Comair Crash

The unfolding details of the horrific crash of Comair flight OH191 (Delta 5191) at the Lexington Airport in Kentucky are as distressing as any tragedy can be. News reports suggest that the victims had little opportunity to escape and most may have died as a result of an incinerating fire.

As we offer our prayers for the passengers, crew, and emergency rescue teams, we should also pray for the friends and relatives and all whose lives will change as a result of this tragedy.

Flight manifests provide names and destinations, but they don’t provide glimpses on the lives of the passengers. We know there were newlyweds on board – their lives ahead of them, full of hope and excitement. We know there was a young father, anxious to return to his children and wife in Florida – he chose to take the earlier flight in hopes of getting home sooner. And there was a director of a charity – an individual who was driven to help make a change in society. Each soul on board was loved and needed by someone, and by God.

These names and many others will be called out today and for many tomorrows to come, as those who loved them become entwined in their sorrow and loss. Prayers will be said and tears will be shed.

And the soul survivor, the First Officer, who is fighting for his life in hospital – we pray that God ease his pain and guide the hands of the doctors and nurses who work around the clock to save his life. He will carry scars far beyond that of just the crash.

We pray for anyone who has been touched by this accident – the rescue workers, the coroner’s staff, police, recovery and security members and airline staff around the world who recognise this as the loss of a family member.

Please let us pray for the gate agent, who will surely relive the memory of each and every passenger, as she checked them in for their flight, looked into their eyes and wished them a good journey. Those faces will remain with her for the rest of her life.

As we offer our prayers for all those who have died, let us find comfort in the knowledge that those passengers have been received by a loving and life-giving God.

And in this knowledge, we are reminded that there is life immortal that shall survive the grave and their imperishable spirit is forever with the Lord.



Loving and compassionate Lord, we pray for all those who have called out to You and all who have suffered and all who have died. Receive them into Your arms. We ask that you embrace anyone who has been touched by this tragedy, particularly, the First Officer, James Polehinke, as he fights for his life in hospital. Give strength and comfort to those who are bereaved and to the rescue workers, officials, and public whose lives have been touched by this tragedy. And for all who travel, we pray that You place Your gentle breath upon each of them, that they may always feel the warmth of Your love and protection. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen

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Anglican Prayers

Finding Words Of Comfort

I'm Only Dying!

Uncle David

Comair Air Crash Crash Airline Crash Anglicans

There's No Mystery

We often read of celebrities embracing a vast range of New Age or ‘revamped’ religions and philosophies - many trying to reach a higher level of awareness. And unsurprisingly, most of that achievement involves contributing sums of money before they can reach this Nirvana. For some it can become an obsession.

It becomes very easy to fall prey to the notion that life is primarily about mastering some technique or arcane body of knowledge. Many religions and philosophies have at their core the idea that we must know how to do certain things or be conversant in a certain ‘hidden knowledge’ before we can really come into contact with divine mysteries.

But Jesus reminds us that the core of life is not about technique or intellectual mastery of a philosophy. The core of life, in fact life itself, is a Person. The way is Jesus, not a set of ascetic and mystical techniques. The truth is Jesus, not a labyrinthine philosophy or set of concepts. The life is Jesus, not some abstract formulae or programme.

We are beloved and saved by a Person, not servants of an ‘It.’ Thanks be to our Father for the gift of His Son who is our Way. Today, may everything we do and say reflect the way, the truth and the life.
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Anglican Prayers
Our Father, You have offered us a clear path towards Your love. Today we celebrate Christ within us. May He be our guide throughout this day and throughout our lives. Amen

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The Rise and Fall

Politics is never an easy path. For every person you please, you can bet your socks there’ll be a dozen you displease.

As we listen to the latest world news, we hear leaders of countries claiming victory over…er…um…it’s difficult to tell exactly what it is they feel victorious over – that their ‘side’ killed more women and children, or instilled more fear in the innocent, causing them to flee their homes? Well, whatever it is those leaders are saying, all I seem to hear is gloating and chiding.

Just imagine how the world would respond if those same leaders used an equal amount of energy and replaced their vitriolic attacks with words of healing and forgiveness! Sadly, such an idea sounds like mere fantasy. Sadly indeed!

Almost two-hundred years ago, a book entitled 'The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire' was written. Very few people could name its author, and even fewer people have read the book. However, I suspect many of us recognise the title and some may even be sympathetic with the idea it enshrines.

Among the mightiest of empires, most were not as powerful or extensive as the Roman Empire. The story of its rise and collapse could easily serve as a caveat for any world leader. Yet, sadly, history repeats itself almost like clockwork; they had their day in the sun and then they were no more. They overstretched themselves, and they became decadent with rot from the inside, until they either withered away or destroyed themselves.

There are many still living who grew up at a time when two thirds of the countries in our atlases were coloured pink to indicate they belonged to our own British Empire, on which we proudly claimed, the sun never set.

Those who wield power and those who shape public opinion should learn a lesson from history. As the prophet Micah reminded the leaders of his own nation many centuries ago, it’s the responsibility of the powerful ‘to act justly, to love loyalty, and to walk humbly with God.’ That can be the only basis upon which a world order can be built, which offers peace and security to all its people. Otherwise, a rise will be followed by a fall, as surely as night follows day.

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Anglican Prayers

Our Father, we pray for the leaders of all nations and also for ourselves, that we may all act justly, love wholly, and walk humbly with You. In this way, help us to contribute this day to the well-being of our one world. Amen

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Watching For Patterns

I wasn’t surprised to hear BBC news presenters comment on how well behaved passengers were during yesterday’s cancellation of flights and implementation of stringent carry-on rules for flights. Needless to say, it was and is an extremely stressful time. But the public appears to be more resilient than they were during the events of September 11.

This doesn’t mean we’ve become complacent: quite the opposite. We’ve become wiser and we’ve recognised that all of us, together, must stand up to those sick, twisted and misguided few who wish us harm.

We can gain a good bit of wisdom by watching for the patterns in the world around us. What does this person or that group usually do? Are they likely to do it again?

In business, if a company has lost money for five years straight, you’d better look twice before you invest in it. And if no graduates from a given school have gotten into university in the past decade, you’d better think again before enrolling your children there.

Finding patterns can tell us a lot that’s useful and they can warn us away from serious mistakes. But it can also cause us to misjudge others or discount people merely because of their heritage or culture.

God does not see as we see. He sees life and hope where they are hidden from our view. The prudent soul always watches for the patterns in life, but also knows to look beneath the surface where hidden riches await. Learn to see as God sees and you will never close a door too early.
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Anglican Prayers

Lord Father, like a ship at sea, steer my life to Your quiet harbour where I may be safe from the storms of danger and conflict. Grant me wisdom that I may be able to see with an open mind and open heart. Guide me to choose the right course, even when the seas are rough. For we know, that in Your love, there are always gentle waters. Amen

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Anglicans

Rage Isn't An Excuse

Anger

Terrorism - What Is Its Purpose?

Terrorism. What is its purpose? Clearly, it is designed to intimidate and frighten its victims into living in a perpetual state of fear and anxiety.

This morning’s news reveal unfolding information regarding British Intelligence having arrested a number of individuals who are alleged to be plotting to blow up a large number of aircraft across the Atlantic.

As this fearful scenario unfolds, one of the international news stations has already brought on several of their seemingly endless number of ‘consultants,’ all with grim faces and critical of whatever it is that our country is doing as a response to the unfolding story. This, even before the sun has risen on the East Coast of America.

‘They need to install metal detectors and X-ray devices at the entrance to the airports and underground stations,’ extolled one. ‘Tighten security measures,’ was the mantra from others. ‘Cavity searches will be the norm now,' decried one particularly offensive 'consultant.' I had to wonder whether he had even been to the UK before.

As a nation, our freedoms are inviolate. Just as with many other countries in the world: we would not lightly accept a change to those freedoms, simply because there are those outside, or even within our nation, who wish to corrupt our civil society.

We have already adapted to the realities of violence and aggression, by the acceptance and recognition that Britain has the most extensive surveillance system in the world.

In London, virtually every street, every corner, mews, alleyway, etc., is monitored by overt and covert CCTV’s. For us to take any steps to impede the free movement or passage of a citizen would violate every principle of our society. More importantly, it would send a signal to terrorists that they are winning – that they are moving to the forefront of the minds of our citizens – that their strategy to create fear and doubt and misery is succeeding.

For now, we Brits will move on with our daily lives and we will do as we have always done. We’ll ‘get on with it,’ We’ll ‘keep a stiff upper,’ and we will ‘Never, Never, NEVER give up!’

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Anglican Prayers

Loving God, Comfort those who are in fear today. Protect all who travel, whether as passengers or as staff. Help us in our own fears and uncertainty, and bless us with the knowledge that we are always secure in Your love. Strengthen all those who work for peace. Amen