Matt 25:40 ‘The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
We pray for those around us who will benefit by the Holidays at Home programmes, making new friends and feeling included in society. We pray for all who are struggling with debt and low income, single parenting and caring for their elderly or disabled family. We pray that we can find ways of serving them, just as Jesus has commanded us to be servants to others.
We pray for our new Vicar, Kath, and her husband Phil, that they may enjoy their holidays and come to lead us in the autumn, full of enthusiasm and grace. We pray that they will settle in quickly with many new friends from the start.The school holidays are starting early this year because so many of our young people have finished their serious external exams and are taking advantage of going away earlier than usual. We pray for their safety during this unstructured time, that they will find it invigorating and special.
The usual holiday places abroad have become unpredictable, many locals rebelling against the culture of hedonism that tourists often consider acceptable. We pray for safety for all and a change in the behaviour of those responsible for the upset.
The whole world continues to rebel against Jesus’ command, to love one another, with wars, exploitation, modern slavery, famine, cruelty and division. We pray for the leaders of the countries, that they may reset their moral compasses and realise that they are there to serve the people, not the other way round. We pray earnestly for peace, nothing can be accomplished without peace, not just cessation of war, but lasting and genuine peace between all the peoples.
Judges 2:19 The people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their ancestors, following other gods and serving and worshipping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.