VICAR

Dear Readers of Country Squire Magazine I trust that You are well and healthy. Having suffered the super cold last week, may I recommend that You do Your level best to avoid it.

This Sunday I would like You to consider the human need for comfort. What does the Bible say about comfort?

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Psalm 23:4

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Matthew 11:28-30

Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Psalm 119:76

Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant.

I was discussing with a priest a man who recently died. He called the priest a week before he died and told him that he had a week to live. So the priest called him each day that week until the calls were no longer answered.

The priest quoted Psalm 23:4 above. The dying man was brave, and he was calm. He said he was ready for death, that as a soldier he knew death well and not to fear it. Nonetheless, the priest mentioned how the man depended on his daily calls of comfort and how he had lapses of faith in those last days, as many would.

Keep this prayer below for when You may need comfort. It may be at a time when You do not have a priest to guide You in Your dying days.

Have a lovely Sunday and a good week ahead. God Bless You all.

Dear Lord,

Words can’t express the ache in my heart. I feel pain every day. I pray to you as I am desperate for help. I need to know that you care, that you love me, be my refuge from pain, replacing my distress with peace, and be my strength when I feel weak and find it hard to carry on.

Amen