Ministry > arpithaldar
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.” Luke 2:13-14
For most of us, the onset of December brings with it nostalgic memories of groups of carollers visiting our homes to share the joys of…
IN - A Very Indian Christmas
What is all this fuss about Christmas, and the 25th of December? Historically, the first recorded year when Christmas (Christ’s Mass) was celebrated was AD 336, during the time of Constantine. Initially, the Eastern churches celebrated it on January 6. Most scholars believe that the present date (December 25) was chosen as a replacement to the Roman festival of Saturnalia…
Prayers for Country Leaders and Key Workers
"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people" (1 Timothy 2:1)
A journalist voiced his frustration when he saw people in other countries going about their daily lives while the coronavirus spread rapidly in his own: “We were screaming this message to the world when some…
Prayers for our Churches
"Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another” (Hebrews 10:24-25)
In these strange days of continued social distancing and less contact with our communities, creative ways to keep church families together have become a…
Prayers for our Families
"In all things God works for the good of those who love him. " (Romans 8:28)
Almost exactly twenty-five years ago, my wedding was abruptly cancelled with six weeks to go because of an immigration issue. I was devastated. The new arrangements we managed to make meant that none of my friends and only a few family members…
Prayers for those Navigating a new normal
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1)
Coronavirus has turned our world upside down, leaving many of us trying to work out a completely new way of life for ourselves and our families. It’s unsettling, stressful and lonely. And we simply don’t know how long this season of challenge…
Prayers for those Fatigued by this season
How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? (Psalm 13:1)
At first it was just a big unknown. For some it was terrifying; for others, just a bit of a novelty. However we felt about it, the lockdown began an extraordinary shake-up of everything we…
Prayers for those who are struggling Financially
"You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.” (1 Kings 17: 4)
After leaving full-time education, I had a low-paying job. Money was tight, and sometimes I didn’t even have enough for my next meal. It was a season in which I had to learn…
Prayers for those who are struggling with their Mental Health
“God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73: 26)
In just a matter of weeks, the dreaded COVID-19 virus turned the world upside down. And the effects of the coronavirus are still being felt.
We are being urged to keep our distance from others, even loved ones. We…
Prayers for the Lonely
"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name..." (Matthew 6: 9-13)
Self-isolate. Quarantine. Social distance. These once-foreign phrases have become commonplace over the last few months. All around the world, there are people who are missing out on human interaction. They are still distanced from friends and family, working separately at home, bubbled into a very small or…
Project - He Hears Us
Rumours of a new disease were reaching our ears at the beginning of 2020. By 30th January we had our first confirmed cases. On 24th March, India went into lockdown. Nothing has been the same since.
Now as we approach the end of 2020, the world, our nation, our communities and our lives are barely recognisable from just one year ago.…
Prayers for those who are Anxious
“How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand” (Psalm 139: 17-18)
As lockdown continues to ease, and a new way of life emerges, this next season of Coronavirus disruption promises more uncertainty than ever. There are so…
Prayers for those who need Reassurance
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever." (Psalm 136: 1)
The Bible never wavers in reminding us of this wonderful truth: God is good. Not “will be” or “has been” but “is”. He is good when we can feel His goodness; and He is still good when we can’t. He…
Prayers for those who need Comfort
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God" (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
In His Word, God specifically calls Himself “the…
Prayers for those who need Hope
"Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:28-29)
Right now our world is shaken. Every tentative plan it makes is tinged with uncertainty and worry. Every attempt at normal life is filled…
