The Officer’s Blog
Major Drew McCombe brings some thoughts for the turn of the year.
Major Drew McCombe
Drew says:
My times are in God’s Hands…… this is a phrase that comes from Psalm 31 v 15.
As we approach a new year it is one of those times when just about everybody is thinking about the same thing. There’s something dramatic about watching the old year slip away by counting the hours left in it, then the minutes, down the seconds when the old year has passed into history, never to come again.
So as 2007 closes and 2008 begins what are we going to do with our time? Is it placed, or will it be placed in God’s hand? Let me tell you about a stirring way to that…….
2008 in the UK gives the UK Christian Church an opportunity through an idea called HOPE 08. Click here for more information
Martyn Atkins the president of the Methodist Church, a supporter along with The Salvation Amy to this ecumenical initiative writes his new years prayer as follows:-
As we enter this New Year of 2008 it’s wonderful to know that Churches and Christians across the UK have been preparing to take their part in the HOPE08 initiative, and we join with HOPE08 in encouraging this mission throughout the year. This Christmas we’ve been reminding ourselves of the good news of God; come in Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, God with us. A God who comes, and then calls us to go: to go, to proclaim the gospel in mission throughout the world.
This is a New Year – a new beginning. A good news year for God’s heart tbe made known, for communities to be transformed, for the Good News of God in Jesus Christ to be shed abroad, transforming people by his love and giving hope throughout 2008. His call is to the church and to all his church, inherited, fresh expression, large or small, whether urban or in rural communities. They are called to join with this God of mission. And the good news is that we go nowhere where God, through God’s Spirit, has not prepared the ground. God is already there before us.
Now the place of prayer in all this is absolutely key as you will know and we need to pray now in order to intercede on behalf of our communities and individuals that we know. But also in this year to listen, to listen carefully to God, to be open to the Holy Spirit, but also to listen and to be open to our context whereby we will hear how to be the people of mission God wants us to be.
And so we invite you to join with us as we hear God’s word at the start of this New Year and pray for strength and boldness and the power of the Holy Spirit to live in the light of God. Join with us in this prayer.
‘I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.’ (Ephesians 1:17-19 NRSV)
Gracious God, you created this world in love and for love. Yet we see much need all around us; need of love, peace, justice and hope. We see this especially in the poor, those on the margins of our society. We see this in the poor in spirit, those who suffer and hurt.
Grant us light at the beginning of this year; fill us with strength and boldness according to your promises, that we may reach our needy nation, with your love, in this year of Hope. We humbly acknowledge our weakness and failure, but our eyes are fixed on you. Fulfil your purposes and plans that your name may be honoured in our land.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.