St. Martin: Evening Prayer for Thursday 11 November

Today the church commemorates St. Martin of Tours. Besides the story of him sharing his cloak with Christ, who had appeared to him as a poor beggar, there is another story of one of his visions. He saw a crowned figure in dazzling apparel surrounded by heavenly light. The figure announced himself as Christ, about to return to earth, and revealing himself to Martin first of all. Martin refused to believe him, claiming that he could never believe in a Christ who appeared in regal form, but not in the form in which he suffered. The vision was not Christ, but the devil, and Martin's refusal to be distracted by him is a reminder for us to be a church that bears the marks of service and sacrifice, rather than the pomp of triumphalism.
Thanks for praying with us this evening. Where have you seen God at work in the world today?

Psalm 85, 86; 1 Maccabees 1.1–28; Revelation 19.1–10