URC Daily Devotion Wednesday 25 September 2024

St ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭8‬ 

“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.”
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‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭28‬ ‭

“And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.”

Reflection

Jesus and the passage from 1 Corinthians are unambiguous in placing a responsibility upon the Church to alleviate suffering. Quite how a church decides to discharge this responsibility depends upon so many variables –  particularly upon the gifts of those who attend the church and the minister.  The financial and other resources available also play a part. Actions to alleviate suffering perhaps break down into direct and indirect intervention together with prayer. As suffering seems to be more and more prevalent the need to be guided in our prayer and interventions by the Holy Spirit becomes greater. 

Actions and prayers to alleviate suffering can focus on those within the fellowship and with whom there are close relationships, and extend to others as resources and capacity allow. 

The pastoral care of members and their friends through direct help and prayer by the URC is one of its greatest witnesses. Personally, this care over the past 46 years has alleviated my suffering from bereavement, stress, anxiety, cancer and now continues to do so with MND. 

Prayer 

Lord Jesus,
who in your earthly life bore our grief and carried our suffering, 
stand with us in our fear, distress, and uncertainty. 
Inspire your Church to understand suffering:
equip it with practical resources to alleviate suffering;
inspire it to advocate for political change so that 
the needs of the sufferer and the carer are met.
Lead us all, through the depths of suffering from the Cross, 
to the height and joy of resurrection.
Amen