Well, here we are again in Level 2. Does anyone else feel, frankly, just over it? This time, it seems a bit harder to get going and to feel motivated about making any plans when we know they potentially might go out the door again. We were lulled into a bit of a false sense of security I think, and this recent outbreak is a reminder that changing alert levels will likely be our reality for at least another year living in the face of Covid-19.

So, when it’s hard to make plans, what then are we to do?

During lockdown, the Tikanga Pakeha House of Bishops met regularly and discerned a call to renewal of prayer. Here’s why we think this might be good, particularly in this season:

• As we live in anxious times, it’s good to constantly remember Jesus’ words ‘do not be afraid’, spoken at the resurrection to a broken and anxious people. Prayer helps us to remember this.

• As our churches across the country are thrown constantly into disarray, all our wonderful and smart plans go constantly out the window, and in this we remember that its is God’s work to grow God’s Kingdom and therefore God’s church. Prayer gives God back the Church.

• Prayer enables us to see and discern where the Spirit is moving afresh, as God in these times seeks to bring the Kingdom more fully.

So what does this renewal of prayer look like for us? Here are some suggestions which I suggest you discuss with those you journey with:

• Nourishing our own daily prayer time daily. I use this app to help me maintain a rhythm which sustains me even when I don’t feel like praying. You may know of others.

• Gathering with others to the daily office of prayers either in person or over Zoom. If you haven’t got a group join the Diocese evening prayer rhythm: https://movementonline.org.nz/evening-prayer

• In our Sunday gatherings, let’s revisit our corporate prayers and discern how God might be asking us to deepen them.

In prayer this month, despite the feeling of being over it, let’s rest in the loving arms of the Father. Our God is a good, good God who has promised that we will never be left or forsaken.

Blessings,

Bishop Justin