Collect for Easter 7
O God the King of Glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Mercifully give us faith to know that, as he promised, he abides with us on earth to the end of time; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
1 Peter 4: 12-14, 5: 6-11
John 17: 1-11
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.
1 Timothy 4:1-2
In the past few weeks, some people have been distributing a ‘Newspaper’ called ‘The Irish Light’. It looks plausible—the format and typeface is very similar to the Irish Independent, probably with a view to establishing credibility, which in itself is suspicious.
In fact, it contains some of the most vile and disgusting articles I have read in a long time. Claiming to be Christian, it is profoundly racist, anti-refugee, anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim. In addition it spouts the most outrageous conspiracy theories.
In a free country, it has every right to print what it likes. But when it actually praises arson by the Hitler Youth, I believe that constitutes incitement to do the same, and as such it should be classed as a hate crime and therefore illegal.
I can think of no other description of this trash other than just plain evil, propagated by demons. If offered a copy, you must decide for yourself to accept it — I can’t tell you what to do or not to do.
But ‘Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.’ 1 Peter 5:8
Jesus knew that His disciples – then and now – would face attack. There has been persecution, prejudice and propaganda throughout the ages, driven by greed, hatred and jealousy for no real reason other than to establish superiority over others, if necessary by force. The concepts of unity, servanthood and love for neighbour are incompatible with such attitudes, which is why at the end of the Last Supper, He prays for protection for all those who will follow Him and seek to live as His ongoing body on earth, needed now more than ever when the powers of darkness deploy modern technologies to divide and deceive.
People ask how to discern truth from the well-crafted lies of the enemy. Protected by His promise, the answer is simple. In prayer, just ask whether you can see Jesus in their words and deeds. As Steve Earle sang – I don’t remember learning how to hate in Sunday School.
Previous Posts
Praying Together 30th August 2026
Just like those early disciples and apostles there’s an important work to continue. You and I are part of that bunch of followers – ordinary people – let’s keep that in mind – as we reach out to others, each and every day of our lives.
Praying Together 23rd August 2026
Cambridge dictionary definition: ‘Conform’ – to behave according to the usual standards of behaviour that are expected by a group or society.
Praying Together 16th August 2026
We share the shame of both if we fail to address the divisive hatred within our own purportedly Christian ‘tribe’ before condemning others. For Scripture also says Judge not lest ye yourself be judged (Matthew 7:1). Jesus Himself makes it clear that hypocrisy has no place in a Kingdom founded upon love.
Praying Together 9th August 2026
Trusting Jesus and obeying His call takes commitment, it takes faith, it takes the courage to face antagonism, discomfort and sometimes suffering.
Praying Together 26th July 2026
Just cling to the promise that neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord
Pray Together 19th July 2026
We define hope as ‘to want something to happen or to be true, and have a good reason to think that it might’.
Praying Together 12th July 2026
But the real task to which godparents promise is to ensure that the newly-baptised are supported in their Christian growth, by prayer, advice and example.
Praying Together 5th July 2026
We obey His command, but not as slaves – instead, he invites us to be willing servants, alongside the freedom to always ask and reason together with Him as we choose our actions. Therein lies the path to Wisdom, and in God’s Wisdom lies gentleness, humility and rest for our souls.
Praying Together 21st June 2026
‘You are of more value than many sparrows.’
Yes perhaps we are – but that doesn’t mean that sparrows have no value at all.
Praying Together 31st May 2026
Throughout the world, greeting one another with a kiss is a standard way of greeting – once, twice or more (four times in some regions of of France.) In our less demonstrative culture, we perhaps tend to ‘Share the peace’ by means of a nod, wave, handshake a hug or sometimes even a kiss itself in order to respect what we understand as the boundaries of a person’s ‘personal space’.
Praying Together 17th May 2026
‘Somethin’s comin’, don’t know what it is, but it is gonna be great’
Praying Together 10th May 2026
This week I offer a report of our Archbishop John’s Introductory address to this week’s General Synod. It speaks for itself. I wish certain political leaders would read it too.