EDINBURGH NORTHWEST KIRK
MARCH PRAYER DIARY
I lift up my eyes to the mountains
- where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
maker of heaven and earth.
(Psalm 121 : 1 - 2)
* * * * *
Prayers for each day
9 Mar Louise Heron (mother of Tanya Ramsay). Louise is recovering from surgery.
10 Mar the Moderator leading Time for Reflection in the Scottish Parliament today
11 Mar the church in Iran in such dangerous times
12 Mar political leadership in the UK trying to deal with uncertain outcomes of the middle east war
13 Mar the people of Gaza
14 Mar Julia and her family
15 Mar our services at Cramond and Pennywell: Mothering Sunday
16 Mar the ministry of Fresh Start
17 Mar those recently bereaved
18 Mar the Turi Children’s Project in Kenya
19 Mar Jessie Fubara-Manuel our Pastoral Assistant
20 Mar members of our congregations dealing with long term illness
21 Mar the ministry of Bethany Trust in Edinburgh
22 Mar our services at Cramond and Pennywell
23 Mar Emma McMillan in her studies
24 Mar the ministry of CrossReach : Threshold, working with those who have learning disabilities
25 Mar the King, Queen and the royal family
26 Mar the First Minister and cabinet
27 Mar those of our community dealing with mental health issues
28 Mar Edinburgh Hospital Chaplains
29 Mar our services at Cramond and Pennywell
30 Mar the Visiting Team and the elderly
31 Mar the work of Fairtrade
Archbishop Stephen Cottrell of York reflects on John 3 : 16 - 17
The text for the reflection follows in full: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
Visiting the US a few years ago and travelling in civvies, and probably - after an early start and a long flight - looking somewhat dishevelled, I was questioned at immigration about the purpose of my visit and explained that I was a Christian Minister coming to preach and teach in their country as a guest of the Episcopal Church. ‘Are you?’ said the immigration officer, rather suspiciously.’ So tell me,’ he asked, ‘Can you recite John 3 :16?’ Well, fortunately, I passed the test.
I know a few other verses of scripture by heart as well. But this one, John 3 : 16 - 17 is certainly one to have up your sleeve and on your heart. Because these few words from St John’s gospel are not only, probably, the most famous words in the whole of scripture, they seem in a single verse to encapsulate the whole meaning of the Bible and the very heart of the Christian faith. God so loved the world. Please note, not the Church. Not even the human race. And certainly not just some chosen part of the human race or only those whose behaviour measures up and passes muster. No, he has come to save sinners. And that means all of us. And his message is for every person and for the whole creation. And all sorts of people come to him and in all kinds of need and for all sorts of reasons. In John’s gospel, these words are spoken to Nicodemus, a Pharisee, who sees something in Jesus that he believes could be the fulfilment of Israel, but troubled by Jesus, and troubled about how his coming to Jesus will be viewed by others, he comes secretly at night. After all, if he is wrong, he has a lot to lose.
However, I can't help but notice that throughout the gospels, those with nothing to lose, the lonely, the heartbroken, the sick, and the outcast will come to him so much more openly. They instinctively seem to know that his message is one for everyone, for them, and for the whole of life, that he hasn’t come to condemn, like everyone else does, he has come to save.
Which also means in this season of Lent, wherever we are, whatever our need, we should come openly. We should try to be a little, no, a lot less, judgmental. We should come knowing our need of God. We should come with penitent hearts - sorry for our sins, but deeply trusting in the goodness, hopefulness and salvation of God that is made known to us in Christ.
I don't know whether you know any bit of scripture off by heart? A friend of mine has recently committed himself to learning great chunks. And since it is good to have some bits of the Bible inside us and at hand, and since we live in such a noisy, disturbing world where there are so many other ear worms, distractions and temptations vying for our attention, then this verse from St John’s Gospel might be a good one to start with. ‘For God so loved the world…’ Please learn and fill in the rest yourself. Amen
If you have a prayer request or a favourite prayer which you would care to share in a future Prayer Diary, please e-mail office@cramondkirk.org.uk