Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe” (John 20:27)
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ. In this age of great uncertainty it is very easy to doubt even things that you have been confident in your whole life. This is the time of trial and we are like Peter walking on the water with Jesus, but sinking in doubt and fear, because the waves are crashing down all around us.
But be of God courage, take heart, do not be afraid, because, Jesus says – Put your finger here and look at my hands, reach out and put your hand in my wounds!
God is not indifferent to our suffering. God is not indifferent to our uncertainty, in fact He revealed Himself post resurrection as the wounded one who had been healed. Jesus knows your pain He knows your fear and He comes to you on it and says take my hand.
And so, we unite with compassion with those who are suffering now. We stand in the gap and pray for God’s mercy. Like the friends who lowered the man through the ceiling to the feet of Jesus we bring our loved ones and our neighbours to Christ, seeking His mercy.
These last 10 days we have prayed for the victims of GBV and I pray that this daily focus has moved your hearts to care for others and to be part of the change that our society so badly needs.
We have also been praying for revival. Every great move of God is preceded by fervent prayer, let us be faithful in this and pray for our leaders, our country, our Church.
August is our month of compassion and we need to find innovative ways to reach out to others in love. Our world is in desperate need of compassion, there is so much suffering and, so much corruption, and so much selfishness. This month let us reach out especially to the lonely and those who are living in fear. They are amongst us, in need of your prayers.
Let our prayer be:
Compassionate God,
look with pity on those who are suffering and
threatened with unemployment, hunger, sickness, injustice, terror and death:
help us banish fear from our midst and strengthen those who seek equality for all;
grant that each of us may do our part in making the hearts of your people wise
their minds sound and
their wills righteous
through Jesus Christ our Lord
Amen.
As we enter August, I pray that this will bring a new season of hope and peace.
Let us not lose heart, let us strive to support one another and live to God’s glory, each of us has a role to play in sharing the love of God with a hurting world.
Be assured of my Prayers.
Rector.
Choose faith not fear.
