Dear friends,
Rain Rain Rain
In my Christian lifetime I don’t ever remember praying for rain so much as I have done recently. The prolonged hot and dry weather has been difficult to deal with at points, but very enjoyable at other times too. This has been my second experience of drought and so, as expected, I have been praying for rain to fall. We have had a few little bursts but not nearly enough as yet. Scripture is full of references to rain. Right from the very beginning of creation, the waters which come from heaven have been understood as important for nurturing and refreshing new growth. In Isaiah we see a great encouragement between the role of rain and the role of God’s Word:
As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10-11)
So, as we have had a little rain, bringing refreshment to the ground, nature, wildlife (though there is more to come) perhaps now is also a good time to pick up a Bible and read some of God’s story too. His word can refresh you with love and hope. It can strengthen you with faith and grace. I find that when I read it, I am thirsty for more and more.
If you don’t have a Bible, let me know. I’d love to gift you one! You never know what might grow if you read it too.
If you have questions about life, faith, Christianity, the Bible or anything else, we are running an Alpha course this September to provide space for those questions, with no strings attached. There is a teaser video below with adventurer Bear Grylls. Do get in touch for more details or to sign up!
God bless you!
Love,
Grant
The Benefice Weekly Newsletter
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Prayer Points
Please do continue to pray for the continued conflict in Ukraine. Many families are settling locally so do please pray for inspiration and wisdom how best to serve and welcome them during this time.
Please pray for the families whose homes have been damaged due to fires in Basildon recently.
Please pray for the couples who are planning to get married in our churches, or from our villages this year. Some of whom have rescheduled quite a few times!
Please pray for those who are currently ill with covid. May they be protected and restored quickly.
Please pray for the NHS continuing to serve the nation with tiredness and fatigue featuring heavily.
Please continue to pray for those we know and love who are at this time unwell or recovering from various illnesses or operations.
Please pray for those within our parishes who have lost loved ones recently.
Please pray for those who are enjoying holidays and breaks this summer. After the difficulties of the past few years, we pray that true rest will be found.