A reflection on religious tolerance

Reflections for the day

Matthew 8:8-10

The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. “The man who mobilizes the Christian church to pray will make the greatest contribution to world evangelization in history.”  Andrew Murray

A reflection on religious tolerance

Heavenly Father,

Thou art the Creator of thou world that we live in and thou hath created all things known to Man, and thou hath created all things unseen by Man. We acknowledge that we are all individuals and we acknowledge that each and everyone one of us holds views, and for some of us our views are different, and for some of us our faith is different.

Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that thou loves each and every one of us.

Heavenly Father, we are able to see that some of us differ in an outlook on life, and we are able to see that some of us differ in a view, and we are able to see that despite a difference in a view there are some things we are able to share.

We are able to see that for some of us there is a belief in thou existence, and we are able to see that  some of us hath a need to worship thou. We are able to see that for some of us there are opportunities to see thou work in thou nature.

Heavenly Father, we are able to see that thou Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, taught us to learn and taught us to understand Mankind, and we are able to see that thou Son,Our Lord Jesus Christ, was able to speak of Man having positive qualities to offer. We are able to see that thou disciple Paul recognised thou work of thouself, Our Heavenly Father, as one that happens within another’s religion and culture.

Heavenly Father, it is at this time we ask thou to guide us in our daily life, and it is at this time we ask thou to  help us to recognise that another is entitled to a belief that differs from a  belief that is held by a self.

Heavenly Father, we are able to see that we are all called to bring others to thou Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and we are able to see that for Mankind there are some difficulties in accepting thou exists, and we are able to see that for Mankind there are some difficulties in accepting thou Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, is there for our salvation, and we are able to see that for Mankind there are some difficulties in accepting thou loves all of Mankind.

We are able to see that throughout history, events have occurred that can be described as shameful, and these events that have occurred have been perpetrated by Christians to people of other faiths. It is at this time, we uphold to thou in prayer thou people of Nigeria and we hope and we pray that thou people of Nigeria who are described as  Christians and we hope and we pray that thou people of Nigeria who are described as of the faith Islam can live together in peace and harmony.

Heavenly Father, we are concerned about the recent tragic event that has occurred in Toulouse. We are able to see that the Jewish Community are heartbroken and we are able to see that the Jewish Community are in need of our prayers. We are able to see that thou presence is one that is desired and we are able to see that thou guidance is one that is desired too.

Heavenly Father, there is much that happens in thou world that seems to make no sense and there is much that happens in thou world that can be described as evil. We are able to see that many of us would wish that evil is overcome and we are able to see that many of us would wish that violence ceased.

Heavenly Father, we uphold to thou the names of thou Rabbi, his children and the other child who died in such a tragic way and we ask thou to heal their families and friends. 

Heavenly Father, thou desires us to live in a way which avoids all that is not good in thou world. We ask thou to guide us in our daily life to stay on thou path which is a path that is straight and narrow toward thou eternal light. We ask thou to guide us to bring thou Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, to Mankind without a fear and without a prejudice, and without racism, and without a  judgement being proffered.

It is at this time we ask thou to place opportunities before the Government to reflect carefully upon the faith of Christianity and to reflect carefully upon  what it means to practice a faith of Christianity. We hope and we pray that our Government will address those situations in which Christians find themselves in at this present time and we hope and we pray that our Government comes to an understanding of our faith of Christianity.

Heavenly Father, we uphold to thou all that hath been spake in thou name of thouself, Our Heavenly Father, and in thou name of thou Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and in thou name of thou Holy Spirit, who is, who was, and who will always be the most supreme and most absolute power and being that governs all of this world that we live on, now and always, for evermore.

Amen.

A Reflection on faiths.

A Reflection for the Day

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.
~ Romans 12:12

A Reflection on faiths

Heavenly Father,

We are able to see in a way that is clear that many of your people in your country known as the United Kingdom are unable to come to terms with the role that faith plays in a society. We are able to see in a way that is clear that many see a divide that exists between faiths, and we are able to see in a way that is clear that many of your young people have failed to grasp the principles of teachings in Christianity,a teaching which forms a basis in law, and a teaching which forms a  basis in culture, and that many  fail to see that a faith offers a guidance in the way a life should be led.

Heavenly Father, much has been said in the media about the practices of Christianity within the work place, and much has been said in the media about the rights of an individual. Much has been said in the media about a role that The Government, and about a role that the Courts of the land, and about a role that the European Court of Human Rights should play in interpreting a law regarding the freedom of speech.

Heavenly Father, we hope and we pray that all interpretations that are made are made in consideration for the rights of all individuals.

Heavenly Father, there are many Christians who desire to profess a faith in such a way that is in obtrusive, and there are many Christians who are unable to do so because of what is described as a political correctness. We are able to see in a way that is clear that there are times when Christians feel that Christians are marginalised, and there are times when Christians lose a job or a profession because of a faith in Christianity.

Heavenly Father, we are able to see in a way that is clear that there are occasions when Christians feel a need is overlooked, and we are able to see in a way that is clear that all of your people, irrespective of a faith that is held must be treated with compassion, and must be treated with respect, and must have a need catered for that will not single themselves out as being different.

Heavenly Father,we hope and we pray that many Christians will see in a way that is  clear that there is a need to be more open about a faith amongst a  family member, and that there is a need to be more open about a faith amongst a  friend, and that there is a need to be more open about a faith amongst a work colleague. Heavenly Father, we hope and we pray that when this is difficult to do so that many will turn to you in prayer to be upheld, that many will turn to you in prayer to be strengthened, and that many will turn to you in prayer to be sustained by your grace and to be sustained  by your mercy.

Heavenly Father, it is at this time that many believe that all faiths have a place in society, and it is at this time that many believe that all must be allowed to demonstrate a faith in a way that is acceptable. 

Heavenly Father, you are a caring Father, and you are a compassionate Father, and you are Our Heavenly Father, whose desire it is for all Mankind to be at one with you, and to be at one with your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and to be at one with your Holy Spirit.

Heavenly Father, we uphold to you now all that has been said in the name of yourself, Our Heavenly Father, and in the name of your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, who together with your Holy Spirit, reigns on most high, and is the advocate, and is the most supreme, and is the most absolute power and being that governs all who are of this world that we live in, now and always, for evermore.

Amen.