Last week Leighton raised some interesting questions for us to ponder and reflect on. Here is someone’s thoughts on why they go to church….
“In a culture that minimizes commitment and maximizes self-indulgence, I have learned the precious gift of church attendance or, more specifically, the church gathered. I do not see church attendance as a burden or legalistic commitment. I view it as a joy—a place where I can give and serve, a place where I can focus more on others than myself. I could name many but here are ten reasons I attend church:
¨ I attend church to serve others
¨ I attend church to encourage others
¨ I attend church to encourage my pastor
¨ I attend church to state my priorities
¨ I attend church to participate in worship
¨ I attend church even if it doesn’t meet all my needs
¨ I attend church with frequency, not on occasion.
¨ I attend church to set an example for my family.
¨ I attend church because the Bible tells me to do so.
¨ I attend church because I love my church
I love to attend church. I attend church for these reasons and many more. I thank God for my church.”
Do you attend church regularly? What are your reasons? Let us pause and thank God for His church here at Marion Church of Christ.
Here are some prayers and blessings written by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christians
Aboriginal Sunday is observed in your church or faith community the Sunday before January 26 (therefore the date changes each year).
Pray for justice, healing and true reconciliation in these lands
Blessing by Uncle Vince Ross
May the God of creation warm your heart like the campfires of old
Bring wisdom and peace as shown to the first peoples of this land
Shake off the dust from the desert plains by the refreshing rains
Followed by the glow and warmth of the sun
Let the light of God show us the right path and stand tall like the big
River gums drawing life from the ever flowing waters.
An Aboriginal Prayer For Truth and Hope by Brooke Prentis
May the God of all wonder who set the stars in the sky,
bless you with relentless unsettledness –
that drives you to seek truth.
May the God of all justice who gave motion to the rivers,
bless you with righteous anger –
that drives you to seek freedom for all.
May the God of all love who placed laughter in the kookaburra,
bless you with the friendship –
that looks like the love where one lays down their life for another.
May the God of all comfort who determined the height of the mountains,
bless you with tears from shared pain and mourning –
that shows you hope.
Now with wonder, righteous anger, sacrifice, and lament –
Go in truth, justice, love, and hope –
to Change The Heart of Australia.
Our Prayer for Israel and Palestine
Loving God, we come to you in this time of tragedy, after the sudden loss of loved ones
due to the conflict in Israel and Palestine. For those who have been injured, captured,
and for those whose homes have been destroyed. Father, we ask for your loving arms
to embrace our brothers and sisters who are in so much pain.
Loving God, we pray for a miraculous de-escalation of this dangerous conflict. Terrible
things are being done, many hundreds have died, hospitals are overflowing, many are
suddenly grieving. Violence is provoking violence but we pray for reason to prevail over
rage and revenge.
Loving God, as the people grapple with the severe loss, the injury and destruction that
is all around them. God, we remember that you are higher than any other, we ask you
to hold them in their time of anguish and uncertainty. May your presence and your
compassion bring them peace.
Loving God, we lift up the people of Israel and Palestine. We pray for all those
impacted, and we pray for active and effective peacemaking. Lord we also pray for the
first responders, the medical professionals, the rescue workers, and for all those who
volunteered to offer a helping hand. We pray that you grant them strength and courage
in the hours and days to come.
Loving God, we pray for all Christians in the Holy Land, that they would be your hands
and feet in this time. Give them strength to love both Jews and Muslims in their time of
despair. May they be your peacemakers and a witness to your faithfulness and never
ending love for all people.
Loving God, upon you we rely, and to you we turn. You do not waver, and you do not
abandon. Be with the people of Israel and Palestine in these days, and the weeks
ahead as they face the tragedy of loss.
We bring you all of these prayers, and ask them in the precious name of Jesus Christ.
Amen