One of the primary problems for proactive people in this pandemic has been the call for inactivity. When we enter a crisis, our natural response is to try and do things to fix the problem.

During the world wars, people rallied to fight, to farm, to build. Everyone had a part to play. During the pandemic, we are told that the best thing we can do is stay at home and do nothing. For many people, this is extremely difficult.

As Christians, we don’t have to fall into this despair brought on by passivity. We have the power of prayer. In prayer, we partake in God’s kingdom reality and bring it to bear upon this world. Prayer allows us to extend beyond our physical limitations and become active participants in what God is doing.

Prayer really makes a difference. This is what learning to live in the kingdom of God looks like. It is the acknowledgement that God is preparing us to rule and reign with Jesus in the age to come, but that equally God’s kingdom is here and now, and God invites us to be partakers in that kingdom reality now.

This doesn’t mean that God does everything that we ask, but it does mean that in God’s wonderful providence He uses our prayers to bring about His kingdom purposes. And the good news is that you can start praying today.

Simon Phipps

The liturgy for Morning Prayer can be found under
'Prayer' on the church website