From Mark
Hello Friends
We hear the news, see the news, read the news. Perhaps you also pray in response to what you hear, see and read? If so, perhaps you’ll find it useful to pray this prayer in the light of news over the last few days:-
Father, we pray for Northern Ireland today following this violent attack in North Belfast.
Our hearts break over this crime.
We pray for the man who was attacked and for his family, healing and justice.
We thank you for those who intervened and pray for everyone impacted in the wider community and online.
We understand that many people will feel angry and some will want to protest lawfully.
We pray against rioting and the intimidation of people because of their skin colour or religion.
We pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ, our friends and neighbours from other places who live here.
Draw near to everyone who feels more vulnerable and unsafe today.
We thank you for a strong and united response from most political leaders.
We pray for wisdom for police and civic leaders.
We pray for your local Church, in the difficult task of testifying to your truth and grace.
In the days ahead, please create spaces for people to air concerns and address fears in respectful ways.
Lord, as ever we pray for your kingdom come, in Northern Ireland, as it is in heaven.
Amen
Mark on Mark
Mark 13 is the final chapter we’ll be covering in our journey through Mark’s Gospel - on a journey with Mark discovering who Jesus is. And what do we discover?
In Mark 13v1-23 amidst the many ’troubles’ that will occur in the world, and there will be many, Jesus repeatedly assures his followers that God remains sovereign over history and will preserve his people through the coming crises of wars, natural disasters, persecution, and suffering.
Jesus does this by pointing out the instability of things that seemed very permanent at the time. And so prediction of the temple’s destruction dismantles assumptions about permanence, redirecting attention from place to divine purpose. Such events are ’the birth pains’ confirming God’s purposes are moving forward toward fulfilment of the coming of God’s kingdom. This calls for vigilance grounded not in speculation, but in fidelity to the one who has forewarned his followers.