Thought for the Day – Wednesday 3rd June
Colossians 1: 9a says this:
‘For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.’
What
a wonderful gift to us prayer is and it is truly one of those gifts that is for
both giving and receiving!
Often
when we wish to let folk know we are thinking of them we will write or say ‘you
are in my thoughts and prayers’ and we probably never realise just what a
valuable gift we are giving to those people by those prayers or indeed
receiving if folk have told us we will be in their prayers.
I
love the phrase which is often used in relation to prayer where when you know
you are being prayed for by someone you are said ‘to be covered in prayer’.
When I see that word ‘covered’ it reminds me that so often when we are feeling
low and in need of prayer our first response can sometimes be to shy away from
folk, to have a duvet day so we don’t have to face the world or the very things
that are making us feel so low – we cover ourselves up in our duvet for
protection. Being ‘covered in prayer’
has that same kind of connotation for me. When we know we are being prayed for
it is like a comfort blanket has been draped gently around our shoulders which
we gently hold on to or covering ourselves up with the duvet on a wintry
morning to feel warm and secure or snuggling into a warm fleece or sweater on a
cold day and wrapping our arms around us for warmth. Knowing we are being
‘covered in prayer’ brings that same warmth and comfort to our lives. Prayer is
truly a gift when received.
Yet,
we are also called to give that gift of warmth, comfort and security to others
by covering them in prayer. Prayer may help us to feel relaxed and comforted
and secure but it should also stimulate us and motivate us to pray without
ceasing in order that the gift of prayer may be shared and so received by
others.
Prayer
is a gift – a gift for giving and receiving – it is a great blessing to us and
to others – so let us never overlook the power of prayer and let us never
believe that we can overdo prayer!
As
our text says - and indeed the back of our Order of Service each week:
Pray
without ceasing!
Prayer
Loving Lord,
You spent so much time in prayer yourself and you taught us how to
pray, may we spend much time in prayer for ourselves that we might come to know
your ways better and discern your way forward, and for others as we seek to
cover them in prayer bringing your love, comfort and security to their lives.
May we never overlook our times of prayer, may we never feel we are praying too
much but rather pray without ceasing and share this wonderful gift you give. In
Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
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