Prayer

Good day all

I have been given the privilege of writing the prayer letter this week. Like many people, I’ve had a very intense week of work, and it is easy to lose sight of what we have and are grateful for. Last week I attended the CPA National Leaders Conference for a short period to see off Lee Russell the retiring Executive Director who has been such a great support to me over these last couple of years. Whilst there, Paul Netherton spoke, as outgoing President, and he talked about some of his work. He was able to, as part of his role National role, speak to counterparts in other countries about their policing, and his faith! In France, he said, they are not allowed to have a Christian Association as a staff support network – how lucky we are! 

I look forward each week to reading the prayer letter – it’s like a little nugget of gold straight from heaven, and a colleague who retired last week has asked to continue receiving the email as he felt the same and on occasion it really spoke into situations he faced. And so, I wanted to extend my thanks to Alice Potter for all her hard work in faithfully writing this email each week. I know she loves to do it and has great love and respect for each of you, and so it is nice to say “Thank you” back.

This week I was asked by a manager in MCIT who is part of a new Wellbeing and Inclusion Group, what initiatives we had [to offer] – the answer was easy – the prayer letter! I really don’t know how I’d cope without the Word of God.

Paul Netherton went onto say that it is important for us in these times to be Relevant and Resilient, and so I wanted to leave you with two passages this week:

“…Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,…” [1 Peter 3:15]

and to remind you,

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” [John 16:33]

The one thing I like about Christian Police Conferences is that you get to worship with other police officers and staff. With that in mind can I remind you also about the various Police Carol Services coming up.

Take care. Have a blessed week.

Simon

Hello Everyone,

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

One came from Wendy who continues to heal following a knee replacement. We have been Praying for her recovery. Wendy wrote –  

“Thank you, Alice.

I read the prayer letter then went on to read my Bible notes before sleep. 

This was the reading; it was most apt. 

Matthew 11:28–29
‘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.’”

I will add the following from Eph1. 11.

“It’s in Christ we find out who we are and what we are living for”.

Many Blessings in Him as you Rest in Him.

Alice.

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for your on-going Prayers for those to whom I have referred in these PL’s.

I have just read a blog written by a friend who is a Pastor of a Church. He talks about “People being tired, fragile, emotionally dried tanks, Covid depleted”.

Earlier in the week I was reminded of my favourite verse found in Eph 2.10.

“You are a Masterpiece, created by God in Christ Jesus; to do good works; which He has created in advance for us to do”.

But Lord … We are tired and fragile…

The reason I was reminded of my favourite verse is because Bear Grylls mentioned it in his Book which I read daily called “Soul Fuel”. Having written my favourite verse he went on to expand on the writings in a way I have never seen in that verse before.  I have paraphrased it below –

He loves you

He values you

You have a purpose

You have Power

May you know in your heart the way Jesus sees you this coming week. No matter how tired or fragile you feel; He is Your Enabler.

Many Blessings

Alice

Hello Everyone,

I continue to be concerned about you as you press on in these days. My daily Prayers are with you and for you.

I want this week to be totally selfish and talk about me. Reason, I want to give God the Glory and the Honour for His Faithfulness in my life.

This last Sunday, I knew that yet again I was facing an Anniversary of my Husband’s death 13 years ago. At such times you recall your memories of the run up to the happening and what followed. On the day of his death, I was with my two Daughters in the Hospital and two friends from Church. He left us at 12.15pm. Later we returned home and my two Daughters went into the kitchen to prepare lunch. I sat in the lounge thinking. Then I discovered my legs were taking me towards the studio window at the end of the room. Outside was the largest Rainbow I have ever seen. Rainbows had always been very special to me. I just knew it was of God.

When we left the hospital, I sent a message to one Christian Police Officer in Surrey to let them know what had happened. She in turn contacted many others. Emails started pinging in. Each one referred to the “Rainbow”. “Please be assured God is telling you that all is and will be well for you”. Each message said the same. Officers from every area in Surrey were contacting me, it would seem that this Rainbow could be seen throughout the County.

Yes, all has been well, my heartfelt gratitude to the Lord throughout these years has grown. He is Faithful.

“I have set My Rainbow in the clouds, and It will be the sign of the Covenant between Me and you”. Gen 9.13.

Thank you for listening. May you know His Constant Care of you.

Blessings

Alice.

Hello Everyone,

It is so good to sit here as I am; writing this Prayer Letter to you and see the sun is shining with very few clouds in a blue sky. I am sure; like me there are days when the weather does not help, where “We are, in our minds and thinking”.

Over this last week in amongst all the ups and downs that have crossed my path and others, The Lord has graciously shown me the following two quotes. They have been such an inspiration to me and to others as I have passed them on:

“When all seems lost, it’s not. When evil seems to own the day, God still has the final say. He has a Joseph for every famine and a David for every Goliath. A Mary when Jesus wanted His Disciples to know He had risen from the dead”. – Max Lucado.

Where does that place you and I?

“We are running our own race. No one can compete with the plan that He has for us as individuals. There is no need to worry what is taking place in other lanes”. – Tracy Braylock.

“The Lord is My Shepherd, I shall not want”. Psalm 23.1.

I am so grateful that He knows me, sees where I am and takes care of me.

May you know His Everlasting Arms around you.

Blessings

Alice.

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for the comments on last week’s Prayer Letter.

Please continue to Pray for those mentioned; still need healing. Thank you.

In the last few days, I have read a Report that stated, “During the Pandemic our brains have been rewired”.

Months ago, I found myself beginning to say to friends, “I am not the person I used to be before all this started”. However, I was not able to explain what I meant by that.

It was so good to read this Report; that I was not wrong. Everyone including those who have not had Covid have been affected by what we have been through and still going through.

One of the obvious symptoms amongst many is tiredness/weariness.

I am hearing from many Officers how weary they are. All affected by the Pandemic; then add the work you are all undertaking on a daily basis and as ever, being there for your Family.

The one thing that stands out to me and I say it to myself, “Please do not feel guilty in being unable to be everything to everyone”. Under normal circumstances in the work of Policing this is difficult, add our ongoing circumstances to the mix and it is nigh on impossible.

I have a friend who says. “Only Jesus understands me”.

Jesus said in Matthew 11. 28 -29: “Come unto me all you who are weary and I will give you rest”.

May you know “His Rest”.

In Him

Alice.