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,

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

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Prayer Letter from Alice

Hello Everyone,

I trust you have had a wonderful Easter.

A few weeks before Easter I shared with you the story of the Disciples’ walk to Emmaus. Their total loss of all they had known in their lives; by the death of Jesus, but then they discovered in all their despair, He had never really left them.

At the time I encouraged you to be aware that in our deepest moments of difficulty – He is there.

In these last few days, the story of Mary Magdalene has stayed with me. She was the first to go to the tomb where she knew that Jesus had been placed. She had to be near Him. On arrival the stone had been removed. His Body had gone. She wandered near the tomb in the garden, even more at a loss than she was before. She saw a man and asked him; assuming he was the gardener, “What have you done with His Body?” The answer came back: “MARY…”

At that point she realised that this was Jesus speaking to her.

I have in these last few days been placing my name in that story. He knows me by name as he does you. No matter where we find ourselves in today’s world and the horrors in which we walk and of which we are aware, especially within your work, He calls you by name, telling you He is with you.

He is walking with you and calls you by name. He is totally available to you.

Many Blessings

Alice.

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Prayer Letter from Alice

Hello Everyone.

Holy Week/Maundy Thursday:

My mind goes back to approximately a year ago when I was completely taken by surprise to be given the Maundy Money by Her Majesty The Queen.

I have been thinking much about the background to the giving of this Gift as we have moved up to Hoy Week.

The Ceremony of the Maundy Money is based on The Washing of the Disciples’ Feet by Jesus. Jesus wanted to show that He had come to be a Servant and demonstrated it by taking on the lowest task in any household when visitors arrived.

When a Recipient of the Maundy Money is about to receive the Red and White Pouches from the Queen containing the Coins, The Queen walks to the Recipient to hand them over. This is the only time in any Ceremony where you do not walk to her, The Queen comes to you. The Queen asks to do this as she wants the Recipient to understand that at that moment, she wants to serve you.

You my Brothers and Sisters in The Lord, and as part of the Police here in the UK, are Her Servants and serve your Country. Again, an opportunity for me to express my undying Gratitude to you for all you are and do.

Hallelujah – He is Risen

Many Blessings in His Name. A Very Happy Easter.

Alice.

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Prayer Letter from Alice

Hello Everyone,

I am aware of so many things happening around us here in the UK and in the World at large, and yet you as Christian Police Officers and Staff I know want to carry on as Good and Faithful Servants of the Lord, both in your family life and within your work. Hopefully the following will encourage you…

Last Sunday I had the immense honour of reading the Scripture in our Sunday Service. As you can imagine I read it many times here at home and I chose to go to the Church Building last Friday to stand on the stage, on which I have never stood before (we have a new building) and read it through, so that it would not take me by surprise on the day.

The reading was Matthew 26 14-35

As I continued to read it many times, the phrase I saw – I have to admit for the first time in my long life as a Christian, was from verse 35; the last phrase of the reading:

“And all the other Disciples said the same”

That is such a numb chilling comment. They were all being like Peter.

It so encourages me that no matter where we are and what we are, as His Children, He accepts us and forgives us.

HE LOVES YOU

In Him

Alice. 

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Prayer Letter from Alice

Hello Everyone,

I trust you are well. So much illness and at last it has hit me. Very many thanks Bert for coming to the rescue last week, I am on the mend. Richard Wurmbrand to whom Bert referred; visited our Church in Woking many years ago.  I can still recall the impact he had on me.

On Sunday last, I listened on line to our Pastor. He spoke about the Road to Emmaus. The two unnamed Disciples so emersed in sadness because their world had come to an end with the Crucifixion of their Lord and Saviour – so much so that they did not recognise Jesus as He came alongside them and walked with them.

There are times when so much is wrong in our lives, we cannot see that Jesus is in there with us.

I can see through my Chaplaincy Work within Surrey Police some of the battles you are in, I can see in the Press and the Media – the constant onslaught of negativity you experience.

Very difficult to believe He is there…

But it was when the Disciples welcomed the Stranger in to have a meal with them, it again became obvious to them “Jesus was with them”.

I have welcomed Jesus into my life again during these days of illness, knowing though – truly knowing deep down, He has never left me.

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” 1Peter.5.7

He will sit with you today…

Many Blessings

Alice.

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Prayer Letter from Bert

Over the past few days I have been reading a biography about Richard Wurmbrand, who was a Jewish Christian living in Romania during the second world war. He was there after the war during Communist rule, when the Soviets took control of the country. It is sobering how much mirrors what is happening in the Ukraine at the moment.

Despite the persecution from the Nazis (for being a Jew) and from the Soviets (for being a Christian), Wurmbrand stood firm in his faith. He showed love and compassion whilst continuing to witness to anyone (he shared the good news with anyone including his enemies). He was imprisoned numerous times by the Nazis and tortured by the Soviets, and yet still he declared his allegiance to Christ. He knew death could not separate him from Christ and the only hope for a fallen world is Jesus.

This verse comes to mind from Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

My prayer for everyone reading this, is that we meditate on this verse. We should be bold to make Christ known. He changed our lives, he can change others. If we are persecuted for our faith, we should reflect on what Christ endured for us on the cross.

May our wonderful God amaze you every day with the love he shows you. May you be reminded what you have been saved from, and what you have been saved for!

Continue to pray for one another. Please pray for those who are ill or supporting family members in hospital at this time.

God bless,

Bert