Increasing faith (and murder mysteries!)

St. Michael’s Vicarage
Alnwick

 Dear People of Alnwick,

As many of you will know, I usually have a murder-mystery book on the go. Recently, I’ve been enthralled by the writings of L J Ross whose novels are all based in Northumberland and Tyneside. I and many others are patiently waiting for 20th October when her latest offer will be published – based in and around Warkworth.

But (surprisingly, some of you may find) I also like to have something a little more serious to accompany my escapism. Recently I was recommended a book by Adam Nicholson entitled “When God Spoke English”which gives a fascinating account of the history and writing of the King James translation of the Bible often known as the Authorised Version.

One of the central figures in this fascinating account is Lancelot Andrewes (1555 – 1626) at various times Dean of Westminster and Bishop successively of Chichester, Ely and Winchester.

As I read more and more of the account and of the part Andrewes played in it I was reminded that somewhere on my bookshelves I had a copy of his much-loved publication “The Private Prayers of Lancelot Andrewes.” This thin little volume has enhanced the prayer life of generations of Christians and I now find myself using it again on a regular basis.

One of Bishop Andrewes’ prayers (perhaps the best-known) includes these words:

O Lord God, perfect in us that which is lacking of your gifts:
of faith to increase it;
of hope to establish it;
of love to kindle it ….

What a splendid list of requests! And what a different world we might live in if such gifts were seriously and regularly prayed for by all who call themselves Christian.

But, if such a vision seems too ambitious, imagine the transformation that could take place here in Alnwick if all of us who swear allegiance to Christ were to make these words our own.

How our praises would echo in our worship! How our thirst to understand more clearly the essentials of our belief might be satisfied! How our outlook on life and our treatment of each other, and all with whom we come into contact, would improve! How our ability to see, act and think positively would grow!

Coincidentally, I am writing this letter on 25th September – the day on which the Church remembers Lancelot Andrewes! We have indeed much to thank him for: not least his own life of prayer, of which we catch a tiny glimpse in the words above.

Increase faith, establish hope, kindle love. We could ask for no better way forward as we journey through life. Let’s take every opportunity to do all three. It can be done – and there can still be time to indulge in the odd murder-mystery, sci-fi or whatever else you enjoy!

With every blessing,

Paul.

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