2026 will again be through the Bible chronologically selecting verses which attract my attention or questions or encourage me on the day. I pray it blesses whoever reads . . . My theological background is Salvation Army College and now Church of England. I love all Christian denominations.
Lord Jesus, I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. Forgive me and help me turn from everything I know is wrong. Thank you for dying on the cross to pay the price and set me free from my sin. Please come into my life, fill me with your Holy Spirit and be with me forever. Thank you Lord Jesus. Amen.”
“O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” For I was the king’s cupbearer.” Nehemiah 1:11 NKJV
“And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, that I took the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had never been sad in his presence before. 2 Therefore the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart.” So I became dreadfully afraid, 3 and said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire?” 4 Then the king said to me, “What do you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven.” Nehemiah 2:1-4NKJV
Lord God and Father,
Nehemiah, we learn in these opening chapters, is a man of prayer and emotions. A man who held his people in his heart and his prayers. He must have shown that same care as cupbearer to the king to receive such a generous reply from the King. And I suspect his knees were knocking a little at the time!
I am also sure that he had to be prepared to serve the king whenever. He would not have done regular days with weekends off and holidays! He would not have been able to meet with others for an afternoon prayer meeting. And his prayers that we have, in the Bible, read like a conversation with You. Respectful not flowery, honest and showing an understanding of Your Word and Covenant. He prays as things come up, as a result of conversations and when he needs Your help. On the go prayers. And the real encouragement to me? Even impromptu prayers on the go work.
I believe in prayer teams and prayer meetings but they will never take the place of that prayer conversation I snatch in real time as it were. As needs arrive, in the moment. We don’t always have time to draw aside and meditate and to talk to You, especially when we need to pray help – before we speak.Thank You Holy Spirit You hear the unspoken thoughts and desires of our hearts.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 18th September 2026 This has grown on me. One of those songs where the chorus sticks in your brain. A good reminder – don’t stop praying.
What’s your impossible? Your “I need a miracle” What’s got you barely hanging by a single thread? What looks so hopeless now? What weighs down your heart with doubt? You beg for a breakthrough, but no sign of breakthrough yet
When you’ve cried, and you’ve cried ’til your tears run dry The answer won’t come, and you don’t know why And you wonder if you can bow your head even one more time
Don’t stop praying Don’t stop calling on Jesus’ name Keep on pounding on Heaven’s door And let your knees wear out the floor Don’t stop believing ‘Cause mountains move with just a little faith And your Father’s heard every single word you’re saying So, don’t stop praying
He’s close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit The Alpha and Omega knows how your story ends
When you’ve cried, and you’ve cried ’til your tears run dry The answer won’t come, and you don’t know why And you wonder if you can bow your head even one more time Oh, do it one more time
And don’t stop praying Don’t stop calling on Jesus’ name Keep on pounding on Heaven’s door And let your knees wear out the floor Don’t stop believing ‘Cause mountains move with just a little faith And your Father’s heard every single word you’re saying So, don’t stop praying
Don’t stop praying for the prodigal Don’t stop praying for the miracle Hallelujah, hallelujah, and amen Don’t stop praying that addictions end Don’t stop praying for deliverance Hallelujah, hallelujah, and amen
Oh, don’t stop praying for the sickness healed Don’t stop praying for His power revealed Hallelujah, hallelujah, and amen No, don’t stop praying for the Kingdom come Don’t stop praying that His will be done Hallelujah, hallelujah, and amen
Don’t stop praying Don’t stop calling on Jesus’ name Keep on pounding on Heaven’s door Let your knees wear out the floor Don’t stop believing ‘Cause mountains move with just a little faith And your Father’s heard every single word you’re sayin’ So, don’t stop praying
“The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi. 2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord. “Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?’” Malachi 1:1-2 NKJV
“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My reverence? Says the Lord of hosts to you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’ 7 “You offer defiled food on My altar, but say, ‘In what way have we defiled You?’ By saying, ‘The table of the Lord is contemptible.’” Malachi 1:6-7 NKJV
Lord and Saviour,
Malachi begins by stating that You Lord love all Your people, those who had remained in and around Jerusalem, those in Babylon and those who returned to rebuild the Temple. Even if they do not believe it. And they seem to be struggling with the age old question of Your love towards us when bad things happen. They constantly forget that their relationship with You is based on loving obedience and continues through all situations (Psalm 46).
Malachi reminds them how they have harmed themselves and offended You. The Priests, who should have known better. Corrupt and disrespectful (Malachi 1:6-2:9) Then the general populous behaviour. Their unfaithfulness in marriage relationships (Malachi 10:2-16). Their dishonesty in tithes and offerings due to You Lord (Malachi 3:6-12). And before we judge, we need to repent of our own weaknesses.
The end of Malachi promises judgement but also glorious hope The wicked will burn up but Elijah will come before that day and turn the hearts of the fathers to the children And the hearts of the children to their fathers (Malachi 4:6). The messenger who will precede Your coming Lord (Malachi 3:1). Speaking of the day when John the Baptist would precede Jesus and bring Salvation and hope for both Jew and gentile. Turning our hearts to You, Father, through Your Son.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 17th September 2026 I have never heard this Graham Kendrick worship before. Perhaps it was not as popular but it seems to fit well here.
Turn our hearts, turn our hearts.
Turn our hearts to one another, let your kindness show: where our words or deeds have wounded, let forgiveness flow.
Turn our hearts, turn our hearts.
Turn our hearts from pride and anger to your ways of peace, for you died and shed your blood that enmity may cease.
Turn our hearts, turn our hearts.
Turn the hearts of generations that we may be one: make us partners in the kingdom till your work is done.
Turn our hearts, turn our hearts.
As we all have been forgiven, so must we forgive; as we all have found acceptance, so let us receive.
“Then the people of the land tried to discourage the people of Judah. They troubled them in building, 5 and hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia. In the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. 7 In the days of Artaxerxes also, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabel, and the rest of their companions wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the letter was written in Aramaic script, and translated into the Aramaic language. ” Ezra 4:4-7 NKJV
“And you will find in the book of the records and know that this city is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces, and that they have incited sedition within the city in former times, for which cause this city was destroyed. 16 We inform the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are completed, the result will be that you will have no dominion beyond the River.” Ezra 4:15-16 NKJV
Father God,
Opposition again to the rebuilding. It had been stopped in the days of King Darius and then restarted after a letter was found in the Babylonian archives giving permission. Here though, we go back to chapter 4 of Ezra we are told we are in the reign of Ahasuerus, the son of Darius and then his predecessor Artaxerxes Ezra 4:1). So it seems the chapters are a little out of historical order. But no matter. This time the opposers aim their argument where they know it will stick. Where the money is. Rebuilding may make the Nation of Israel rebel against paying taxes to Babylon. So they suggest a search against trouble and rebellion from Jerusalem. Israel’s enemies suggest Babylon prevent further trouble.
And the work may have faltered and halted for a little while – except for the arrival of another group of exiles from Babylon and this time with a man called Ezra a skillful scribe in the Law of Moses. It sometimes, well quite often only takes one person to change circumstances. He doesn’t do all the work but he knows how to stand up to KIngs and ask for his rights. And Nehemiah comes along too. He knows how not to be intimidated by his enemies and how to look and see what needs to be done and encourage it.
Thats not me, we say. Not sure I want to stick my head above the parapet. But sometimes You just want us to do our part and nothing is too small a task. And others will join us when we have explained what and why if it is Your leading. Encouraging others is sometimes all it takes. I remember being told that no-one remembers who led Billy Graham to the Lord. But look what that achieved. Help us not to try to work things out in our own strength, or be afraid but just do what You put before us willingly, joyfully, hopefully.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 16th September 2026 I love the encouraging words of this worship.
I know someone who knows what I’m up against I know someone who’s here in the midst of it Fightin’ for me in a battle I could never win All on my own
I might not be able to part the waters Might not be able to calm the storms Might not be able to make my giants fall But good thing I’m not alone ‘Cause there is a power that is greater So I’m not afraid of what’s ahead I’m standing in the confidence that even though I can’t My God can
He’ll heal those who hurt and comfort every broken heart Restore the homes of families who’ve been torn apart Tell chains to break and do what seems impossible Like only He can
I might not be able to part the waters Might not be able to calm the storms Might not be able to make my giants fall But good thing I’m not alone ‘Cause there is a power that is greater So I’m not afraid of what’s ahead I’m standing in the confidence that even though I can’t My God can Oh-oh, oh (oh, yes, He can)
I can do all things, all things Through Christ who gives me strength I can do all things, all things ‘Cause His spirit lives in me I can do all things, all things Through Christ who gives me strength I can do all things (all things), all things (all things) ‘Cause His spirit lives in me
I might not be able to part the waters Might not be able to calm the storms Might not be able to make my giants fall But good thing I’m not alone ‘Cause there is a power that is greater (that is greater) So I’m not afraid of what’s ahead (I’m not afraid) I’m standing in the confidence that even though I can’t My God can, oh-ooh My God can I know He can
Lyrics: Joshua Havens, Jordan Mohilowski, Ethan Hulse, Katy Nichole.
