The Prayer of Encouragement for 1 November
Brother Romeo Elliott offers the Prayer of Encouragement for 1 November 2020 for our country, businesses, frontline and other workers.
My Brothers, Sisters and Friends we hope that you are well. However, if not, please let us know.
I spoke of expectation and trust as it relates to forgiveness, in the previous writing. Subsequent to this, a childhood experience came to mind. My maternal and paternal grandmothers were two completely different people. My maternal grandmother was from a sophisticated background and tried to live in that context, as much as possible. However, my paternal grandmother came from a very humble background. She made the best dumplings and sweet potato puddings. She was very warm and pleasant. Nonetheless, both of them were respected persons in the community.
I always remember my paternal grandmother’s warmth. This came alive any time I visited her home. Whenever I turned the corner to go where she lived and she realised that it was me, at a distance, her face lit up, and a broad smile emerged. She was consistent with this behaviour. She loved to bake so pudding was usually available., she made me feel welcome. I felt so much love from her.
My maternal grandmother lived with us so it was different. She operated from a different section of the house but was very involved in dealing with her grandchildren’s discipline. She was very strict and tried to apply that to us. We had to behave in a proper way. We had to carry ourselves in a manner that was upstanding. She walked with a belt in her pocket so we got spanked a few times. Some of us thought that we did not deserve it. Of course, we hid from her. The house had a space underneath it, so that was our main escape.
You know, I was drawn to my paternal grandmother. Yet, my maternal grandmother helped me to more or less strike a balance in terms of the way I do life. I am of the view that I learned from both of them valuable lessons for life. In those moments of growing up, I would not have been able to analyse and accept that this was the case.
Both of my grandmothers were consistent in what they said and did. I expected the same behaviour and they never disappointed me. However, I trusted my paternal grandmother more because she made me feel more comfortable and loved. My maternal grandmother’s love was expressed in a different way. I take it that she wanted us to become people of integrity. The good thing is that we were exposed to the balance given by my paternal grandmother. We needed both for life. A point to note is that my older brother would play pranks on both of them and they enjoyed him. He found the key to my maternal grandmother’s heart and used it to his benefit and pleasure instead of avoiding her.
Brethren and Friends, many times we come across persons who make us feel uncomfortable. They are in our families (biological and church), work and others places of engagement. Those persons consistently say and do things that may cause the neck vein in some of us to stand up. They may break our trust, cause us to feel, sad, angry, hurt and tired of them. We may not even forgive them and when they do or say anything . Our negative emotions fly high. We become tense and so does our environment.
Even when they may say and do things that are correct, we may not give them the time, a space in our hearts, or a voice in our hearing. We may keep them at bay. Our expectation of them could be that they will consistently not add value to anybody or anything. We may see them as noise makers. We may avoid or hide from them. Every time they do something, our emotions intensify towards them. We may even wish they would migrate and not return. Someone may just flash across your mind as you read this but it is good to be honest with God and self. What do you think?
I have come to realise that no experience is wasted. I believe that those who make us feel uncomfortable are in our space to allow God’s hand of moulding to do His work. Many times we do studies and analyses and wonder what may be causing certain problems. We may try to determine what is hindering us from achieving our potential.
We may be surrounded by tensions and this gives rise to sensitivity. An example is that every time I say or write something, it is highly scrutinised. However, if someone else does, it is not a problem. I remember Jesus’ sermon. In it He highlighted the issue of loving those who may not be so lovable. He said:
“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?”
Matthew 5:46-47 (NIV)
Here Jesus is saying loving those who love us is easy. Anybody can do that, even those who do not believe in Him. We may be rewarded by men but God is looking for us to do more for a reward from him.
We are called to forgive, to stretch love and make it unbreakable. This is more rewarding than just forgiving and loving those who make it easy for us. We are called to rid our families (biological and church) of tensions, and manage situations through God’s intervention. The Spirit of God has the key to the heart of situations and people, so we need to diligently depend on Him to help us.
The apostle Peter asked the question of a set of persons, such as God’s elect and exiles, to whom he initially addressed his writings.
“Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened. But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.”
1 Peter 3:13-15 (NIV)
Forgiving, stretching our love and making it unbreakable will not be easy. It may involve threats, hurt, sadness and anger, etc., but we proceed in honour of God, as we try to please Him. I noticed that Peter quoted from the Psalmist (Psalm 34:12-16). In the quotation there is a verse that tends to keep ringing in my ear, “seek peace and pursue it…” (1 Peter 3:11, NIV). He also said that when we do these and other things, it helps us in “keeping a clear conscience…” (1 Peter 3:16, NIV).
Peter went on to say a number of other things but he also said:
“For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.”
1 Peter 3:17-18 (NIV)
We are also called to share in His sufferings. “We share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (Romans 8:17, NIV).
Brethren, let us forgive and stretch love, making it unbreakable. Seeing people through the eyes of God and not through our limited sight. What do you have to say?
Today’s prayer is led by one of our youths, Romeo Elliott. Romeo is a member of the Grace Youth Ministry executive committee. Romeo is a new college student. He is pursuing a degree in information technology at the Vocational Training and Development institute (VTDI). He is blessed with brilliance and great gifts. We pray for God’s favour, and covering upon his life. Please pray for him and the other youths as they try to make sense of our current challenges.
Let us pray
Dear God,
Thank You for Your amazing power and work in our lives, thank You for Your goodness and for Your blessings over us. Thank You for the hope You bring through even the toughest of times, strengthening us for Your purposes. We thank You for Your great love and care, thank You for Your mercy and grace. Thank You for always being with us and will never leave us. Thank You for Your incredible sacrifice so that we might have freedom and life.
Lord, we come in the name of Jesus Christ asking that You forgive us for not thanking You enough, for who You are, for all that You do, and for all that You’ve given. Help us to set our eyes and our hearts on You afresh. Lord, renew our spirits. Fill us with Your peace and joy. We love You and we need You, this and every day. We give You praise and thanks, for You alone are worthy.
Lord, we pray for our nation that You be our deliverer and guide. We pray for Your love and compassion to abound as we walk through this challenging season. Lord, we also ask for wisdom for those who bear the load of making decisions with widespread consequences.
We now mention the Honourable Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness, Minister of Health and Wellness, Christopher Tufton, Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Nigel Clarke, health workers and support staff, Minister of Education, Youth and the Environment, Fayval Williams. Minister of National Security, Horace Chang and his team, Minister of Justice, Delroy Chuck. We also remember the judges in our congregation: Paula Blake Powell and Grace Henry McKenzie.
Lord, we thank You for Your healing upon our Sister Patrice Martin who is now out of the hospital. So we pray for those who are suffering with sickness and diseases, and all who are caring for them. We also ask for protection for the elderly and vulnerable to not succumb to the risks of the Covid-19 virus.
Lord, we remember those among us who are on the usual sick and shut-in list, as well as Sisters Iris Lawrence, Lelith James, Jennifer Nicholson, Virginia Muir, Marville (Cherry) Murray (Sister Iris Lawrence’s daughter), Janet Chen-Young, Joyce Bailey, Lucille Alexander, Jhada Graham, Ethlyn Atkins, Cherrie Lee, Brother George Gabbidon, Brother Cornel Richards, Mr. Alan Ashley (Sister Dawn Ashley’s father) and Andrew Robinson (Sister Claire Robinson’s son), Brother Danville Japp’s father, Mr. Isaiah Japp, Mrs. Desmay Roomes (Elder John Roomes’ mother) and any family member who is currently struggling with the Covid-19 virus.
Lord, we pray for misinformation to be curbed that fear may not take hold in our hearts and minds. As we exercise the good sense that You in Your mercy provide, may we also approach each day in faith and peace, trusting in the truth of Your goodness towards us. These and other mercies we ask, in Jesus’s Name.
Amen.
Our Prayers of Encouragement are for everyone. Therefore, if you are also in need of prayer or comfort, please contact us with your request. We would be so very happy to share with you.
