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 12th April 2026
Let’s talk about Peter, the ‘Rock’ on which Christ’s Church is built.
Seriously, would you have chosen him? Surely, one of the other Disciples would be the most highly qualified.
Praying Together Easter Sunday 2026
A Reflection provided by the Revd. Barbara Irrgang-Buckley for the First Sunday of Easter
Praying Together – A Thought for Good Friday 2026
Through our tears as we stand at the foot of the Cross and witness His Crucifixion on this Good Friday, we have the privilege of looking beyond the day unto a day of joy as we are assured of His life – then, today and tomorrow. We leave our past behind as we walk away from Golgotha, the place of the skull.
Praying Together March 29th 2026
These things are worth meditation and thought, as we enter this Holy Week – but the even more important question that we can only answer for ourselves, is embodied in twelve straightforward words written by Charles Wesley.
How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Praying Together 22 March 2026
“Lazarus, come out.” He calls Lazarus by name. Even death cannot triumph, and so it is with sin. There is no depth or distance to which human being can go that can prevent them from hearing that call. It is up to them to choose to accept or deny it.
Praying Together 15th March 2026
Simeon, though, didn’t just hear about the Messiah being incarnate in the child – he also knew that the child’s destiny would involve pain and suffering in order to fulfil His mission. And Mary knew too. The consolation of Israel – of the world – would cost her the life of her child.
Praying Together 8th March 2026
And in turn, we are challenged to become messengers ourselves, however unsuitable or ill-equipped we might feel.
Praying Together 22nd February 2026
If we are to appreciate the gentleness of a lamb, we need to know its opposite. If we are to understand what safety is, we need also to experience the possibility of danger.
Praying Together 15th February 2026
Perhaps, when we pray, we need to remember it is the Jesus on the Mountain to whom we address our prayers, the one whose face shines like the sun and transfigures our faces as we radiate in His light.
Praying Together February 8th 2026
Is Jesus suggesting, not to eat and drink? And is he saying we should not wear clothes but go naked?
How unrealistic is this, and how depressing – we need to eat and drink, and we need clothing.
Praying Together February 1st 2026
Christ’s words are given to all His people in the face of the difficulties we ourselves face in life. We claim them and are assured of Blessing. And that is all we need.
Praying Together January 25th 2026
For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.