Dear Friends
This comes with much love and prayers, and particularly for Ukraine during these dark days. We do believe in the God who is able to do miracles, who is Hope, Love and Peace. We are in need of a miracle.
Some of you have asked: ‘How can we pray for Ukraine?’ – A good question. There are two wonderful prayers you may find helpful. One is from Taizé by Brother Alois and the other is from CAFOD (see here):
Loving God,
We pray for the people of Ukraine,
for all those suffering or afraid,
that you will be close to them and protect them.
We pray for world leaders,
for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.
We pray for the world
that in this moment of crisis,
we may reach out in solidarity
to our brothers and sisters in need.
May we walk in your ways
so that peace and justice
become a reality for the people of Ukraine
and for all the world.
Amen
[CAFOD]
Last Wednesday 2nd March our 4:30pm livestreamed prayers were focused on praying for Ukraine. See link here.
Also, below you can find the link to a Ukrainian Chant of the Jesus Prayer- “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy upon us” – which you may find helpful as you pray.
Jesus Prayer music from Ukraine:
A couple of weeks back, we remembered the life of Archbishop Janani Luwum who was martyred for his faith. Di’s reflection picks up on this which speaks of placing Jesus right at the centre. Amen to that.
Diane writes, beginning with an exerpt from ‘Blessed are the Patient Meek’ by Hannah Hurnard:
Immortal meek! Who take the earth
By flinging all away!
Who die – and death is but their birth
Who lose-and win the day
Hewn down and stripped and scorned and slain.
O Christ-like meek! By heaven blessed,
Before whom hell must quake,
By foolish, blinded men oppressed,
Who yet the earth do shake.
O “seed” of him who won through loss
And conquered death while on a cross.
Today’s picture is found here:
The Modern Martyrs – Westminster Abbey
In my last reflection we looked at Martin and Rosa Up Front, a beautiful painting by Coiln Bootman and today I would like us to think about modern martyrs.
‘Why?’ you may ask.
Because two weeks ago, as I began writing this reflection, we had the family of Archbishop Janani Luwum of Uganda staying with us. Janani Luwum is one of the ten Modern Martyrs of the 20th century who stand above the west door of Westminster Abbey. Unveiled in 1998, Janani Luwum . stands 3rd from the left with Dr Martin Luther King Jr 5th. Following the closure of St. John’s, Nottingham, a plaque originally erected there in memory of the Archbishop Janani Luwum was, last October, relocated to Scargill House with the hope that an act of commemoration would take place here, every year on the 16th February – the day the Archbishop was killed in 1977.
Also, the week before a regular guest, who supports Open Doors, was staying with us. Open Doors tells us that every day, millions of Christians risk their lives to follow Jesus. In more than 60 countries, Open Doors supports them by supplying Bibles, providing emergency relief and helping persecuted believers stand strong for the long-term. In the UK and Ireland, Open Doors helps the church to pray, give and speak out for those who share our faith but not our freedom. Are we able to show our unity with those in peril? Have a look to see how you could help.
Unfortunately suffering is an expected element in Christian living (see 2 Tim. 2:3) and although for us here in the UK the actual “persecution” may be less, the unbelieving world will always remain deeply hostile to the gospel. The New Testament talks a lot about forgiving one’s enemies, a noble and altruistic notion perhaps but one that is so difficult. As humans, we want revenge and vindication. We don’t naturally think about praying for our enemies. But Jesus commanded us to pray for those who persecute us. In Luke 6 we read ‘this is what I say to all who will listen to me: Love your enemies, and be good to everyone who hates you. Ask God to bless anyone who curses you, and pray for everyone who is cruel to you.’
Ephesians 4 also tells us to treat enemies with kindness, putting away the temptations to gossip or become bitter. When we forgive those who are against us, we start to treat them differently, looking at them through a lens of compassion. Praying softens our heart, as we let go of our agenda. And most of all it allows us to become more like Jesus. And so as we pray for our enemies, we forgive them and we become channels of peace.
Can you join me in the prayer below and perhaps like me you may even find yourself singing it! How wonderful that would be.
Make me a channel of your peace
Where there is hatred let me bring your love
Where there is injury, your pardon Lord
And where there is doubt true faith in You
Make me a channel of your peace
Where there is despair in life let me bring hope
Where there is darkness only light
And where there’s sadness ever joy
Oh, Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul
Make me a channel of your peace
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
It is in giving to all men that we receive
And in dying that we are born to eternal life
Oh, Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul
Make me a channel of your peace
Where there’s despair in life let me bring hope
Where there is darkness only light
And where there’s sadness ever joy
Amen
Make me a channel of your Peace (Susan Boyle version) – words and music by Sebastian Temple, St Francis of Assisi
With much love and prayers to you all