Category Archives: Prayer and Devotion

A Christmas devotion The baby smiles and I am born. His tiny hand makes mine seem strong. The longing in his eyes reflects my own. I look with love and wonder. And hold my heart’s desire. The baby cries and I’m afraid. His tears break my heart. How can I comfort this little one, WhoContinue reading “A Christmas devotion”

(As Christmas approaches, I’ll try some reflections based on Mary) My soul rejoices in God, my saviour. My heart bursts with gratitude and praise. The goodness of the Lord bubbles up inside me And I burst into astonished laughter That he should do this for me. Who am I that he should even consider me?Continue reading “Mary’s song”

“Aye, that’ll do” – the sweetest words I ever heard. Sounds like faint praise, but it’s the wink in the eye as it was said that makes all the difference. It’s been such a struggle; I felt sure it would end in failure. But he said I had potential, and I trusted that. To beContinue reading “Good enough”

All my life is an act, No wonder I’m so good at it. But I found a friend who taught me about roles, And he helped me to see that my life is not a charade, but a magnificent performance. Through the discipline of fulfilling my roles – and there are so many of them,Continue reading “To play my part”

I want to be right! No, you are not listening; I need to scream this in your face: I want to be in the right! I am in the right. I hate making mistakes. No, you’re still not listening I must scream at you again: I hate making mistakes! I have worked, and striven andContinue reading “It’s because I care”

If I could just stretch a little further. My fingertips stroke the prize, but cannot grasp it. Yet it fills my gaze – and fills my heart with delight. But the delight is not fulfilled and so turns to pain: So close and yet so far. Though my heart is still full – if noContinue reading “Searching till found”

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world: have mercy upon us. We strive and strain, and sin. With supreme effort we repent. Inspired, we promise. All in vain. Distressed, we feel guilt and despair. All in vain. Hold us still Lord,Continue reading “Forgiveness through Christ’s self-giving”

Dear Lord, we have made mistakes, which we cannot undo. We have made poor choices, and, in failing to resist pressure, we have not stood by our convictions. We have slipped into temptation, or gladly chosen wrong-doing, only to regret it afterwards. Dear Lord, if we could go back and change those decisions, we wouldContinue reading “The only way is forward”

Dear Lord, We pray that our measure of strength will outweigh our burdens so that the balance of our spirit tips towards hopefulness, That our determination to do good will be greater than the frustrations which threaten to wear us down, That we will not be indifferent to the needs of others, but will continueContinue reading “Tip towards hopefulness”

God, our Father, Enfold us in the womb of your creative Spirit. In darkness and stillness, In the warmth of your compassion, In the activity of your love, In the mystery of your grace, Let the bud become a flower, And the flower bear fruit, And your love be honoured in our lives.