Merry Christmas!

Source for this image here.

Our prayer for Christmas ...

We thank you Father God for keeping us and bringing us together on this special day,
To celebrate the birth of your Son Christ Jesus, our Saviour in Heaven.

We thank you for helping us to learn, through His example, to love each other and care for each other, and put the needs of our loved ones before those of our own.

May we grow more each day with your Grace, to know you more, to imitate you and to remember, that  the things that matter most are not material.

It may be cold outside, and dark, and we may have concerns in our hearts.  Let us cast all the darkness and worry away and let You carry it for us, that we might see the Light of Your perfect love more clearly.

Thank you Father God for all the blessings that you have bestowed us with, which are greater than any material possession.  Our health, our safety, our wellbeing, our relationships, our joys - and our sorrows.  Let us see them all as blessings from You.  And at this time of gift giving, may we be encouraged to use the gifts that You have given us, dear Father, to bless those around us, and through so doing, lead by Your example, that we may guide others to know You as we do.

Amen.

Who Would Have Thought?

Source for this image here.

Who would have thought that it's Christmas Eve already?

The gifts are wrapped, the cards have been posted.  The food is prepared (as far as it can be).  Games have been played, films are yet to be watched, and all of us are having a cosy wonderful time together - and looking forwards to more of the same.  The dogs (who live outside usually) are behaving beautifully and the birds (who have had to remain in their cage most of the time) are being just as sweet and placid as they ever can be.  Everyone is having a lovely time!

Our prayer is that everyone who visits our blog has the sort of Christmas that they love too - whether it's the peaceful cosy sort, or a noisy sparkly time with lots of visitors.  And may all of us never forget the "reason for the season" our Saviour Christ Jesus.

Our very best wishes for the happiest of Christmases to all.

With love from the Bear Family xxxxxxx

Our Prayers Today

Source for this image here.

Our prayers today have been for the precious lives that were stolen yesterday in the unthinkable tragedy which took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, USA, where 26 children and teachers were killed.  We cannot begin to imagine the shock and grief that will be shared by so many, and the dreadful news that we heard yesterday stunned us - and minded us of a similar tragedy that took place in Dunbland, Scotland, Great Britain, back in 1996, which shocked and horrified people around the world, just as yesterday's terrible events have.

As we pray in Christ’s name for people in one country at a time of national distress, we also hold the whole of God’s people in prayer, praying that violence may be overcome and the path to just peace be found.God of life, God of love:

In the face of unbearable tragedy we turn to you;

hear our cry, listen to our prayers, to our words, to our silence ...

God of healing, God of mercy:

Hear our prayers for the people of Connecticut;

for all in deep distress, for all who grieve, for the injured and the shocked, for those in despair.

May they be cared for and comforted.

For all in the emergency services working long hours to search, to listen, to care, to protect, to heal.

May they be given strength and also find support.

God of mercy, God of peace:

Hear our prayers for all around the world facing terror and unspeakable violence;

May violence be overcome and the path to peace be found.

All human life is fragile, each of us is precious in your eyes,

Teach us to value one another as you value us.

God of justice, God of courage:

We pray for all leaders in times of crisis,

That they may act for the common good, offering hope and not fear.

God of courage, God of transformation:

We pray for our churches,

That they may be places of openness and forgiveness, planting the values of peace and justice in society.

Transform all fundamentalism and vengeance into attitudes that make for reconciliation.

May we learn to be children of your kingdom of love.

God of all grace and all thankfulness:

In gratitude we pray, giving thanks for the prayers and encouragement which come from so many people and places at this time of suffering, pain and mourning. We learn global solidarity in a time of crisis; may we not forget one another in less stressful times ahead.

These prayers and the heavy silence of our hearts we offer in the name of your son Jesus Christ who trod the path of peace in the face of violence.

Amen

(This prayer was shared with the expressed permission of the World Council of Churches.)

Our Congratulations

Source for this image here.

How lovely to hear on the news today, that The Prince and Princess of Cambridge (Prince William and Princess Catherine) are expecting their first baby!  Our congratulations go to them both and are shared, we are sure, by millions around the world.  

Thanksgiving Prayer

Source for this image here.

Heavenly Father, on Thanksgiving Day 

We bow our hearts to You and pray. 

We give You thanks for all You've done 

Especially for the gift of Jesus Your Son. 

For beauty in nature, Your glory we see 

For joy and health, friends and family, 

For daily provision, Your mercy and care 

These are the blessings You graciously share. 

So today we offer this response of praise 

With a promise to follow You all of our days.

Mary Fairchild

In Flanders Fields

Source for this image here.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

John McCrae

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." (1 Timothy 2: 1 - 2).

Almighty and eternal God,
from whose love in Christ we cannot be parted,
either by death or life:
hear our prayers and thanksgivings
for all whom we remember this day;
fulfil in them the purpose of your love;
and bring us all, with them, to your eternal joy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Our Prayers Today

Source for this image here.

Our prayers today are for all those affected by Hurricane Sandy, which has struck the East Coast of America.  We have a precious "sister-in-love" whose family home is in the Hudson Valley region of New York.  Her family and their homes are OK, but we are praying for their continued safety - and that of all who are affected by the hurricane and the devastation and damage that it has brought.

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation." (Psalm 91: 1 - 16).