{"id":4025,"date":"2018-01-22T23:46:28","date_gmt":"2018-01-22T22:46:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/?p=4025"},"modified":"2018-01-23T09:52:57","modified_gmt":"2018-01-23T08:52:57","slug":"united-by-love","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2018\/01\/22\/united-by-love\/","title":{"rendered":"United by love"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/div>\n
(Photo: Irene Bom)<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

I took this photograph of John and Ruth Robertson<\/strong>'s wedding plaque when I last visited them in South Africa in 2015. Both have since passed away after a long life of loving and prayerful devotion in God’s service.<\/p>\n

I first met John and Ruth the year after they were married, when I was in my 20’s, and they graciously took me (and later my family) into their hearts and prayers.<\/p>\n

Ruth and John had been friends for years and when Ruth heard that John’s wife had died, she sent John a letter of condolence. Imagine her surprise when he came to visit her and proposed. Ruth’s initial response was “no”. She was in her fifties and happily single. But then, after praying about it, she contacted John and said, “If you ask me again, I’ll say yes”. So began a new chapter in their lives as instruments of love<\/strong> as a couple.<\/p>\n

May you and I be instruments of love<\/strong> wherever God has called us and may we inspire and support others as John and Ruth have inspired and supported so many over the years – also me.<\/p>\n\n

A prayer: Instruments of love<\/h3>\n
\n

\nLet us pray to our kind and merciful God that his love for us may animate all we do and that our love may become contagious. Let us say: Lord, make us instruments of your love.<\/span><\/p>\n

That the Church, the People of God, may never cease to proclaim by its teaching, life and liturgy that love of God and neighbour is the heart of the gospel and that people are God’s gift to us, let us pray: Lord, make us instruments of your love.<\/span><\/p>\n

That people may not lose their hearts in today’s economic systems of profit, efficiency, production and competition, but that they may keep giving first place to human relationships of friendship and respect, let us pray: Lord, make us instruments of your love.<\/span><\/p>\n

That we may have room in our hearts and homes for refugees and strangers, that we may learn to share our goods and ourselves with the little people loved by God – the poor and the lonely and those who suffer, let us pray: Lord, make us instruments of your love.<\/span><\/p>\n

That those who don’t know how to forgive, those who have not experienced much happiness in life or whose longings have not been fulfilled may encounter a bit of God’s goodness in our attention and care, let us pray: Lord, make us instruments of your love.<\/span><\/p>\n

That in our Christian communities we may uplift one another rather than tear down, accept each other with trust and affection, forgive one another from the heart and go forward together in hope and love, let us pray: Lord, make us instruments of your love.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our gentle God, help us to love you and one another with your measure, that is, without measure,
\nin Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

 
\nfrom Liturgies Alive, Models of Celebration<\/strong>,
\nposted on re-worship.blogspot.nl<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n

Related topics to explore to your heart’s content<\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. Resources for the 2018 week of prayer for Christian unity<\/a> which takes place annually from 18 to 24 January.\n
  2. From the blog: Prayer sheet on Theme: The greatest is love<\/a>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    (Photo: Irene Bom)   I took this photograph of John and Ruth Robertson's wedding plaque when I last visited them in South Africa in 2015. Both have since passed away after a long life of loving and prayerful devotion in God’s service. 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We have seen Him, enveloped in undeniable splendor \u2014 the one true Son of the Father \u2014 evidenced in the perfect balance of grace and truth.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "bible"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/statue_stedelijk.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/statue_stedelijk.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/statue_stedelijk.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/statue_stedelijk.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":472,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/04\/06\/wdp-2017-geneva\/","url_meta":{"origin":4025,"position":2},"title":"World Day of Prayer 2017 – Geneva","author":"Irene Bom","date":"April 6, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"At the Presbytery meeting in March (in Rotterdam), Alice Tulloch of the Geneva congregation told me about the significant local Filipino involvement in the World Day of Prayer activities in Geneva this year. Here is Alice's report, including some photographs. This year the Committee of the Philippines had prepared the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "event"","block_context":{"text":"event","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/event\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/wdp_geneva_2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/wdp_geneva_2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/wdp_geneva_2.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4688,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2018\/03\/28\/hw18-4-he-suffered-anguish\/","url_meta":{"origin":4025,"position":3},"title":"HW18 #4: He suffered anguish","author":"Irene Bom","date":"March 28, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"(Photo: Lindy Twaddle) \u00a0 Mark 14:32-42 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, \u201cSit here while I pray.\u201d He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. \u201cMy soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "bible"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/log_with_beige_mushrooms.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/log_with_beige_mushrooms.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/log_with_beige_mushrooms.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/log_with_beige_mushrooms.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":572,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/04\/09\/2017-windows-on-holy-week-1\/","url_meta":{"origin":4025,"position":4},"title":"2017 windows on Holy Week #1","author":"Irene Bom","date":"April 9, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Temple Mount (photo: Kate McDonald) On the way to Jerusalem John 12:12-19 (NIV) The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, \u2018Hosanna!\u2019 \u2018Blessed is he who\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "meditation"","block_context":{"text":"meditation","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/meditation\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/2017_whw_1_temple_mount.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/2017_whw_1_temple_mount.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/2017_whw_1_temple_mount.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/2017_whw_1_temple_mount.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/2017_whw_1_temple_mount.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":601,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/04\/14\/2017-windows-on-holy-week-7\/","url_meta":{"origin":4025,"position":5},"title":"2017 windows on Holy Week #7","author":"Irene Bom","date":"April 14, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Holy Sepulchre (photo: Kate McDonald) At the tomb John 19:38-42 (NIV) Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate\u2019s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "meditation"","block_context":{"text":"meditation","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/meditation\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/2017_whw_7_holy_sepulchre.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/2017_whw_7_holy_sepulchre.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/2017_whw_7_holy_sepulchre.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/2017_whw_7_holy_sepulchre.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/2017_whw_7_holy_sepulchre.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Irene Bom","author_link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/author\/irenebom-com\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/prayer\/\" rel=\"category tag\">prayer<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/story\/\" rel=\"category tag\">story<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/tip\/\" rel=\"category tag\">tip<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"(Photo: Irene Bom)   I took this photograph of John and Ruth Robertson's wedding plaque when I last visited them in South Africa in 2015. Both have since passed away after a long life of loving and prayerful devotion in God’s service. I first met John and Ruth the year after they were married, when…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4025","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4025"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4025\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4025"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4025"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4025"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}