St Peters RC Church Hamilton

“Take delight in the LORD and He will give you your heart’s desires.” (Psalm 37 v 4 NLT)

Which He hopes is Himself as a Trinity, all holy,

But is this your experienced reality?

Who or what is at the centre of your heart?

As we start Lent, we like to think

That this is our Saviour, the Lord Jesus.

But is it? Is He really central to you?

Or are you consumed by daily difficulty,

By the many challenges to meet, the ongoing worry.

Does anxiety and fret consume your thoughts,

Are goals, hopes, dreams, ambitions, a problem to you,

Or even your anticipation disappointed, being a child of God?

“If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, We have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1 v 7 NIV)

Do we allow satan to ride rough shod over us.

Because we become so immersed in worldly matters,

We forget carelessly, or ignore deliberately,

To pray, handing over the reigns of control

To the supreme majesty of sovereign holy authority?

Do we seek the Holy Spirit to shield and defend us?

Do we make the Lord Jesus the central part of our worship?

Or do we tend to paddle our own canoe,

Then wonder why life’s squalls threaten to swamp us,

Overcome us, suffocate and drown us?

Remember, there is a better way opened up as we pray.

“Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim You, who walk in the light of Your presence, O LORD. They rejoice in Your name all day long; they exult in Your righteousness.” (Psalm 89 v 15, 16 NIV)

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1 v 9)

Please pray to overcome all doubt, fear and anxiety.

Please pray regularly because we are told “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.” (Philippians 4 v 6 NLT)

Please pray to “Tell God what you need.” (v 6)

Please pray to experience the joy of the Lord Jesus’ presence, ever with us as best Friend, Saviour, Master and Lord.

Please pray to call upon the Holy Spirit as Counsellor.

Please pray for the Advocate’s safe keeping from all that is evil, threatening to harm our faith’s wellbeing.

Please pray as a redeemed, blood bought child of God. “I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness ....” (Isaiah 61 v 10 NIV)

Please pray to be covered in the love of Christ Jesus, whereby no evil can touch us.

Please pray to “...take up the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6 v 17 NLT)

Please “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.” (Ephesians 6 v 18 NLT)

Please pray to “Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” (v 18)

Please pray to love, honour and serve our Father by making the Lord Jesus central to our everyday life, as we respond to the correction and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Please pray for the King of Glory to reign, for then “All will be well, and all will be well. And all manner of things will be well.” (St Julian of Norwich)