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As we grow older the imperfections of youth become the imperfections of adulthood.<\/p>\n
My reading glasses are a reminder of the wonders of medicine and the caring professions which help us deal with those imperfections in both youth and older ages.<\/p>\n
One of the often quoted reasons, given by those who maintain there is no God, is the illness in the world. Some claim that healing for one and not for all, as if in a random cruel way, is not the action of a loving God.<\/p>\n
I do not understand why one should be healed and another die but I do believe that God sometimes answers prayer in this way. I also believe that in infirmity and death we can find peace and comfort in the presence of God. To give it a name we can find “wholeness” in all of the difficult situations of both life and death.<\/p>\n
The wonders of modern medicine, in all of its facets, help us to cope with our health needs from “cradle to grave”.<\/p>\n
There are so many people involved in caring for our health and well being and so we pray for them today.<\/p>\n
Let us pray<\/b><\/p>\n
Loving God, we thank you for the wonder of medical science.
\nWe bring before you all who are involved in caring professions
\nthose who care for our health and our well being.
\nWe thankyou that you are a God who heals.
\nSometimes physically, but always spiritually.
\nLord, we pray that we may receive the wholeness of spirit you offer.<\/i><\/p>\n
We pray for our National Health Service,
\nwhich is under such pressure at this time,
\nwhere daily decisions have to be taken on who to treat
\nand what medicines can be afforded.<\/p>\n
We pray for other countries without adequate health care
\nor where access to healthcare depends on wealth.
\nWe pray for a fair access to these facilities.<\/p>\n
We pray for those charities which bring medical support
\ninto places of poverty and disaster.
\nWe think especially of the hospital in Segbwema, Sierra Leone
\nand its connection with our fellowship.
\nWe pray for its work as Sierra Leone recovers from the Ebola epedemic.
\nWe pray for The Friends of Nixon Memorial Hospital
\nas they support that recovery
\nboth with their money and their skills as medical practitioners.<\/p>\n
We pray for all who deal with mental health issues.
\nThose who provide counselling and listening ears,
\nFor those whose profession it is and those who give their time freely.
\nWe pray especially for the work of the Hatfield Counselling Service,
\nbased in the Methodist Church at Birchwood.<\/p>\n
We pray your blessing on each of us,
\nas we adapt to the limitations our age bring to us
\nmay we continue to draw comfort, through your healing presence,
\nwhich restores our wholeness. In the power of Jesus’ name. Amen<\/p>\n
Some resources which might be helpful in our times of devotion.<\/b><\/p>\n
Hymn<\/b> – Singing the Faith 519 – Father I place into your hands; and\/or<\/p>\n
Hymn<\/b> – Singing the Faith 733 – God, hold us, enfold us, through desolate loss<\/p>\n
Reading<\/b> – John Chapter 9 Verses 1 – 12 – “Jesus heals a man born blind”.<\/p>\n
I wasn’t going to choose this passage – was the man really born blind to suffer for many years just to meet Jesus so that he could heal him?<\/p>\n
I am convinced not and that the lanuguage used is to emphasise the wonder of the healing.<\/p>\n
The event is also to counter the belief, of that time, that the blindness must be due to some sin in the man or his parents.<\/p>\n
It is, however, a powerful passage we have to understand. Especially if we are to convince those who base thier unbelief on a claim that no loving God would be that “cruel”.<\/p>\n
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