This is what I call my prayer devotional. Writing this helps me pray and read His Word. The music helps me worship. I hope it inspire’s you. “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet” (Psalm 119:105).
A prayer for those seeking to know God personally, “Lord Jesus Christ, I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. I ask your forgiveness and now turn from everything which I know is wrong. Thank you for dying on the cross for me, to set me free from my sins. Please come into my life and fill me with your Holy Spirit and be with me forever. Thank you Lord Jesus, Amen.”
“As for those who grieve because they cannot attend the festivals—I took them away from you; they became tribute and were a source of shame to you. 19 Look, at that time I will deal with those who mistreated you. I will rescue the lame sheep and gather together the scattered sheep. I will take away their humiliation and make the whole earth admire and respect them. 20 At that time I will lead you—at the time I gather you together. Be sure of this! I will make all the nations of the earth respect and admire youwhen you see me restore you,” says the Lord.” Zephaniah 3:18-20
God who will,
I was struck by how many times You, God, say ‘I will’ in these last few verses of Zephaniah. I will take away, I will deal with, I will rescue, I took them away, I will lead, I will make all the nations . . . Some scholars say this is about bringing back those who were exiled in Babylon others that it is about a day yet to come. We have not seen a day yet when Jews or Christians are respected by the whole earth. Far from it.
Rituals were taken away from us during Covid. Some floundered in their faith because they relied on them. We all missed the familiar pattern of worshipping together and taking communion. But it also forced many of us to strengthen our own relationship with You. And to not place faith in anything else. And to appreciate it when it was possible again.
You have always been faithful to Your Word and so we trust You will lead us and will one day gather us together and will restore us to life everlasting. We pray that Your people, both Jews and gentiles will recognise Jesus as the Messiah in that day. There will be no more persecution or prejudice. Till then we will put our trust in You. The God who will.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Suggestions for prayer . . . God who will,
For our family and friends and neighbours. Deliver them from evil into Your glorious light. For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, church members. Raise up people who will build church. For the royal family. Deliver them to full health and strength. For our Government. Raise up members who will.do what is best and right. For Ukraine, to stay free and lead Russia to desire peace and withdraw from war. For Gaza, empower talks towards next step and give unity to all those in talks for peace. For teachers and parents who help children to choose the best and know right and wrong. For those who will be making decisions this week. For all those who will choose to do good this week, help and serve. For us to have a good start to the week and peace of mind and a will to do good.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Monday 20th May 2022
When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more, And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair; When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore, And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
When the roll is called up yonder, When the roll is called up yonder, When the roll is called up yonder, When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise, And the glory of his resurrection share; When his chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies, And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
Let us labour for the Master from the dawn till setting sun; Let us talk of all his wondrous love and care. Then when all of life is over and our work on earth is done, And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
“On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Don’t be afraid, Zion! Your hands must not be paralysed from panic! 17 The Lord your God is in your midst; he is a warrior who can deliver. He takes great delight in you; he renews you by his love; he shouts for joy over you.” Zephaniah 3:16-17 NET
Lord our God,
Looking up this verse in another translation has given me fresh inspiration Lord God. And at a time when there are still hands turning to war in the Middle East rather than warriors fighting with the love of God to make peace. You are not just God in our midst but because of Jesus, and the pouring out of Your Spirit at Pentecost, You live in us. You speak intimately to us when we need to hear truth. You battled sin to deliver reconciliation and repentance. You will come one day upon a white horse, the rider called Faithful and True. With justice You will judge and wage the final war. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords. ( Revelation 19:11-16).
But for now, You battle unseen to help us live free from hate and sin. You can, will and do deliver us. When the enemy sneaks up and lies in our ear. You speak the truth. Reminding us we are forgiven. When he tries to make us feel useless, not good enough. Not trying hard enough, not worrying enough or its hopeless . . . Or he keeps getting us to imagine the worst taking away hope.
Keep reminding us. Keep whispering to our heart and mind, help us to recognise Your still small voice (1 Kings 19:12). That You are a mighty God, You are with us and for us. You can deliver us and there is none greater than You.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Suggestions for prayer . . . Lord our God,
For our family and friends and neighbours. Deliver them from evil into Your glorious light. For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, church members. Raise up worship leaders, bless them. For the royal family. Deliver them to full health and strength. For our Government. Be in the midst of them, help them hear You and lead them. For Ukraine, to stay free and lead Russia to desire peace and withdraw from war. For Gaza, empower talks towards next step and give unity to all those in talks for peace. For those who are facing bereavement and difficulties at home. For those with murderous intentions, change their hearts. For to remember You know everything . We can let go to You all that bothers us.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Sunday 19th May 2024 Remember this?
There is power in the Name of Jesus We believe in His name. We have called on the name of Jesus; We are saved! We are saved! At His name the demons flee. At His name captives are freed. For there is no other name that is higher Than Jesus!
There is power in the name of Jesus, Like a sword in our hands. We declare in the name of Jesus, We shall stand! We shall stand! At His name God’s enemies Shall be crushed beneath our feet. For there is no other name that is higher Than Jesus!
Lyrics: Noel Richards
“As I began to write the song I became more aware of how powerful the name of Jesus really is. My aim has been to reflect this in the lyrics. In Jesus’ name we find salvation. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Acts 2 v 21. Rom 10 v 13). Jesus brought freedom to people bound in every form of captivity and we can see the same thing happen today. Jesus’ name is above every other name (Philippians 2 v 9, 10) and I wanted that fact to be the last line for each verse. The melody needed to reinforce this and that is why it reaches top E at the end of the word “higher”.”
Except from interview with Noel from CrossRhythms. https://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Noel_Richards_Talking_through_his_song_There_Is_Power_In_The_Name_Of_Jesus/36501/p1/
“In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Do not fear; Zion, let not your hands be weak. 17 The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”” Zephaniah 3:16-17 NKJV.
God in our midst,
Zephaniah, not a book I read that often, and yet . . . Here in the middle of all the warnings and judgement to and on the people Judah in Jerusalem, I find these verses. We find You, God, once again offering promises of love towards the people who would humble themselves and follow You. Judgement will come, as we too know from Jesus. There will be a final day of judgement (Matthew 25:32,33). But we are not afraid as we are no longer under judgement we are in Your grace. We will not be paralysed from fear or panic, we will be enfolded safely in Your love.
You shout for joy over us! You rejoice over us with singing. Sing or shout it matters not – You are rejoicing over us. Showing Your delight! Sometimes that is hard to believe because at times we are disappointed in ourselves or we run ourselves down. But that is not how You see us. You see us as the person Jesus died for, conquered death for, and is preparing a place for and who You choose to dwell with by Your Spirit.
Thank You, help us to remember how precious and loved we are. And that You are here with us in the midst of whatever we go through. And You are singing over us with delight.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Suggestions for prayer . . . God of Joy,
For our family and friends and neighbours. Sing Your love into their lives. For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, church members. Raise up worship leaders, bless them. For the royal family. To know You through the generations. For our Government. Draw men and women with good hearts and good lives to take up the call. For Ukraine, to stay free and lead Russia to desire peace and withdraw from war. For Gaza, empower talks towards next step and give unity to all those in talks for peace. For all who write worship songs and sing the gospel and lift our spirits. For teachers, tutors, carers, parents, mental health nurses who use music to teach, heal and help. For music therapists and music teachers and choir leaders. For a day to thank You, and ask that You would help us hear Your music through the day in our hearts.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 18th May 2024 Regi tells how he came to write the song before he sings it. One to listen to and have faith He is singing over me.
Around the throne of Heaven A sea of the redeemed Are bowing and proclaiming The praises of the King Yet His word has promised There’s a song of love God Himself has written for each of us
God is singing over me My soul can hear the beauty of His melody I feel the glory carried on the breeze It lifts my spirit up God is singing over me
When my heart is broken Heavy with despair I long to feel His presence To know He really cares Suddenly there’s something Like a sweet perfume Music from above me is in the room
God is singing over me My soul can hear the beauty of His melody I feel the glory carried on the breeze It lifts my spirit up God is singing over me
My God rejoices with a song of love I’m overwhelmed that I’m the one He’s singing of
God is singing over me My soul can hear the beauty of His melody I feel the glory carried on the breeze It lifts my spirit up God is singing over me It lifts my spirit up God is singing over me
