This Week's Prayer Theme:
12th. July 2020
The easing of lockdown brings little joy, and much
anxiety to those who are vulnerable, and still need to stay sheltered.
Please pray;
- for those still suffering many weeks of
self-isolation, and those caring for them.
- for front-line workers, suffering fatigue,
anxiety and fear for the future.
- for those working in mental health and social
care, with their extra workloads.
" The eternal God is your refuge; and
underneath are the everlasting arms".
Deutoronomy 33; 27.
This Week's Readings:
Isaiha 55:10-13(NIV)10As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
11so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty,
12You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills
13Instead of the thorn bush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.”
Matthew 13:1-9 & 18 - 23(NIV)
The Parable of the
Sower
1That same day Jesus
went out of the house and sat by the lake.
2Such
large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while
all the people stood on the shore.
3Then
he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer
went out to sow his seed.
4As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the
birds came and ate it up.
5Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang
up quickly, because the soil was shallow.
6But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered
because they had no root.
7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.
8Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a
hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.
9Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
18“Listen then to what the
parable of the sower means:
19When anyone hears the message
about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches
away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path.
20The seed falling on rocky
ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.
21But since they have no root,
they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the
word, they quickly fall away.
22The seed falling among the
thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and
the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.
23But the seed falling on good
soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one
who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
At the church we regularly pray for the needs of our local community and its people, as well as the needs of the wider world. If you have any particular prayer requests, please contact us. These requests will be handled confidentially.