Powerful Prayers

At a cathedral in North Yorkshire, UK, volunteers have crafted more than 10,000 origami angels to hang from a net in the church's central nave. Each paper angel represents a prayer lifted during the COVID pandemic, and at-will donations from visitors who come to view the display have gone to support the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, a charity providing emergency service by helicopter to millions across all of Yorkshire.

You can view a brief YouTube describing Ripon Cathedral's "Wing and a Prayer" project here and find the Ripon Cathedral website here. The images are startlingly beautiful, and the reminders of the impact of single prayers are powerful, particularly in the darkness of this difficult year. What biblical reminders do you see represented here, both in the individual paper creations and in the beauty of the flight of angels hanging from the ancient cathedral's vaulted ceiling? In an era when life feels unscripted and painful, where can we find hope, peace, joy, and renewal? And how can you share the hope of renewal with those around you, even in such simple acts as sharing the story of Ripon Cathedral's 10,000 angels?

As you view the Wing and a Prayer project, I encourage you to rest in the promises of Isaiah 40, recognizing the struggles of this year but embracing the assurances the Lord offers when we find our hope in Him:

Why do you complain, Jacob?

Why do you say, Israel,

“My way is hidden from the Lord;

my cause is disregarded by my God”?

Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

As I announced this past Sunday, Cedar Creek Church is excited and honored to have been chosen as one of 12 congregations in the wider Portland area to participate in a five-year $1 million Lilly Endowment grant titled the Thriving Congregations Initiative. The goal of the grant is to nurture "12 regional congregations that display a diverse representation of historical and aspirational constituents and exhibit the potential to lead their wider communities in intentional development of thriving practices." The Thriving Congregations Initiative plans to share progress with the wider community through a series of blogs, short videos, and podcasts filmed at the various summits through 2024. Be in prayer, friends, as we are embarking on some exciting Holy Spirit-driven work!

May the peace and hope of Jesus Christ fill your home this week,

Jennie