“For the iniquity of his covetousness I was angry and struck him; I hid and was angry, and he went on backsliding in the way of his heart. I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will also lead him, and restore comforts to him and to his mourners. 19 “I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,” says the Lord. “And I will heal him.” 20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. 21 “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”” Isaiah 57:18-21
Father God,
There are two kinds of people talked about in Your word. Those who are willing to admit their sin and repent – turn around, and those who do not want to know You. You say there is no peace for those wicked who are unwilling to know You. We still hear it said there is no peace for the wicked! Talking about people who seem to have no remorse. Isaiah is looking at how You see beyond the outer man and into the heart. The need to know You to know peace of heart.
We still see people bowing to the King as he has returned to public duties. Out of respect and to honour. Some do it merely as protocol. It is the same for us surely. We can sing worship say the Lords prayer reed your word as a duty or because we want to have an open heat to You. I wondered at an elderly member of our congregation who bowed (genuflected) as she approached the altar for communion. A physical representation of bowing the heart to You Lord?
The wicked cannot bow to You because they would have to accept Your reign and rule. Have to accept that You sent Jesus and follow His teachings.
We pray Your Spirit would convict the wicked of their backsliding and introduce them to Jesus. Help us to be messengers of Your peace. And bow our hearts and maybe our bodies now and again to remember You are King. The King to whom everyone one day will bow (Romans 14:11).
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Father God,
For our close family. Their individual needs and hopes.
For our extended family, friends, neighbours.
For our fellowship, ministers and congregations. God be the centre of all they do.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For Parliament, house of commons and Lords. A coming together over what is best.
For Ukraine. Lord God, bring an end to war and an end to violence.
For Gaza, all the Middle East. Step into their midst with Your peace.
For world leaders to know not a single minute of peace till they choose to halt violence.
For those who have hard hearts to meet You and turn from their wicked ways.
For victims of violence and unkindness to allow You to judge and find peace and safety.
For those who man help lines, do voluntary work and help neighbours – peace and joy.
For the police, International Law Enforcement. Our Armed Forces. Peacekeeping Forces.
For us a day for letting go of any irritation and discontent and finding hope and joy and peace.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 14th September 2024
So simple a truth. Something bothering me? Need to bring it to God and return to peace.
I’ve got peace like a river
I’ve got peace like a river
I’ve got peace like a river in my soul
I’ve got peace like a river
I’ve got peace like a river
I’ve got peace like a river in my soul
I’ve got joy like a river
I’ve got joy like a river
I’ve got joy like a river in my soul
I’ve got joy like a river
I’ve got joy like a river
I’ve got joy like a river in my soul
I’ve got love like a river
I’ve got love like a river
I’ve got love like a river in my soul
I’ve got love like a river
I’ve got love like a river
I’ve got peace, joy love like a river in my soul