Miriam is one of St Thomas’ Church Wardens and she leads both Morning and Evening Prayer this week. Morning Prayer – Miriam reads a passage from one of Paul’s three Pastoral Epistles, today’s letter was written by Paul to a Christian leader on the island of Crete – Titus, chapter 3. This scripture considers the Apostle Paul’s wise counsel, he describes to Titus the conduct and peacefulness required of church members, especially in their acts towards one another and their wider community; “…so that those who have come to believe in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works; these things are excellent and profitable to everyone. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels, about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. After a first admonition, have nothing more to do with anyone who causes divisions, since you know that such a person is perverted and sinful, being self condemned.”

We pray for world peace, for wise decision-making and the moral integrity of all world leaders – most especially this morning.