Thought of the Day on Premier Radio about Praying the Rosary

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. 

For many Premier listeners the Rosary will be a hidden treasure if it is a treasure at all! 

Why do I, as a Bible-believing Christian, pray the Rosary?

I do so because Christians I respect, who love the Lord, have taught me to pray it. It’s actually such a popular Christian prayer that it must go on all the time. 

The prayer is centred on the joys and sorrows in the life of Jesus recorded in scripture. Groups of meditations upon these are constructed out of the basic unit or Decade of: one Our Father, ten Hail Mary’s and one Glory be to the Father. 

As it says in Hebrews about our being surrounded by a cloud of witnesses, I believe Mary and the Saints are alive and surround us in prayer all the time. I don’t have a problem with asking their prayer to God though I realise others do.

The way I pray the Rosary is as I go about my life. If I see someone joyful I think of the joy of Jesus and say a decade for them. If I hear of someone in trouble I will think of the crucifixion, and, looking to Jesus with Mary say the Rosary for them. 

The great thing about this traditional prayer is that you can pray for a length of time on behalf of others to God without needing to find your own words.

Lord we thank you for all our aids to prayer and especially for the Rosary. Amen.

Thought of the Day on Premier Radio: Love and truth

I wonder how much of an enthusiast you are?

Or how sympathetic you are to those who don’t share your enthusiasm?

Passion for truth, for God, brings enthusiasm and that’s a great thing. 

It’s got its dangers though, as anyone who’s been hosed down by enthusiasm knows!

A 12th century monk, William of Saint Thierry, must have known this when he wrote these wise words: Love of the truth drives us from the world to God, and the truth of love sends us back from God to the world.

Our souls are fired up with enthusiasm as we contemplate the truth of God in prayer and worship. That enthusiasm is clothed with love from above that inspires service of the world.

As we look lovingly and enthusiastically to God’s truth we’re touched by his love and sympathy for all that is.

I love it when people respond to the message of the Christian good news but I try to hold sympathy with the people who don’t as well. They have their reasons - and I may be one of them!

Enthusiasm and sympathy flow best in the life of God, Father, Son and Spirit as the Psalmist indicates when he writes love and truth walk in the presence of God (Psalm 61:7)

Love and truth flow unevenly and partially in our hearts which is why I invite you to join this prayer

May the love of truth drive us from the world to you, Lord and the truth of your love send us back from you to serve the world as you desire. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.