Week: Kindness
As usual, we start by pausing and taking a deep breath:
In and out.
In and out.
We remember that God is here, and so together we prepare ourselves to be with God.
Pause
Our Father in heaven, we know that You are with us and that You want to talk with us – so we respond very simply by saying: ‘Here we are, we’re ready. Teach us how to pray.’
Cuthbert was born in the year 634, in the North of England. He loved to speak with God in prayer, and God spoke with him in lots of different ways too. Let’s REFLECT on some verses from the Bible about the different ways that God can speak to us.
Read by Noelle
Joel 2:28-29
Then, after doing all those things,
I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your old men will dream dreams,
and your young men will see visions.
In those days I will pour out my Spirit
even on servants – men and women alike.
Joel 2:28-29 (NLT)
When he was 8 years old, Cuthbert was playing with some other children and a 3 year old gave him a prophetic word – a message from God – that one day he’d become an important church leader.* Then, when he was a teenager, Cuthbert saw a vision – a bit like a dream, but during the day. In the vision, he saw a bright light in the sky and angels carrying a man up to heaven. Later, he found out that a famous church leader called Aidan had died at that moment.** When he grew up, Cuthbert did indeed become an important church leader, and he ended up leading Aidan’s church!
Cuthbert traveled hundreds of miles, mostly on foot (because there were no cars or trains back then), telling people about Jesus and starting churches. Wherever he went, he gave people prophetic messages from God, and when he prayed for those who were sick, many of them were healed. Cuthbert loved serving God in these ways, but what he loved most was being alone with God in prayer, especially in caves or on remote islands. Sometimes he even waded out into the sea to praise God amongst the crashing waves! There’s a famous story about Cuthbert in which otters came to dry his feet with their fur – maybe this was God’s way of showing Cuthbert how much he cared for him?***
Let’s pause and talk about today’s question which is: Where are our favourite places to be in nature? Maybe caves and remote islands, like Cuthbert, or somewhere else?
And now let’s ASK God to help us and others.
Loving God, today’s Bible verses promise that anyone can hear you speak – sons and daughters, young people and older people. We ASK You to speak to each one of us, and teach us to recognise Your voice when You are speaking to us.
The Bible says that one of the reasons God gives us prophecies – special messages – for other people is to strengthen, encourage and comfort them (1 Corinthians 14:3 NCV).
Holy Spirit, we ASK You to give us a gift of prophecy – a message from God – for someone else over the next few days. Give us something simple – a word or a picture – that will strengthen, encourage or comfort someone we know.
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Loving Father, we’re inspired by the story of Cuthbert’s life, but most of all by the time he spent with You in prayer. We say YES to making a bit more time to be alone with You – listening to what You want to say to us, and having the courage to speak those things to other people too.
Let’s put a hand on our heart.
Father God, fill us with Your love. Help us to love You, and everything that You’ve made.
Let’s point to our eyes.
Lord Jesus, help us to see You, and to see others the way that You see them too.
Let’s point to our ears.
Holy Spirit, help us to hear You, and give us courage to do what You say.
*Bede’s Life of St. Cuthbert, trans . J.A. Giles (public domain)
*ditto
**https://enlargingtheheart.wordpress.com/2013/03/20/bede-the-venerable-st-cuthbert-and-the-otters/ (website no longer available).
Chris lives in Melbourne, Australia with his wife and two boys. He works for 24-7 Prayer Australia and Red Church and is also a professional musician. When he’s not working or drumming Chris enjoys going on long hikes in the mountains with his boys and playing table tennis.
Noelle lives in Kansas City, Missouri USA, with her parents, sisters and dogs. She loves animals, playing basketball, creating art and teamwork. Noelle gives the best hugs.
