Welcome to our Sunday Worship. The Church services are at the usual times of 9.15 am at St Agnes' and 11.00 am at St Thomas'. If you're not able to be with us in person, you'll find the Gospel reading, a reflection and prayers below.
Our first hymn this morning is "New Every Morning is the Love"
Today's Gospel
Luke 11:1-13 Jesus Teaching on Prayer
Jesus was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say:
Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
And do not bring us to the time of trial."
And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, `Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.' And he answers from within, `Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.' I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.
"So, I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Reflection
Let’s start this reflection in the most obvious place – The Lord’s prayer. In this simplified version from Luke’s Gospel there are 4 key component parts.
Firstly, we acknowledge the Holiness of God the Father. Throughout the bible, both in the old and new testaments, we are constantly reminded of the holiness and magnificence of God – so when we come to pray to Him, it is right that we acknowledge His power and holiness and that we pay due reverence and honour to God.
The next 3 elements are where Jesus asks us to make requests of the Father - material, societal and spiritual requests. The material request is for sustenance to meet our needs for what we as mortals require to survive. It also reminds us that all things were and are made through God, and that we are dependent upon Him. The societal part is where we ask God for his forgiveness, a request that is conditional upon us also forgiving others. We are reminded that, in a properly functioning society, it is fundamental that not only should we forgive others and put grudges to one side, but that we too must also be open to accepting forgiveness when it is offered. The two are inseparably linked together. Lastly, but by no means least, there is the spiritual request for us to resist temptation, especially during times of difficulty and stress when we can be put to the test. We are reminded that at these times, we can lean on God to provide strength and guidance to support us during our challenges.
There is so much in this prayer that the Lord gave us, yet there is an underlying simplicity which shows us that when we pray to our Lord it really doesn’t have to be that complicated. Jesus tells us, (Matthew 11 :28-30) “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest”.
Similarly, in the passage above, he says, “Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.” Jesus is telling us, we do need to ask and keep asking for what we need… and we can do this by talking to Him regularly in prayer. When you ask for the Holy Spirit, it will always be granted to you.Paul
Our Prayers
Our final hymn today is "Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God"
