Word on Wednesday with John Mason

Over the last twenty years or so God's people have been increasingly put on the defensive about their faith. In a climate where people of faith are dismissed as intellectually inept, many are fearful of speaking up about what they believe.This podcast encourages us from Jesus's words in John chapter 20.

Why don't we pray more consistently than we do? And how often when we do pray, do we look to the model prayers we find in the Bible - and not least from the lips of Jesus?Dr J.I. Packer once commented, "I believe that prayer is the measure of God's people, spiritually, in a way that nothing else is, so that how we pray is as important a question as we can ever face".This podcast reflects on the importance of prayer.

The loss of someone deeply loved awakens a profound anguish and grief within us. Even some time after a loved one has gone from us, we can unexpectedly find ourselves tearing up.In the course of his last evening with his close followers, Jesus told them he was going away and that they could not come with him (John 14:3). He knew what his going away would mean for them and likened their state to orphaned children - destitute and alone. However, he didn't offer glib platitudes about his going but promised them a Counselor - literally, a Comforter.Find out more in this podcast.

The decline of Christianity in the US - and in the West generally - in recent decades seems to have slowed, if not leveled off. Indeed there are signs it is slowly growing again, especially amongst 18-24 year olds.How important it is that those of us who are professing Christians are praying for God's mercy and kindness towards all people. It's also important that we are assured in our own faith and are prepared to tell our story of faith as and when the opportunities arise.

Articles over Christmas and the New Year often call for a reawakening of the meaning and application of the true Christmas story. However, driven by the trickle-down effect of writers who say that God is dead, our culture tells us that the Bible is fanciful andfictitious. But this conflicts with the historical evidences for the life of Jesus.Find out more in this podcast for the New Year.

CS Lewis in Screwtape Letters observes that there are two equal and opposite errors that people fall into regarding the dark powers. One mistake is to disbelieve in their existence; the other is to believe in them to excess. In Ephesians chapter 6 verses 10ff, Paul addresses this reality.

As the Anglican form of the Lord's Supper is often misunderstood, this podcast gives a brief introduction of key themes.

Despite advertising and promotion by the atheist society in the UK, people are still disillusioned with life, depressed and alienated. Many are re-assessing their lives and philosophy of life which has resulted in an increased interest in Christianity.

Phillippians 4 - Giving thanks in everything - and the peace of God ...