Let’s Pray For Social Witness Pray for all residents and staff in our Social Witness homes and units as they cope with the stress of regular Covid-19 testing. Pray for the Senior Staff Team as they deal with the additional workload generated by new procedures and guidelines.  Public Affairs Pray for those involved in the Council as they continue to contribute to important, ethical, public square issues that are ongoing – such as the Dying with Dignity Bill in the Oireachtas – now going to Committee stage.

O Soul are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see.’
These are the introductory lines of a Song composed in 1918 by Helen H. Lemmel, but their relevance to our present circumstances is such that they might have been written today.

Helen Lemmel was an accomplished musician who wrote more than five hundred Hymns and Poems. She remained active for God in her musical and literary pursuits until her death at the age of ninety-seven.

There are many Bible references concerning the importance of living our lives with a focused attention on Christ, one being found in Jeremiah 29:13 NIV ‘You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’
As restrictions in association with Covid19 continue, or in fact are on the increase, we might feel a sense of despondency and despair, or, as the Song puts it, ‘no light in the darkness.’

Often this Song is introduced by using the opening lines of the first verse, which I quoted initially, but the first line of the Chorus is used on occasions. This reads, ‘Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face.’Now that makes the outlook brighter!  Reading further, ‘And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of his glory and grace.’   From despair to hope.

Let’s focus on these encouraging words as we listen to our Song today: ‘Turn your eyes upon Jesus.’

Frances.

Sharing Our Faith (45 minute Audio) Ever wondered how to share the Christian faith with people of other religions? Listen to this insightful interview with Joseph Steinberg – CEO of Christian Witness to Israel – for practical tips on how to share your faith with respect and godly truth! https://t.co/Ir1ZZLJxXs

Virtually Keswick  Remember, you can still catch up on sessions from Virtually Keswick Convention 2020! Go to https://t.co/ZUAjxeVaSe and click on the Daily programmes and Events sections to view.

Let’s Pray For Social Witness Give thanks for all Health and Social Care professionals as they continue to work under considerable pressure through the Covid-19 crisis. Give thanks for the individuals and groups who have been so generous in their support, generosity and encouragement to our homes and units. Health Service Pray for those making key decisions in the health service over the coming weeks, and pray that those who most need access to services will be able to get the help and medical interventions they require.

On opening a particular website, the following words were first to appear, and I immediately thought ‘How appropriate!’
‘Give your mind a break from planning and trying to anticipate what will happen. Pray continually, asking God to take charge of the details of the day. When you try to peer into the future and plan for every possibility, you ignore your constant Companion, who sustains you moment by moment.’
I referred recently to Charles Haddon Spurgeon, (1834 –1892)  a man who was highly influential among Christians of various denominations, and among whom he is known as the ‘Prince of Preachers.’
During this week I received a Prayer Letter from a former Guest Speaker at our Church Ladies’ Group.
As is usually the case, in the letter she included one of C.H. Spurgeon’s quotes. It stated: 'A daily portion is really all we need, we do not need tomorrow's supply, for that day has not yet dawned, and its needs are still unborn.’
It would appear that C.H. Spurgeon and the contributor to the website were of the same mind.
Their quotes are based on Psalm 68:19 NIV which reminds us of the constancy of God's care, and reads: 'Praise be to the Lord, to God our Saviour, who daily bears our burdens.'
Let’s praise Him that He does so, as we ‘Pause for a moment of Prayer.’ 

​Frances

Transformed in Christ (15 minute Video) Are you looking to God to transform your life? Watch this encouraging episode of Discipleship Explored to discover how loving Jesus and being filled with the Holy Spirit transforms our lives as we are transformed to become more like Christ. ​ https://ucb.lightcast.com/player/21321/200502