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Thought For The Week 28 July

Perhaps the biggest news in the world this week is the announcement of a new Prime Minister in the United Kingdom.  While each of us may have differing views on Boris Johnson and the bigger picture of Brexit, the whole saga reminds me of a deep paradox in our human lives.

On one hand our lives are profoundly affected by global politics.  The sways and tides of the powers of this world affect our prosperity, our security, our hopes and our futures.

But on the other hand, no matter the state of the world, our lives as members of our communities, and as members of the Body of Christ continue their orbit around the core principles of our faith.  Love the Lord your God with you heart, soul and mind.  Love your neighbour as yourself.  Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  The extent to which we engage with these principles will have a radically more profound effect on our world and our lives than the identity of the latest person sitting in a global hot seat.

This week our lectionary brings us back around to contemplating the Lord’s prayer.  When Jesus taught his disciples to pray he wasn’t giving them the secret combination to access God’s favour. Rather, he was giving us a compass to orient our lives.  Jesus shapes our prayers, our prayers shape our hearts and minds, and our hearts and minds join in God’s work of reconciliation and salvation in our world.

This week, the most important thing that we can do is pray.  Pray that God shapes our world, and pray that God shapes our lives, inside and out.

Rory Grant

Categories: Thought for the week