Mathilda's Prayer Letters - September to December 2005
September 2005
Someone was asked me how is it that in all my sickness and pain, they never saw me with a sad face or complaining? My answer when faced with this question was, "do you really believe in God and what is written in the Bible and do you believe in prayer?" "Yes," the person replied, "but even when I pray, the pain is still there and I can’t cope with it. The doctor changes my drugs and no help."
Our problems overwhelm us and the world seems so difficult. Yet we need to read, especially our bibles today. We need to talk with each other, expressing what we feel and how we feel with the situation in our world.
We need more of God's voice in our ear: "The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice." John 10.3-4.
He calls us by name to follow Him for healing, comfort and renewal because he knows us personally. We answer to his voice. In my pain I want to hear Christ's voice speaking to me and I listen to His voice. Listening is finding space and time for God and letting His presence fill my heart and my surroundings. Our Christian discipline is required every day and after our refresher course every Sunday, we get closer and in touch more often to be in His presence. Daily prayers, Bible readings, obedience and most important, sharing one’s faith daily are key.
Can there be any healing from God without faith and trust? It was Lazarus' sister who believed in our Lord and their brother had another chance in life of wholeness. How much more you will receive, if you ask, believing for yourself in the promises of God through His Son Christ our Lord and by His Holy Spirit the promised healer who lives and reigns.
Prayer
Holy Spirit of Power you are the breath of God, and fire of our Love.
Come and enter into my life today. Redeem, refresh, renew, and heal my body soul and spirit.
Let others who are feeling down in any situation, be lifted up in your spirit with courage and faith. Amen
October 2005
We need to worship and praise God. Let it be on our lips and in our lives: "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of our Lord" (John 12.13).
Praising and worshiping God does not have to be loud music clapping, shouting, or waving hands because genuine praise and worship is not something you have to work up yourself at church to do. We worship and praise God at all times, even when nothing is going right in our lives. We praise God for whom God is and what He has done for us in Christ Jesus. In John chapter 12 verses 12 & 13, they heard Christ Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. They took the palm tress and went out to meet Him, shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord".
We do not substitute false emotions for real worship of God. Psalm 148 proclaims that all creation praises the Lord. Healing comes in our worship and praising.
Prayer
We bow down in your presence Holy God.
We are most conscious of your Holy Spirit presence here with us.
Christ promised that He would never leave us.
We pray to experience your glory and power now in our weakness and inadequacy.
Transform our whole being in times of praise and worship. Amen.
November 2005
I have just returned from Krakow in Poland. I joined people from all over Europe, Washington DC plus our group from London singing praises to God. The leaders from a church in Washington and a young lady from a church in Tottenham, London trained over one thousand of us from different languages to sing praises to our God. We were as one choir. This will always remain in my thoughts.
This has given me the opportunity to speak and counsel people who felt the bondage their countries were in, has released them to freedom of loving, caring and sharing God in Christ. Releasing the freedom menant that we all could express together in song why Jesus came, died, rose and sent his spirit on us.
One young lady ran to me and hugged me in tears of joy. She said she did not know me but felt led to come to me, hug me and ask for prayers. A minister's wife sat with me and told me how her husband came to England when they became free to learn about Christianity and now she is the youth leader in their church. They are all excited having us there sharing God with them as there, parents do not have the privilege to openly praise God.
God shows himself to us in different ways and prepares his people to meet others in their times of need. This love and friendship will be continued by prayer for God richest blessing continues to liberate these people in faith by the graces and mercies he give us to all people.
Prayer for All Saints
God of past generations, we offer our thankful praise for those of faith before us who never gave up in desperation. Their wisdom and their ways show forth clearly in their living as your guiding hands appears; to keep their loving witness alive throughout the years.
Father you are our God today, of this present moment. Send your spirit on us to live for you everyday. Through our rushing about, in our crisis that often blocks the way, keep us aware of your presence. In our work and times of worship, help us to remember you daily call us to show your love and care.
Lord God you are our future, and wherever you may lead us, let us keep our thoughts alert and receptive to meet tomorrow's need. When we are in trouble and times seems difficult and hard to understand, grant us courage that our fears, hopes and longings will be placed into your hands. In the name of Christ. Amen.
December 2005
As we approach another Christmas and the end of another year, many are asking where has the time gone. For the year passes quickly and we get older but not wiser. Wisdom is knowing God the creator of heaven and earth, knowing Christ Jesus, and knowing life never stops still. The choices we make in life affect our end after death.
We are busy preparing for Christmas. Christians often prepare in the same way as others by shopping, giving presents, visiting those they love. However, we also need to think of the unloved, the hungry, and the homeless around this time. Christ comes to all people. We are called to do all the good we can, by all the means we can, in all the ways we can, in all the places we can, all the times we can to all people.
God bless you all who read these prayers every month and pray that God has enriched your life.
Prayer
Father God, we praise you for your unchanging and eternal love in Christ for us. This rapid change we experience in the world, and in our lives leaves us bewildered and at times feeling confused, pressured and even unbearable.
We know you are the only one who changes not and pray that you will abide with us.
Help us to see you in the changes of life although we want things to remain the same, but we at times see the need for things and situations in the world to change for the better. We thank you for them and for those things which remain the same.
The world changes, but you never change. You call us to help the poorer people, the rejected, the unloved, those who have no voice in their society, and those treated unjustly. Please grant your people of faith never to give up hope but to fight the good fight with all their might to work along side your teaching and examples.
Christ Jesus came and pronounced changes for your people, yet struggled to accomplish His work. We need that power greater than our own to fight and conquer the evil and temptation surround us in the world today. Please give us that hope to overcome you are our strength and life that we may be your eternal joy. Amen.
For all Mathilda's prayer letters... Prayer 1 Prayer 2 Prayer 3 Prayer 4