Virgin of Vladimir (+ image by the hand of Stephen Allison 2008)

Sunday 20 December 2009

Jesus the beggar King

Notes of meeting on 24 November 2009

Picture of Jesus as a king and then also he is seen as a beggar asking us for the alms of good works and prayers from the heart that those in darkness and despair would be converted and saved.

Psalm 24
Philippians 4 v 4-9
Luke 21 v 25-28 and 34 - 36

Grant us your light

Notes of Meeting of 1 December 2009

Picture of Mary Immaculate bathed in light.

Grant us your light, O Lord, that the darkness in our hearts wholly passed away,we may come at last to the light that is Christ.
For Christ is the morning star, who when the night of this world is past, brings his saints the promised light of life, and opens to them eternal day. Amen (Bede)

But this who do what is true come to the light.... (John 3 v 16 -21)

1 Peter 1 v 3-7

Thursday 19 November 2009

Be open hearted and pray for souls

Notes of Meeting 27 October 2009

Be open hearted. Let my Peace and Love come into you. Let it shine through your eyes to others.

Luke 7 v 36 – 50
Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman
36Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
39When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."
40Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."
"Tell me, teacher," he said.
41"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarius, and the other fifty. 42Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he cancelled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"
43Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt cancelled."
"You have judged correctly," Jesus said.
44Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."
48Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
49The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"
50Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."


Notes of Meeting 10 November 2009

Picture of a mountain with the Cross at the top bathed in a bright light.
Mary stands at the foot of the Cross.
We are to come to the Cross for strength and we are to come and offer ourselves and our burdens and sufferings at the foot of the Cross for souls, for the salvation of souls.
Pray for those that are in darkness.

Hebrews 13 v 1- 16
Concluding Exhortations
1Keep on loving each other as brothers. 2Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. 3Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
4Marriage should be honoured by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. 5Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
"Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you." 6So we say with confidence,
"The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?"
7Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
9Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by ceremonial foods, which are of no value to those who eat them. 10We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat.
11The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. 12And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. 13Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. 14For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.
15Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased

Notes of Meeting 17 November 2009

Picture of people (us) on a river casting out nets. If we cast out the nets on our own without looking to the Lord we are in difficulty with bloodied hands. With the Lord together we can be fishers of souls and bring in a great catch. We are to bring souls to his loving heart.

Isaiah 25
Praise to the LORD
1 O LORD, you are my God;
I will exalt you and praise your name,
for in perfect faithfulness
you have done marvellous things,
things planned long ago.
2 You have made the city a heap of rubble,
the fortified town a ruin,
the foreigners' stronghold a city no more;
it will never be rebuilt.
3 Therefore strong peoples will honour you;
cities of ruthless nations will revere you.
4 You have been a refuge for the poor,
a refuge for the needy in his distress,
a shelter from the storm
and a shade from the heat.
For the breath of the ruthless
is like a storm driving against a wall
5 and like the heat of the desert.
You silence the uproar of foreigners;
as heat is reduced by the shadow of a cloud,
so the song of the ruthless is stilled.
6 On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare
a feast of rich food for all peoples,
a banquet of aged wine—
the best of meats and the finest of wines.
7 On this mountain he will destroy
the shroud that enfolds all peoples,
the sheet that covers all nations;
8 he will swallow up death forever.
The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears
from all faces;
he will remove the disgrace of his people
from all the earth.
The LORD has spoken.
9 In that day they will say,
"Surely this is our God;
we trusted in him, and he saved us.
This is the LORD, we trusted in him;
let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation."
10 The hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain;
but Moab will be trampled under him
as straw is trampled down in the manure.
11 They will spread out their hands in it,
as a swimmer spreads out his hands to swim.
God will bring down their pride
despite the cleverness of their hands.
12 He will bring down your high fortified walls
and lay them low;
he will bring them down to the ground,
to the very dust.

Wednesday 14 October 2009

Good Shepherd

Notes of meeting on 13 October 2009

Picture of Jesus as the Good Shepherd his Sacred Heart exposed. There is also large number of people enveloped in a dark mist. Jesus loves them and asks that we pray for them. He desires to draw them to Himself and our prayers together with those of his Mother can help these people find their way to Him.

We also read the passage of the Prodigal Son but really both sons in their own way were estranged from the Father who in his mercy reaches out to both sons with his love.

Friday 25 September 2009

Intercession and Praise

22 September 2009

Ann Liddell kindly shared with us how she has recently been lead to intercession through pressing forward with the the prolonged use of the gift of tongues. Letting go of specific petitions and coming before God. She also shared how the Lord had inspired her with songs.

Picture of Mary kneeling and elevating the Host from which great light shone throughout the whole Universe. Many angels were prostrated before the Host.

Revelation 7 v 9 -12
9 After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. 10 And they were shouting with a mighty shout,

“Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne

and from the Lamb!”

11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God. 12 They sang,

“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom

and thanksgiving and honor

and power and strength belong to our God

forever and ever! Amen.”




Live in my Peace and Harmony

Wednesday 23 September 2009

Our Lady of Sorrows

15 September 2009

John 19 v25
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother...


We reflected on Mary's steadfastness in faith as she stood before the Cross believing in her Son and his power to save despite the immediacy of her Son's suffering on the Cross.



Romans 10
Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for 1Israel is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness athat they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, “The man who does those things shall live by them.” 6 But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down from above) 7 or, “ ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls oon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” 14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear pwithout a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,

Who bring glad tidings of good things!”



Lord help us to remain faithful and believing.
Show us how you want us to be messengers of your good news.

Wednesday 9 September 2009

Mother of God - Theotokos

8 September 2009



Happy Birthday to Our Lady



Thank you Lord for the gift of Your Mother and Our Mother





Prayer of Theotokos Prayer Group:


Heavenly Father I ask you to bless our group Theotokos, send your Spirit upon us so that we will be witnesses to the living light of Jesus in our lives.

You chose Mary through the power of the Holy Spirit to become the first tabernacle to hold your Son Jesus in her womb, thereofe, I ask Mary, Mother of God and Our Mother, to bear us into holiness.

Teach us how to listen to the Voice of God in the stillness of our hearts and live in His presence, offering all our joys and sorrows, for His Honour and Glory.

Teach us to pray for the conversion of our hearts and the conversion of the world, so that we may become faithful ambassadors of Your Son, Jesus.

Amen


Jude 17-24


A Call to Remain Faithful
17 But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ said. 18 They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. 19 These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.
20 But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, 21 and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.
22 And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. 23 Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.
A Prayer of Praise
24 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. 25 All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.

Wednesday 2 September 2009

Ann Liddell

Ann Liddell known for her music ministry to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the North East of England will be visiting Theotokos Prayer Group at St Mary’s Presbytery to give a talk/witness on 22 September 2009 at 8 pm (Rosary at 7.30pm) - All Welcome

Sunday 30 August 2009

Fountain of Love/ Wind of Change

4th August

Picture of Jesus Heart and from His Heart and eruption of Love like a fountain which fills each persons heart to overflowing written in the flow is his name Jesus.
Our hearts are filed with Jesus and we are feel at one with Him and He with us.
Picture of the Host elevated at mass written on the Host is Jesus who is the word each person who receives Jesus is fed and is filled with Him and is at one with Him.
This great gift of Jesus which we have is for our own building up and the building up of the Church. A gift that is very special and yet very ordinary. Ordinary bread made into the extraordinary our very own Lord Jesus. Our Lady said that wars and all terrible things could be averted if we prayed enough and believed in her Son Jesus.
This is a year dedicated to priests - we are well aware of the shortcomings of some priests - but must also be aware of all the good that comes from priests too. Priests are chosen from folk just like you and me they are under terrible pressures now and in real need of our prayers through the intercession of Mary and especially through the name of Jesus. No vice no sickness or any diabolical thing can last out against the name of Jesus. If a priest does wrong or is struggling or tired are we praying enough? I feel Mary is asking us to bring everything to the Love of her son Jesus and He will sanctify, He will make strong, He will justify, He will encourage through our prayers His Church, His people and especially His priests
Romans 5 v15 onwards

18 August

Let peace reign in your hearts - follow me Sing to the Lord a new song

25 August

Prepare for a wind of change to blow through you. For I am sending my Spirit to soak you in my Love and Mercy. Your hearts will turn to me and I will do a great work in you. So pray for this wind of change to come soon.
Isaiah 54

Friday 17 July 2009

Before the Throne of God

Notes of our meeting on 13 July 2009

Picture of people in procession dressed all in white and carrying candles.
Feeling that these were Priests who had gone to their heavenly reward.

This led us to praying for Priests both living and dead and also for all who had gone before us (whether Priests or lay people or Saints of the Church). We also prayed for the souls in Purgatory.

We then praised God (Father Son and Holy Spirit), coming before his throne together with all the Angels and Saints in Heaven.

Wednesday 1 July 2009

Jesus is our peace in the storms of life

Notes from our meeting of 30 June 2009



Picture of a boat in rough seas battered by a storm with the people in boat worried and afraid pulling in different directions and getting nowhere.

If we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus there would be no need to be worried and he would calm the storm and bring peace.



Romans 16 v 17 -20

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites,and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.



Let us pray:



It's easy when I feel secure,

Like a boat around a harbour.

I can get so proud.

I think I can do things all by myself,

Without any need to rely on you.



But when I move out of harbour

Onto the high seas of life,

And the mood darkens, or storm gathers,

I find I'm not so sure of myself anymore.

I feel helpless in the waves,

Confused when confronted with danger,

Lost without a sense of direction.

And once again I humbly realise

I need you to guide my course,

To steer me to safety and peace.



Holy Spirit, steer me along life's course.



(from Lord, Send Me Your Spirit by Patrick Sayles)





Other readings:



Phillipians 2 v 12 -18

James 3 v 13-18

Luke 19 v 1 - 10

Wednesday 24 June 2009

Sacred Heart of Jesus

Notes from our meeting on 23 June 2009

Picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, streams of blood and water are flowing from his Heart into the "marketplace" on to all the daily activities people are involved in.
He says "Come to the fountain of My Love".
If we bring all things to his Heart all can be well.



1 Corinthians 1 v 22 -25

Acts 1 v 6 - 11

Wednesday 3 June 2009

Be sealed with My Spirit

Notes of our meeting on 2 June 2009








Picture of the Spirit lighting the whole world and flying round the world like a gentle breeze.


England is raised up and the Spirit moves through the country falling especially upon all christians. Saying 'Be sealed with My Spirit'.




2 Corinthians 6 v14 - 18



Matthew 16 v1 - 4


2 Timothy 1 v7


Mary always leads us to Jesus






Let us pray:

Lord Jesus we thank you that you send your Spirit over the world and over our country – open us and all Christians to your Spirit.

Lord Jesus make us true and faithful believers may we be truly temples of the living God and temples of your Spirit.

Jesus you are a sign of the times, a sign for all times, peoples and nations you want to draw all people to yourself by your death on the Cross and your resurrection.

Holy Spirit remove our timidity - fill us with power, love and self control

Mary Bride of the Spirit pray for us

Thursday 28 May 2009

May the Lord Bless you and keep you


May the Lord bless you and keep you may the Lord let His face shine on you

Wednesday 27 May 2009

Come Holy Spirit



COME HOLY SPIRIT FILL THE HEARTS OF YOUR FAITHFULL AND ENKINDLE IN THEM THE FIRE OF YOUR LOVE. SEND FORTH YOUR SPIRIT O LORD AND RENEW THE FACE OF THE EARTH.


Thinking about this prayer with Pentecost coming up this Sunday I was reminded of the picture the group was given on 5th August 2008 as follows:

God our Creator showed me His gift to us.

He showed me the earth as He created it.

I could see snow capped mountains, sunlit valleys, rivers and lakes, beautiful meadows and flowers, green fields and forests, turquoise oceans and brilliant white shores with fluffy white waves lapping against them.

Creation in all its beauty.

I could see Jesus sitting on a rock dressed as a Rabbi, teaching multitudes of people. God our Creator said “My Son is my gift to you. The Way the Truth and the Life.”

Then I could see the Cross with Jesus crucified. God our Creator said “I gave you my Son, King of Salvation, Saviour of the World, come see what you have done.”

I could see the earth in grave darkness, bombed cities, soldiers fighting, and hate greed and lust. Polluted rivers, black oceans, shores covered in dirt. The western wealth and food waste. Poverty, the dying in the third world. A dying earth.

God our Creator then showed me a pocket of people deep in prayer.

I was also given the reading Genesis 18 v 20 -33 and the following from a booklet ‘The Way of the Cross’:

The Spirit of Christ, Creator, Comforter is living still, crying within us and all around us, crying to all humanity for the healing of Creation, for justice, compassion and peace. ALLELUIA.

Let us pray:

Lord we pray for the restoration and healing of the world, for justice, compassion and peace.

Lord restore your world.

Lord restore your people.

We pray against all evil in the world and in particular … add here any particular intention i.e. illegal drugs trade, wars, poverty, abortion, unemployment, etc..

Come Holy Spirit renew the face of the earth. Amen.


See also Psalm 85

Friday 22 May 2009

Comments please

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Let us have your thoughts on the posts to date -
let us have any prayers you would like to share -
let us have any prayer requests

Wednesday 13 May 2009

The Vineyard

Notes of our meeting on 12 May 2009



Picture of a walled garden in the desert.

Within the garden are fruiting vines and a watchtower from which those who want to destroy the vineyard can be spotted.

In the watchtower is Our Lady keeping watch over the vineyard (the Church) she sees those who wish to destroy the vineyrd and a dark cloud appears over the Vineyard but the cloud is a cloud of angels ready to protect the vineyard.



This picture is followed by a picture of the Cross on the altar which changes into the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist.

Our Lady and all the angels prostrate themselves before the Lord.


Galatians 3 v 14-21

Mark 3 v 13 -15

Prayer:

Breathe on me, Holy Spirit,
That I may have your life.

Rest on me, Holy Spirit,
That I may have your peace.

Live in me, Holy Spirit
That I may have your friendship.

Counsel me, Holy Spirit,
That I may have your wisdom.

Strengthen me, Holy Spirit,
That I may have your fire.

Purify me, Holy Spirit,
That I may have your love.

from Lord, Send Me Your Spirit - Patrick Sayles - The Prayer Trust

Wednesday 6 May 2009

Good Shepherd

Notes of our meeting on 5 May 2009

Picture of Jesus the Good Shepherd leading us (his sheep) to the empty Cross covered in His blood. The sheep dip their heads in the blood and on their heads is left the sign of the Cross.

Mary our Mother is with us and protects us under her mantle.


1 John 3

Prayer:

Lord Jesus Good Shepherd lead us and guide us.

We thank you for the Victory of the Cross; thank you that we are sealed with the Sign of the Cross.

Help us to live in the Victory of the Cross.

Help us live in the resurrection life you have won for us.

Fill us with your Holy Spirit that we may live this life to the full.

We thank you for the protection of your Mother and our Mother Mary

Wednesday 29 April 2009

Divine Mercy

At our meeting on 28 April we received the following word:

The Lord wants to pour out His Divine Mercy and Grace upon us and upon all those who are suffering and who are far from Him.

Psalm 112

He wants us to lead a ‘good’ life; obedient and faithful to Him.

May the Holy Spirit lead and guide us along the path of obedience and faithfulness.


Thank you Lord that you are with us even when we fail – you constantly call us back to you.

Friday 24 April 2009

Welcome

Welcome to the Theotokos Prayer Group blog which I hope to keep up to date as much as possible. The idea is to share with you what the Lord is saying to the group and sharing other things that might help us grow spiritually.

HE IS RISEN - ALLELUIA
At our meeting on Tuesday 21 April we were reminded:
  • that the Lord wants to raise us from our graves (as he did Lazarus) to new life.
  • as He made Himself known to the disciples after His death as the risen and crucified Lord and God he wishes to make Himself known to us.
  • He wants to give us his gift of Peace and breathe upon us the Holy Spirit.
  • He asks us to believe in Him

    Stephen