VICAR

Dear Readers of Country Squire Magazine, I trust that You and Your loved ones are well and healthy. I hope that You are looking forward to some kind of Christmas celebration, even if this year will be different from those You have known before.

I was on a tinsel hunt yesterday and was pleased to see the shops in our local town busy with shoppers, while the pubs and other businesses seemed to be doing a roaring trade. It was sad walking by the empty buildings where there used to be shops. Let’s hope this vaccine restores some kind of rebirth in our towns and that we don’t all become home birds.

While I was out and about I noticed the look of stress on some of the business owners’ faces. Maybe it’s just the time of year. It was very cold yesterday and Brits look better in the summer months. Nonetheless there seemed to be more angst about and those I talked to through my mumble-mask were unsure of the future.

The only message that I can pass to people is STAY POSITIVE. There has always been light after darkness and so You should be filled with hope.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

So this week I would like You all, Dear Readers, to pray for those shopkeepers who are experiencing a tough time. It could be the local butchers, the fishmongers, the newsagents, the charity shop staff, the owners of coffee shops or pubs. Let us this week pray for them, that they may find a way through the current crisis and look forward to happier days ahead.

God Bless You all. Have a lovely week and a peaceful Sunday.

Lord, thank you so much for the shops and other businesses.  I know, just like everything else, even my business comes from You.  Help me to follow Your ways in my work so that I can honour You and glorify You.

Things are hard at times Lord, but I know You don’t promise us easy.  I just pray, Lord, that when things are difficult, I can be a Godly leader.  I pray I will not be overcome by fear and worry.  I pray that I will stay the course and trust that the vision I have for my business is Your vision.  I will try to treat others I encounter, be it staff, vendors, or customers, with love, respect, and integrity.

I pray, Lord, that I can show perseverance and be a light to others.  I know you call us to be a city on a hill.  I pray that our business can set an example that by following You, even in the market place, that we will have an advantage.

I pray, Lord, that as I claim your promises from Matthew 6:26…

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

…that I can lay down the worry that Satan wants to plant in my mind and stray me from your path.

Lord, times are difficult, but I will stand strong and wait on you, Lord.  Thank you for being here for me when fear threatens my resolve.  I pray, Lord, that Your will be done, because I know that You love me and Your will is what is best.

I pray these things in Jesus great name,

Amen