Prayer

Hello Everyone

The following email, sent to me by a Surrey Police Officer, is self-explanatory.

Dear Alice

Your emails are as ever so apt and speak to the moment.  “He also made the stars” really touches me deeply.  I feel it appropriate to share the following with you and would be happy for as much or as little of the verse and background to be shared more widely if you would like to.

My brother died in 1993 aged 38 following 20 years of dialysis.  During one of his many hospitalisations, and not long before his death, the minster of our church challenged the congregation to think about what their own psalm would look like if they were to write one.  My mother relayed the challenge to my brother in hospital and this is what he wrote.  We read it recently at my father’s funeral and I was thinking that at a time when we are all wondering who will next be infected, or worrying about elderly or immune compromised friends and relatives that my brother’s words, written in the deepest of dark times, might speak to some. 

In each day I rejoice at the morning;
I welcome the rising of the mighty sun.
All my days my Lord has been with me
And His hand has not stayed his gentle care.
In my sickness He has brought me help
And He has shown His love through His servants.
He has stood me on my feet;
He has shown to me the path that I must travel.
My Lord has brought me to my freedom;
His healing hands have set my broken wing.
Throughout my illness He has never faltered
He has not let one minute of my life escape.
He has forgiven my doubt
And has soothed the desperation of my heart.
I have lain in darkness and self-pity
In deep shadows I recoiled from dire foreboding.
But you my Lord have riven that despair
And set the light of love to be my beacon.
You have spoken to my spirit in its sleeping,
In my waking you have never left my side.
True, then, you are Lord, and I beloved
And my spirit shall be your instrument forever.

My love and concern are with you all during these very difficult days. Please keep in touch.

With Prayers

Alice.

Hello Everyone,

I recall as I sit here putting together this PL, how weird everything felt this time last week. But now – so much has moved on in our lives.

Both the Chief and my CPA Bosses have recommended that I no longer undertake my visits as a Chaplain and to stay well away from Police Buildings. I will keep in contact with people remotely.

Please be assured of my continuing Prayers for you.

Massive thanks for all that you are and undertaking at this time. Truly appreciate you all.

As you receive this PL it will be the 20^th of the month. “Hope UK” encourages us to Pray at 20.20 hours this evening. I look forward to joining you in this.

I received the following a few days ago.

Hello Grandma,

Hope you are well amidst the chaos and drama of the corona virus stuff.

Was praying recently and was reminded of Psalm 46 where it says.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her; she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

In this time where there is mass panic and fear around the world this Psalm reminded me that we don’t need to fear because God is on our side.

Praying for you.

Lots of Love,

I knew when I read the above from my Grandson; who is studying in a C of E Church in Oxford, that his writings were to be the Bible Slot for this week.

The end of the same Psalm says –

“Be still and know that I am God”

In His Name and with His love.

Alice.

Hello everyone.

Very many thanks for the replies I received following last week’s Prayer Letter. Reference was made to this verse in your replies –

“He also made the Stars”

Requests have come in for Prayer:

• Very elderly N is seriously ill, needs immediate admittance to a Hospice, but is too ill to move.
• The Officer who sent in the above also asked the following. “Prayer please for my Nephew H aged 15 with repetitive Pneumonia”.
• Another Officer has requested Prayer for Police discussions that have to take place in relation to the Coronavirus.
• Prayers also requested for Officers when they are caring for families who are living in the aftermath of lost members of their family.

The following verse was shared with me this week by one of our Officers.

Philippians 4:6

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God”.

Earlier today, having read an email from a friend, I am encouraged not to look at the News and then Pray, but to Pray, look at the news and then Pray again.

I believe that is what the verse above is encouraging us to do.

At the same time remembering,

“He also made the stars”

Many Blessings

In Him

Alice

Hello everyone,

Thank you for the replies to last week’s PL including encouraging words.

I am aware of continuing illness amongst Officers and Staff. Prayer please for relief from such problems that are being endured at the moment.

Then we have the possible problems resulting from the Virus that many parts of the world are experiencing. As Police; you are seeing plans being put in place.

So many happenings around us that can wear us down right now.

Earlier this week I read in verse 16 of the first Chapter of Genesis

                                          “He also made the stars”

What a throwaway line that is.

Then later I read in Psalm 139

                               “You know every bone in my body;
                        You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
                      How I was sculpted from nothing into something”.

How amazing is that – The Creator of the stars also created you and I.

In this very troubled world in which we find ourselves today, I want to encourage you in our Amazing God. He created the Heavens. Surely, He will take care of His Creation, including you and I.

He is there for you today.

Blessings

In His Name

Alice.

Hello Everyone,

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

As I prepare this one, I recall that last week I was encouraging you to hopefully manage to find time to Pray for 20 minutes on the 20^th of this month at 20.20 hours. Besides the Prayers for our families and friends; to find the Lord.  I also suggested that you Pray for yourselves; asking the Lord for His Wisdom in how to care for yourselves and how you can be there for each other.

I am as I write, aware that many people in Surrey Police will be shocked by the news as quoted from the Chief’s Message of the “Sudden and untimely death” of one of Surrey’s Officers. Yes, Prayer for yourselves and those around you is so necessary right now.

A day ago, a young Mum aged 35, (Her Grandfather was a Sergeant in Surrey Police many years ago), whom I have known all her life, died; leaving her husband and 10-year-old Daughter behind.  A few hours after she died, her husband wrote the following “God is good and J’s death does not change that. He is a magnificent and Faithful Father”.

We seem to be seeing so many heartaches and problems around us, floods. winds, as well as a virus that is a possible threat worldwide. We could so easily succumb to the worry that this and other situations bring to us.

I leave with you, in all these horrors and sadness around us, a favourite verse of mine. Psalm 46. 10

                                  “Be still and know that I am God”.

My Prayers are with each one of you.

His Blessings

Alice.