“Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. 14 Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 15 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:13-16 NIV
Father God,
Jesus constantly shook off any glory from Himself and directed people to go to Your Priests and say thank You to You, God. He did not want to steal the limelight or become a celebrity. He must have known that when His time came it would be centre stage but not in any celebrity way they expected. It would cost him everything.
So Your word tells us He often got away from everyday distractions and talked to You. Prayer was Your idea God. You know we need it. Thank You for such a wonderful gift. But sometimes we just don’t know where to start. Should we worship first? Should we thank You first? Should we remind ourselves of Your promises to hear us? Should we explain what we want or presume You know?
I am in awe of You because You are bigger than the Universe, more powerful than I can imagine an awesome God. And yet, I love Your Son as my Saviour and friend, because He first loved me. He came to show us You. I am grateful for the indwelling of Your Holy Spirit though sometimes I wonder how He can put up with me.
Help me just to learn to ignore the everyday distractions and talk to You. To find time, to make time, to take time. For it to be a healthy conversation with You, my mighty God, Lord and my friend.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Father God,
It does seem sometimes that prayer is a list of people we are asking You to bless, heal, provide for and touch with Your love. But Your invitation to bring all our cares to You was real (1 Peter 5:6-7). So we do. With thanksgiving that You care too. And there are those who need You in a special way this week because they are in a battle with sickness or have decisions to make or are just having to face the challenges of life. Speak life and hope and healing and direction and joy throughout their day.
O God bring an end to the war in Ukraine. We do not need to remind You of the many families bereaved or the many injured in both Armies. Change the desires of those causing war. Miraculously cause a ceasefire and end to the desire of oppression and control.
We pray for our world so often ravaged by men and women’s desires and greed. We pray You would melt hearts before actions cause grief. We pray too for our world and the natural signs of trauma in earthquakes, floods and droughts. The earth too has been crying out for peace since the entry of sin in the garden of Eden. Help and comfort those devastated by natural disasters.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 27th September 2023
You may not have heard this hymn before but it talks about the place where prayer starts. Knowing that God loves us and we can come just as we are . . .
The same God who makes the planets spin
Tells the tide when it should rise
Put the colour in my eyes
The same God who makes the seasons change
Knows the number of the stars
Every secret in my heart
All my doubts, all my questions
In every fear I have about what might happen
You’re the same God
You’re with me in the middle of it all, God
You’re catching every tear as it falls
I know You’ll never change
Even when I’m feeling far away
You love me the same, God
You love me the same, God
You love me the same, God
You love me the same
You’re a God of grace and empathy
You know how it feels to cry
’cause You lived a human life
You’re not afraid of anything
Even darkness is a light
There’s no reason I should hide
All my doubts, all my questions
In every fear I have about what might happen
You’re the same God
You’re with me in the middle of it all, God
You’re catching every tear as it falls
I know You’ll never change
Even when I’m feeling far away
You love me the same, God
You love me the same, God
You love me the same, God
You love me the same
Even when I’m running
When I feel ashamed
Even when I’m breaking
Still, You love me
Even when I’m lonely
When I lose my way
When I don’t believe it
Still, You love me
the same, God
You’re with me in the middle of it all, God
You’re catching every tear as it falls
I know You’ll never change
Even when I’m feeling far away
You love me the same, God
You love me the same, God
You love me the same, God
You love me the same
You love me the same
Lyrics: Hunter Leath, Emma Klein, Hannah Kerr Earley