Whether you are breathing a sigh of relief, or wishing the Book of Esther had more than nine chapters, today is the day we come to the conclusion of the book, which puts the point of it all really rather clearly.
Yes, it's time to say a sad farewell to Esther and start making space for Easter ... after a break next week for some other necessary stuff I need to get done!
But first here's some encouragement to persevere with Esther's last chapter.
Let's pray
Father we thank you that we come to you today as the God Who has a history of redeeming the lost and then providing for and preserving them as His people.
Draw out our hearts today in worship and adoration for your great reversals in the fortunes of your people, and build in us a firmer faith that our God's irrevocably for us.
We ask for Jesus' sake.
Amen.
Let's pray
This week saw elections in Nigeria (Africa's most populous country of 200 million souls), marked the first anniversary of the most recent Russian invasion of Ukraine and saw a return to terrorist murders in the North of Ireland.
Nigeria
Elections in Nigeria this week saw a late turn-out with voters hoping for better things in days following the time of increasing violence and hardship under the Presidency of Muhammad Buhari, who is stepping down after holding the office for the maximum permitted term of eight years.
The country is struggling with Islamic insurgency in the north-east of the country, an epidemic of kidnaps for ransom, conflict between farmers and herders, shortages of cash, fuel and power (in spite of the fact Nigeria is Africa's top oil-producing country) and deep-rooted corruption and poverty.
The elections have not run to time and are expected to flow over until Sunday (today). Of the three front runners, two are Muslim and one is Christian in this religiously polarised society.
Christian farmers and villagers are repeatedly attacked in Nigeria's Middle Belt region. Tens of thousands have died over the last twenty years of this unrest. Hundreds of thousands of Christian settled farmers have lost everything and are living as refugees.
There are two main forces behind this, Boko Haram (which seeks to violently Islamise society) and Fulani militants ... nomadic cattle herders following Islam the are intent on driving Christians out of the region ... attacking Christian farming villages at night, killing Christians using machetes and guns.
Lord we pray for the political situation in Nigeria that you will establish for this vast country a Presidency of peace with prosperity.
We ask that you will bring a solution to the violence that is causing such suffering, and particularly where Boko Haram and the Fulani tribesmen are operating.
And we pray that you will protect and empower your people in Nigeria to sever you freely and fear-free, as their Saviour and their coming King.
Ukraine
This week world leaders have been showing their colours on the invasion of Ukraine. At the G20 group meeting of the world's top twenty financial leaders the extent of the unwillingness to criticise Russia openly led to countries like India studiously making no comment on the situation.
This week Russia's President withdrew from the new START nuclear arms reduction treaty and talked up Russia's nuclear arsenal.
China has all weighed in to support Russia this week, as the President of Belarus, Russia's client-state bordering Ukraine, sets out on a state visit to Beijing.
Father we praise you that as international politics brings concern and consternation, it is your hand that directs the course of human politics and history.
Strengthen, we pray, the hearts and hands of the people of Ukraine in their fight for freedom.
Inspire, enable and transform the abilities of your faithful servants living and serving you within the country and bless their efforts with the anointing of your Holy Spirit. Give Spirit-led wisdom to those who run radio ministries in Ukraine, those who man the radio stations' telephone help-lines and protect those who have volunteered to serve as chaplains to the army.
May your people in Ukraine know your presence and your power, and may they be encouraged by the prayers and by the generosity of their brothers and sisters around the world.
Northern Ireland
This week saw violence return to Northern Ireland as talks aimed at producing a new Brexit agreement for Northern Ireland were reportedly inching towards a conclusion.
The suspected attackers of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell are being interviewed by anti-terrorist police at Belfast's Musgrave Police Station, with investigations on-going.
Clearly a return to paramilitary violence in Northern Ireland has fearful implications for the people of the province, and for followers of Christ in their communities.
Lord, we pray as some of us have prayed throughout the time of the Troubles in years gone by, for the peace, security and stability of Northern Ireland.
We pray for faith and fortitude in Christian life and leadership in the province, and we pray that the people who chose violence where there should be peaceful politics will not prosper.
Father hear our prayers for your broken world today, and in your righteous wrath and your pain at what people do, we ask that you would show mercy.
We pray for Jesus' sake.
AMEN.
Click the Bible below to be taken to this week's Bible reading
Here's the video recording of the sermon
The second verse of our last hymn refers to Memorialising one of God's great deliverances of His Old Covenant people in 1 Samuel 7:7-12.
Give that passage a quick look by clicking on the reference above, then let's sing this familiar old hymn in the light of what we read.
May the Lord give us opportunity this week to remember His interventions through the course of our own Christian lives to deliver us from challenges and trials we have faced, and to rejoice at our version of the old story of Jesus and His love!
If you would like to join with us in supporting the on-going work of y GRWP, please click the offering bag below to be taken to our online giving page.
Thanks.
And now may God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us— 2 so that His ways may be known on earth,
His salvation among all nations.
And may the peace of God, which passes all understanding, guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.
No comments:
Post a Comment