“Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.” 1 Kings 19:3-5 NIV
Father God,
Flight or fight. I tend to try to avoid conflict! Elijah ran. He thought he was the only prophet left and fear had got hold of him. But Obadiah had hidden a hundred prophets in two caves and supplied them with food and water. And he had taken his eyes off You, the God who had always been there.
We all have moments when we feel down, afraid or just miserable. Well I do if I am honest, You know that Lord. I am glad, Father, that we can come to you and not feel guilt about it. We can be honest and You meet us right there in our mess. Your great servant, Elijah had his own very real fears. So he had his own pity party because he forgot You had a plan.
Thank You that You listen to us whatever we feel like. Your love and Your plans are not affected by our emotions. You were the God of Elijah on the mountains and in the doldrums. When we were still sinners You died for us (Romans 5:8) to show us the depth of Your love. Whether we are up or down.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Suggestions for prayer . . .
Father God,
For our close family.
For our extended family, friends, neighbours, those we promised to pray for..
For our fellowship, ministers and congregations.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). Catherine’s return to duties.
For our Parliament. Lords and commons. Civil Servants.
For Ukraine and Russia. Oh Lord, the miracle of peace. Divine protection of life.
For Israel, Lebanon, all around the Middle East. We plead for peace and not escalation.
For the many deaths we see in the news, suicides and murders, for their family and friends.
For the church to reach those who need emotional and practical help before they can meet You.
For those worried about winter coming. For food banks, drop in centres and good neighbours/
That we might be able to see all we have and give thanks. For Your never ending supply of love.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 3rd October 2024
These are the days of Elijah,
Declaring the word of the Lord:
And these are the days of Your servant Moses,
Righteousness being restored.
And though these are days of great trial,
Of famine and darkness and sword,
Still, we are the voice in the desert crying
‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord!’
Behold He comes, riding on the clouds
Shining like the sun, at the trumpet call!
Lift your voice, it’s the year of jubilee
And out of Zion’s hill salvation comes!
These are the days of Ezekiel,
The dry bones becoming as flesh.
And these are the days of Your servant David,
Rebuilding a temple of praise.
These are the days of the harvest,
The fields are as white in Your world!
And we are the laborers in Your vineyard,
Declaring the word of the Lord!
Behold He comes, riding on the clouds
Shining like the sun, at the trumpet call!
Lift your voice, it’s the year of jubilee
And out of Zion’s hill salvation comes!
There is no God like Jehovah.
There is no God like Jehovah!
Lyrics: Robin Mark
Firstly the song came from watching a television “Review of the Year” at the end of 1994. This was the year of the Rwandan civil war tragedy which claimed 1 million people’s lives, and also when the first ceasefires in N.I. were declared. On this TV review were a lot of daft stories, happy stories, serious stories, and then absolutely devastating stories like the Rwandan situation. As I watched the review unfold I found myself despairing about the state of the world and, in prayer, began asking God if He was really in control and what sort of days were we living in.
I felt in my spirit that He replied to my prayer by saying that indeed He was very much in control and that the days we were living in were special times when He would require Christians to be filled with integrity and to stand up for Him just like Elijah did, particularly with the prophets of Baal. “These are ‘Elijah’ days”. Elijah’s story is in the book of Kings and you can read how he felt isolated and alone in the culture in which he lived. But God told him to stand up and speak for Him.
The full story behind this worship song can be read at
https://robinmark.com/the-story-behind-days-of-elijah/