Articles - Miscellaneous

Help!

There was a swish of papers through the letter box; Sue had dropped off the music for Sunday. Oh dear, I had not practised all month! And a pound to a penny, I would not get a chance to have a practice before Sunday morning. And worse still, the Music Group (all due respects to Sue) had not met to practise since last time; we would have to rely on ten minutes before the service. Yet as we scratched together, someone came over and said how nice it was to have us playing together. They couldn't have heard all my scratches, those mis-counts, the times I got lost!

Sunday mornings are lovely; we often warm to the prayers. But what about the times between? Are we best ready for Sunday morning? How is our praying - are we ready?

There is a French saying about God and Forgiveness: 'C'est son métier.' - it's what he has to do. And perhaps we think God has to listen to our prayers - it's what he's supposed to do, it's his job.

Yet it speaks in the Bible of God being our Parent who is overjoyed to hear our 'Da-da-da-da!' or our lover who enjoys our company and our tongue-tied expressions of love.

Yes he is! Like our Sunday morning listener, who somehow appreciated how our tones all came together, God loves to hear our attempts at prayer - and that's you, young one; and you, old and spent one. (And perhaps doubly joyful when two or three are gathered together in my name…) And you, mum between nappy changes; and you, with your busy life.

Perhaps if we could get a bit of the feel of his desire, we would practise that presence just a little more. Will you decide to start the day with a prayer, however brief, or take five minutes in the middle of the day? Or call in at the Monday evening Prayer Hour, or join a House Group? We might find our Sunday morning more in tune.

As I write this, I think of making an offering to the Christ Child; when you read this, it will be Lent. God with us would not disappoint; the Lenten Christ will be with us.

Geoffrey Elliott

© St Edmund's Church, Roundhay