Author: Bellshill Central

We gather as the people of God in a short time of stillness, contemplation, praise and prayer. We look to the Prophets in this season after Christmas

Isaiah 43:1-7

Restoration and Protection Promised

But now thus says the Lord,
   he who created you, O Jacob,
   he who formed you, O Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
   I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
   and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
   and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God,
   the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.
I give Egypt as your ransom,
   Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you.
Because you are precious in my sight,
   and honoured, and I love you,
I give people in return for you,
   nations in exchange for your life.
Do not fear, for I am with you;
   I will bring your offspring from the east,
   and from the west I will gather you;
I will say to the north, ‘Give them up’,
   and to the south, ‘Do not withhold;
bring my sons from far away
   and my daughters from the end of the earth—
everyone who is called by my name,
   whom I created for my glory,
   whom I formed and made.’

On reading this passage from Isaiah we are immediately drawn to the hymn “Do not be afraid” (CH4 191). In many ways these words of scripture create a sense of calm in this soothing passage, given that in the lectionary calendar it comes to us at the beginning of January, after the rush and excitement of Advent, Christmas and after the bringing in of the New Year and all that accompanies it. The words of Isaiah bring for us – all of us, regardless of our background, ethnicity, age and stage in life, ability or disability – assurance and comfort. At the start of this New Year, we are assured that we do not face things alone, we go in the strength and presence of God. So, we can allow ourselves to take a deep breath, exhale and utter, ‘With God, I can do this.’

Intercessory prayers

We pray for all who are bearing heavy burdens:
those facing difficulties and problems to which they can see no solutions,
wrestling with inner fears and racked by anxiety for themselves or loved ones;
troubled about money, health, work or relationships;
all who crave rest for their souls but cannot find it.

We pray for the influence of Your Holy Spirit in the troubled places of the world.
Fill us with Your passion for justice that we may strive to build bridges of reconciliation.

Pause

We pray for all who are happy and for whom things are going well,
that they may know the source of their blessing.

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We pray for all who are distressed.
Comfort the sad, be present with the sick and make Your will known to them.
Strengthen those who are depressed by failure.

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Our dear God,
we ask that You will help us to spread Your love to our friends and neighbours.
Let us think of one or two particular friends
and ask that God will help us tell them the good news.

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Let us think of the people sitting on either side of us
and ask that God will be especially close to them.

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We also remember those people who are not with us today,
perhaps through illness or because they are on holiday.

Pause

Lord, thank You that You listen to our prayers – spoken and unspoken –
in Jesus name. Amen

On the first day of 2022, 15 Scottish Christian churches and organisations across the country, including the Church of Scotland, have co-signed a letter calling for prayer in response to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Scottish Christians are invited to join in prayer today, reflecting on the suffering of 2021 and turning towards the new year with the knowledge that the light of the Word is not overcome by the darkness.

The letter accompanying the prayer states:

“‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.’ (John 1: 5)

“As we reach the end of a year and turn towards the year that is to come, the dark shadow of Covid-19 still lies over us and the community of which we are a part.

“There is no part of our society that has not been impacted and no part of our community that has not suffered.

“We have endured much and struggled with the abiding uncertainty that still clouds our vision of the year ahead.

“Nevertheless, no matter how abiding the uncertainty and the darkness of the shadow, the Gospel affirms that: ‘the darkness did not overcome it’.

“The darkness has not overcome the ‘light that shines in the darkness’.

“The Gospel affirmation is especially resonant at this time for it affirms that at no point is the light of the Word come from God consumed by darkness.

“We know and affirm by faith that the ‘Word became flesh and lived among us’. (John 1: 14)

“In the year that is to come, the light of God abides and no darkness will consume it.

“We ask the One who is the light of the world to give us light that we may walk safely, even where darkness abides: ‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.'”

We pray:

Light of the World,
May You arise and shine even in the face of darkness:

We come as those who have dwelt in the shadows
And shared in the suffering and uncertainty of these times.
Abide with us and shed Your light amongst us
That we might know Your abiding presence.
Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Light of the World,
May You arise and shine even in the face of darkness;
We come as those who have sought Your light
In the year that is now past.
We give thanks that You have led us safe thus far
And that You shall lead us home.
Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Light of the World,
May You arise and shine even in the face of darkness:
We come as those who journey on towards the horizon
Where light shall surely break and the darkness be vanquished.
We pray for the bereaved and for the bereft
And ask that You would draw near to them in Your compassion.
Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Light of the World,
May You arise and shine even in the face of darkness:
We come as those who now step forth
Into the year that is to come.
We ask of You light for the days that lie ahead
And, once more, the knowledge of Your abiding presence.
Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.