From the Pulpit
Letter from the pulpit( heart of the church; people and building) We have it on Good authority that prayer releases God’ s power
“ Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me. If you can’ t believe that, believe what you see— these works. The person who trusts me will not only do what I’ m doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I’ ve been doing. You can count on it. From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I’ ll do it. That’ s how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it. Whatever you request in this way, I’ ll do.
John 14:11-14 The Message
Jesus always prayed, not just when He was about to do something but ALWAYS. His life was a prayer for humanity( the Lord’ s prayer), His death was a prayer( father forgive them …) and His resurrection is a prayer every time we pray the Eucharist. And, as your priest in charge I join Him in prayer in everything I do or plan to do.
I was looking back at the magazines published with my letters in them. July 2015 was the first. In it I encouraged you all in prayer and sent a prayer for you all to pray each day. It prepared the ground for us all to work together to grow God’ s love around the church, in ourselves, in the congregation and in the community. I sit here wondering if any of you still pray it, or has the momentum of a prayer from a new priest diminished with time?
That first year was amazing wasn’ t it? 😊 New prayers, new people, new projects, new baptism, new confirmations. August‘ 15 to August’ 16, saw growth. I had boundless energy and enthusiasm, plus you were all encouraging and turned out to volunteer when needed. Thank you. Prayers were said by you, and they were answered. Thanks be to God.
The next year was not so amazing for church growth. My personal and priestly prayer was directed to Ashley and my family, and with any energy left I prayed for St Oswald’ s. It was a huge prayer load to carry and almost impossible, and so before I had to ask the bishop to be released from duties I wrote in my journal.
“‘ did Jesus have this awful dilemma at any point in His 3 years as Rabbi? Or was the choice he gave to the man in the crowd: " Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead." Matthew 8:22. the answer?”
I was assured by + Gregor that my husband was as much entitled to my prayer and time as my church. Phew! I learnt that the answer to my question is that I am called by Him yes, but I am only human, and what applied to Jesus will not always apply to us.
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