Wearily upward

I got to church this morning (I work at an Anglican church in London) and was just about to have my morning coffee before work when a colleague asked me if I can join him in praying with a person who wants prayer.  I agreed.  Obviously.  That's what good Christians do, isn't it? This man's story, which I will not share, made me wonder what exactly it is that "good Christian people" should do.  I can't remember many times in my life where I've felt so helpless and wordless.  I knew what and in Whom I believe, but there were no words to convey my beliefs to this man in dire need.  I also didn't have the physical means to help him out of the trouble he is/was in.  I was only able to pray for him. Two things jump to mind when I think about this episode. Firstly, I was reminded that prayer is not a consolation prize to people we don't want to, or are able to, help.  Prayer is a powerful thing;  not because of who is praying, but because of W...

My wife and I both love travelling very much.  I love the excitement of getting up early, getting to the airport, having a coffee and flying off to some place I've never seen before.  There's something enticing about the unknown and the possible beauty we might experience there.  I love it. Then I started wondering whether Jesus ever went on vacations.  I know He travelled a lot, but that was for His ministry (His church job, I suppose, in modern terms).  Did He ever take two weeks off and visit the Pyramids, or went to the beach?  I can't remember reading anything along those lines in the Bible.  I do know that He took time to spend with His Father (God) alone, away from the disciples and the multitudes.  What does this mean for us today?  Two things jump to mind. Firstly I believe that Jesus found what He was doing, His work here on earth, so exciting and exhilarating that He didn't feel the need to take two weeks off from "work." ...

There's a great story of a very successful business man who came to know Christ as his Saviour.  This man did not grow up in a Christian environment at all, but was touched by God's love for him and invited Jesus into his life.  Being a new believer, he was encouraged by the person who brought him to Christ to do Bible study and to pray often.  The man's humble prayer, with tears in his eyes, was: "Dear Lord.  I have very important meetings in my diary for tomorrow, but I'll schedule an hour on Friday morning.  I can't wait to tell you about my day." What an amazingly sincere prayer!  A business man who only knows the world of schedules, meetings and the importance of time creates space to meet and spend time with his Saviour.  Can you sense this man's excitement as he looks forward to being close to Jesus? I've been a Christian for many years now and I must admit that I've lost the wonder, anticipation and "can't-wait-to-tell-You-...