Category: Prayer items

Should Christians observe Lent?

by Bellshill Central, posted in Other News, Prayer items, Weekly Church News

Protestant Christians tend to be suspicious of church traditions that are not rooted in scripture. Lent falls into this category because it is not prescribed anywhere in the Bible. So why do believers from across the theological spectrum, including many Protestant denominations, observe this season?

The name itself is an Old English word for spring, which is indeed the time of year when Lent occurs – between the post-Christmas season of Epiphany and Easter. Hereon in Lent’s biblical credentials mount up. Its forty day duration (not including Sundays, which are counted as rest days) reflects the forty days which Jesus spent in the desert, preparing for his ministry. And the fact that he was fasting explains why self-denial is another significant feature of the Lenten tradition, though nowadays we are as likely to be encouraged to see Lent as an opportunity to adopt better habits than relinquish cherished or harmful ones.

So does this amount to a “gospel of works”? Only if we turn an opportunity into a rule and no more than obeying the fourth commandment (Keep the Sabbath holy) can be regarded as “legalism”. More positively, we can thank God for providing opportunities to integrate the great truths of the Bible into our daily lives in ways which recall the rhythms of Jesus’ life and rehearse the milestones of our faith.

During the first lockdown, Bellshill Central Parish Church began a series of Lenten prayer groups via Zoom. We wanted to observe Lent as a season of prayer, fellowship and mission, through these informal but at the same time structured groups.

These prayer groups didn’t stop after Lent. They continue to this day. We still meet via Zoom and we now record our sessions so others can take part later on.

We have reintroduced our Prayer Book at Church, where we invite names and situations to be remembered in prayer during church, Zoom prayers and individual private prayer.

If you have never attended church, never thought about prayer, or want to consider joining our Zoom prayers, or never observed Lent, why not take a leap of faith?

It won’t do you any harm and it could change your life – for the better…

Evening prayers at 7pm

by Bellshill Central, posted in Prayer items

Gathering prayer for the Season of Epiphany

May Your star pause over us,
illuminating Your truth and justice.
Confront us anew with Your call
to look for power in lowly places
and to bring our gifts to worship.
You, who are long gone from the stable,
but present in every place and time –
God with us.

Reflective prayer

Come and see – 
the curiosity of a seeker

Come and see – 
the invitation of one smitten

Come and see – 
the catalyst
that set in motion
a whole world
of adventure and intrigue,
of excitement and trepidation,
of unanticipated joy
and heart-wrenching sorrow.

Come and see.

O that we, today,
were as spontaneous,
as inviting,
as inclusive,
as willing to risk,
as those first disciples.

To follow a summons
and recruit others
to venture out with us.

Come and see…

Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for the kingdom the power and the glory are yours, for ever, Amen.

Psalm 40

Thanksgiving for Deliverance and Prayer for Help

To the leader. Of David. A Psalm.
1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
   he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the desolate pit,
   out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
   making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
   a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
   and put their trust in the Lord.


4 Happy are those who make
   the Lord their trust,
who do not turn to the proud,
   to those who go astray after false gods.
5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
   your wondrous deeds and your thoughts towards us;
   none can compare with you.
Were I to proclaim and tell of them,
   they would be more than can be counted.


6 Sacrifice and offering you do not desire,
   but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt-offering and sin-offering
   you have not required.
7 Then I said, ‘Here I am;
   in the scroll of the book it is written of me.
8 I delight to do your will, O my God;
   your law is within my heart.’


9 I have told the glad news of deliverance
   in the great congregation;
see, I have not restrained my lips,
   as you know, O Lord.
10 I have not hidden your saving help within my heart,
   I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
   from the great congregation.


11 Do not, O Lord, withhold
   your mercy from me;
let your steadfast love and your faithfulness
   keep me safe for ever.

Sending prayer for the Season of Epiphany

May we follow Your light into all the darkness of the world,
overthrowing the old and tired ways,
fighting for justice,
forging paths to peace,
loving those it’s hard to love,
knowing You go before us and call us to follow. Amen.

A message of solidarity for Ukraine

by Bellshill Central, posted in Other News, Prayer items, Weekly Church News

In Ukraine, the fighting has intensified, but the church remains a symbol of hope for many. Join us as we reflect on the Archbishop of Canterbury’s words after visiting local partners and persist in our prayers for peace.

Since the conflict began, Tear Fund’s local church partners have been able to reach tens of thousands of people in need – inside Ukraine and in neighbouring countries. Alongside providing shelter, food and trauma support, they are also running art therapy classes and children’s groups.

Just before Christmas, Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, visited one of the local partners to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine and to see what more could be done to support people.

During his trip, the Archbishop met with church leaders, as well as people who had fled the violence, so he could hear firsthand what people were going through. He also went to Irpin and Bucha to see the devastation caused by the fighting there last spring.

  ‘We stand with you’

The Archbishop referred to his visit as ‘a tiny gesture of solidarity with a suffering yet courageous people. It was about saying to them, you’re not forgotten; we pray for you, we support you, we stand with you, and we’ll advocate for you.

‘Five to six hundred years before Jesus Christ, Isaiah prophesied that justice and peace will come at some point, that weapons will be turned into ploughshares (Isaiah 2:4). And yet we stand amidst godless leaders ruling by violence and fear, with armies struggling by night. At the time of Isaiah, people were living in a similar world, in the shadow of death, in darkness, exile, suffering, famine, and torture.

‘Just think of that: Jesus was recognised after his resurrection most often by the scars on his hands and feet and side; the church is not a place of retreating from the world… Ukraine spoke deeply to me, passionately, of a church enduring with the people who endured — not separate, not privileged, not special, but full of love and the grace of God…

‘The revolution that came at Christmas — of light in the world — is alive now in churches shining into the darkness.’

Sunday prayers for Epiphany

by Bellshill Central, posted in Prayer items

Gathering prayer


May Your star pause over this place of worship,
illuminating Your truth and justice.
Confront us anew with Your call
to look for power in lowly places
and to bring our gifts to worship.
You, who are long gone from the stable,
but present in every place and time –
God with us.

Reflective prayer for 8 January

We give thanks today – that the Holy Spirit always shows up
and Her presence is as disruptive today
as it was when Jesus was baptised by John.
Baptised in the face of oppression and despair.
Baptised in the grimness of life.
For Baptism always proclaims the love
and the mystery of God
and the presence of the unquenchable Spirit.

Whenever baptism is offered –
at the beginning of life
as a symbol of hope and promise,
as a rite of passage, building on family tradition,
as a response to faith that has grown slowly and surely,
at the bedside of a beautiful 93-year-old saint
embarrassed to admit that she had never been baptised,
or with parents anxious about their new-born’s hold on life –
whether sprinkled,
dunked,
immersed,
or with the gentlest whisper of a touch;
always, always, always,
the Holy Spirit makes Herself known
as angels gather to sing a Gloria,
declaring the wonder of God
who calls us Beloved.

Amen

Sending prayer for the Season of Epiphany

May we follow Your light into all the darkness of the world,
overthrowing the old and tired ways,
fighting for justice,
forging paths to peace,
loving those it’s hard to love,
knowing You go before us and call us to follow.

Amen