Plenary, 12 Feb 2003

Meeting date: Wednesday, February 12, 2003

Official Report 650KB pdf

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Time for Reflection

Our time for reflection leader this morning is Mrs Anne McIntyre, who is the leader of the Prayer for Parliament, Scotland, Intercessors Team.

Presiding Officer and members of the Scottish Parliament, thank you for the privilege of being here today. Some of the prayer team are with you every week—albeit from afar—in the public gallery. It is a real joy to come down to the floor of the chamber and speak to members face to face, eye to eye, and heart to heart.

St John's gospel opens with the words:

"The Word became flesh and dwelt among us full of grace and truth."

It also records numerous accounts of Jesus meeting individuals and groups. One meeting was with an MRC—a member of the ruling council. Nicodemus was determined to meet this powerful man face to face. On greeting Jesus, he declared him, eye to eye, to be a man from God. Jesus gave an immediate and incisive reply to Nicodemus's heart—he said that you need to be born of the Spirit. Jesus went on to explain that God is a Spirit and those who worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. He gave Nicodemus, and gives us, the key to a possible living relationship with God, making effective prayer a reality.

This week, you have sacrificed your mid-term recess to complete as much of the outstanding work as possible in the remaining 32 working days of the session. You will then immediately take part in a gruelling 31-day election campaign. So, let us hear the word of the Lord, for you, from Isaiah, chapter 40:

"The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary and His understanding is inscrutable.
Those who choose to wait for the Lord will gain new strength.
They will mount up with wings as eagles
They will run and not grow weary
They will walk and not faint."

"New strength"—for a mountain of amendments and legislation; a parliamentary election; and new paths of life.

St Paul exhorted us to pray for all those in authority, so let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we pray that all MSPs, administration and security staff will, today, sense your presence and the refreshing touch of your Spirit.

God of all wisdom and might, we pray for those involved in the present world crisis. May the Holy Spirit so direct their counsels and actions that justice and mercy may prevail, evil be averted and harmony restored.

In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Amen.