A small group of members take it in turn to write the Reflection and Intercessions for the month. These are distributed by email and in paper form to over 1600 members each month. All members throughout the diocese are encouraged to hold up to

God those named, for his healing

Do you ever write notes on your hands – someone’s telephone number, perhaps? Well, if so, you’re in good company because God does it, too! Listen to what He says in Isaiah chapter 49: “Can a mother forget her own baby and not love the child she gave birth to? Even if she should forget, I will never forget you. I have written your name on the palms of my hands” (verses 15 & 16). If something’s written on your hands you can’t lose it and it’s impossible to ignore. It’s right there in front of your eyes every time you use your hands. Of course, our heavenly Father doesn’t literally have hands, but His Son Jesus does, and there are marks on both which prove how much He loves us and which remind Him of us constantly. If you or I were the only person who’d ever sinned, Jesus would still have come and died to save us. So those marks on His hands spell out your name and mine.

During this month in which Mothering Sunday falls, as we give thanks for all that mothers do, let us recall those verses in which God compares Himself to a good mother. He promises to care for us even better than we care for our children and grandchildren – always loving, always ready to listen, help, comfort and encourage us.

God, you hold me, like a mother,

Safely on her knee;

God, you hold me, like a mother,

Close to you but free.

God, you watch me when I wander,

Keep me in your sight.

God, you watch me when I wander,

Hold me day and night.

We continue to pray for those who are sick and infirm.   We remember their families at this difficult time and the medical staff who care for them.   We pray for all our local hospitals.   So we uphold to you Lord Tim, Jeannie and family, Deirdre, Rebecca, Helen and family, Sheila, Marianne, Kate and family, Sue and family, Thelma, Nan, Sally, Ivy and Bill, Audrey and John, Grieg & Joan, David & Marjorie.    Lord, surround them with your love.

We remember before God those who have recently departed this life & moved into His nearer presence, especially Vera Berry & Barbara Baker   We pray for their families and friends who mourn their passing.

We cannot forget the people of Haiti & all the aid agencies who work to alleviate their suffering.   We are asked to pray for the Church in Uganda, with all their problems & difficulties there.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Alison reminds us that God holds us in His hands.   Whatever difficulties we face and life throws at us, underneath are His everlasting arms.   At this period of Lent we look to Good Friday & His arms nailed to the cross for us.

“I do not know what lies ahead,

The way I cannot see;

Yet one stands near to be my guide,

He’ll show the way to me.

I know who holds the future,

And he’ll guide me with his hand,

With God things don’t just happen,

Everything by him is planned.”

On Mothering Sunday we ask for God’s blessing on mothers everywhere  - for exhausted new mothers, those who bring up their families alone, those in prison or separated from their children, mothers living in our Refuge, for foster & step mothers in their difficult role.   Let them know we care Lord, through our outreach & prayers.

We thank you Lord for our own homes and families, and especially this month we think of our own mothers and give you thanks for them.    Amen.

Almighty God, who chose the Virgin Mary to be the mother of our Lord, we thank you for her trust & love & for her ready obedience to your will.   Amen.

         Finally -

“So as I face tomorrow

With its problems large & small,

I’ll trust the God of miracles,

Give to him my all”.

From the hymn “I do not know what lies ahead”  - Alfred B. Smith

                                                                 With my love & prayers, Val

Contact Salisbury Diocese Mothers' Union at:

Mothers' Union

The Diocese of Salisbury

Mothers' Union Office

Church House

Salisbury

SP1 2QB

Tel: 01722 333402

Registered Charity No. 249696

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Site updated by the Diocese of  Salisbury Mothers' Union

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