“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Luke 11:9-10 NIV
God who gives,
We praise You for this brand new day, today. Help us to live in today. You do not make us relive yesterday and You tell us not to worry about tomorrow.
Seek and You will find, Your Word says. How true. Well yes, sometimes I need to pray to ask for help finding my keys or my phone or a £1 coin for the shopping trolley! But I can at times find something to moan about and the sun goes in. When I find something to be thankful for and the world seems brighter. We need to remember to seek You first and wait upon You. And to seek lasting things.
When we seek You we find You. We can seek enlightenment and find the certainties of our faith. Not ‘hope so’ or ‘maybe’. Jesus did it. Set us free. You, Lord, want us to seek Your first and then You can help us find what is best for us. If we seek You in faith You promise to reward us (Hebrews 11:6). Keep us seeking and finding Your way and the gifts of Your grace and mercy..
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
God who gives,
For our family and friends. We seek their best, and knock at Your throne room for their provision.
For our church, Ministers and lay leaders, for the church to grow in numbers and faith.
For the royal family. We seek You first for healing, and use the doctors for their good.
For our Parliament. Regardless of politics give a desire to be good and do their honest best.
For our local town or city. For town centres to flourish and new business to prosper.
For our hospitals, police and all those who work to keep out society functioning safely.
For those seeking medical breakthroughs, scientific discoveries, inspiration and answers.
For those seeking You to make decisions, hope and a way forward. Send answers and help.
For those at odds with each other, even family, a way forward to seek peace.
For Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, places of conflict. End war. We seek Your power for peace.
For us a good day, to work or rest or enjoy. A day to seek and find contentment.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 12th April 2024
Nystrom, a musician and songwriter, born was 1957 in Seattle, Washington, was taking part in a fast and focusing intently on time with the Lord. On day 19 of his fast, he sat down at a piano and started playing chords in no specific order. He noticed a Bible nearby open at Psalm 42. Without much thought, he sang the first words of the Psalm to the melody he was playing. Soon he had written the first verse and the chorus. Within minutes, the song was complete. He intended to keep the song to himself – but a friend asked permission to play it for others.
As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after You
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship You
You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship You
You’re my friend And You are my brother
Even though You are a King
I love You more than any other
So much more than anything
I want You more than gold or silver
Only You can satisfy
You alone are the real joy-giver
And the apple of my eye
Lyrics: Martin Nystrom