March: Transformed in Worship

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Sing to the Lord and bless his name; tell out his salvation from day to day.

Declare his glory among the nations and his wonders among all peoples.

For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; he is more to be feared than all gods.

For all the gods of the nations are but idols; it is the Lord who made the heavens.

Honour and majesty are before him; power and splendour are in his sanctuary.

Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples; ascribe to the Lord honour and strength.

Ascribe to the Lord the honour due to his name; bring offerings and come into his courts.

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; let the whole earth tremble before him.

– Psalm 96

Take time to reflect:

As we journey through Lent, reflect on the words we say, hear and sing in worship. How do they help you to grow in faith?

And finally a prayer:

Lord God, you draw us by your beauty and transform us by your holiness; let our worship echo all creation’s praise and declare your glory to the nations; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

February: Rooted in Prayer

‘Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.’

Romans 8.26-27

Take time to reflect:

How is prayer a part of your pattern of life, and how you connect with God? What have you found helpful in learning to pray or growing in prayer, or an obstacle to it?

And finally a prayer:
Lord of heaven and earth, as Jesus taught his disciples to be persistent in prayer, give us patience and courage never to lose hope, but always to bring our prayers before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

January: Resting

“So then, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God; for those who enter God’s rest also cease from their labours as God did from his. Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest.”

Hebrews 4.9-11a

Take time to reflect:

Reflect on how you rest most effectively. What might you be able to do to enrich the pattern of rest in your life? In the busyness of Advent, take some time in the joy and anticipation to embrace God’s gift of rest.

And finally, a prayer:

O God of holiness, you create all things in your image;
help us to receive your recreative power of rest,
that our souls and bodies may be renewed in your heavenly peace.

Amen