Tuesday 14th April | Naomi Watson
Readings
Reflection
The situation of Covid 19 is pretty dark - it’s invisible, it attacks anyone, and can take people we love from us. But what stood out to me from all of the readings today, most clearly in verse 4 of Psalm 112, is the reminder that there is a light in the darkness, (spoiler, it’s Jesus). Even in this pretty sad and scary situation, there is hope.
Psalm 147 (verse 3) speaks of God healing the broken hearted. Personally, my heart has been broken so much over the past couple of weeks, from missing my family and celebrations with friends, to the number of vulnerable in their homes and the number of deaths across the globe. As the Psalm continues, we learn of God’s understanding and his heart for us - the parties missed aren’t what he wants us to be focused on - what’s important to him is your heart; your trust and love in him.
In the Exodus story from today’s readings, God is about to send his final plague, after seeing his people suffer, and their hearts break under the rule of Pharaoh. God is just and merciful and he will show his people light during their darkness. God sees our darkness, he sees our suffering and hearts breaking, and there will be justice. There is light. There is hope.
Prayers
Lord God, thank you that even in this situation where fear and anxiety can rule, you stand above it all. We pray for those in which the fear is too much and dictating their lives; that your spirit would fall upon them. Help us to put our focus on you, and use this time to grow our trust in you. Amen.
Lord God, Thank you that you are the God of justice and mercy. We pray you change our hearts to be more like yours. We pray we become a people of compassion and generosity for your glory. Pour out your spirit on us. Amen.
Lord God, Thank you for sending Jesus to die for us on the cross, to forgive our sins. We pray for those who do not know the hope of Jesus, that even when we are physically apart you show us how to reach them. We pray for your wisdom and guidance, that we would use all you have given us well. Amen.
Collect
Lord of all life and power,
Who through the mighty resurrection of your Son
Overcame the old order of sin and death
To make all things new in him:
Grant that we, being dead to sin
And alive to you in Jesus Christ,
May reign with him in glory;
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit
Be praise and honour, glory and might,
Now and in all eternity.
Amen.
