MetCPA

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

Prayer

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Prayer Letter from Alice

Hello Everyone,

Last week I received the following from one of my Co Chaplains in Surrey Police.

“A good friend whom I prayed with yesterday shared with me an image of a tapestry that looks beautiful but, on the back, it is full of messy thread. It reminded me that in spite of the ‘mess’ of the world; it is still beautiful and the Lord is working in the background helping us navigate the mess. It’s a lovely image to me”.

As the above spoke to my friend, it spoke to me too, in a personal way.

I know I am very good at putting on a good front, when perhaps so much is going on inside and around me.

It says in 1 Chronicles 28, 9-10:

“The Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you”.

I want to be someone that God can use, I want to be that beautiful tapestry that the world around me, needs to see. But … in turn I need to care for myself, in allowing The Lord to point out the untidiness in my heart and life, so that I can be a Blessing to and for Him.

Again, I appreciate you in all you are and do. Thank you.

In His Grip

Alice.

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Prayer Letter from Alice

Hello Everyone.

Late last week, I was part of a CPA Prayer Group here in Surrey; we were bringing our concerns to the Lord. One participant said very early on in his Prayer:

“We are hard pressed on every side” (2Cor: 4. 8 – 12).

Later that day I went on to visit one of my Chaplaincy Departments. I heard of the enormous pressure they were feeling. Whist there, I happened to see a number of the Team smiling. I spoke to the Leader and referred to the smiles, she too was smiling. Her answer was, “We are smiling through the pain”.

The day before, I was in various Departments as a Chaplain, yet more concerns being picked up by myself; of the enormity of the work load being held. Then yesterday, I attended a Requiem Mass. The final Hymn – Be still for the Presence of the Lord is moving in this place. Words taken from Psalm 37.7.

“Be still in the Presence of the Lord and wait for Him to act”

Be still for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place
He comes to cleanse and heal
To minister His grace
No work too hard for Him
In faith receive from Him
Be still for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place.

(David J Evans)

As I sang the above words, I knew that I had to leave them with you, His Children needing His Grace, His Power and His Healing at this time.

May you know His Deep Ministry this coming week.

In His Grip.

Alice.

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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.