colleagues and those that knew her are in our Prayers.

Thank you for the response to last week’s Prayer Letter.

I am quite old, so was brought up on “Sit Coms” on the TV. One of them is called “Dad’s Army”. It is still being shown on a Saturday evening infrequently and I have to admit when getting near to Saturday I check up on the TV guide to see if it is being shown that week. A few days ago, I was reading some Christian writings and there in the middle of the paragraph was:

                                             Don’t Panic! Don’t Panic!

My mind went to “Dad’s Army”, but the writer wanted me to take my mind to dwell on Isaiah 41.10:

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”.

I am continuing to think and spend time on that verse, concerned as we all are about everything that is happening around us.

I have thanked you for all that you are and do. Please can you multiply that up as many times as you like. I am so in awe of the work that you are undertaking in such times as these. Yes –

“Thank You Lord for our Police right now. Protect them and return them home to their Families at the end of their duties. Amen”.

Many Blessings

Alice.

Hello everyone,

I am pleased that the writings at the beginning of last week’s PL were a Blessing as we entered this New Year.

Recently listening to one of our Officers, I realised that what he was saying was a very good Prayer Point for the PL.

Here it is below.

“Recently I have played a small part in the training of new recruits into the Contact Centre. It occurred to me how daunting it must be to learn a new job in these most extraordinary of times. Add into the mix disruptions to their training courses where some have had to self-isolate, they have had to work from home, and some of the coaches have had to self-isolate. It really has been a roller coaster. And then when they finally get into the room and start taking reports, they and their coaches have to keep up with a constantly changing set of rules and regulations.

So, my prayer is that they can draw strength and confidence in knowing that they have been chosen for this job, that they are here for a reason, that they are valued, and that they are already part of the police family. I pray that they can find some quiet time in the day to refresh themselves, to shield themselves from being overwhelmed with an avalanche of learning. For their coaches, I pray for patience and wisdom, and an ability to imbue their new recruit with a spirit of teamwork, of being equal partners in the journey”.

I Pray that as you are there for each other, in these very difficult times as a Trainer or a long time Team member, that you will be able to support each other; remembering Psalm 23:

“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want”

My Prayers are for all of you as you face every minute of your day.

In His Name

Alice

Hello Everyone,

I am starting this Prayer Letter today with words written by a Sunday School Teacher, Minnie Louise Haskins. Our present Queen at the age of 13 handed them to her Father, King George VIth and he used them in his Christmas Speech in 1939:

‘I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:
“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”
And he replied:
“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”
So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night.
And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East’.

Just before Christmas we were able to enjoy the Emergency Services’ Carol Service organised by Sussex CPA. Truly grateful for the amount of work that went into the wonderful production.

Here below are some thoughts sent to me by Mike Jones on what was said.

One phrase from Archie Coats’ sermon at the Emergency Services Carol Service will not leave me: “You are Prisoners of Hope”.

I thought it strange at the time.  I have known Archie a long time (he was a Curate at our church). So, I was not surprised when, during a low time, shortly after, it was as though God was saying to me, ‘This is not about how you feel Mike, you are a Prisoner of Hope. You can’t get away from My Hope, it’s done, you have My Hope, you’re stuck with it, I will never leave you.’

Many Blessings as you walk into this New Year holding God’s Hand. Living in His Hope.

In Him

Alice.

Hello Everyone,

Below is a message from Nick Sharpe:

“Thank you for joining us for our (Sussex & Surrey) Emergency Services Christmas Carol Service on Monday 14th December. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.  There have been over 500 views so far!”

The Carol Service will be live for one week from the 14th December via https://youtu.be/hHAuCVM4OQw

I truly enjoyed the Service. Both our Chief and Sgt Simon Berger took part. Earlier this year we were Praying much for Simon for his health. During the Service he was interviewed as to what he faced and how The Lord had the victory. Thank you Simon. Well Done. Praying now as to how the Lord uses your Testimony.

Christmas is being “Decided” as I write this Prayer Letter in a Cobra Meeting today. I wonder what our Government would have decided if they had had to arrange the first ever Christmas Day. Here is what actually happened:

I look forward to being back with you in the New Year. May God Bless you during this Christmas Time.

Happy Christmas

Alice