In the recent snowstorm, we were very grateful to know that our prayers were answered as we hoped, when our older daughter arrived safely at her destination. It took much longer than usual because the roads were not ploughed and the visibility was limited. We were reassured because she could update us along the way over her car phone that she was making progress. I remember before we had this technology that there were urgent prayers and anxious thoughts until there was confirmation that a loved one had arrived safely. It can seem like an eternity when you are waiting to hear that someone you love who is travelling has got safely to where that person is going. We pray many prayers for safety and protection. When we do pray, we are choosing to place someone or something in God’s capable and loving care. Still, we do not feel at ease until we know that our prayers have been answered. God understands our anxious thoughts. God can speak His peace into our hearts when we are waiting for the outcome of our prayers. Consider this Scripture, “He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. “ (Isaiah 40;11) We long for God to gather us in His arms and to hold us close to his heart. When young children are feeling upset and troubled, we will hold them in our arms to reassure and comfort them. It is consoling to be embraced by love. Our God wants to embrace us and those for whom we pray with His love. This is why He sent Jesus to be our Saviour. As we continue to prepare our hearts for Good Friday and Easter, we can be praying to experience God’s loving and tender arms holding us while we wait for His answers. We will, with this confidence in God’s love for us, join together tomorrow March 1st at 1 pm for our WEDNESDAY PRAYER TOGETHER.
Praying for our awareness of God holding us and those for whom we pray in His loving arms, Pastor Lola
Our God we come to You confident of Your loving care for us and for those for whom we pray. You do respond to us with tender understanding. Your tending of us is like the way a shepherd looks after a flock of sheep. We sometimes stray away from You and You bring us back. Thank You God that You gather us in Your arms and hold us close to Your heart. This is where we can feel safe. This is where we can be assured of Your love and Your protection. We think of the times that we pray for safety and protection from harm. The waiting for Your answers can seem to stretch on and we do want to keep our faith in You. When we can know that You are holding us close to Your heart, our fears are stilled. Sometimes we admit that we think we can only be okay if the outcome of our prayers is that for which we hope. God, we recognize a much deeper dimension of faith that trusts You whatever the outcome. This trusting does not come easy and is only possible when you hold us in Your everlasting love. Where we have assumptions about Who and how You are and how You will take care of our needs, please remind us to seek the truth of the way that you reveal Yourself to us. We want to be open to fresh insight into how You love us. We consider this time approaching Easter to be a gift. It is a time for us to acknowledge the degree of love that You have for us. Jesus, You were willing to give Your life to make us safe forever. Our ideas of safety can be so immediate and connected with here and now. We invite a view of being safe that encompasses the salvation that is only possible through Your Son Jesus. We think now of those dealing with health issues and test results that have been unsettling and pray for them and their families. God, please give us words of love to reassure people of their safety in being gathered in Your loving arms. In the Name of Jesus our Saviour. AMEN