St. Aidan's Anglican Church
  • Home
  • Worship Online
  • The Preachers Blog
  • Bible in a Year
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • The Re-Gathering
  • Youth
  • Cords
  • Prayer Requests
  • Request Pastoral Care
  • Give
  • Grocery Pick Up
  • Statement of Faith
  • Video Archive
    • 2023 Videos
    • Real Lives
    • 2022 Videos
    • 2021 Videos
    • 2020 Videos
  • Sermon Audio Archive
    • 2020 Sermons
    • 2019 Sermons
    • 2019 Sermon Series >
      • Gospel Centered Eternities November 2019
      • The Real Joy of Easter - Holy Week 2019
    • 2018 Sermons
    • 2018 Sermon Series >
      • Gospel Centred Church Spring 2018
      • A Gospel Shaped Church Fall 2018
    • 2017 Sermon Series >
      • The Servant King Christmas 2016
      • The Saviour King Lent 2017
      • The Victorious King Holy Week 2017
      • The Living King Easter 2017
      • The Brother King Fall 2017
      • Worship the King Advent 2017
    • 2016 Sermon Series >
      • Real Obedience Lent 2016
      • Unity of the Church
      • The Servant King Christmas 2016
    • 2015 Sermon Series >
      • Real Gifts 2015
      • Real Mission 2015
      • Mission Discerned
    • 2014 Sermon Series >
      • Real Church 2014
      • Real Lives 2014
    • 2013 Sermon Series >
      • Real God 2013
    • Sermon Archive From 2014 - 2017
  • Christianity 101
  • The Psalms Blog
  • Bible in a Year
  • The Re-Gathering

the  Preachers  blog

Blogs are posted every Wednesday

Seek Wisdom; Pray Big

5/4/2020

 
Seek Wisdom; Pray Big
 
“If any of you lack wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
James 1: 5
 
James 1: 1-12
 
     As lockdown eases in some countries, and in some Provinces here in Canada, the reactions to the developments have varied. There have been limited demonstrations against the lockdown and a greater amount of comment that the easing is coming too soon. Governments surely have difficult decisions in this area looking to the health of their people and their economies. The situation is certainly more complex than an either or decision as the two issues are so closely entwined. A third major issue can be added into the mix; the environment. The International Energy Agency have announced a CO2 reduction of 8%. Opinions vary as to whether this is all good or whether it includes a difficult message for the global economy (the documentary ‘Planet of the Humans’ has further stirred the pot on this matter). Social justice, poverty, freedom, globalism and protectionism are other major realities; there are more! So as the Church what is our role, how are we to react; what is God calling us to do?
 
     In one simple answer we are to fulfil our Baptismal Covenant (p158-159 https://www.anglican.ca/wp-content/uploads/BAS.pdf). To aid us in this mission, to help us understand how to keep our promises, there is encouragement from James in our reading today. Firstly he calls us to be intentionally joyful when facing trails and difficulties as God is working in us to develop us through them (vs. 2-3). Then he challenges us to persevere so God’s work will be completed (vs. 4). As we find and face difficulties and confusion the encouragement is to ask God for His wisdom rather than immediate relief from that which we are facing. Once we receive His guidance we are to hold onto it without doubt, this gives us an anchor in our circumstances so that we are not tossed like a wave on the sea in doublemindedness (vs. 5-8).
 
     In this approach there is one final gem of guidance; we are to hold onto the bigger picture of God’s love and sovereignty rather than focus intently on the problems; there are eternal purposes at play (vs. 12). This will enable us to find the Lord’s wisdom and pray ‘big’ in the way that He asks, guarding us against a ‘me’ centred, small focus reaction (1 Timothy 2: 1-6).
 
To Ponder: What do you think about the easing of the lockdown and Government decisions? What does your answer reveal about your perspective? Apply James’ guidance to the Baptismal vows – how do you now view and pray for the situation?
 
Prayer: Almighty and everliving God, let your Fatherly hand ever be over us your servants; let your Holy Spirit ever be with us; and so lead us in the knowledge and obedience of your word, that we may serve you in this life, and dwell with you in the life to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(From the BAS Baptism service)
 
Praise: The Perfect Wisdom of our God
Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSnzYnOe6kI
​

Comments are closed.
    Picture
    Picture

    Preachers Blog

    In 2023, each week's blog is a follow-up reflection written by the preceding Sunday’s preacher to dig deeper into the sermon topic and explore engaging discussion questions.

    ​Thank you for joining us as we journeyed through the Bible in a Year in 2021 and the Psalms in 2022.  All past blogs remain available if you wish to catch up with any days missed.

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

    Who is Jesus?
At St Aidan's, it's our desire to know our Real God,
to grow as a Real Church and
​ to live Real Lives for Him.

Picture
St Aidan’s Anglican Church
274 Campbell Street | Winnipeg, MB R3N 1B5
Phone: 204.489.3390 Email: staidans.churchoffice@gmail.com
  • Home
  • Worship Online
  • The Preachers Blog
  • Bible in a Year
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • The Re-Gathering
  • Youth
  • Cords
  • Prayer Requests
  • Request Pastoral Care
  • Give
  • Grocery Pick Up
  • Statement of Faith
  • Video Archive
    • 2023 Videos
    • Real Lives
    • 2022 Videos
    • 2021 Videos
    • 2020 Videos
  • Sermon Audio Archive
    • 2020 Sermons
    • 2019 Sermons
    • 2019 Sermon Series >
      • Gospel Centered Eternities November 2019
      • The Real Joy of Easter - Holy Week 2019
    • 2018 Sermons
    • 2018 Sermon Series >
      • Gospel Centred Church Spring 2018
      • A Gospel Shaped Church Fall 2018
    • 2017 Sermon Series >
      • The Servant King Christmas 2016
      • The Saviour King Lent 2017
      • The Victorious King Holy Week 2017
      • The Living King Easter 2017
      • The Brother King Fall 2017
      • Worship the King Advent 2017
    • 2016 Sermon Series >
      • Real Obedience Lent 2016
      • Unity of the Church
      • The Servant King Christmas 2016
    • 2015 Sermon Series >
      • Real Gifts 2015
      • Real Mission 2015
      • Mission Discerned
    • 2014 Sermon Series >
      • Real Church 2014
      • Real Lives 2014
    • 2013 Sermon Series >
      • Real God 2013
    • Sermon Archive From 2014 - 2017
  • Christianity 101
  • The Psalms Blog
  • Bible in a Year
  • The Re-Gathering