At our recent church Bible Study, we looked at the book of Philemon. In its one chapter, it tells how Onesimus, a slave to Philemon, escaped to Rome and met up with Paul and became a Christian. So, slave is our topic this week.
There are a few verses in the Bible and also a few hymns which mention slaves. John Newton, was captain of a ship that brought slaves to Britain. He became a Christian and abandoned his life in slave trading. Over the course of his life, he wrote 348 hymns for his weekly church Bible Study, the most well known one being “Amazing grace.”
This is “Mental Health Awareness Week” and also Christian Aid Week with a lunch in Duror/Kentallen on Thursday.
Saturday, sees the start of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh.
Prayer Diary Notes for Week commencing 15 May 2024.
The topic of “Slavery”
Slavery - did it worry Paul when he says in Galatians 3:28 “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Paul in Romans 6:16 says “Don’t you realise that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.”
Romans 6:18 “Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.”
Galatians 5:13 “You were called to freedom, brothers and sisters. Do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love, become slaves to one another.”
In the Old Testament, Israel is described as having become a slave in Jeremiah 2 :14. “Why has Israel become a slave? Why has he been carried away as plunder.”
In employment, are there folk today who are treated like slaves in the workplace?
In Mental Health Awareness Week, are there folk caring for a family member who live a life like that of a slave? Unpaid and never ending, no respite.
General Assembly opens in Edinburgh on Saturday and runs until the following Friday.
Hymns on the based on the word “Slave”.
CH3 426 “A glorious company we sing, the Master and His men; He sent them forth to tell His love by voice and hand and pen. A loving company we sing, when Jesus sent to save all sick and blind and hungry folk, the outcast and the slave.”
MP 387 “It was for freedom that Christ has set us free, no longer to be subject to a yoke of slavery: so, we’re rejoicing in God’s victory, our hearts responding to His love.”
Hymns written by John Newton who forsook a life as a captain and slave trader.
MP 31 “Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me; I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see. Through many dangers,
toil and snares, I have already come; ‘tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.”
MP 173 “Glorious things of thee are spoken, Zion, city of our God! He whose word cannot be broken formed thee for His own abode. On the rock of ages founded, what can shake thy sure repose? With salvation’s walls surrounded, thou mayest smile at all thy foes.”
Prayer Diary
South Lochaber Churches
Wednesday 15 May : Mental Health Awareness Week.
Loving God, we commit to Your care and keeping, those, young and old, who struggle with a mental health problem. Help us to be aware of any in our own communities who need a friend and some level of support.
Thursday 16 May : Christian Aid Lunch in Duror/Kentallen Village Hall.
Dear God, we continue to pray for the work of Christian Aid as it seeks to meet the ever-increasing burden of providing for the needs of deprived, threatened, hungry and homeless people around the world.
Friday 17 May
Sovereign God, the prophet Jeremiah saw how the people had abandoned God – “Why has Israel become a slave?” Could that be said of our country today?
Saturday 18 May : General Assembly opens in Edinburgh.
Today, O Lord, we pray for those who will gather in Edinburgh for a week to hear reports of the work of the church and engage in debates about future plans and initiatives. Guide them by Your Spirit as they seek to explore the future ‘shape’ of the church and its direction.
Sunday 19 May : Kinlochleven at 10.00, Shinty Pavilion at 10.30 and NL at 11.30.
Lord Jesus, we thank You for the amazing grace which you have bestowed upon us. “Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me; I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see. Through many dangers, toil and snares, I have already come; ‘tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.”
Monday 20 May
Today, Lord Jesus, we pray for those who are committed to care 24 hours a day for a family member – becoming like slaves with no freedom and ordinary lifestyle. May our country find ways of providing support and respite. In the New Testament, the early church appointed deacons to care for widows. Paul said to the church in Galatia “Through love, become slaves to one another.”
Tuesday 21 May : Bible Study at Kinlochleven at 7.00 pm.
Our Father, we thank You for the example of John Newton who abandoned life as a slave trader and become involved in Christian ministry in Olney in Buckinghamshire. We thank You for the hymns that he penned for the weekly church Bible Studies. May our church Bible Studies build us up in our faith and in the knowledge of Your Word to us in the Bible.