Thy Kingdom Come

From the Manse.....

Thy Kingdom Come is now and multi-denominational, global initiative, in which Christians are called to pray for the nine days between Ascension and Pentecost. We are invited to pray for God's Spirit to move within the church, equipping us to share God's love with others and to pay attention to how God is speaking to us today.

Our 10:30am service on Sunday May 6th will be focussing on this initiative as we look at Worship through.... prayer

"Waiting in Wonder" is a booklet prepared by the Methodist Church to help us pray during these 9 days. The beautiful images found within it are taken from paintings that can be found in the Methodist Art Collection. The titles of the art featured in this booklet can be found on the back cover. I'm pleased to say that the Northampton District of the Methodist Church has ordered enough of these booklets for all the members in our Circuit, these will be available in church on Sunday 29th April. Of Course, you can also use these daily prayers, readings and reflections at any time of the year.

If you'd like to find out more about Thy Kingdom Come, visit:

www.thykingdomcome.global

or www.methodist.org.uk/thykingdomcome

Our District's Celebration Event will be held at Wesley Memorial Methodist Church, in Oxford, on Sun. 13th May 2018 at 4 pm. Before the event the hall will be open, with refreshments, for people to come and share ideas about how they are holding their own season of prayer during TKC 2018.

I encourage you to consider how you might best use "Waiting in Wonder".

For example, choose a time that works for you – each of these reflections lasts between five and ten minutes, though you might choose to pause for longer. Choose a place that works for you – some people can pray on the bus, whilst walking the dog or in the midst of a busy day at work. Others need quiet and calm, a special place to focus; perhaps at home with a candle lit, or quite music playing in the background.

Reflect on the image for the day. What do you see in the image? Does it comfort you or disturb you? Are you challenged or intrigued? Reflect on the Bible passage. What is happening in the text? Who are the people involved, how are they impacted by the events happening to them and around them? Can you see God at work in the text?

Wonder at God's grace and love and wonder how you might respond in your own life. Listen for a while and ask God's Spirit for a word or image, a gift of insight that leads to greater compassion, deeper wisdom, a sense of God's call on your life. Respond in your own prayers and gather your thoughts together in the prayer offered for each day.

For as James Montgomery reminds us in Singing the Faith 529

Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
Unuttered or unexpressed,
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast.

Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear,
The upward glancing of an eye,
When none but God is near.

With love and God Bless,

Keith