March Prayer Leaflet

Praying with all our Churches of Berkhamsted and surrounding villages helps us keep our community together. God is always looking after us, even when we forget. Click below to download the latest Prayer Leaflet for March.

Reflection from Olivia Davies-assistant chaplain

Psalm 118: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His loving kindness is everlasting.

"The English language is rather phenomenal. Though a much-debated topic, based on the number of dictionary entries, it has the largest vocabulary in the world. Yet, when we consider the words we use to express our love it seems to rather diminish against others. We love a cup of tea in the same way we love a parent or a child, we love a sunny day in the same way we love a fast internet connection. Sometimes the word doesn’t do it justice and other times it might seem an extravagant demonstration of emotion.

The word ‘lovingkindness’ in the opening verse of Psalm 118 translates from the Hebrew word ‘Chesed’. The Biblical languages of the Old and New Testament had significantly wider vocabularies for expressing love. This one describes love in action, love as deed.

As we journey towards Easter we reflect on the great, sacrificial act of love that Jesus Christ carried out on the cross. Our actions may not seem as monumental or memorable as this act and yet we can still demonstrate extravagant love in our deeds: extending hospitality to the lonely, praying for the sick, comforting the bereaved, raising the spirits of the down-heartened, helping people through crises in their lives, and making those at the margins feel part of the community.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting.”