Prayer Of The Month

A 'Shoe' Prayer from Pakistan

Pakistan has been much in the news recently. This prayer was written by John Carden, who was appointed CMS Asian Secretary in 1969 after nearly 20 years of living in Lahore. It reflects the courage, commitment and vulnerability of Christians for whom discrimination and even persecution are a daily reality - but who yet seek humbly to serve their communities.

Lord, take the shoes off this Church
not only physically, outwardly, actually,
but inwardly also.
Lord, take the shoes off this Church -
the shoes of pride and fear, complacency
and factionalism.
Lord, take the shoes off this Church
that the quality of its worship
may touch the whole life of this people;
And, to this end, put the shoes on this Church
that it may go out to serve
all humanity everywhere, Lord.

To think about....

• How do you feel when you take your shoes off? Relaxed? Vulnerable? Liberated? Lowly? Does this say anything about the way we come to God in prayer and worship?
• Walking barefoot can be uncomfortable or even painful, reminding us of the suffering and struggle many Christians around the world face. Pause a moment to pray for all who are persecuted for their faith, and especially for Pakistani Christians.
• Each time you put on your shoes, why not ask God to help you serve others wherever those shoes may take you? You could, for example, use St Paul's words* and pray: "Lord, may my shoes help me to spread the Good News of peace."
  * Ephesians 6:15