PRAYER
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."
Colossians 4:3
November 2026
Charis Ministries Africa
Mel Welch and Mandy Hunter, founders of Charis Ministries Africa, have been working alongside Mozambican Christians since 2007 and Ethiopian partners since 2020. They long to see lives changed through transforming mission. They are now based in the UK from where they lead Charis ministries and make frequent visits to Mozambique and Ethiopia to encourage and oversee the work. In Mozambique a national association (Associacao Caridade de Mocambique) was finally registered in2024 led by Orlando and Sergio with Mel and Mandy and Charis as board directors, rooting the ministry in country and preparing for the future. Likewise, this year in 2026 Charis Foundation was registered in Ethiopia which will open up government funding and local partnerships in micro-business opportunities and life skills training to move the families from being dependent to becoming self- sufficient.
We thank God for His continuing direction and leading, provision and grace in all the areas Charis has been involved in and for the growth we have seen this past year. We know and understand that God is the one who makes things grow (1 Cor 3:6).
In Mozambique we have been reaching out to the poorest of the poor especially in Bandua an area 6 hours north of our base in Vilanculos. The team have relayed again how life in Bandua continues to be very challenging with many struggling to find enough food to survive. They often come across the most vulnerable cooking rats to eat with some leaves. Since 2019 when the devastating cyclone Idai hit, forcing thousands to relocate to resettlement camps, many people have been trying to adapt to life far from the river. Charis has helped with seeds and tools, bikes and water pumps for those with more agricultural knowledge. Housing remains an issue especially for the elderly and single-parent families and we have been able to help with building new homes.
Charis is keen to help the economically poor become self-sufficient and has given several micro-loans and some grants for small businesses like small groceries, a peanut grinding mill, tailors. We have also sponsored several in skills training-nursing, carpentry, sewing.
The Life Centre was finally opened in October 2025 with a vision for it to be a Centre of discipleship, worship, and bible training. We are delighted that Orlando, our key team leader, is already teaching his young disciples who come from a variety of different churches in and around Vilanculos. They learn to play the guitar, keyboard alongside bible teaching. In April we were very happy to bring Dr Julie Woods from the UK to teach 40+ students OT studies.
Prayer points:
• Firstly, we thank God for His provision -for our regular supporters and others who have given to our Charis ministries enabling us to reach out in real ways to help the vulnerable poor.
• We thank God for all those we have been able to help so far this year - 30 dear ones with new homes, for the 50 school kids equipped for school. For all those given seeds and tools - more than 40, and the 2 water pumps given and so much more.
• Please pray for the team-for Sergio as our Coordinator who recently got married and is negotiating this new chapter of his life. Pray for spiritual renewal, for wisdom and humility as he leads and protection over his life and that of his family. For Orlando - he has recently embarked on a 2year online theological course (head, heart, hands), for wisdom, for Holy Spirit help and guidance, and for a deep work in his heart. He is very influential- please pray for protection and for much fruit amongst his disciples. Pray for Sergio and Orlandos relationship as they lead the work on the ground -for one heart and one mind and God’s love to fill their hearts.
• Please pray for all that is happening at the Life Centre, for Orlando and his disciples and for our plan to hold periodic bible courses at the Life Centre-online and in person -for God connections and people with a heart to share their biblical knowledge and understanding with the poorly resourced.
In Ethiopia Elizabeth and Feven are now caring for 11 families including 30 children in Addis and 9 in Nekemte including 4 children. Each family has been rescued off the streets and housed in clean rooms and receive monthly food and medical help when they are sick. Charis is helping all the children of school age with uniforms and equipment. The desperate situation in Addis continues, with many young mothers with children displaced by conflict and troubles, who are homeless living and begging on the streets. Elizabeth moved to Addis in September 2024 and started reaching out with her daughter to the desperate families they came across. There are so many and sometimes the need is overwhelming.
Prayer Points:
• Please pray God enlarges our capacity to be able to help rescue more families giving them a hope and a future.
• We thank God for the women who have become Christians including 3 muslim women. Please pray for all the families that the love they have encountered leads them to the One who loves them eternally.
• Please pray for Elizabeth and Feven as they lead this ministry of rescue and compassion. For protection as they travel the busy streets of Addis, for good health and strength, for wisdom and discernment as they plan.
• Please pray for the next steps. Our vision is to move the families from dependency to becoming self-sustaining. Pray for the mother, Tsion, who is embarking on a 3-month cooking course and if she does well there will be the opportunity of a job. Also, for Msira’s daughter (17) who is starting a hairdressing course.
• Please pray for our vision to buy a vehicle to help with logistics. Presently Elizabeth and Feven use taxis to get about in Addis, which is quite a challenge, especially when buying and distributing food kits. Pray for a good, reliable vehicle at a reasonable price and God’s provision.
• Please pray for our vision for a base for the ministry-which would provide temporary accommodation, medical help and also be a private space for kids’ club and discipleship teaching. At the moment the families are in rented accommodation, and the landlords can be difficult.
Finally- on 21 November 2026 we are holding a Charis Africa Evening at St James in Clitheroe. We are praying many will come to share with us and hear more about what God is doing through our teams in Mozambique and Ethiopia.
October 2026
In February and March of this year CCP held a Friendship First Course with a view to equipping us to be better prepared to witness to our Muslim neighbours. The course was led by Dr Haroon Lal Din and was extremely helpful and informative. The visit to the mosque was particularly forceful. Dr Haroon and his wife Mariam work alongside South Asian Ministries (SAMs) in Blackburn. They have brought many years of ministry experience from working in Pakistan.
Their ministry engages primarily with Christians, Muslims and also Hindus. The aim is, through connections with local churches, to build bridges with the Muslim community and create opportunities to share the gospel respectfully with friends, neighbours and colleagues. So far, over one hundred and twenty participants have attended the Friendship First course and eight churches have been involved. Through increased understanding of the Islamic faith, the courses help to increase our confidence and reduce fear in our witnessing.
In addition to the Friendship First course, SAMs supports the South Asian Fellowship - a place where Asian families can gather together and encourage each other through prayer, worship and Scripture reading (in their native languages). To help increase an understanding of Islam, SAMs also holds lecture events. These lectures cover subjects such as biblical responses to Islam, forgiveness, prayer and apologetics generally. These events have been attended by both Christians and Muslims. Alongside these initiatives SAMs also supports a Mahabba prayer group - part of the Mahabba Network. This network, founded in Oxford, aims to equip local church communities to connect, build friendships, and share their faith with Muslims.
Haroon and Mariam’s current ministry term is due to finish in February 2027. They have been invited by SAMs to commit to a further three year term. Here are some things we can pray:
• For the necessary financial provision to enable this ministry to continue.
• That God will continue to raise up and bless the Friendship First courses and that these will bear fruit for eternity.
• That God will continue to strengthen believers in local Asian fellowships through the ministry of SAMs
• That the lecture programme will continue, the gospel message will be clearly communicated in the lectures and many will come to faith through these events.
• That Mahabba prayer group continue to encourage believers to pray with Christlike love for Muslims in the community.
• For God’s guidance for Haroon, Miriam and those supporting the SAMs ministry.
Serving in Mission (SIM) seconded Haroon and Mariam to Blackburn under their ENGAGE programme. If you want to support this work financially you can do so via the SIM Finance Department link https://sim.co.uk/give/#other using code: Lal Din W50072.
September 2026
Jesus has instructed us to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation”. (Mark 16:15) He also said “I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. (John 4:35).
GOOD NEWS for Everyone! (GNFE) exists to provide copies of the scriptures to anyone who would like to them. GNFE members come from a wide range of denominations and backgrounds and look for opportunities to:
• Present Bibles and copies of the New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs
• Lead assemblies and religious education classes in schools
• Share the Word of God personally
• Pray for and encourage each other
• Provide Scriptures for distribution around the world
Members from the local branch of GNFE have been active in all of the above. In our own community, over 5000 have gospels have been distributed in Clitheroe and Waddington. Future distributions are being organised. The gospels are given out in magazine form - currently Explore magazine. Explore Magazine contains the gospel of Luke (New International Version) and is specifically aimed at unchurched people. It answers questions like: Who is Jesus? Why was He killed? How is He relevant today? It also unpacks Christian vocabulary, explaining the meaning of words like “sin”. In addition it contains testimonies. At the end of the magazine is a page where people can record their decision to commit their lives to Jesus Christ. Readers are also invited to get in touch with GNFE if they wish to seek further help. GNFE will seek to put any enquirers in touch with local churches.
None of the endeavours listed above will bear fruit with out the work of the Holy Spirit.
Some things we can pray for include:
Local
• The Holy Spirit will bring conviction to all those who read the Gospel. That the spreading of the gospel in our community will lead to a harvest of souls.
• That the Lord will raise up people to enable the GOOD NEWS for Everyone! ministry to complete its work. That those whom God is calling into this ministry will respond to that call.
• That God will open doors, particularly in local schools, hospitals, and hotels to enable his Word to be widely distributed.
National
• For vision and grace for the GNFE National Office team, that the team will be able to lead and guide the organisation in accordance with God’s will.
• Continuing financial provision
• For grace for those organising regional and national Scripture Focus distributions taking place at major sports events.
• That the Lord will use the GNFE Bible App to draw many people to Himself.
International
• For fruitful partnerships with GNFE and other scripture distribution organisations around the world - in particular Shareword Global operating in Sweden, Eastern Europe (Bosnia, Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Moldova and the Czech Republic) and Canada.
• For lasting fruit from recent “Go” mission trips to Chile, Peru Cuba and Nicaragua.
• For the Lord’s direction regarding possible future mission trips.
If you would like to know more the work of GOOD NEWS for Everyone! feel free to come along to the GNFE Friends Event on Saturday 26th September 2026 at 2.30PM at Turret House, Bawdlands, Clitheroe BB7 2LA.
Alternatively you can contact Alan Meyer at meyeralan987@gmail.com
August 2026
In August 2026 The Shop of Hope celebrates seven years of service to Clitheroe! The shop stocks a range of Christian cards, books and gifts for all occasions, including The Real Easter Eggs and Advent calendars. In addition, the shop sells a wonderful range of ethical products, unique locally made items and cards, and a range of toiletries and soaps.
The Shop of Hope has survived lockdowns, won two awards, become a Tourist Information Point, and opened a craft workshop. It supports over 40 local businesses, in addition to Fairtrade projects and charities.
As a Community Interest Company, The Shop of Hope can receive donations (but not Gift Aid). Profits are ploughed back into the community by supporting a wonderful team of volunteers, maintaining the building and sustaining the Crafts for Hope project.
In the shop is a prayer box - over six hundred people have used this.
At times, prayer is offered to customers. Most people are willing to receive prayer and some have come back later to report that God answered those prayers, and to thank staff for praying for them.
A member of Good News for Everyone keeps the shop supplied with New Testaments and gospel magazines which regularly need topping up!
The directors are truly grateful for the support the shop has received. All small retailers on the high street face challenges at the moment. Below are some needs we can pray for:
• Give thanks for answers to prayer for prayers placed in the prayer box
• Christ’s presence in the shop - that staff and volunteers will “witness well”
• That the New Testament and gospel magazines that are being given away for free will land on fertile ground.
• For more craft volunteers and a new director
• Financial provision for essential repair work
• For two fundraising events in August including a sponsored walk on 16th August
• That the Lord will prosper The Shop of Hope - that it will continue to be able to help the 40+ local businesses it currently supports.
• For the Lord’s ongoing complete protection over this ministry
Please pray about these things and contact Julie at hello@theshopofhope.co.uk if you can help in any way.
July 2026
We live in time of great political upheaval. In the last decade there have been six UK prime ministers. A new one is to be elected soon. Those granted power and authority can affect the lives of millions of people for good or for ill. The apostle Paul wrote that the establishment of government and authority in our world is part of God’s will: Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God (Romans 13:1). It is unsurprising then that he urged us to pray for people in positions of authority: First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
Respecting rulers and submission to the state (unless the state directs us to act against the will of God) gives Christ’s church credibility in the eyes of the world. We can do this in different ways: we can honour those in authority, pay taxes and, above all, pray for our rulers. In the above verse Paul urges us to pray for those in authority “first of all”. Intercession for these people is of primary importance. It is also true that if the state prospers, we will prosper. The prophet Jeremiah urged the Jews living in extol to: Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.’ (Jeremiah 29:7). Rather than despise the enemy nation in which they were living they were required to actively intercede for the grace of God poured out upon the pagan city of Babylon. The goal was not that they could simply lead a peaceful life but that there would be an orderly peaceful environment which would create the best conditions for the expansion of God’s kingdom.
We have seen this in the history of our own nation. The writer Dr Sharon James points out, “men and women such as William Wilberforce, Lord Shaftesbury…were motivated by their deep Christian faith to change the world around them for the good of others…Without the impact of Christians following the teachings of Christ in the public square, the world would be less just, less free, less educated, more cruel, and more poor. Above all, it would be without hope – the ultimate hope of life in Christ.” In our own land legislation, enacted largely as a result of Christian campaigning, has impacted many areas of life including religious liberty, justice, healthcare, education, the sanctity of life, women’s rights, the emancipation of slaves, the environment, and even animal welfare.
Recently Tim Farron MP has urged Christians to pray for their parliamentary representatives and local councillors. He asks Christians who believe that God ordains authority and good government to pray for:
• serious, servant-hearted, competent people to be willing to step up.
And for
• protection,
• wisdom and
• strength for each of them.
We can also pray that our parliamentarians will know the fear of the Lord.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Proverbs 9:10).
So let us pray for pray for our elected representatives – whatever colour rosette they wear.
June 2026
On Saturday 27th June June Love Clitheroe will be holding Live at the Castle.
On Sunday 28th June there will be Church at the Castle event.
Live at the Castle is completely free and designed for all ages. It is designed for the whole community. As well as the main-stage music, the grounds will be packed with activities for all ages - everything from deejaying to beatboxing, creative crafts, football, inflatables, and a treasure hunt. For those who also enjoy peace and quiet there will be a Creative Chapel and Prayer Spaces. And, of course, there will be plenty of food and drink. In short, an all-round festival experience in the heart of Clitheroe.
Church at the Castle is the vibrant Sunday finale to our festival weekend, and the invitation is open to everyone. We are creating a relaxed space in the iconic grounds of Clitheroe Castle, where the whole community can gather to experience worship and be inspired.
The day will begin with an engaging, family-friendly service from the main-stage. We’ve invited the same band from ‘Carols at the Castle ’to lead the music, and we’ll be sharing real, local stories of faith. The celebration will continue throughout the afternoon with a free BBQ and creative activities for children and young people.
We hope that both these events will create opportunities to introduce people to Jesus.
To that end, it is essential that we pray!
Here are some suggestions for prayer:
• For the Love Clitheroe team as they complete the remaining tasks to enable the event to take place
• For fine weather on both days.
• For enough volunteers - up to 200 are needed!
• For safety throughout both events.
• For God’s people to witness well
• That the Holy Spirit will introduce Jesus to many people
• That the unity amongst God’s people will be evident in the Church in the park service.
• That God will be glorified in the worship
• That the Holy Spirit will bring conviction through the sharing of testimony during this service to people who don’t yet know Jesus.
• For Holy Spirit-inspired conversations over the BBQ
• That both events will produce fruit of eternal value.
Find out more about both events at www.liveatthecastle.com
May 2026
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Thy Kingdom Come
During this season of Eastertide, the 50 days between Easter and Pentecost Sunday, we are reminded of Jesus’ victory over death through His many appearances to his followers and friends. At first, we read of Him appearing to Mary Magdalene at the tomb (John 20: 11-18), then later he appears to two followers travelling on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24). Another time it’s a private meeting with Simon Peter (Luke 24) then to seven of the disciples fishing in the Sea of Galilee (John 21), and one occasion he appears to more than 500 believers all at the same time (1 Corinthians 15:16)! These various appearances, and many more, were designed to not only prove that Jesus was physically alive and still with them, but also to encourage and instruct them, prior to His ascension.
It must have been such an exciting, confusing, and mysterious time for the disciples and early followers of Christ. I can imagine them thinking and asking: When might Jesus suddenly appear again? What might he say to us this time? How did he even rise from the dead? Will he stay with us forever?
For the disciples, friends and family of Jesus who had suffered such intense sadness, distress, and grief at his death, it must have been a huge comfort and an overwhelming joy to know that Jesus was once again with them. But as the bible reveals, we know that this time did not last forever and after 40 days Jesus ascended back to heaven (Acts 1). However, prior to this, Jesus was very clear to instruct the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the promised gift of the Holy Spirit; the one who would be their help and reminder that God was always them, and the one who would empower them to be Christs witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1: 8).
So as we reflect on this Eastertide season, declaring Christs victory over death, His ascension to heaven, and the arrival of the promised gift of the Holy Spirit, can I encourage you to join up with the global ecumenical Prayer Movement called Thy Kingdom Come between the 14th-24th May. This prayer initiative, started in 2016, has grown right across the globe and invites Christians to pray during the 10 days between Ascension and Pentecost for more people to come to know Jesus. This year's theme is God with us and is all about the presence of God through his Holy Spirit. The God who is with us in the everyday – in the joys and sorrows of life (and everything in between) and the One who, through His spirit, longs to reveal Himself to those who do not yet know Him.
There are lots of fantastic resources on the website www.thykingdomcome.global/ and over the 11 days Thy Kingdom Come will explore a different Bible story each day, which demonstrates Gods transformative presence, power, and love at work in the lives of people and places. Alongside this, Thy Kingdom Come are encouraging us to pray for five people each, and the hope is that as we pray for our five people, they will also experience the life-changing love of God and choose to follow Him.
More locally, Turret House of Prayer will be hosting Breathe, their termly prayer and worship night on Friday 22nd May (7.30-9pm), using the theme and prayer aims from Thy Kingdom Come. There will also be lots of creative prayer stations available to use that night which will help you to reflect on the message of Pentecost and guide you as you pray for your friends. For updates on this event and for posts / updates during Thy Kingdom Come please sign up to the Turret House of Prayer Facebook and Instagram pages: www.facebook.com/turrethouseofprayer/ www.instagram.com/turrethouse247/
April 2026
Is the Revelation of Evil happening now?
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. (Matthew, 24:7)
People are likening Matthew’s prophetic vision to what is happening now, the downward trajectory into a world we wouldn’t have recognised only a few years ago.
The first transatlantic telephone cable went live in 1956 but many people still thought the telephone would never overtake the letter as the preferred means of communication. Email and the Internet didn’t become widely used until the current millennium. The rise in digital communication has become meteoric since then and, with AI as a very recent addition, the capacity to communicate illusion and falsehood has become seriously problematic.
Some people see a link between the world of Revelation in John and our real world of environmental depredation, increased international tension, and spiritual decay where money rules and people reject the need for a loving and faithful master. Technological advancements that could have brought a prosperous world for all have been infected with social media that spawns the worst forms of pornography and spreads untruth with a frightening capacity to influence, manipulate, indoctrinate, and to gift evil with an additional tool to keep morals and ethics in the margins of an archaic and rigid legal system.
What does our sick world look like? Figures can only ever be estimates but Sources suggest that nearly 700 million people live in extreme poverty, 50 million are in slavery and 120 million are displaced from their homes. Approximately two billion people, or one-quarter of the world's population, live in conflict-affected areas.
It is easy to see how people are sucked into this world of hedonism and self-interest. Pope Francis called it the “globalisation of indifference”, and in a world of indifference the Devil reaps his reward easily, watching us as we do nothing to combat it. Doing nothing is the real evil of today; we are the Devil’s workforce. Churches still proclaim the ten commandments as the route map of a good life but each commandment has a tacit subset and all come under the overarching commands to love God and neighbour. Jesus also told us to go out and preach to the world to live as he did. How many of us can claim to truly follow his path, live His way, every day.
All this seems far away, even the evil on our doorsteps hidden in plain sight. When we listen to discussions on the effect of the war in Syria, we hear about the price of oil and the cost of living, little if anything on the humanitarian disaster for the ones profoundly affected. Few think that this “revelation of evil” bodes a biblical end to the world but Revelation is about more than that, it is also about Hope, a hope that comes through Jesus Christ if only we can acknowledge our complicity, repent our inaction and strive to turn our churches into communions of love and advocacy, reaching out and speaking out, sharing not just with those near and known to us, but to those we will never see and who need what we have much more than we do.
Together we can change this wicked world and put it back on the right path, the path that Jesus showed us. With that thought comes the Hope of Revelation.
Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. (Revelation 22.12)
Christ with us,
You made a revolutionary difference
You were the true Revelation
In the total chaos of a fallen world and our own sin of inherent indifference,
Touch our hearts to examine our souls so that we will Come Alive and engage and be changed
through the indwelling of your Holy Spirit released by the sacrificial gift of Your death and resurrection
AMEN
March 2026
Jesus commanded us to go into all the world and preach the gospel:
And He [Jesus] said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. [Mark 16:15] This month we are praying for various evangelistic initiatives that have, are or will be taking place in our town.
Explore Magazine distribution
Jesus said in a parable “A farmer went out to sow his seed…[Luke 8:5] He went on to explain the seed is the word of God (V11.) In February approximately 500 Explore magazines were distributed to households in Clitheroe. Explore magazine includes St Luke’s Gospel some testimonies and explanatory notes. The magazines have a sticker on the front which includes a link to the Love Clitheroe website which contains weblinks for the churches in our town. The word of God is transformational. We know of at least one lady, who was contemplating suicide but came to faith through reading a gospel magazine which had been posted through her letterbox.
Friendship First Course
The apostle Peter wrote …Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,….[1 Peter 3:15] The Muslim population in Clitheroe has grown in recent years. We need to be prepared to answer questions Muslims may ask us. The Friendship First Course helps Christians to gain confidence in making friends with Muslim people, in sharing the love of Christ with them, and “giving the reason for the hope we have.” This course began in February and is continuing through March.
Dramas
There are two Gospel drama presentations planned before Easter. On 20th March St Pauls are hosting a gospel play, The Passion, performed by the LAMPS Collective. It is particularly aimed at people who don’t normally go to church, and is especially suitable for secondary school students. As well as providing a clear re-telling of the Easter story, it is ideal as a stimulating starting point for discussion and debate. On 1st April another Easter play is being performed at Trinity - Romans at Easter. The play tells the Easter story from a Roman perspective. This will provide another opportunity to invite unchurched people to hear the gospel.
Walk of Witness 03-04
On Good Friday, Clitheroe United Reformed Church (URC) is hosting the annual Walk of Witness.
Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” [John 13:35] This event is a simple but powerful expression of our oneness in Christ. There will be Good Friday service at the URC, followed by a procession through Parsons lane, concluding at Clitheroe Castle where there will be a further time of worship. The procession provides an opportunity to speak with people and distribute gospels. It can be a clear public witness to the love, sacrifice, and hope revealed in Christ’s cross.
Below are some prayer initial points.
Please pray:
• The seed sown through the gospel distribution in this town will not be snatched away or choked but will land on fertile soil and produce a harvest of souls.
• That the Holy Spirit will bring conviction and repentance to those who receive gospels but do not yet know Jesus.
• That God will use the Friendship First course to equip people to be better witnesses for Christ to Muslims.
• That sharing the gospel with Muslims will be done with sensitivity and respect.
• That each of the two drama presentations will clearly communicate the gospel message.
• That the Holy Spirit will work his work in the hearts of those who need to respond to the gospel.
• That the Walk of Witness will be a clear witness to the people of this town of the oneness of the Church of Christ.
• That the Lord will provide “God appointments” and inspire conversations as we meet with people during the Walk of Witness procession.
February 2026
Love is the only thing we are commanded to do:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:36-40)
The one word that holds everything together in Judaism and Christianity is love and the commandments to love the Lord and to love our neighbour. In fact, most civilisations sum up their moral systems through the Golden Rule: that you should treat others the way you wish to be treated, spreading kindness and refraining from actions that would harm others.
In Leviticus we read, “The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19.34). Leviticus is of course a key reminder of how we should behave towards refugees.
And when Jesus said, that the entirety of the law hung on loving God and neighbour he wasn’t the first to state the Golden Rule, but he added two important dimensions.
Firstly, he made a link between loving God and loving neighbour which Paul takes further by reducing loving God and loving neighbour to the same thing, “For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: Love your neighbour as yourself” (Galatians 5.14). But what is “love” and who is my “neighbour”? In the Hebrew (Old Testament) and the Greek (New Testament) there are several words covered by our single words and the different usage of these words means that the different versions of the Golden Rule mean slightly different things. When Jesus used the word “love” it referred to a self-sacrificial, unconditional, active love that seeks the well-being of others, not just a feeling. There is an inclination when using the word to give it an emotional attachment which seems impossible. How can you have an emotional attachment to someone you dislike or someone you have never met. The answer is that, counterintuitive though it sounds, the nuances of words allow you to love someone you don’t like. Perhaps “compassion” illustrates the point, a word that occurs many times in both the Old and New Testaments.
And what about neighbour? This is easier. Although Jesus ’choice of the word “neighbour” implies proximity and closeness, through the story of the Good Samaritan, he expanded its meaning to include strangers and even enemies. We now understand it to include literally everyone.
Secondly, though the commandment to love neighbour is a challenge in itself, Jesus asked more, “Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:15-16). Worship isn’t enough. You cannot love God without loving neighbour, neighbour has to be the primary focus of our love and a demonstration of our love for God, “We are commanded to put our faith into action and to spread the Gospel by the way we live our lives” (often attributed to St Francis of Assisi). Living our lives through faith in action is frustrating when the target for action is people far away in situations of destitution or conflict.
Perhaps the reason that we see a lot of people in church but not a lot of “faith in action” is that it is too challenging, but take heart. In our world gone wrong it is impossible to come even close to living the live that Jesus asks of us but he understands the human condition and human experience testifies that we are not made perfect. We must grow in various ways over time and we must continue to struggle against sin.
The bible gives us the concept of gradualness, a principle in moral and pastoral theology, according to which people should be encouraged to grow closer to God and his plan for our lives in a step-by-step manner rather than expecting to jump from an initial conversion to perfection in a single step, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food; for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their faculties trained by practice to distinguish good from evil [Heb. 5:12-14].
So let us pray that we increase our love for our neighbour and the whole of humanity, but in small steps, and is so doing approach the fulfilment of a perfect love of God.
Divine Father and teacher who has shown us true love in Christ Jesus,
Show your people how to love in practice with true compassion for others.
As we reflect on the many ways You show countless complexions of love,
May we embrace all whom we encounter, have Your insight enough to see them as neighbour
Whether stranger , enemy or just different and so share the light of that creative healing love that shines from Your very being.
January 2026
PRAYERS OF DEDICATION
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,…
As we enter a new year let us dedicate ourselves once more to persevere and run the race our God has set before us. Below are two prayers from the Puritan tradition, and a prayer of AW Tozer, an American Christian pastor and author.
A prayer of thanksgiving for the year just gone and for preparation for the future.
O LOVE BEYOND COMPARE,
Thou art good when thou givest, when thou takest away, when the sun shines upon me, when night gathers over me.
Thou hast loved me before the foundation of the world,
and in love didst redeem my soul;
Thou dost love me still, in spite of my hard heart, ingratitude, distrust.
Thy goodness has been with me during another year,
leading me through a twisting wilderness, in retreat helping me to advance,
when beaten back making sure headway.
Thy goodness will be with me in the year ahead;
I hoist sail and draw up anchor,
with thee as the blessed Pilot of my future as of my past.
I bless thee that thou hast veiled my eyes to the waters ahead.
If thou hast appointed storms of tribulation,
thou wilt be with me in them;
If I have to pass through tempests of persecution and temptation,
I shall not drown; If I am to die,
I shall see thy face the sooner;
If a painful end is to be my lot,
grant me grace that my faith fail not;
If I am to be cast aside from the service I love,
I can make no stipulation;
Only glorify thyself in me whether in comfort or trial,
as a chosen vessel meet always for thy use.
A prayer for grace for the future
O LORD,
Length of days does not profit me except the days are passed in thy presence, in thy service, to thy glory.
Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides, sustains, sanctifies, aids every hour,
that I may not be one moment apart from thee,
but may rely on thy Spirit to supply every thought, speak in every word, direct every step, prosper every work, build up every mote of faith,
and give me a desire to show forth thy praise; testify thy love, advance thy kingdom.
I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year,
with thee, O Father, as my harbour,
thee, O Son, at my helm,
thee, O Holy Spirit, filling my sails. Guide me to heaven with my loins girt, my lamp burning, my ear open to thy calls, my heart full of love, my soul free.
Give me thy grace to sanctify me,
thy comforts to cheer,
thy wisdom to teach,
thy right hand to guide,
thy counsel to instruct,
thy law to judge,
thy presence to stabilise.
May thy fear be my awe,
thy triumphs my joy.
AW Tozer - A Prayer of Commitment
I come to you today, O Lord,
To give up my rights, to lay down my life,
To offer my future,
To give my devotion, my skills, my energies.
I shall not waste time deploring my weaknesses, nor my unfittedness for the work.
I acknowledge your choice with my life, to make Christ attractive and intelligible to those around me.
I come to you for spiritual preparation.
Put your hand upon me, anoint me with the oil of the One With Good News.
Save me from compromise,
Heal my soul from small ambitions,
Deliver me from the itch to always be right,
Save me from wasting time.
I accept hard work,
I ask for no easy place,
Help me not to judge others who walk a smoother path.
Show me those things that diminish spiritual power in a soul.
I now consecrate my days to you,
Make your will more precious than anybody or anything.
Fill me with your power,
And when at the end of life’s journey, I see you face to face,
May I hear those undeserving words:
“Well done my good and faithful servant”
I ask this not for myself,
But for the glory of the name of your Son. Amen!