Sunday 10th May 2026
- May 8
- 5 min read
EASTER 6A
10th May 2026
A short act of worship and daily devotions
Opening Prayers
As I come into this space, O God,
I bring myself, just as I am, bringing all my baggage, all my grief, all my pain.
I bring my worries, my doubts, my fears, my regrets,
The fear that I am not enough, not doing enough, not fulfilling my potential.
As I come into this space, O God,
Help me to remember that I am lovingly made in your image, and that I am loved,
Loved unconditionally,
Loved more than I can imagine,
Set free by your grace, O God.
As I come into this space, O God
Help me to look outward.
I am sorry for all the times I get things wrong,
sometimes saying or doing the wrong thing,
sometimes not saying or doing things that could help someone else,
too often not saying or doing the things that would help me.
Help me lay my baggage down.
I bring these prayers before you with gratitude and love for you, the world, and myself. Amen.
You may now wish to say the Lord’s Prayer in a version or translation with which you are familiar.
Readings: John 14:15-21 – Click for reading
Responding to the reading
“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever - the Spirit of truth.” At first, those words can sound heavy, like a condition, or a test. But in the context of this passage, they are less about rule-keeping and more about relationship. Jesus is speaking to his disciples at a moment when he knows he will soon leave them. What he offers is not pressure, but reassurance: love will not end here.
He promises them something extraordinary: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever.”
The word “Advocate” (sometimes translated as Comforter or Helper) points to the presence of the Spirit, God not just above us or beside us, but within us. A presence that guides, challenges, comforts, and strengthens.
Jesus is preparing them (and us) for a different way of knowing God. Not through physical proximity, but through deep, ongoing connection.
And then he says: “I will not leave you orphaned.”
These words matter. Because so often in life we can feel alone (perhaps you can also feel alone in your journey of faith? It might be worth spending a few minutes checking in to see if that is you now). We can feel uncertain, disconnected, unsure of what to do or where to turn. But Jesus insists that this is not the final reality. We are not abandoned. We are not left to figure it all out by ourselves.
This passage comforts us with the promise that God’s presence is not limited to certain places, traditions, or moments. The Spirit moves freely, within us, among us, and beyond us, often in ways we don’t expect.
But it also challenges us. Because if the Spirit truly dwells within us, then our lives become the place where God’s love is made visible. The “commandments” Jesus speaks of are not about rigid control, they are about living love out loud. Compassion. Justice. Truth. Courage.
To love Jesus is to walk his way.
So today, reflect on this:
Where do you need to be reminded that you are not alone?
How might the Spirit already be at work within you, guiding you toward deeper love or truth?
What does it look like, in your life right now, to “keep” the commandment of love?
Jesus does not leave his followers with certainty or control. He leaves them with something better: presence.
A presence that cannot be locked out.
A presence that does not fade.
A presence that calls us, again and again, into love.
May you know that you are never alone, and may the Spirit within you lead you into a life that reflects that truth.
Responding in music
463 STF – Deep in the shadows of the past - YouTube
94 STF – To God be the glory, great things he has done! - YouTube
Blessing
May you go out from here, a living reminder of the resurrection. May you go from here to tell stories of new life and possibility. May you go from here to share God’s love with those you meet, And may the Creator, the Christ and the Spirit go with you every step. Amen.
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Prayers and Prayer Pointers For This Week
Monday 11th May
Pray for all those in leadership in your church and those who make decisions as a part of their role. Ministers and stewards. Family & pioneer workers. All those who sit on Church Council or important committees. Ask God to help them to seek guidance on how our church can flourish.
Pray too for those in leadership across the world and the decisions they make. Ask God to help them make choices full of compassion and integrity so no-one gets left behind.
Tuesday 12th May
Opening the curtains, blinds or shutters
Take time to pray for the world and in particular those who live and work in your community. The shopkeepers, restaurants and bars. For Service providers… hairdressers, beauticians, banks and the Post Office. For health providers like the Doctors and Chemist. Give thanks to God for their skills and commitment, if you see someone who serves your community thank them in person.
Wednesday 13th May
Looking in the mirror
Each time you look in the mirror ask God to reveal to you what part you should play in their plan. What are your special gifts and graces? What in particular might you do today that would show God’s love to others?
Thursday 14th May
Think about the clothing you’re wearing. How it protects and warms or cools you. How it sends signals about the person you are. How it does its job at the right time of day. How it fits with you and you with it. How it is hard fought for. How it is made and who made it. How it will be used when you no longer need it. Such a simple thing we take for granted, yet such a complex set of thoughts and feelings surround it. Pause and share with God all your joys and concerns that arise from this simple act of noticing.
Friday 15th May
God of grace, Today I come to you in thanks. Thanks for all I have received, even though I often take it for granted and don’t notice how blessed I am. Make yourself known to me today, Lord, by your grace. Amen.
Saturday 16th May
As you go about doing simple housework or chores today, why not take a moment to pray for those who keep our church and community buildings safe places for people to enjoy. The finance & property committees. Cleaners, gardeners and window cleaners. All those who visit our precious buildings to maintain them or use them.