Tuesday 6th December

Let us Run

Psalm 84

   ^[b]1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
   LORD Almighty!
² My soul yearns, even faints,
   for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh cry out
   for the living God.
³ Even the sparrow has found a home,
   and the swallow a nest for herself,
   where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
   LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
⁴ Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
   they are ever praising you.^[c]

 ⁵ Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
   whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
⁶ As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
   they make it a place of springs;
   the autumn rains also cover it with pools.^[d]
7 They go from strength to strength,
   till each appears before God in Zion.

 ⁸ Hear my prayer, LORD God Almighty;
   listen to me, God of Jacob.
⁹ Look on our shield,^[e] O God;
   look with favor on your anointed one.

 ¹⁰ Better is one day in your courts
   than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
   than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
¹¹ For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
   the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
   from those whose walk is blameless.

 ¹² LORD Almighty,
   blessed are those who trust in you

Philippians 3:12-14
 ¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.


Hebrews 12:1
 ¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,


Reflect: Pause for a moment. Take five... or ten if you can. Read Psalm 84. Then read Philippians 3v12-14. And finally, read Hebrews 12v1. This is the pilgrimage of faith, the race of life that we set our hearts on, towards. Friends, let us run!

Act & Pray: If you can, go outside and run for a minute (or an hour, depending on how fit you are!). And once you’re out of breath, stop and pray. Ask Jesus, who has run and won this race
of life, to give you strength to run too.

Monday 5th December

Peace be with you

John 20:19-23
 ¹⁹ On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁰ After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

 ²¹ Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” ²² And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive the sins of anyone, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

Reflect: On the day He rose again, Jesus appeared in a locked room full of His frightened friends. “Peace be with you,” He said to them. “As the Father sent me, so I send you. Receive the Holy Spirit.”  And then He breathed on them. Wow!

Pray & Act: Welcome Jesus, the Prince of Peace, into the ‘locked rooms’ of your life. Alone, or with friends, visit some places of fear and intimidation in your locality and pray ‘Peace be with you’. As the Father sent Jesus, so He sends us

Sunday 4th December

Welcoming the Nations

Matthew 28:16-20
 ¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said,“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in^[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Reflect: In a few months, people from every nation on Earth will come to the United Kingdom to watch and participate in the 2012 Olympic Games. But these ‘people from every nation’ are also already here, living among us. Jesus calls us to go and make disciples of every nation... we don’t have to ‘go’ very far to find them.

Pray: For those preparing to welcome athletes, coaches and families from other nations. And let’s pray for ourselves as well,  to express the welcome of God to those from other nations already in our streets and communities

Saturday 3rd December

Simply Confess
1 John 1:9
⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.


Reflect: Sin entangles. We don’t notice it at first... but before too long, sin – the selfish thoughts and behaviours that seem harmless at first – tangles our hearts and minds, chokes the life out of us. Confession is good for the soul. It resuscitates us, it begins the process of restoration and healing, of living again.

Pray: Let us confess our sin to our gracious Father in heaven, and to trusted friends, and in doing so let us receive the kiss of forgiveness, and the healing of our souls

Friday 2nd December

Pressing On
Philippians 3:10 -14

¹⁰ I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

 ¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus

Reflect: The athlete will never achieve anything without perseverance. Paul talks of straining towards what is ahead. It’s tough sometimes and the best of us are tempted to give up but the encouragement today is to press on – keep listening, keep holding on to the One who called you.

Pray: When the going gets tough, help me to press on and take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me

Thursday 1st December Advent Week 1

Matthew 26:36 - 44
Gethsemane
 ³⁶ Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” ³⁷ He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. ³⁸ Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

 ³⁹ Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

 ⁴⁰ Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. ⁴¹ “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

 ⁴² He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

 ⁴³ When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. ⁴⁴ So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing

Reflect: With less than eight months to go, as a nation we should be encouraged that the preparations for the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012 are well ahead of schedule but as a Church in this nation are we ready to take the opportunities for mission the Games present?

Reflect & Act: Being ready for Christ’s return is just as much to do with being ready to take the opportunities this day has to offer

Wednesday 30th December Advent Week 1

Matthew 11:25 – 30

The Father Revealed in the Son

 ²⁵ At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. ²⁶ Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

   ²⁷ “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

   ²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Reflect: For Christian in The Pilgrim’s Progress the breakthrough came when he reached the Cross and was rid of that great burden on his back. You will never win the race running in that overcoat. Let the Holy Spirit reveal today anything that needs to go – good or bad.

Pray: The invitation to all who are heavy laden is to come, lay your burden down and receive your rest in Christ

Tuesday 29th November

Advent Week 1

Matthew 5:14-16

New International Version (NIV)

   ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Reflect: Each of us has a sphere of influence whether at work, college or with our neighbours. We have the potential to change the spiritual climate through what we say or do. You are today the light of the world, for Christ is in you, the hope of glory

Pray & Act: Who can you encourage today? A smile can make all the difference. Pray for all with whom you will have contact

Monday 28th November

Advent Week 1
Hebrews 12:1 – 3
 ¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.


We are surrounded by such a great crowd of witnesses.

Reflect: Consider those who have had an influence upon your life; who have cheered you along in the race of life. Give thanks for those who have encouraged you along the way.

Pray: For those preparing for the Olympics, especially the athletes’ encouragers – their coaches and family members. And for the More than Gold Homestay programme offering hospitality to athletes’ families.

Advent Sunday

Advent Sunday
Matthew 25:1 - 13 The Parable of the Ten Virgins
 ¹ “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. ² Five of them were foolish and five were wise. ³ The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. ⁴ The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. ⁵ The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

   ⁶ “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

   ⁷ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

   ⁹ “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

   ¹⁰ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

   ¹¹ “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

   ¹² “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

   ¹³ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Keep watch because you do not know the day or the hour.

Reflect: Today is Advent Sunday. Advent is a time of waiting – waiting prayerfully and expectantly for the One who comes. He came that first Advent, the promise is that He will come again but He also comes today to meet with you as you wait on Him.

Pray: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Come Lord Jesus!

Merton on life ...

To live well myself is my first and essential contribution to the well-being of all mankind and to the fulfillment of man’s collective destiny. If I do not live happily myself how can I help anyone else to be happy, or free, or wise? Yet to seek happiness is not to live happily. Perhaps it is more true to say that one finds happiness by not seeking it. The wisdom that teaches us deliberately to restrain our desire for happiness enables us to discover that we are already happy without realizing the fact.
To live well myself means for me to know and appreciate something of the secret, the mystery in myself…
Thomas Merton, Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander

And ... living happily in the midst of the everyday perhaps requires a rhythm of prayer, meditation and study that has to be fought for in the midst of the busyiness of our contemporary lives. It's hard to imagine that happiness comes through struggle but perhaps it does.

Communion as a political statement ...

Authentic celebration of communion is an act of revolutionary politics. Communion is a radical political statement about humanity. Far from being a Sabbath day escape from the world, it is a fundamental political stance within it.  Communion that is just simply words and motion while forgetting human rights is hollow and displeasing to God. The words, prayers, hymns and songs of communion are worthless if not accompanied by a commitment to liberate the poor. Every communion is a prophetic call to live the Passover - passing through death to life - by transforming ourselves we in turn challenge and transform our society because we chose to locate ourselves in the Kingdom of God. Participation in communion is a pledge to commit ourselves to the cause of integral human liberation and to work for the freedom of millions of our brothers and sisters. It is an eschatological statement expressing hope.

A community celebration of communion solemnly commits all Christians to struggle actively against everything that discriminates against and disintegrates humanity. If a Christian community, after having received the same bread and the same wine, continues to maintain social, economic and cultural difference and inequality then it fails as a Christian community and is in need of forgiveness.