“If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 NKJV
God of miracles,
Nothing is impossible for you (Luke 1:37). This was also what the angel told Mary, the mother to be of Jesus! Jesus told his disciples the same in the verse quoted from Matthew above. It is another one of those verses that I remember in words and with images. I grew mustard and cress on blotting paper at junior school! I can picture a tiny little mustard seed compared to a mountain. I must admit I picture a lake district snow covered peak not a middle eastern mount! And I need my faith to grow.
This statement was in response to the disciples being unable to heal a boy who suffered seizures. The disciples came to Jesus later, privately, to learn from their failure. I do not believe I can move a mountain! But that was not what Jesus was saying. Its about praying with faith You will do something. Talking to You, eternal, immortal, to powerful to imagine, God. Trusting that You hear and answer our prayers. Its about asking for the impossible and leaving the answers to You. And not loosing faith because You do not answer as I want You to. The power will never come from our might, ability to persuade You or because we have been goodness. It will always be by Your Spirit through Your love (Zachariah 4;6).
Keep us asking for, listening and learning about and growing in faith.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Suggestions for prayer . . .
God who can,
For our family, friends, neighbours, church fellowship. Meet their many personal needs today and we ask for the miracles that some of them need, both great and small.
For Kings, rulers and Governments. Good and oppressive. Lead them to generosity and kindness.
For the HRH King Charles and HRH Duchess of Cambridge, full recovery and rest at home.
For our government, for wisdom in decisions at home and regarding other countries.
For nations and their rulers and governments to have a desire to make peace, and make it happen.
For Ukraine and Gaza permanent peace. Along with Myanmar, North Korea, Chine, Sudan, Syria.
For those who work away often unseen making society safer and pleasant. District nurses, dustbin men, electrician’s, reservoir keepers, police, bakers, carers, home helps, farmers . . .
For those who do not have what they need to live through no fault of their own. The organisations that work out of compassion to provide food, medical care and support to become self sufficient.
For refugees and children who live in continual danger and need. Send support and supplies.
For us, to have the contentment of trusting You and simple surprises to brighten our day.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Sunday 4th February 2024
Everyone needs compassion
A love that’s never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Well, everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Saviour
The hope of nations
Chorus:
Saviour, He can move the mountains
And my God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save
Forever, Author of Salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
And fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
And now I surrender,
Shine Your light and let the whole world see
We’re singing for the glory of the risen King, Jesus
Shine Your light and let the whole world see
We’re singing for the glory of the risen King
Shine Your light . . .
Lyrics: Reuben Morgan and Ben Fielding
“Mighty to Save” is a song that came not from one situation or circumstance in our lives, but as the sum of many. Our God who is all powerful, chooses not to turn his power against us, but towards us, drawing us to himself, writing us into a new story—his salvation story. We have seen it in our own lives. We see it every week in our church. God is all about restoring people to himself.
Reuben and I have been friends since I was 15 years old and that helps a lot when co-writing, to feel comfortable to present ideas and to be honest throughout the process. “Mighty to Save” was the first song we ever finished together.
On the day we began working on “Mighty to Save,” Reuben and I were sitting in his living room working on another song. We had sort of reached a dead end and decided to move on to a new idea. We definitely didn’t realize at the time the significance of that decision, as we began to sing the words “mighty to save.”