Prayer

"What a difference a day makes," as the old song goes.

I've been thinking about the difference a dawn made on that first Easter Day. The women left the house in despair. Their dream of a new order under God and Jesus' control in tatters. They were none the less determined that all that could be done would be done for the leader they had loved. They must have worried about the Jewish authorities who might see them on the way. Would they be abused verbally, arrested or even attacked? They were anxious about how they would move the enormous boulder across the mouth of the tomb.

When they reached the cave, how perplexed they must have felt to find the stone already removed. They must have wondered if one of the disciples was there already, or if there was an unknown person there. Fearfully, they would have peered into the tomb, ready to flee from attack. How upset they would have been to find the body gone. Were they frightened by the angels or just puzzled by their message? Did they feel angry at the gardener, supposing that he might have moved Jesus' body?

And then they recognised Him. What incredible joy must have filled their hearts! It wasn't over, in fact it was a new beginning. They could not understand what had happened and neither can we 2000 years later. But this we do know; the events of that Easter dawn transformed the lives of those women who loved Jesus so much. Those weak and frightened followers of Jesus became strong and brave, eager to share the Good News they had received even when they knew it would scarcely be believed. They would never return to their old fears.

Are we ready to let Jesus transform our lives in the same way, believing in Him completely so that our old fears and anxieties are as nothing compared with the love and trust of God? I pray that this Eastertime may be a time when our faith is strengthened and renewed through God's spirit and we will all say with full hearts:

He is risen! Hallelluia!

A joy filled Easter to you all.

Anne
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Daily Prayer

At the start of each day, in The Old Stable, we meet together in prayer. All are welcome to join us from 9.00am to 9.30am every day of the week, except on Tuesdays.

As the home of the Swanage Christian Centre it is central to our mission that we are a faithful Christian presence, not just in the bricks and mortar of the Old Stable, but also in the lives of everyone associated with the Centre and now also on this web site.

If you are in need of prayer support, you may Email the chaplain who will ensure that you are remembered in our prayers. Prayers will not be deleted from the site, but placed in the Prayer Archive, so you may go there to use again a prayer that is no longer on this page.

Prayer for Parents and Children

Heavenly Father, thank you for the precious gift of children.
Guide us as we teach them to follow your ways.
Give us wisdom, patience and humour in dealing with their questions.
And when it is time to let them go, may we watch them leave with pride, trusting them to build on you, their sure foundation, secure in the knowledge that you are always with them whatever difficulties they may face.

Loving Lord, thank you for caring parents.
Thank you for all they have taught us and what we have learnt at school.
Help us to balance the need to become independant with the need to have a secure home.
May we face the future away from home confidently, wanting to experience life in all its fullness, but remembering our responsibilities to others at the same time.
Give us wisdom in the choice of new friends and activities
Even when we feel homesick let us never forget that you are with us
Thank you , Lord, that you will never abandon us however hard or easy our life may be.
Amen.