SPEAKING TO THE SOUL

Saturday 17th September

A QUOTE, A TEXT AND A PRAYER…OR TWO

A QUOTE
Christians should put survival of the planet ahead of national security…Here is the mystery of our global responsibility: that we are in communion with Christ- and we are in communion with all people…The fact that the people of Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, Russia, Afghanistan, and Ethiopia are our brothers and sisters is not obvious. People kill each other by the thousands and do not see themselves as brothers and sisters. If we want to be real peace-makers, national security cannot be our primary concern. Our primary concern should be survival of humanity, the survival of the planet, and the health of all people. Whether we are Russians, Iraqis, Ethiopians, or North Americans, we belong to the same human family that God loves. And we have to start taking some risks- not just individually, but risks of a more global quality, risks to let other people develop their own independence, risks to share our wealth with others and invite refugees to our country, risks to offer sanctuary- because we are people of God. Henri Nouwen

A TEXT
For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks. ~ Luke 11:10

Kingdom of God your primary concern. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. ~ Matthew 6:32-34


AND A PRAYER…OR TWO

Prayer for the current financial situation
Lord God, we live in disturbing days:
 across the world,
 prices rise,
 debts increase,
 markets are in turmoil,
 jobs are taken away, 
and fragile security is under threat. 
Loving God, meet us in our fear and hear our prayer:
 be a tower of strength amidst the shifting sands, 
and a light in the darkness; 
help us receive your gift of peace, 
and fix our hearts where true joys are to be found, 
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn
but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the
strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that
all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of
Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and
glory, now and for ever. Amen.