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PRAY NOW: TODAY'S PRAYER
Routines
On the Sabbath day, we went outside the gate by the river,
where we supposed there was a place of prayer;
and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there.
Acts 16:13
Prayer
Forgive me Lord.
Forgive me for the days I want to break out.
Break out from the small routine journeys I make:
to the school gates, to the bus stop, to my work,
to the shops, to church.
You see, the bottom line, is
I need these routines –
they are the mechanics of my stability.
They are warm, familiar, purpose-driven actions.
And I have chosen to do them.
Every routine little step is a journey of love into community:
Parents bonded by the challenges of bringing up a child.
Fellow commuters bonded by the frustrations of public transport.
Colleagues bonded by shared goals and playtime stories.
Shoppers bonded in their bargain-hunting and the joy of queuing!
Worshippers bonded by the Spirit and their search for grace.
One day, I will miss these routines:
For I am in the doing of them.
One day, I am sure, I will rely on others
to do unto me my routines.
Simple pleasures such as the journey
from bed to toilet to dressing to walking to eating –
will no longer be my choice alone.
When this times comes,
please Lord,
may I be gracious and humble
as I receive the little steps of love from my enablers.
May I find joy in a different kind of community.
In the meantime, thank You,
for all the 'families' to which I belong
and for the glimpses of the extraordinary in the mundane.
Readings
Mark 1:16–20 No more routine journey to work for the four fishermen!
John 5:1–9 Routinely, for 38 years, a disabled man has tried to get to the
healing waters
Luke 10:38–42 Martha's domestic routine distracts her from what is needed
Acts 2:43–7 The daily routine of the believers is attractive to others
Prayer activity
What are the routines that make up your life? What would life be like without
them? Pray for those you encounter routinely. Remember those whose routines
involve constant caring for a loved one, especially children, those who routinely
face danger and those whose lives depend on the health routines they perform
every day.
Finally, ponder on the question:
if we are Spirit led, can our lives ever become routine?
Prayer for the Church
For those entrusted with the care of places of worship, old and new and guiding
congregations in their design
especially the General Trustees and Church Art and Architecture committee.
Blessing
Bless to us Lord,
our daily routines,
the little kindnesses we do and receive,
the people with whom we interact,
and the paths we travel.
May the Spirit of love and hope
guide all our little steps
in the dance of life itself.
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