The Eden Wild Goose Pray Initiative

November 2022

 
A page to fuel prayer
1/ A Thought based on the Rhythm on Life Prayer book
2/ Response to The Thought
3/ A linked Bible passage
4/ Songs to inspire
5/ 'Just picture it', a linked photo to think about.
 
Eden Wild Goose Pray has free copies of the David Adam: Rhythm of Life prayer book for you to request if you live in our area.
 

Abide with us Lord

Abide with us, Lord,
for it is toward the evening
and the day is far spent:

Abide with us,
and with your whole church. 

Abide with us
in the evening of life,
in the evening of the world.

Abide with us
in your grace and mercy,
in your holy Word and Sacrament,
in your comfort and your blessing. 

Abide with us
in the night of distress and fear,
 in the night of doubt and temptation,
in the night of bitter death,
when these shall overtake us.

Abide with us
and all your faithful ones, O Lord,
in time and in eternity. 
 
The peace and the power of the presence
of the risen Lord be upon you
and remain with you always.
 
Theme: Resurrection
The Rhythm of Life book Page 20/21 Sunday
Eden Wild Goose Pray has free copies for you to request if you live in our area

1/ A Thought based on the Rhythm on Life Prayer book
by Sarah Jones

We remember those that we love and have died every year at a special service called the All Souls Service or a Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed.  We of course, remember our loved ones every day, sometimes, when grief is new and raw, we remember them every minute of every hour of the day.  Our feelings of loss, bewilderment and sometimes anger regarding the death of our loved one overwhelms us, and although well-meaning friends may offer words of comfort, they often lie unopened on the doorstep of our hearts. We lie, bereft and lovelorn in our pit of despair and darkness.
 
The Bible, the Word of God given to us through the mouths of over 40 different authors offers us true comfort.  We read Jeremiah’s words when he feels that God is not listening to him in his time of pain and weariness:
 
He has walled me in so that I cannot escape;
he has weighed me down with chains.
 Even when I call out or cry for help,
he shuts out my prayer.
He has barred my way with blocks of stone;
he has made my paths crooked.
Lamentations 3v7-9
 
Those of us who have experienced loss, recognise these feelings of a troubled man who lived over 2500 years ago. Heart felt pain and the feeling of isolation from God can be felt just as keenly now as it was then.
However, Jeremiah’s faith is strong and he goes on to write:
 
For no one is cast off
by the Lord for ever.
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
so great is his unfailing love.
For he does not willingly bring affliction
or grief to anyone.
Lamentations 3v31-33
 
We live in a time that knows that Jesus lived, died and was resurrected in order to create a renewed relationship between humankind and God.  We are offered a new way to live that Jeremiah didn’t have any knowledge of.  We are offered a life that believes and rejoices in our Saviour, who was willing to die for us and who has sent the Holy Spirit to enable us to live a good and abundant life and guide us in the decisions and judgements we make about our place in the world and He also offers us an eternal life, when heaven and earth meet and are renewed and Jesus returns to reign over those who lives have been cleansed and renewed by Him and we are welcomed into His presence.
 
This eternal life is what we call living in God’s Kingdom, where pain and tears don’t exist and death is no more. The promise of eternal life can help us when we think about our loved ones who have died.  It is also a comfort to Christians who stay true to their faith despite facing terrible persecution and death for their beliefs.
 
Before he dies, Jesus tried to reassure and comfort his disciples, when they became distressed at the thought that he was going to soon die.  He told them not to let their hearts be troubled, that if they stayed true to his example and teaching that one day, they would see him again.
 
Four of those men present wrote down the words that Jesus spoke that night and we have their accounts still to read and reflect on.  The words offer us hope and assurance of our futures, both in life and death. We know that through our faith we have a Lord and Saviour who loves us and will abide with us throughout our lives, and even throughout eternity.

2/ Response to The Thought
 
Loving Lord, whose word is love and truth. 
I know that you are near when I call upon you for help and guidance.
Grant me that peace of mind that the world cannot give.
Still my racing mind so that I may focus on you better. 
Comfort my broken heart that mourns the loss of my loved ones.
I thank you for loving me more than I can ever know
and for keeping me safe during the dark moments of my life.
I pray for all those who weep and mourn this day,
whether because of a recent bereavement
or for a loved one long gone. 
In Jesus’ name, Amen

3/ Linked Bible passages
 
Psalm 145v18-19
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfils the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.
 
Matthew 11v28
Come to me, all who are weary and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
 
John 14v27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John Bunyan: The Pilgrim’s Progress
My marks and scars I carry with me, to be a witness for me that I have fought His battles who will now be my rewarder. When the day that he must go hence was come, many accompanied him to the riverside, into which as he went, he said, "Death, where is thy sting?" And as he went down deeper, he said, "Grave, where is thy victory?" So he passed over, and all the trumpets sounded for him on the other side.

4/ Songs to inspire
 
Bridge Over Troubled Water
This was a hugely inspirational song to me as a child, and I still find comfort in it.  The singer and recipient change in my mind according to the occasion that I hear the song.  Am I singing it to someone else? Is someone else singing it to me? Is it Jesus singing it to the world? Listen to it and see who and what comes into your mind.
 
I Am Not Alone
A deeply personal song written by Hillsong Church Worship Leader Kari Jobe.  Moving in its deep trust and faith in God, the lyrics are simple and repetitional so that anyone, no matter how upset can speak or sing them along with her. 
 

5/ 'Just picture it', linked photos to think about.

'Starry Night' by Vincent Van Gogh. 

It was painted in June 1889 while he was interred in the Saint-Remy Asylum. Gogh had been an evangelical preacher in his twenties but later lost his faith. He remarked once that art was a new type of religion, but we can still see how his former faith in God was reflected in many of his paintings.  This painting captures an idealised view from his cell, looking at the night sky just before dawn. The prominent cypress tree in the foreground seems to link heaven and earth. Cypress trees were widely viewed as a symbol of death in Mediterranean culture. 

I am not an artist, but I love the way that he portrays the swirling night sky in the firmament, the wonder of a human hand trying to portray the eternal beautiful work of God.    It makes me think of the beauty and transcendence of time and space, and how although our loved ones feel far away, in the cosmic blink of an eye, we shall all be renewed and standing together in front of Jesus, our Saviour.
 
To ponder this stunning artwork in finer detail, visit the New York Museum of Modern Art's website where clever technology brings you closer to this beautiful work by a troubled soul.