Dearly Beloved
Welcome to Ordinary Time. Between Candlemas and Lent (Ash Wednesday will be 5th March), there are a few Sundays in which we wear green and they are known as Ordinary Time.
I like Ordinary Time. Yes, I enjoy the festivals and the fasts and the seasons with special focus, but the ordinary times invite us to pause and reflect on life, to give thanks for the blessings, to notice those who are struggling. Its key that in such ordinary times we learn to look out for God at work. Sometimes we go through moments of quiet where we don’t seem to hear from God at all and sometimes these can be dark, lonely, dry seasons. So, it behoves those of you who are aware of the blessings of God to encourage those who are feeling distant.
I find this easier to do when I am aware that others are also on this same journey. Recently Bishop Will led us through a Deanery Service celebrating 1700 years of the Nicene Creed and 950 years of this Diocese. I was asked to give a 5 minute summary of how the Gospel came to this Deanery and how it has prevailed over the centuries. God’s Good News in Jesus Christ arrived before the Vikings, survived through 1066, and through the martyrs of the Reformation, the civil war, two world wars, the plague and covid. During this period good Christians have found ways to keep their faith alive, to love their neighbour as they love themselves, to bring healing and hope. And prayer. A lot of prayer. St Leonard’s has had over a thousand years of prayer reaching up to the heavens and praying for more of God’s Kingdom, for peace on earth and goodwill to all. The overall picture is one of hope and the calm faith that knows that God has not finished His work here.
So keep praying for us here in Seaford. And please extend your prayers. February 24th will be the fourth commemoration of the invasion of Russia into Ukraine. The new President of America seems confident of bringing in peace but we must whisper ‘at what cost?’.
Please persist in prayer for Ukraine. Feel free to adapt these prayers to pray for other troubled places in the world. There are plenty of them that will be glad to be in your prayers.
A prayer written four years ago and issued by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York:
God of peace and justice, we pray for the people of Ukraine this day. We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons. We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow, that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them. We pray for those with power over war or peace, for wisdom, discernment, and compassion to guide their decisions. Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear, that you would hold and protect them. We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen
A Prayer for Ukraine from Churches Together in England and Christian Aid
Almighty and Great God, accept our gratitude for your boundless mercy towards us. Hear the supplication of our afflicted hearts for the land and people of Ukraine, as they confront foreign aggression and invasion. Open the eyes of those who have been overtaken by a spirit of deception and violence, that they be horrified by their works. Grant victory over the powers of evil that have arisen and bless Ukraine with your gifts of liberty, peace, tranquillity, and good fortune. We implore you, O Merciful God, look with grace upon those who courageously defend their land. Remember the mothers and fathers, the innocent children, widows, and orphans, the disabled and helpless, those seeking shelter and refuge, who reach out to you and to their fellow human beings looking for mercy and compassion. Bless the hearts of those who have already shown great generosity and solidarity, and those who continue to receive their Ukrainian brothers and sisters in Ukraine’s greatest time of need. Bring us together as your children, your creation, and instil in us your strength, wisdom and understanding. May you be praised and glorified, now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
May we come again to know Ordinary Times
With love and prayer
James and Lucy.