Please Note: Some of us were chatting after our Outdoor Service last Sunday. The suggestion was made that for anyone who wishes to, we could plan to bring our own lunches next Sunday (August 1st) to enjoy while sitting outdoors together. We will not be setting food out to share, but simply having what we each bring ourselves. This will be weather permitting. If the sun is shining on Sunday and you wish to stay for a picnic after the Worship Service, please bring your lunch as well as your lawn chair for this week.
You can’t always accurately predict who will help when help is required. Recently, I witnessed a stranded turtle in the middle of the road. Two concerned motorists had stopped to assist this creature and were available to see that the troubled amphibian got safely to the other side. At the same time, there were several people who chose to drive past and not to get involved. I am reminded of the story that Jesus tells of the “Good Samaritan”. When a man is travelling a dangerous road and is beaten and left at the side of the road, helpless and in need, there are those you would expect to help who pass by. It is the unexpected Samaritan (long time enemies of the Jews) who goes out of his way to assist. We as followers of Jesus, are presented with numerous occasions when we must decide who to help and how to help. This is where prayer provides valuable assistance. Jesus speaks about who we would conclude was a neighbour to the man in need. At the end of this parable of the Good Samaritan we read in Luke 10:36,37: 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” In our day to day lives, we can trust God through prayer to guide us to respond as He wants us to for those whose lives will be impacted by our prayers and the ways God answers those prayers through our actions. To “go and do likewise” in showing mercy will certainly require prayer on our part. We will join for our WEDNESDAY PRAYER TOGETHER today, July 28th at 1 pm.
Our grace-filled God, we are praying for sensitivity that will need to come from You for how we can respond to be neighbours to those who need to experience Your loving care and mercy through us. Thank You God that we can trust You to show us how this can happen. Thank You for the potential for needs to be met as we allow Your Spirit to guide us. When we are listening to conversations, please help us to accurately discern how people really feel. When someone is reluctant to admit a need, give us compassionate understanding. When our loving response will be inconvenient for us, we pray that You will still prompt us to be involved. We realize that sometimes it will be us who You intend to reach out and sometimes it will be someone else. Give us wisdom to know when and how you want us to demonstrate our faith in You by being neighbours. We are thinking of those who are currently experiencing financial stress. We are thinking of those who have been responding to needs over an extended time during this pandemic and feel like they have little left to give. We are thinking of those who do not yet feel comfortable resuming close contact with people. We hold in our prayers those who anticipate what may be ahead and feel overwhelmed about how they will cope. We remember in our prayers those who have had significant changes to their lives because of job loss or limited opportunities. God, as we are travelling this road of life, please give us awareness toward others also on the road. Sometimes our own safety causes us to be hesitant to become involved. Please help us to find ways to support individuals or organizations that are prepared to offer support in meaningful and safe ways. Thank You that our own faith expands as we step forward to love with Your love. When we have felt the blessing of those who have responded to our needs, we have received inspiration of how much simple acts of kindness can make a positive difference. We pray that we will come willingly to this urging from Your Son Jesus to, “Go and do likewise.” Forgive us for when our attitudes involve grumbling or complaining instead of considering it a gift to be able to demonstrate mercy. Thank You God that You have wisely made us dependent on each other. Please remind us that we are not intended to be exclusively self sufficient. Thank You for the softening of our hearts that happens when we pray and make ourselves available to be the neighbours that You want us to be. As we respond to needs, we pray that we will carefully guard the dignity of those needing help. We pray that we will also be honest about when we ourselves need help and support. May this result in others receiving a blessing from You as we welcome and appreciate them showing care for us. Our God continue to teach us to love as You love and to live in this world as You intend we pray. In the Name of Jesus who is always generous in showing mercy. AMEN.