October 2025
Sharing God’s love with others is at the heart of our discipleship, as is prayer. As Christians we know the power of prayer through Christ and the working of the Holy Spirit, but in the busy-ness of everyday life it can be easy to find ourselves gradually becoming anxious and lethargic – in effect prioritising ourselves, rather than God. This is what happened to someone I know who recently shared how despondent and tired they are with our world which seems increasingly immoral, very lacking in compassion and bereft of strong leadership, to the extent they are mentally and physically exhausted and fast losing interest and energy in actioning change in this state of lassitude. This brought to mind the unconditional love God has for us all, expressed so beautifully in Paul’s letter to the Romans.
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Perhaps this autumn we could pause to take stock of our own faith journeys and ask ourselves these questions:
Are we continuing to move forward with Christ? – let us use this autumn to strengthen our commitment to God.
Have we become a bit ‘start and stop’ in our faith journey? – let us pray God gives us the strength to persevere in Hope and in the knowledge of Christ alongside.
or Perhaps we feel we are in a spiritual desert where the future looks lonely and dry? – with our gaze upward and outward, let us pray for God’s strength to seek afresh the depths of His love as we wait on His Word and direction.
Loving God, we thank you for your love, abundantly given by Grace.
We pray for all who struggle in the present political global situation. May integrity, humility, compassion and courage sweep your world Lord, instilling a sense of purpose and honesty. May your Love be felt in the midst of lethargy, filling all with renewed energy and Hope, and may your light shine where darkness rules.
Help us Lord, even in challenging times to see and appreciate the beauty of your Creation in the foliage around us, as it takes on the vibrant colours of autumn, brown, gold, orange and red – a riot of spectacular and stunning beauty. We give you thanks. In Christ we pray. Amen.
Revd Tish Bird
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
See previous Reflections here