Lady Day Devotion

Lady Day Mothers’ Union Devotion.

In her initial response to the Lord’s call upon her life, Mary declared her hope and confidence in the word of God

The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants for ever; his kingdom will never end.’ 34 ‘How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’ 35 The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month.
37 For no word from God will ever fail.’
38 ‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’ Luke 1:30-38

Throughout her life, Mary continued to put her hope and confidence in the word of God. In doing so, as she experienced the wonder of Pentecost over 30 years on from the Nativity, she may even have said to God, as was spoken of the miraculous wine at Cana, “You have saved the best till now.”
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Mary said Yes. We are very much being challenged at the moment to say Yes. To comply with all the edicts coming from government in the attempt to limit the number of deaths from the Coronavirus outbreak. It is really hard not to become caught up in the panic of whether we will have enough to eat, whether we will be able to get other essential supplies such as medicine and whether our finances will hold up until this crisis is over. To feel tempted in our panic to say – No, I can’t manage to live like this, instead of Yes, I will do what it takes to protect myself and others.

Mary had hidden skills and talents which she was unaware of but that God could see. He knew she would be able to not only carry out the task he set her but that she would indeed excel at it. God had confidence in her abilities. God knows that we too have lots of hidden depths of strength and resilience which will see us through the difficult days ahead. God has confidence in each of us. So let’s claim that confidence and build on it by praying with hope for an end to the current crisis and the strength to endure for now with the humble, trusting Yes of Mary.

Faith response

Our souls magnify the Lord,
and our spirits rejoice in God our Saviour,
for he looks with favour upon us
and sees our unrealised potential.

In the tradition of Mary,
and all who have said “yes” to God,
we stand here today,
to add our assent to theirs.

Like Mary, we feel overwhelmed;
we wonder if we are worthy,
or capable, of following the calling.

Like Mary, we have our questions
and we will not be afraid to ask them.

Like Mary, we will hear and ponder
the assurance that God will empower us.

Like Mary we will strive to say –
“Let it be with us according to your will.”

To whatever God is inviting of us
at this time in our lives,
and relying on God’s grace,
we say “yes.”
Ann Siddall; ©2018

Prayers of intercession

Lord, listen to your people.
There are many crying out for justice.
Their wait goes on and hope is fading:

Lord hear their prayers,
build their hope,
renew their confidence in you.

Lord, look upon your people.
There are many seeking for answers.
Their search goes on and hope is fading:

Lord hear their prayers,
build their hope,
renew their confidence in you.

Lord, bring comfort to your people.
There are many longing for peace.
But conflict remains and hope is fading:

Lord hear their prayers,
build their hope,
renew their confidence in you. Amen

Resources from the MU Website
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With love and prayers for your safety and the safety of all you love and pray for.

Rev Sandra