Centenary echoes

Among my favourite books is one that I have had since my childhood. It is called 'Pageant of The Century', edited by H V Morton and published, I think, in 1934.  The book is a fascinating collection of photographs of news events for each year between 1900 and 1904.
As we enter 2004, I thought that it would be interesting to look at what was happening in the world 100 years ago - in 1904.
According to this book, it was the year in which:
* the first motor taxi cabs were introduced to London - but no meters were fitted!
* the explorer Henry Morton Stanley - he who met Dr Livingstone with the immortal words, 'Dr Livingstone, I presume' - died.
* Russia and Japan were at war with each other.
* The foundation stone of Liverpool Cathedral was laid - but the cathedral was not finished until the late 1970s.
* Theodore Roosevelt, who became associated with the naming of the Teddy Bear, was elected President of the USA.
* 1,000 people perished in New York Harbour when a pleasure steamer caught fire.
* Manchester City won the FA Cup.
All of this leaves me wondering - how would we like 2004 to be remembered?
My prayers for the world are for an end to the violence in the Middle East and the end of the fear engendered by global terrorism.
My prayers for our church are that we will continue to grow in our understanding and appreciation of God's love for us through our worship, prayers and activity - so that this knowledge and understanding can be shared by an ever growing number of people in the community.
What are your prayers for 2004?
Perhaps we can all share in the prayer that Paul prayed for the Thessalonians as a prayer for ourselves at Marshalswick: ‘May the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow more and more and become as great as our love for you.  In this way he will strengthen you and we will be perfect and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all who belong to him.’
(1 Thessalonians 3:12-13)
 

by Graham Clarke.