Guest Teacher at Study!

John Birch is the author of our most recent study materials for our Poverty and Riches Bible Study and we have used some of his other works in the past (All God's Creatures Study, A Glorious Whisper) to help us grow in our discipleship and community life.

John visited us at the end of the Season of Creation in 2023 and gave this Q&A session: All God's Creatures Q&A with John Birch.

Please pray for John as we engage with this material he has lovingly crafted and as he prepares to join us for the 2nd time at HHO.

More about John:

John currently has several books of prayers published either in paper form or as downloads, and is also a regular contributor to the International Bible Reading Fellowship notes.

His prayers have appeared on various websites, been reprinted in many worship services around the world (from Alaska to Tasmania!) as well as in Church of England and Methodist publications and BRF Sacred Space Magazine.

In 2010 a selection of his prayers were translated and published in Swedish.

He also sells pet food online in the UK and is the proud owner of a new allotment plot which is his pride and joy!

A snippet of his work on the Faith and Worship Website:

The Internet is a wonderful resource for preachers and leaders of worship. It is also a resource used by people on the fringes who are seeking knowledge, comfort, healing and inspiration. There is a responsibility on Christians who have the technical ability to connect with these people through the medium of their Internet browser. This is their window in the world, and believe me, the world would have them believe all manner of strange things.

In a sense this a challenge to some of you reading this article to be inspired to do something similar, however small or large.

Prayer is important, it changes lives. There are many people out there looking for Christian prayers. It may be the liturgy of tradition that speaks, but I firmly believe that a simple prayer, written from the heart can reach out and touch another in a very special way, whether read by the author or by anyone else.

Into the daily cycle of our lives
when all seems well
with us and with the world,
when our yoke is easy
and the burden light,
You break in
and scatter our complacency.

Into the daily cycle of our lives
when we are comfortable
and at our ease,
when the fire is lit
but eyes are closed,
You break in and challenge our dependency.

You break into
our daily prayers,
humble hearts,
lay souls bare,
You break in,
You break in.

You break in
when defences are down,
with an Angel's shout
or the quietest sound,
You break in
You break in

And we change
and all things change
when you break in.