ICF - Professions of Faith

Sunday 15th November 2026 - 25th Sunday after Pentecost

Judges 4:1-7; Psalm 123;1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Matthew 25:14-30
(Alternatives: Zephaniah 1:7,12-18; Psalm 90:1-8, (9-11), 12)

This week's Gospel reading introduces us to yet another story in which Jesus uses the imagery and principles of the workplace to help his hearers to better understand the nature of God's Kingdom. This in itself reminds us that our faith is intended to be lived out in our everyday lives and informed by the experiences that we gain.

The faith and work agenda is often aimed at those who are influencers and decision makers in the workplace. One of the frequent questions which many working Christians ask revolves around how to live out our faith when our working lives are constrained by the expectations and decisions of others, particularly when these challenge and contradict our faith values. The workers in this story had to live and operate under someone else's authority and for one in particular this proved to be a daunting and ultimately unattained task. This might provide opportunity to pray for those who work in situations where the expectations placed upon them are not easy to bear and fulfil. We might also recognise that principal character in the story is intended to be perceived as God the Father. The challenge for each of the servants was to go about their roles and tasks in a way which reflected their Master's values - so this might lead us to pray that as followers of Jesus, we too might be empowered and equipped to go about our daily endeavours in a way which reflects His priorities and purpose.

A PRAYER: God who is Lord and King of all things, we rejoice to be called your servants and pray that by Your Spirit, we might be equipped to undertake the daily tasks and responsibilities that are ours to bear, in ways which reflect Your nature and purpose, and so bring glory to Your name. Through Christ our Lord. AMEN