“By taking some time each day to allow that Word to echo, we may begin to recognize the loving voice of God speaking in our lives”. This incisive question by a 15 year old student cuts to the heart of every Christian of the current dilemma about prayer in this secular society.  How do we pray to a God when our priorities are directed to the earthly needs of our lives.  We cannot sense in a world that places so much emphasis on the tangible and the practical.  Another difficulty turns on that word ‘relationship’.  Much advice can be given to us about our relationships but essentially each one is unique and we have to work out our own way of being together in relationships.  Meaning our relationship with God, not only during this Passion Week, but every single day of our lives.
Does this mean that each of us has to muddle through to find our own unique way of praying-of being in a relationship with God?  Not entirely: muddle, there will be, but we can learn from what has worked for others, we can listen to their hints and see what works for us.
The act of praying this week is an act of witness-a testimony to what you have seen and what you know.  People do not need justification or explanation for the events of this week.  People have been preoccupied with so many things to do.  However, we are expected to fulfill our churchy platitudes and try to convince people that this all makes a difference.  They want to hear from someone who tells the truth and who can tell the truth because we know God’s truth.
I pray that we will find the time to pray in solitude, reflect on the word of God and participate in our church services.  The letter to the Philippians says, “make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.  Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.”
Tell God’s truth-and let the grace of this week be yours.

Rector’s Corner

I invite you and your families to come and participate in our Holy Week Services.  While it is true that we live in a society that is predominantly secular, we just cannot discount the fact that Jesus came into the world for us and manifested the true meaning of love and forgiveness.  Let this inspire us to pray and act as God’s loving and compassionate children.  Let us Pray.
Holy and immortal God, as we enter into this holy week turn our hearts to Jerusalem, so that, united with Christ and all the faithful, we may enter the city made with hands, your promised realm of justice and peace, eternal from age to age.  Amen
     A Prayer Book for Australia 1995 alt.