Godly Grieving
Dear Friends and Families,
Last weekend, it was a joy to travel to the MCG in order to see a footy match. I haven’t done so for a year, and so the sights and sounds of people gathering at this sporting stadium was a wonderfully sensory reminder of what we might describe as ‘civil normality’. In short, things felt right again!
However, a quick glimpse of the newspapers and the evening news reminds us that things are indeed not all right in our nation and in the wider world.
Our current Christian season of Lent – a time for introspection and reflection – is a season where we grieve for the general brokenness of our world: our strained relationships, environment, aspirations and motivations.
What has, of course, been so explicitly grievous has been the war against the people of Ukraine. There has rightly been international condemnation of the Russian military’s incursions and the destruction of both life and property.
The season of Lent is a time for us to “weep with those who weep” (c.f. Romans 12:15) and long for the peace, justice, forgiveness and renewal which the upcoming celebration of Easter guarantees for a weary world.
Will you too yearn with me?
If so, I encourage you to pray the special prayer for Ukraine below:
God of peace and justice,
we pray for the people of Ukraine today.
We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons.
We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow,
that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.
We pray for those with power over war or peace,
for wisdom, discernment, and compassion
to guide their decisions.
Above all, we pray for all your precious children,
at risk and in fear,
that you would hold and protect them.
We pray in the name of Jesus,
the Prince of Peace. Amen.
If you would like to speak further, or have questions about the Christian life, then do please contact either me or Reverend Sheela (our Associate Chaplain) at the respective email addresses below:
Reverend Peter: [email protected]
Reverend Sheela: [email protected]
I also encourage you to pray the prayer for the week below.
If you would like to explore the certainty of Christ further, the two local Anglican churches listed below lead regular Sunday gatherings.
St Peter’s, Craigieburn (meeting at 10:30am on Sundays in the Chapel at Hume Anglican Grammar: 100 Mt Ridley Road, Mickleham)
Minister: Reverend Sheela Pandhare
Mobile: 0451 973 733/03 9308 2452
Email: [email protected]/[email protected]
http://www.humeparish.melbourneanglican.org.au
Redemption Church Craigieburn (meeting at 4:00pm on Sundays in Building 12 – the Year 5/6 Centre at Hume Anglican Grammar: 100 Mt Ridley Road, Mickleham)
Pastor: Reverend Akhil Gardner
Mobile: 0400 021 381
Email: [email protected]
https://www.rccraigieburn.com.au/online
https://www.facebook.com/rccraigieburn/
Prayer for the week (Fourth Sunday of Lent)
Gracious God,
in order that we children of the earth might discern good from evil,
you sent your Son to be the light of the world:
as the light of Christ shines upon us,
may we learn what pleases you,
and live in truth and goodness;
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God,
now and forever.
Amen.
Song (Prince of Peace)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc0DKzPdv44