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In this column you will find the most recent posts unless you have selected a specific poem, meditation or collection/index in which case that single item will appear here.

Tuesday 5 April 2022

40 DAYS and 40 NIGHTS (DAY 34 MONDAY to DAY 40 SUNDAY) by Peter Thorn.

Day 34 - For all who cannot feel forgiven or forgive



DAY 34 MORNING

Many of us will carry guilt for some things we have done about which we might be ashamed. This may mean we are unable to feel forgiven. Some will turn to confession which may a big help but for many this is something they are not familiar with or would feel comfortable about. If you are unable to feel forgiven by anything you have done and of which you are ashamed talk to God about it, say you are sorry and truly believe you can be forgiven. You might be surprised.

Prayer – Forgiving Father we are sorry for all the hurt we have caused to you and to our fellow men. Help us to forgive and to know that we are forgiven

 

DAY 34 EVENING                  

Some people are unable to forgive another for something they have done which has caused real hurt. Others have an incredible ability to forgive even forgiving someone who may have murdered their child. They say that by doing this they do not carry the pain and grief in the same way. They often think about the events in the perpetrators life that led them to carry out this terrible act.

If you have been unable to forgive someone try and think about it from the other persons’ viewpoint. Often situations arose from something fairly trivial. Maybe now is the time to speak to a family member or friend you once shared love with but have now fallen out with. Let us not take these things to the grave.

Prayer – Father forgive me for any grudges or grievances that I bear or have borne


Day 35 – For child soldiers



DAY 35 MORNING

We think of all children forced into becoming soldiers, those having to grow up to see and do things that young eyes should never have to encounter or to do things that should never be asked of them.

Prayer – Father God pray for all child soldiers that it will not shape their entire lives and that there will be opportunity for them to break free.

DAY 35 EVENING

May those who recruit young children for the purpose of fighting and killing be made to face up to the awfulness of what they are doing. Through our prayer this night may at least someone realise the terrible error of their ways. 

Prayer - Father remember all child soldiers and that it is not their decision to choose this path. Be merciful to them and bring protection to those who they are told to harm


Day 36 - For all who long for but cannot have children



DAY 36 MORNING

Help us never to forget those unable to have children of their own although they would dearly love to. Make us sensitive to anyone in this position particularly on days like Mothering Sunday or when speaking of our own children and grandchildren. 

Prayer – Loving and merciful Lord we pray that all who are unable to have children will find happiness, fulfilment and comfort in other ways

DAY 36 EVENING

Tonight we think of those who would have dearly loved to have a child but have never met anyone. For any whose disabilities or injuries prevent them from the opportunity to enjoy parenthood. At the same time we remember all unwanted children. 

 

Prayer – We hold before God all who are saddened by never having met someone to love them or for them to love and all who because of disability are unable to have children of their own. May they know that you always love them


Day 37 - For the Police, Ambulance services, Fire service and coastguards



DAY 37 MORNING

We give thanks for all the emergency services, for those who put their own lives at risk to protect ours. We know that people in the emergency services often have to put up with violence, abuse, and hate. 

Prayer – Lord Jesus we give thanks for the patience, kindness and commitment shown to us by all working for the emergency services. Please keep them safe throughout this day

DAY 37 EVENING

Whilst we sleep so many in the emergency services will be working through this night to care for us and keep us safe.

Prayer – With thankful hearts we hold before you Heavenly Father all who will sacrifice their own safety this night to keep us safe


Day 38 - For all volunteers and for the RNLI



DAY 38 MORNING

So many people give of their time to care for others by volunteering. Volunteering means putting others before self and so we give thanks for all who feel called in this way. Create in us all Lord caring and loving hearts

Prayer – Dear Jesus with are so thankful for all volunteers. We praise you for all acts of mercy and kindness that will be freely shown this day

DAY 38 EVENING

We especially pray for the RNLI who risk their own lives to save others. We think of the many who have died by serving in this way. Protect all at sea this night and bless the work of the RNLI and all lifeboat crews

Prayer – Dear Jesus we give thanks for volunteers who will work this night especially for anyone helping those who are homeless and for the work of the Samaritans. 


Day 39 - For victims of the unprovoked killing in Ukraine, of the holocaust, genocide, and all 'ethnic cleansing'



DAY 39 MORNING

Hold in your thoughts this day all who have been the victims of the unprovoked maliciousness against Ukraine, the holocaust, genocides and ethnic cleansing. 

Prayer – Holy Father we pray this day for all who continue to be victims of so called ethnic cleansing especially the Ukrainians, the Rohingya and Uigurs people

DAY 39 EVENING

Tonight let us hold before God all people who suffer as did the victims of the Holocaust

Prayer – Loving God we keep in our prayers people of all faiths, for those in minority groups and for those who are targeted unjustly. We pray for all people of faith.


Day 40 - For the poor



DAY 40 MORNING

Jesus said that we will always have the poor with us. Throughout today let each one of us give thought as to how we can better help those who are poor. We confess to being attracted to things that money can buy which only bring temporary satisfaction or happiness. Help us to strive for the riches which Christ brings in the hopes we might be more generous to those in need.

Prayer – Help us Lord to be generous to the poor 

DAY 40 EVENING

Let us not go to sleep before remembering those who will go to bed hungry this night. 

Prayer – Dear Lord Jesus we pray for all sleeping out tonight, those ravaged by poverty and for all in debt. Show us Lord how we can be more generous. Amen.

 

From: Trevor Thorn Blogger for this site: I am grateful to my brother for this sequence of '40 Days and 40 Nights' and to those of you who have followed the sequence. You might now like to Click through HERE to my site with Holy Week material including a sequence 'Unreported Moments from First Century Jerusalem' in which I try to help build an understanding of the reasons the people of Jerusalem turned from ‘Hosanna’ to ‘Crucify’ in the space of one eventful week

 

Wildfires: Evidence of Climate Chaos

Wildfires: Evidence of Climate Chaos
Wildfires: Evidence of Climate Chaos

Cascade of Stars and Gas (Imagined image: CGI)

Cascade of Stars and Gas (Imagined image: CGI)
Cascade of Stars and Gases. This image will take you to the meditation 'Deep Silence'

Butterfly Nebula (CGI)

Butterfly Nebula (CGI)
The Imaginary Butterfly Nebula . Anything like this would be a real Curiosity! The image will link you to the reflection titled 'Curiosity' which is actually a celebration of the achievement of landing the Mars Rover of that name

Ten thousand billion suns - A scintilla of God’s Universe

Ten thousand billion suns - A scintilla of God’s Universe
It is currently thought that the Universe has at least 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 stars! Hence the use of the word ‘scintilla’ for a mere ten thousand billion.

Cross and Particle Accelerator (CGI)

Cross and Particle Accelerator (CGI)
Cross and Particle Accelerator. The words of 'A Prayer for Understanding' can be viewed by clicking on this image

Nebula (Embroidery)

Nebula (Embroidery)
Nebula (Embroidery) to accompany the poem 'Invitation' which can be found by clicking on the image.

Nativity Star (CGI)

Nativity Star (CGI)
Nativity Star: This image will link you to the collection of new Carols on this site. Also, the image can easily be copied onto an overhead acetate and used as a window decoration. Easy for children to achieve. Note the cross at the centre of the star.

Orange Galaxy

Orange Galaxy
'Orange Galaxy' posted to accompany 'Bounded and Boundless'. Go to the poem by clicking on the image.

Cosmic Ikon 8 Moth

Cosmic Ikon 8 Moth
Cosmic Ikon 8: Moth Nebula(imagined-acrylic) The Gold field of deep space is intended to convey the Lordship of Christ over the whole of the Cosmos

Surprise garden rose (Photo)

Surprise garden rose (Photo)
This beautiful head of roses in our garden, which are giving off a delightful perfume in the morning sun, seems a fitting picture to link to the sonnet 'Evolution and Beauty'. Let the picture take you there. It is a surprise because it is growing high on a bush of otherwise pure yellow roses: amazing!

Cross and Vortex

Cross and Vortex
'Cross and Vortex' to accompany 'Stars and Planets Sing Your Glory'. Click on the image to go to the poem/hymn.

Gaseous Cosmic Threads (Mixed media)

Gaseous Cosmic Threads (Mixed media)
Gaseous Cosmic Threads: Mixed media - acrylics and painted threads

St Francis’ Sky (Photo)

St Francis’ Sky (Photo)
Warm Umbrian Hills: Click image to take you to the poem St Francis' Sky

Cosmic Icon 7 Summerflower

Cosmic Icon 7 Summerflower
Cosmic Icon 7 - Summerflower Nebula (Acrylic)

Cosmic Labyrinth (CGI)

Cosmic Labyrinth (CGI)
'Cosmic Labyrinth' - This icon is a symbol of the path through the near reaches of the Cosmos with its 'Havens' where current advances in science (2012/13) are celebrated. By clicking on the picture you will be taken to the latest version of the poem of the same name.

Cross of Autumn Leaves (cropped Photo)

Cross of Autumn Leaves (cropped Photo)
Time, perhaps to consider a restorative break before the approach of Advent/ Christmas. Let this image take you to 'On Drawing Apart'.

IONA: The Marble Quarry (Photo)

IONA: The Marble Quarry (Photo)
On the South shore of Iona is a bay which shows the industrial scarring of a beautiful place. Read of it by clicking on the picture

Celtic cross candle (Photo)

Celtic cross candle (Photo)
Celtic Cross and candle' linked to the poem 'Awesome, Wonderful Creator'. Go to the poem by clicking on the image.

Light of the World amidst stars (CGI)

Light of the World amidst stars (CGI)
'Light of the world' posted to accompany 'To Light'. Find the poem by clicking on the image.

Iona from Fionnphort (Watercolour)

Iona from Fionnphort (Watercolour)
Iona from Fionnphort. At this point of the Isle of Mull, the end of a pilgrimage or trip to Iona is in sight. Click on this picture to take you to the poem 'IONA - The Pilgrim Way'

My Mesh Mask for Radiotherapy

My Mesh Mask for Radiotherapy
This is the mask which was moulded to my face to ensure the radiotherapy I had in April 2017 was precisely targeted. You can read more by clicking on the image

Double Celebration

Double Celebration
Pam, who has been magnificent in caring for me since my Cancer diagnosis in October and I celebrate the end of Radiotherapy and our 36th Wedding Anniversary (Note the return of some hair!). Click on the image to read about the treatment - and waiting.

St Neots Sunset (Photo)

St Neots Sunset (Photo)
Surrounded by beauty: Whie 'Evolution and Beauty' became one of the most viewed poems on this blog, Pam, my wife took this gorgeous picture of a sunset over the flatlands of Cambridgeshire UK. Click on it to go to the poem

Gabriel - written/painted by Pam, my wife in 2015

Gabriel - written/painted by Pam, my wife in 2015
Gabriel began the Christmas story with his visit to Mary. The story is told in our Christmas collection in the Carol, Go to Nazareth My Great Messenger. Click on this image to take you there.

Maple Leaf Nebula (CGI)

Maple Leaf Nebula (CGI)
IMAGINARY IMAGE TO CELEBRATE CANADA DAY: Click on this his imaginary 'Maple Leaf Nebula' to take you to a poem entitled 'Nebula' (image not to be confused with NGC 2024, the Flame Nebula which is also known as the Maple Leaf)

Beauty in the Garden - June 2016

Beauty in the Garden - June 2016
Beauty in the Garden - June 2016

Aurora Imagined over Iona (Watercolour & pastel)

Aurora Imagined over Iona (Watercolour & pastel)
First posted here on Adomnan’s day (23rd September) 2015. An imagined natural phenomenom that could be seen to resonate mystically with the idea of Iona being a ‘thin place’ where heaven brushes earth.

Assisi Sunset

Assisi Sunset
Assisi Sunset

Thinking about the Brain

Thinking about the Brain
This image is formed from a small section of neural pathways posted by the Koch Institute, clipped, part inverted and stitched together. It is intended to impart a sense of our extensive, but still partial understanding of what goes on in that awesome part of our bodies, our brains. By clicking on the image, you will be taken to a celebratory poem/song ‘For Amazement by Beauty’ about all of our senses.

Source (CGI by Trevor Thorn)

Source (CGI by Trevor Thorn)
Source: Expand the image to reveal its heart

Rainbow spiral (CGI)

Rainbow spiral (CGI)
'Rainbow Spiral' to accompany 'Darkness,Illuminator' . Find the poem by clicking on the iImagined mage

Cross and simple Prayer rope (Photo)

Cross and simple Prayer rope (Photo)
Cross and simple prayer rope: make one like this to use as an aid to using ‘The Jesus Prayer'