Prayer – the gift that needs no receipt

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Prayer – the gift that needs no receipt

Thursday 19 December

December 19, 2024 • Victoria Gow • 2 Thessalonians 1:11–12

Press the play button to watch the video above or press 'more' to read the transcript of the daily devotion below. Please read 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (use your own Bible or use the link above to access the in-App Bible).

‘To this end we always pray for you, asking that our God will make you worthy of his call and will fulfil by his power every good resolve and work of faith,’

2 Thessalonians 1:11

My husband is a self-confessed last-minute gift shopper. I can guarantee that as you read today’s devotional, he will not have started any form of Christmas preparations and will instead be waiting for a Christmas Eve dash! This is partly my fault as I never give him any clue of a gift I would like, so leave him in the uncertain territory of having to choose a gift without guidance. Often this gift (after much guilt and apologising on my behalf) ends up being returned.

Paul however, never left the Thessalonians feeling uncertain about what they needed. He made it clear that they could rely unwaveringly on the gift of prayer and that this gift would be a constant, ceaseless, ever-giving ‘present’. If there was one gift the Thessalonians desperately needed at this time of persecution and hardship, it was prayer to strengthen their resolve and give them light in a time of darkness. Paul makes it clear that he understood that times were difficult for them, yet encourages them to focus on God’s calling in their lives and to hold steadfast to their faith rather than looking inwards or feel that these hard times were too much to bear.

Sometimes in the business (or busyness) of our day-to-day lives we can lose sight of God’s calling. There is so much anticipation and so much to prepare that we risk losing sight of God’s calling and God’s promised inheritance by seeking comfort in distractions. Paul encourages the Thessalonians to trust in the power of prayer; to live honouring God and to grow in faith in Christ.

Perhaps therefore we should rethink our Christmas gift list. Asking for a gift that needs no eleventh-hour panic buying, needs no money, puts no stress on the credit card and will not need returning. It needs no wrapping paper, bow, or gift tag. It is the gift of prayer. Prayer that we live up to our calling as believers; that we are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives and that we grow in faith to delight more in Jesus. Now that’s one gift that won’t be returned in the January sales!

Victoria Gow, Headteacher, Balderstone St Leonard’s CE Primary & Pre-school.

Sunday 22 December

December 22, 2024 • Anne Beverley • 2 Thessalonians 2:13–17

Press the play button to watch the video above or press 'more' to read the transcript of the daily devotion below. Please read 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 (use your own Bible or use the link above to access the in-App Bible). ‘brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught’ 2 Thessalonians 2:15 When I was a new parent, I remember being told that when a child was having a tantrum the correct thing to do was to stand firm and don’t change your mind. All you had to do was say ‘no’ just one more time than your child said ‘yes’. Sounds simple? Well, they had not met my children, and whilst the theory of only having to say no one more time is true, that was very hard if your child said ‘yes’ hundreds of times. One of my friends likened standing firm during a child’s tantrum, to being hit by a train. In other words impossible to stand still! Here we have St. Paul telling us to stand firm in our faith and to hold onto that which we have been taught. In other words, we know how to act, we just need to put it into practice and to do so on a consistent basis. But, like dealing with a tantruming child, knowing what to do and actually doing it are two different things. It can be hard to maintain a standard of behaviour when the world around us tries to get us to do something different. When to act in a Christian manner goes against what the rest of society wants us to do. But, I have to wonder, what an incredible difference it would make to our community, today, if more and more people ‘stood firm’ in the Christian faith. I believe that every Christian has a part to play in God’s mission to the world, not just those who are in church leadership. Standing firm in our faith means we take our faith into our work setting, into our home-life and when we are socialising. What would it mean for you today to see your workplace, your family and your friends as a mission ground? As a place where ‘standing firm in the faith’ might get your singled out, or make you look different? If that is the case then rejoice, because those are areas where we can make the most difference. When we stand firm in our faith we witness to others about the incredible love of Jesus and His saving grace. Let us pray: Father, we thank You that You have called us to follow You, help us to stand firm in our faith and to be your light in the dark places of our world. Amen. The Revd Canon Anne Beverley, Director of Ministry.

The Manifestation of his Coming

December 21, 2024 • Guy Jamieson • 2 Thessalonians 2:6–12

Press the play button to watch the video above or press 'more' to read the transcript of the daily devotion below. Please read 2 Thessalonians 2:6-12 (use your own Bible or use the link above to access the in-App Bible). ‘And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will destroy with the breath of his mouth, annihilating him by the manifestation of his coming.’ 2 Thessalonians 2:8 Christian revelation makes a consistent and dramatic use of images we can relate to, and as we come to the Father in Advent, asking for help to make us ready for the coming of His Son, we can begin by rejoicing that the gift of the Church has made it possible to glimpse ‘the manifestation of his coming’ (v.8). Advent calls us to respond generously and courageously to this. At first, we may fear the language of ‘annihilation’ with its sense of brutality and conflict, and yet the season warns us against domesticating the drama of salvation with words chosen simply because they’re less likely to disturb us. As a penitential season, Advent raises the place of confession as Christ's work of removing sin. This is part of what we mean by annihilation; removing whatever it may be that keeps the coming Christ at a distance. Paul's language of ‘with the breath of his mouth' (v.8) provides continuity with the Lord's encounter after His Resurrection where He breathed on the apostles, making the link with the new creation brought about by the annihilation of sin. The dramatic images of Thessalonians reveal the urgency with which we need the power of Christ’s mercy to conquer evil. His mercy is so overwhelming that it cannot go into retreat, whatever the strength of any enemy or obstacle. God’s mercy sets out to accomplish a purpose, waiting to be revealed, but is still possible to glimpse in the liturgy of the Church. There is a very different creation in Christ already waiting which will ‘annihilate’ the former by its beauty, perfection and magnificence. So, how do we encounter this? How are we made ready? In the Eucharist we already experience the coming of Christ towards us because there is always an Advent dimension to its celebration. Eucharistic life is an intimate relationship of growth in the life of Jesus and the kingdom He manifests. By this relationship we come to experience something of the Advent hope in the liturgical images of the heavenly banquet—Christ’s coming again—and the New Creation. As Christians, we are already partakers in ‘the manifestation of his coming’ (v.8) and so we pray that the Coming Christ will make us ready for the fullness of His appearing. The Revd Guy Jamieson, St Paul’s & St Mary’s, Nelson.

Ready to learn

December 20, 2024 • Ian Parks • 2 Thessalonians 2:1–5

Press the play button to watch the video above or press 'more' to read the transcript of the daily devotion below. Please read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5 (use your own Bible or use the link above to access the in-App Bible). ‘Not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by spirit or word or by letter…to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here.’ 2 Thessalonians 2:2 In our journey of faith and understanding, we must be open to correcting our misconceptions, just as St. Paul did for the Thessalonians. In 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, Paul addresses false beliefs that had taken root in the community. He reassures them, saying, ‘Don't be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun’ (v.2, NLT). Paul's words remind us of the importance of seeking truth and being willing to learn. In my years as a teacher, I was acutely aware of the potential to unintentionally reinforce misconceptions. This concern was particularly evident when I taught the book ‘Journey to Joburg’ by Beverley Naidoo. The story of Naledi and Tiro's 300km trek to Johannesburg could easily perpetuate oversimplified views about poverty in Africa. While their journey reflected real challenges, I recognised the importance of providing a more comprehensive picture. It was crucial for me to go beyond simply teaching the text; I needed to challenge these partial truths and guide my students towards a more nuanced understanding of Africa's diverse realities. I felt a deep responsibility to ensure that my lessons didn't just tell one story, but opened doors to broader, more accurate perspectives of the world. In our pursuit of equity, diversity, and justice, we must find those who can guide us and affirm our efforts. Yet, we must also remain humble, recognising that the best way to learn is often through our mistakes. As we encounter others’ misconceptions, let us respond not with judgment, but with patience and understanding. St. Paul's message to the Thessalonians serves as a powerful reminder that growth often comes through correction and reassurance. He then urges them, and us, to ‘stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter’ (2 Thess. 2:15). This steadfastness, combined with openness to learning, forms the foundation of our spiritual and intellectual development. As we reflect on our own misconceptions and those we encounter in others, let us remember Paul's example. May we approach each day with humility, ready to learn, grow, and gently guide others towards a fuller understanding of God's truth and the complex world He has created. Iain Parks, Director of Education.