Here are 3 things to look for as you run this race of faith, watch your step, you don’t want to end up face down in the gravel. 

1) An unforgiven offence. 

Jesus said, ‘…if you are angry with someone, forgive him so that your father in heaven will also forgive your sins’ (Mark 11:25 NCV). Forgiving others isn’t an option – it’s an order! When the mention of somebody’s name makes all your nerves go on edge, pray for them. Say, ‘Father, I forgive them as You’ve forgiven me. Whatever I ask for myself in blessing, I ask for them too’. You can do it! Please don’t retaliate or deny God the right to deal with the situation His way. You’ve received mercy - pass it on! 

2) An unwise relationship. 

Paul said, ‘Bad friends will ruin good habits’ (see 1 Corinthians 15:33 NCV). The right mates will push you higher. The wrong mates will drag you lower. You choose the level you want to live at when you choose your mates. Yeah, it sounds tough and you’re right somebody does need to reach them, but not at the cost of your own destiny. Start becoming more selective! 

3) An uncommitted heart. 

Some people don’t trip, they just get bored and quit before the end, their heart’s not in it. Paul said, ‘I’m not saying that I have this all together …but I’ve got my eye on the goal’ (Philippians 3:13-14 TM paraphrased). A committed heart is the result of a made-up mind! That explains why certain people stand out from the crowd. Make that commitment today – ‘I’m going all the way!’

"Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, O LORD , you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell. The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong. You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors.

But I, by your great mercy, will come into your house; in reverence will I bow down toward your holy temple. Lead me, O LORD , in your righteousness because of my enemies - make straight your way before me. Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with destruction. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongue they speak deceit. Declare them guilty, O God! Let their intrigues be their downfall. Banish them for their many sins, for they have rebelled against you.

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. "

(Many of the reflections on each page are used with the kind permission of United Christian Broadcastors (UCB) from their FREE daily devotional - The Word for Today. They allow the publication of 52 of their passages per year and I find their messages apt and though-provoking for the times we live in.)

A Circle of Prayer around the world praying for and with each other, for peace and for a world in crisis. Please read more about it and perhaps join us, prayer was never more needed than it is in these times!

Praying all year round for the souls of our deceased relatives and friends, for the souls of those most in need of prayer and for those souls in purgatory who have nobody to pray for them.