“Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God’s people.”
(Ephesians 6:18)

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Prayer reflection for March

I suppose that everyone has a favourite time of the year. For some, it’ll be that sudden chill and first frost in December that announces winter’s arrival. Others will relish the lazy days of August, when the sun beats down and the rat race is put on hold. But for me, it’s that moment sometime in March, when the daffodils bloom, lambs are born, and new life fills the fields. If you’d looked at the same landscape a few months earlier, you could have been forgiven for thinking that there was no life in it. Barren, hard and cold, it would seem an unlikely place to find new life. And yet beneath the surface, that potential is always there.

Throughout the Gospels, the Kingdom of Heaven is referred to in many ways; the description of the Kingdom as a mustard seed is particularly striking. Hidden from the naked eye this tiny seed will, if placed in good soil, germinate and produce a tree that everyone can see. But it’s not an immediate process. It can take months or even years for such growth to occur.

Living in a culture of instant gratification, we can find it difficult to take a step back and wait. But whether it’s looking for growth in our personal walk with God, facing difficulties, or seeing those around us come to faith, Jesus’ parables help us appreciate that the Kingdom, like the mustard tree, needs time to grow. As we move towards Easter, lets all take the opportunity to draw near to the one who perfects us, who sustains us and who helps us to grow in patience and faith.

James Willby, SGM Lifewords