This is a page where we can compile our reflections from this prayer and fasting day. What struck you—a Bible verse? a song? poem? picture? a sense? an idea? Feel free to post in the comments below so others can see.
If there are things that you found helpful or resources you’d appreciate, post those too. Let’s support one another in this practice.
To see the reflections from 9th October, do visit here.
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Margaret Parkins
Day of Prayer and Fasting
I was one who actually chose to be Martha, not Mary.
As I made my bread so many thoughts came to my mind and I still have them running round my mind today, 2 days later.
The ingredients are, again, like the members of the church family, all so very different in look, texture, colour, gifts and substance.
Once, carelessly, I forgot to add the yeast, and the bread was not good.
This reminded me of the need for something special to be added to the mixture, in our case perhaps the Holy Spirit, having that quiet, subtle effect on the whole. Every ingredient/member is essential to God’s work in Warwick.
“Give us this day our daily bread” we pray.
This is surely not just what it seems, but the Word of God.
After the Feeding of the 5000 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.”
For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
“Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”
John 6:35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
At our celebration of The Lord’s Supper we hear—
“This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
Margo
Being a Warwick ‘girl’ and returning after 35 years, you couldn’t help but notice all the changes and Warwick continues to change. I was reflecting on all the schools in Warwick and the change from my school days. I gave thanks for Crossteach who are welcomed into some of the Warwick schools and our own links with Coten End Primary in particular. How much more are we open to hearing the Gospel when we are young? “train up a child in the way he should go” (Proverbs 22:6). I gave thank for the legacy of Noah’s Ark and prayed we may be able to develop our youth work again using our Hall as in the past maybe during the week. As I write we have our daily visit in the garden from the peacocks! They are PERSISTENT! How much more should we be persistent in seeking God’s will and guidance for our buildings, the buildings that have seen much change over the years but are still available for us and future generations to have the opportunity to ‘speak’ of God’s love for us all.
Kevin Johnson
Prayer walking today was a reminder of the need to take time to slow down and look around. Things have changed around us [chbc] over the last few months but I’d not noticed all of them. It was good to look with fresh eyes and ‘listen’ to where the Spirit led us. There was much to pray about…
It was also amusing to consider what others thought we were doing as three blokes walked slowly, often stopping. One of our party suggested we probably looked like we’d come out of Last Of The Summer Wine!
Keeva
Lectio 365 today seemed to reflect Mary’s choice of listening and being with God. Lectio 365 said:
I (we) choose to rejoice in God’s presence today, joining with the ancient praise of all God’s people in the words of Psalm 63…
God—you’re my God!
I can’t get enough of you!
I’ve worked up such hunger and thirst for God,
traveling across dry and weary deserts.
So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open,
drinking in your strength and glory.
In your generous love I am really living at last!
Psalm 63:1-3a (MSG)
Lectio 365 then invited us to be in God’s presence –
Lord, I imagine myself curled up, like a child, sitting in my Father’s lap. In my own words, I express just one of the many reasons I love You today.
Oh God, gather me now to be with you.
Do I (do we) spend enough time in God’s presence – listening as Mary did?
Henri Nouwen said: Without solitude it is virtually impossible to live a spiritual life……We do not take spiritual life seriously if we do not set aside some time to be with God and listen to him.
Mike Pilavachi said: We live in an instant culture, we can order a burger now, access Amazon Prime, read the news on Twitter. But there is no ‘instant spirituality’.
Instead we have to marinade in God’s presence. This takes time.
Solitude and silence are the most radical of the spiritual disciplines. To be in solitude is to choose to do nothing, to be silent. All accomplishments are given up. We stop making demands on God. It is enough that God is God and we are his.
Is God calling me (calling us) to be better at just being with Him rather than doing?
Kevin Johnson
‘Marinade in God’s presence’ – sticky spirituality. I like that. Challenging, simple but has depth.