How do we pray?

Our Father who art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name

Thy will be done on earth as in heaven,

Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses

Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil

For thine is the Kingdom the power and the glory for ever and ever more

Ref. Matthew 6

We should also pray for those in authority if we voted for them or not. As a great Bible s

St Paul also tells us to pray for those in authority if we voted for them or not[1]. As a great Bible teacher[2] pointed out Paul was praying for those who were persecuting him and other Christians.

So, we must pray for our Members of Parliament if we voted for them or not. As we need to pray for those in local council and within our churches who have responsibility for leadership.

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[1] 1 Timothy 2

[2] Stuart Kimber

The photo which is intended to identify me is of my much beloved pet Phoebe who has recently died. The title under which those who know me at this sight (though those are few) is Ageing Student but I am coming to the end of my studies. So why have I just renewed my right to post here? Well I intend never to cease learning despite memory problems (or may be that should in a large part be because memory loss as learning is a way of fighting back).More importantly my belief in Jesus as Lord is the foundation of my life and to share the Good News was the last commission He gave to His disciples. Very simply put a disciple was a student to a master so I will always be a student. This weekend I spent on a silent retreat, my aims were to make sense of the vast changes in my health and life style what I found was a reconnection with the Master I owned as Lord and Saviour a little less than 48 years ago. Forget theology, forget interregnums it is all about relationship with Christ what ever you are facing turn to Him and own Him as Lord and Saviour. Already done that? Then reconnect with Him. The Arch-Bishops of York and Canterbury are currently running an 11 day reconnection with the Lord’s Prayer I recommend it.
The photo it stays Phoebe reminded me of the need to love unconditionally.

Reading an article by the Fat Bloke about the changes of the past 50 years I was reminded of a lecture I attended on Thomas Merton a theologian who died in the 1960’s.  One of the other students complained that an article written in 1958 was ” not Pc” my reaction was to say, ‘But do you not remember how people spoke and wrote at that time for the era he was exceptionally PC’ I looked round and realised no one else including the lecturer had been born in 58 or even an in 1967 when Merton died.  The fascination of reading an account of a reformer in America in the 50’s and 60’s a man who corresponded with Kennedy and Martian Luther King.  50 years has seen many changes on this side of the pond but even more on the other side. We need to realise the progress that has been made what still needs to be done and how we can protect the progress.

What is anger?  Can it ever be of use?  Anger on own behalf can be self destructive.  Yet righteous anger can be the prompt to ensure that we do what we can to right the wrongs of those with out a voice.  Christ was a voice for the poor and the exploited.  Yet when he was accused he remained silent even though he could call on an army of Angels to come to His aid.  Anger is a tool   to be used with care not as an excuse for violence and hatred but to bring salvation.

Today I totally finished an essay on Hebrews in total it has taken far to long but totally worth it whether or not it adds a sufficient total to the credit I need to continue to the total needed for a degree in theology

via Daily Prompt: Natty

A few days ago I found a site called Word Press that I thought was quite natty.  Ever since I did a module towards my BA called reading and writing theology I have known that if I wished to grow this skill I either needed to keep a journal or/and start to blog.  So here was this natty site that would allow me to start blogging.  Yet how to get started by using a daily prompt provided by this very natty site.  As a single person can I really justify a web page low and behold the very natty web page provided me with one.  A word like natty can be used in a variety of ways, but I have always thought of it as a smart useful item often of clothing but always of use and something that brings a smile of pleasure so thank you Word Press.

Last week a young man detonated a bomb killing himself and twenty two others.  Most even younger than him.  An evening of joy, fun and love ended with hate pain and death.  Yet that act intended to cause division and fear was turned around to seek unity and kindness.  We need all to seek to heal the divisions to reach out to those who feel they do not belong. Let us learn the lessons offered by those who refuse allow a detonated bomb to destroy a community.  Pray for Manchester.  “Blessed are the Peace makers for they will be called the children of God” Mathew chap 5v9 NIV Bible

Qualms

Source: Precipice

Standing fearful of falling.  Recognizing that the future is dawning, good or bad it is out of control.  Right wing, left wing, strong parliament or hung parliament, who will care for the sick or the dying whether refugee or migrant whether resident or visitor.  Who will stand by the children on the edge, black, white and coloured, of sexual exploitation and/or abuse.  Standing tall on the educational mountain are those left behind recognised and protected. The precipice is clear it matters not what got us here we can blame others for our fear we must look to the rear and shine our lights to prevent others from careering over the precipice of our fear.