If I have to sum up the week for me in a sentence I would say it has been a tremendous time of talking and listening to God, drawing closer to Our Saviour and having the chance to seek more after Him and His plans as we walk together along the paths and to the people He leads us to.
These are some of the highlights from my week.
Monday
I had a strong sense that we were key bridges bringing others closer to God but we need to seek Him and be listening day by day to hear from Him.
I saw these bricks seemingly floating on water! At the time I was reading Neh Ch 9 and I just got to the verses 10 to 12 when I saw the bricks.
“You made a name for yourself, which remains to this day. You divided the sea before them, so that they passed through it on dry ground, but you hurled their pursuers into the depths, like a stone into mighty waters.”
Tuesday
As part of a prayer walk along the Ash Vale part of the Basingstoke Canal this week, I prayed around St Mary’s Church and Community Hall. On the wall was this lovely mosaic depicting Jesus’ call to his disciples to follow Him. Luke Ch 5 v 10, ‘Don’t be afraid, from now on you will fish for people’.
Further on the walk as I peered over a bridge there was a ripple which reminded me of the impact of God’s love on our lives and as we ask His Spirit to lead us and share His love with those around us, His Kingdom will come here on earth.
John Ch 17 v 25 and 26, ‘Righteous Father, though the world does not know You, I know You and they know You have sent me. I have made You known to them, and will continue to make You known in order that the love You have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.’
As we live and pray through these difficult days of a pandemic may we all be seeking to be Fishers of Men through Our Lord Jesus Christ and for His Glory.
Wednesday
Before the walk I read the reading from Mathew Ch 25 – the parable of the 10 Virgins. On my way for the prayer walk I saw a Virgin Media van with these words on the side and immediately thought that about the Waterways and what God was doing through His network.
Further on, I came across a cobweb which again reminded me of the network and how God was growing His purposes through those who believe along the Waterways networking with others as we reach out to the lost.
The cobweb has many junctions that are joined at various points reminding me of central points like in the Bible people would meet at wells, it reminded me of the John Ch 4 – Jesus meeting the woman at the well and offering her the water of eternal life through Him.
Thursday
Prayer walk round Ash Lock area. On my way I passed through MOD land reminding me of the battle and the indoor prayers round the maps.
Around the lock it was very muddy, reminding me of many people being bogged down in the lock down, people with poor mental health, illness, unemployment, financial loss and high anxiety. People feeling trapped and without hope. The lock is wet and slippery reminded me of Ps 40 v2
‘He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire and set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.’
Friday
On my last prayer walk of the week I had a picture of a bicycle wheel by water I thought maybe I should look out for a cyclist to talk with but it was quiet until I met a dog walker who began to talk to me in a raised voice and was clearly angry and upset over many things. I stood and listened and talked with him for about 30 minutes during that time I discovered he liked trains and in my pocket I had a knowing God leaflet in which was a picture of a train relating to dealing with feelings. I showed it to him and asked if he would like prayer for God to help him. He asked for prayers for his situation to change.
He reminded me of the picture of a seed broken in the mud which needs to do just that to grow. He was a broken man who needs a lot of prayer.
Romans Ch6 v4
‘We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.’
To conclude, I have found the week to be very encouraging in building up my faith and expectations of what God is doing and I have been privileged to be a part of all that has happened. It will be an exciting time ahead to see how things unfold and I look forward to watching how Our Saviour grows the Waterways Chaplains network to bring glory to God.