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Issue 28



Using the monthly sayings

Using the Monthly Saying< /div>
A reflection by Deborah Huthwaite
(Member of the FCP Council)

Discovering the FCP way of contemplative prayer about 15 to 20 years ago was quite a relief.  I had abandoned the daily and rigid Quiet Time of my youth - Bible reading, notes and prayer lists. I then moved on to the freedom of the Holy Spirit; found that too much freedom could mean no prayer at all, and then turned to the Anglican liturgy which I didn\'t find life-enhancing. This isn\'t a criticism of other styles of prayer, more just what happened to me.       ;        
                                                                                                              The Garden at Ladywell Convent

As I use the suggested FCP Sayings each month, I find God\'s words stay in my thoughts during the day, and often come to mind during the night if I am awake.  When I don\'t know how to pray for people or situations around the world, very often the Saying is entirely appropriate, and I remember that God\'s words do not return to him in vain.

A recent Saying had me wondering about sacrifice and what it means in my life and church now.  I realise that I have always been committed to following the Lord where He leads, even when that has meant personal sacrifice. I am these days reluctant to consider sacrifice where my children or grandchildren are involved. Some lig ht came to me via an autobiography called \"Songs in the night\" by Mabel Jones. She quotes Psalm 50: \"Make thanksgiving your sacrifice of praise - those who bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice honour me\" (14 & 23). Then I looked up Hebrews 13.15-16, \"Through Jesus then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess His name. Do not neglect to do good, and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God\".  My prayer now is that praise and thanksgiving may be more part of my relationship with God tha n formerly.  

Another recent Saying has been a great blessing: \"Peace, be still\" (Mark 4.39). I have been forced to \"be still\" during two holidays lately where I had expected to walk a lot! Pain had been a constant companion and Jesus\' words were an encouragement.

I thank God for the daily blessing that the Fellowship is to me.                 \"Peace Be Still\"

Deborah Huthwaite
                  & nbsp;                                                                                                          

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