St Peters RC Church Hamilton

“You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment You know where I am.”
Psalm 139 v 3 NLT
Is not the test to rest
In this extremely busy,
If not entirely frantic,
Run up to Christmas?
Father, we need to ask
‘What is Your priority’?
Shopping, wrapping, visiting,
Cooking, decorating, making special,
Are all necessary.
But we are in danger
Of failing to focus
On the arrival of Jesus.
Surely that must be top priority?
To take time, ample time,
To make heart and mind ready?
We need the Spirit
To enable us to see
Exactly how much to do
And for who, where and when.
Then again we need the Spirit
To inspire us as to
What we can actually forego.
Then with the remainder of tasks
To set the order.
For one thing is for certain,
There is always more to do
Than time to do it in.
Let us be Spirit led,
Empowered to do what is right
In Your sight, heavenly Father.
Time for prayer must not be compromised.

“ ‘Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver
you, and you shall glorify Me’.” Psalm 50 v 14, 15

“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be above all the earth.” Psalm 57 v 5

Surely this time of Advent as we approach one of the great seasons of the church, has to have as a
priority time for prayer and praise? Praise carves out a pathway to walk upon confidently
in our faith.
Psalm 59 v 16 “I will sing of Your power,” it is unrivalled. How often has Your Spirit rescued me, holy
Father? “Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning, for You have been my
Cont defence and refuge in the day of my trouble,” on countless occasions.