The Feast of the English Martyrs | Thursday 4 May 2023

Today is Thursday the 4th of May, the feast of the English Martyrs, in the fourth week of Easter.


The Kyiv Chamber Choir sing the Creed: “I believe in one God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.” As I start this prayer today, can I join in with this strong, almost exuberant expression of faith? Can I begin by declaring my faith in my God, my creator, my heavenly Father?

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Today’s reading is from the letter to the Hebrews.


Hebrews 11:32-40

And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented— of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better so that they would not, without us, be made perfect.

This is quite the list of experiences to come out of faith… take a moment to think of some of the stories of faith that have most inspired and shaped you… perhaps from the Bible, or maybe from more contemporary experiences; people close to you maybe…


Not all of these stories and experiences of faith result in comfort or victory in the eyes of the world… How does this concept sit with you?


As you listen again, notice if a particular example or line stands out to you…

‘God had provided something better’… As you end this time of prayer, is there “something better” the Lord might want to move you towards today? Talk to God about this now…


Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.