Prayer

Hello Everyone,

Today as I write, it is Emergency Services Day. Earlier I wrote the following on Twitter, I would like to share it with you; as I truly mean what I have written:

We are so Blest to have our wonderful Emergency Services. And the families who allow their loved ones; to leave home to care for others; above and beyond the call of duty on numerous occasions. Thank you to all involved. Truly appreciated.

I trust that you are continuing to survive the tough times we find ourselves in.

Earlier this week the radio was on in the background as I was cooking cakes for the various Police Teams I visit as a Chaplain. I heard the following statement:

We are all in this Covid-19 Storm, but each one of us is in our own boat.

That really spoke to me. Every one of us is sailing our own boat but this “Storm” has now hit us.

I believe it is true to say that I sensed we would be in this for about a month when Lockdown started and then it would all go away and we would get back to normal.

With what is now “Normal” and what becomes eventually to be “Normal”, one verse keeps popping into my thinking.

It is a verse that was relatively easy to hold on to pre-March of this year, but now; somehow, I need even more Faith it would seem, as I ponder on it. But – He is still the same God, then, now and in the future:

“He is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to His Power at work within us” Eph 3.20.

May you know your security in these coming days, no matter where your boat takes you in the rough seas that are all around you.

Travel Safely In His Grip.

Alice.

Hello Everyone,

During this last week, I heard the following phrases during two Zoom Meetings organised by our Church.

                       “Don’t worry about me, God has got it covered”.

                                      “Only God can make this work”.

The First phrase was said by a friend of mine who has just been told she has an incurable, aggressive and inoperable Brain Tumour.

The second one, also a friend, who regularly travels to spend time in one of the most troubled countries in Africa; supporting children in Schools and Orphanages. With the Pandemic, no travelling for her to these very needy little ones.

In both cases these lovely friends of mine spoke volumes to me of their trust in Our Heavenly Father.

Then the following email arrived from one of our Officers – 

“I just had to tell you Alice,

I had a really horrid week last week with one thing and another and I was at the end of my tether. I turned on the television and there was the Hymn “Be still for the presence of the Lord, The Holy One is here”. What appropriate timing and such a beautiful hymn. What a powerful message.

God bless you”.

              In all the battles you face daily in your work, may you know

                               “The Presence of the Holy One”

With His Love.

Alice.

Hello Everyone,

I sense from a number of people I have spoken to; we are going through a “Yearning” that has gone through us before from time to time “Please Lord, we have had enough of this now; can it all stop……. Please?”.

I continue to admire you all and am pleased when I am able to speak to you: over the phone, via email, Zoom Prayer Meetings, Phone Conference Prayer Meetings, Chaplaincy Visits, to express my gratitude to you.

Last week I chose to send the Prayer Letter to one of your Colleagues who does not receive it; being in another Force. He has not attended work for some time due to depression and anxiety and then this week faced a skin cancer operation.  As I thought about him – a family man with young Children and a strong Faith, I just wondered if the word “Besieged”, which had spoken to me, may also register with him. It did and I received an email from him, part of which is below:

Alice,

Thank You. 

Last night I was doing some reading around rest & being besieged.

I found comfort in 2 Corinthians 12 :9

“My Grace is sufficient for you, for My Power is made perfect in weakness”. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the Power of Christ may rest upon me.

May your Colleague’s choice of this verse be a Blessing to you as you battle on in these coming days.

May you know His Rest.

Alice.

In these challenging times we are all juggling with challenges, worry’s and anxieties.  I know many Staff are worried about loved ones, some are shielding and anxious about the future, many have lost holidays or have loved ones whose jobs have ended or are at risk.  Many are trying to be full time teachers or carers as well as manage their ‘day job.’  Whatever your situation God’s Truth reminds us:

“When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you” (Isaiah 43:2 Message Version)

Please pray for:

• For an Officer on this email whose dear Mum has been battling with Cancer for over 2 years. She is on her third bout of chemotherapy and described as “a woman of God and trusts in Him and because of this remains positive. However only very recently I have heard her sounding weary and stating that (quite rightly) has enough of feeling like this. Prayer for healing, a quick recovery and that she feels the presence of God. Prayer for my Dad too, as he is struggling physically because of a sore back and arms. He is also worried about my Mum”
• Our Chief and Senior Management Team for wisdom in these challenging times.
• For ‘our’ Alice who is away at her Grandsons Wedding in Oxford.

God’s Peace and Hope be with you today/tonight and in the days ahead.

In Christ’s Grip,

Nick