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.
5 Comments
Kathy
Reflecting on 1 Peter 4:7-11 I felt God saying that as stewards of his many sided grace we his followers were like a Rubiks cube – with different gifts (multi-coloured) – but jumbled up and needing Him to manage us to become a cohesive reflection of his love to our community. It is God who strengthens us and enables us to be effective as his servants.
Kevin Johnson Author
Margo: Reflecting on the words 1 Peter 4.7 “the end of all things is upon us” and looking back to our week at Thornleigh, this song was offered to us as an encouragement. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91qJPW6pXPw (Do not be afraid, Stopford)
Margaret Parkins
I remembered a framed picture, in my bedroom as a tiny girl, showing Jesus carrying a sheep on his shoulders through a rough path. Sometimes we as individuals and as a church feel things are too big for us to carry and we need to be carried on Jesus’ shoulders.
In our garden I saw the fruit on the various trees and know that we have gifts to use for Him and that we bear fruit, not standing alone but as a huge orchard telling those around us of His love.
Kevin Johnson Author
The song ‘Shepherd of my soul’ by Nystrom came to my mind (I haven’t thought about it for years!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6KmqXbAikU
A reminder perhaps that we need to keep coming back to Him and allowing God give us the strength for what we’re facing (1 Pet 4:11).
I was also struck again by v7 which in the NLT says, ‘be earnest and disciplined in your prayers.’ I think there may be something there about a pattern of prayer for our community. Something to pray on…
Personally challenged to ensure the gift I’ve received is being used effectively for the body.
Joyce
I first felt led to a short (9 minute) Don Moen introduction and a song called “Return to me” written during the pandemic (link below if of interest)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKw0XsI4Ft8
referring to 3 well known verses: 2 Chronicles 7:14 – If my people who are called by my Name; Malachi 3:7 – Return to me and I will return to you; and Jeremiah 24:7 – I will give you a heart to know me. Refreshing my memory of these great promises and longing for the world to come to know Jesus as Savior and Lord.
Later I turned to the passage Kevin suggested in 1 Peter 4:7-11. When I read the Message version two lines jumped out at me as significant to our vision of being a beacon of light: “Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it” and “That way God’s BRIGHT PRESENCE will be evident in everything through Jesus”. One being conditional upon the other.
1 Peter 7-11 Message
Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!