(Devotion compiled by Ros McDonald)
Prayer: Light of the World
Light of the World,
you dispel the dark shadows
which we fear in our lives,
and unmask what we conceal
and would rather ignore.
We founder on reefs of our own making
only because we choose not to journey
in the light of your truth.
Light of the World, you reveal new paths to us.
Light of the World, beacon of Calvary,
with burning hearts, we praise you.
(Jeff Shrowder, Scattered Seeds)
Read:
John 1:1-5 (NIV)
Read this 3 times, each time asking God’s help and thinking about those words or phrases that leap out at you.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Thought for the day:
Light in darkness is one of the most ancient and profound religious symbols. God as light is one of the most apt metaphors we have (with the added advantage of being non-gender specific). We are bodily creatures, living in this physical world, and we need concrete things like bread and wine, light and water, to remind us of God in all God’s extraordinary depth, beauty and unexpectedness. For Christians, prayer, with or without candles, is a practice grounded in the belief expressed in the prologue to John’s Gospel, ‘the light (of Christ) shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out’.
Sourced from Clare Boyd-Macrae’s blog http://www.clareboyd-macrae.com/
Clare works for the Uniting Church VicTas Synod.
Image: Photographed in Jerusalem by Chirag k on Unsplash
Be with God at the Margins
A devotional written about our recent March to the Margins Event by a member of Living Faith Church.
"The Lord walks among the pots and pans" - Saint Teresa of Avila
Saint Teresa reminds us God is found in many places. Often, God is found within silence, or silent places, meeting us, waiting for us, deeply and moving. In this respect we may find God in prayer, in our heartfelt outpourings of praise and thanksgiving, in confession, and in our prayers for ourselves and others. Often God is found in our songs, our hymms, our choruses. Of course, we could say that these are simply another form of prayer, praise with a musical accompaniment. Audible prayers, soft, loud, calming, rousing and sung with others in our congregation. Musical prayer, out loud, but expressing many of the same attributes as our prayers.
St Teresa noted these were intimate moments when we might, could, would find God and engage in a life enriching dialogue, life changing listening times with God.
She suggested that as we go about our daily lives, with its myriad of tasks such as preparing meals making beds, sweeping floors, washing clothes, ironing, an endless list of necessary activities, that God would recognize these as not denying God, but including God in our daily lives. These important responsibilities which we accept, and which form an important part of our day. They are done in the sanctuary of our homes, unseen by most, but a loving and serving expression of faith to those we love, including God.
On Sunday the 26th of April 2026, we have taken our expression of faith out of our homes, out from the safety-net of our church building and away from being private. We have stepped away to get closer to God, and to express our faith in practical ways.
Throughout our Living Faith Church community we have people cleaning up an area of Diamond Creek because as people of faith we care for our environment, God's World. Some are donating blood, a reservoir of support for future use to aid those in need of life-giving blood. As people of faith we care about the sick.
Letters are being written to our leaders advocating change on matters of justice and equity. Some other people are visiting an aged care facility to sing and bring God's message to those in their loneliness and infirmity. Cards are being made through which words of encouragement, support, joy and love are offered. Beanies, scarves and blankets are being knitted for the homeless with winter in mind and for the many who need comfort as they face a bleak time in their lives.
Our driveway is being brightened with messages and "laneway smiley's". Visible expressions of God's happiness and love. And then cozy nesting offering a quieter more reflective time in our chapel, for prayer, meditation, a more intimate time with God.
Why? Why do we do this?
Well, the Lord walks amongst the pots and pans. Amongst the everyday aspects of our live in the environment, everywhere. God is seeking us to be at the margins, to be with God as God meet needs. To be with God to show love, care, grace, mercy ,justice and friendship, in practical ways. To show love to neighbours in our world, and importantly to those around us in our community.
People, our community, will know of our faith in God, by love expressed in our actions.
-William (23 April, 2026)
Remembrance Candle
A devotional written by one of the members of Living Faith Church.
We gathered around the table with the sand-filled glass awaiting, if you like, the Christ candle, and the innumerable tapers. These tapers were to be placed in the sand in the glass, lit from the central candle, as a light of remembrance for passed loved ones.
The single candle in remembrance was perhaps the Christ candle, and its light shone brightly and was clearly visible throughout the chapel. Its effect was to bring light and warmth to the near areas of the container. By itself its effect was minimal.
We started to add tapers, our symbol of remembrance, for those who have gone before us. Many were added until a bonfire of heat and light emanated from this small, sand-filled, glass container. It was only after the tapers had burnt down and gone out that we noticed the crack in the side of the container. A chip of glass had broken from the rim.
The single candle did not do this. The combined strength of the tapers and the larger candle caused the intense heat to crack and break the glass.
I wondered about the candle, the Christ candle. Christ by himself was seen, and heard, and his effect was dramatic. But the work of light, love, warmth, grace, mercy, forgiveness needed others to help. So, Christ was supported and assisted by his disciples, disciples who he had educated.
The word spread like wildfire, its effect shattered empires, caused kings and emperors to acknowledge and bow to Christ as Lord.
Christ is an awesome God and becomes more awesome when combined with the smaller flickering flames of countless millions of disciples across the world. Christ’s message isn’t breaking bowls. Christ’s message is changing lives, turning worldly understandings on their head. It’s creating a new world order.
Christ alone is strength.
We as flaming disciples are strength.
Together, anything and everything is possible with unified strength.
-William (28th Dec 2025)
"The Walk of Faith" is a devotional written by one of our Church Elders here at Living Faith Church.
One of my newer hobbies in recent years is bushwalking, which I began with a club in the last few years. Being a novice walker, I go out once in a while with my club, usually along a track I have never been before. I trust that the leader knows the way! And I set off with hope that I have the stamina to keep up.
Usually there comes a time during the day when I wonder why I am there. Sometimes it is because I am getting tired, or hot, or wet. Other times I think about other things I could (or should!) be doing. But I always feel better about it all when I finish the route – journey completed, job done!
On a recent walk, I found myself day dreaming a bit, comparing bush walking with the Christian journey. We often call the Christian life “the walk of faith”, don’t we? I know I am not the first to think about this comparison. In fact, I think the Pilgrim’s Progress probably gave me a heads up.
But, back to my walk, while I was labouring up a steep section, I found myself thinking of keeping the faith while I put one foot in front of the other. I was coaxing myself to keep going, telling myself “You can do it”. Our life generally has “uphill struggles” along the way, and sometimes our faith can, too. Having some encouragement really helps, and so adding some worship time, reading the Word of God or getting some encouraging words from a fellow pilgrim can all give you a great boost.
Then there are the “downhill runs”, where you might pick up a bit of speed, and even feel like things might get out of control! These are the times I really need my hiking poles. They are a support that literally helps keep me on my feet. Having spiritual support is similar, helping us not to get out of control. Knowing that others are praying for us and that God is there hearing these prayers can help keep life in perspective and under control.
Often the best part of a walk are the lovely views from high vantage points. These “mountain-top experiences” have made it into our language as a concept that describes many types of experiences, and you can apply the phrase to our faith, too. These spiritual highs can act as inspiration for us, with the positive effects lasting though the tougher moments.
How do we ensure that we have these moments of joyful praise, delighted wonder and closeness with our creator? Over the years I have found that slowing life down a bit helps to see the daily good gifts from God around us, hearing an inspiring speaker or passage of Scripture gives a view beyond the mundane daily routine, and noticing the beauty of creation around us can inspire and lift our spirits. And the effect can last a long time.
So, if you are going through life with uphill struggles or out of control downhill runs, perhaps you can look for the mountain top experiences in your life. Being aware that they are all around, if you know how to look for them, can help you to find them. Sharing the stories of our life journeys with other fellow travellers can be both encouraging and help lighten the load of life.
At Living Faith Church we have opportunities to request prayer from our prayer team, sharing in our worship times (on site or online), or join a life group that allows sharing of our faith and life stories. Why not give one of these a try sometime? Who knows what blessing you may find.
L. McLean