Readings:
Genesis 25:19-34
Psalm 119:105-112
Romans 8:1-11
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Prayers for Others
(Chris Dodd) 12 July 2020
Our loving and gracious God,
Your psalms remind us that even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death you will be there with us.
During this trying year we feel that we have entered the deepest of valleys. We are discouraged. We are afraid. We struggle to find hope. We are burdened and laid low.
It is not unreasonable to feel these things as the trials we face are overbearing and relentless and it is hard
not to be dragged down by our afflictions. And so we don’t apologize for our despair and we don’t see it as in any way demonstrating lack of faith in you. We simply acknowledge as Job and David and Daniel and Jonah and even Jesus did, that you walk with us in the dark times just as you walk with us in times of joy and celebration.
So this day, from this dark place we reach out to you for strength when we feel burdened, hope where there
is fear, comfort where there is despair and faith where there is doubt.
We thank you for those whose work help us to carry on – for the medical staff, cleaners, garbage collectors, shop workers who supply us with the essentials of life, transport workers, taxi drivers and all those who help us move around. We praise our ministers and church folk who in times where we cannot meet together carve out spaces for us to worship you and find strength from each other.
We thank you for the difficult decisions made at many levels of government in our land that has lessened the impact of this virus and we thank you for the scientists whose wisdom has guided us.
We know we have not yet travelled through this dark valley. We know there are many days and many kilometres to go. We know we will be tempted to take shortcuts or to simply say we’ve had enough and we are done with it. We know such a course will be fatal and so we pray that we will have the courage and faith to stay the course.
We look to you.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever”
O loving God may we look to you for strength. May we trust in your promises. Walk with us this week and may we always seek to walk with you.
Amen.
Singing the Scripture
This week’s Singing The Scripture is an eclectic selection of songs that we hope will help you forma. soundtrack to your week, in it you might find a song that you play in the morning, another at midday and another in the evening as the day closes, or perhaps you’ll like to listen to the songs as you travel to or from work.
Worship Material – July 12
This week’s Home Brewed Resources invites you to explore two of my favourite stories in the bible, the birth of Esau and Jacob and the Parable of the Sower. Both options include resources, conversation starters and music that would be great for individuals, families, couples or households to use as you create a sacred space in your life this week.
If you feel drawn to the Gospel reading this week, the Parable of the Sower you will find music, story, reflection, prayer exploring the reading here.
If you feel drawn to the Genesis reading, the story of the birth of the twins you will find music, story, reflection, prayer exploring the reading here.
I pray that this week’s material provides you all with opportunities to connect with God’s story this week
Shalom,
Darren Wright