“When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”” Luke 23:33,34
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:37,38.
God of mercy and strength,
We look to You and see Your power and majesty! We look to You and see mercy and humility. Such opposites. Then we see Jesus and understand. You can be both holy Judge and the one who took our punishment. Help us to worship You as we should. To acknowledge Your sovereignty and be open and honest with You. You know it all anyway.
Father, Jesus taught that forgiving one another is not an option. He taught many times that if we don’t forgive, You will not forgive us. He didn’t just preach it he practised it – forgiving even those who killed Him.
Sometimes God, it is hard to forgive. Events can be life changing or even unnoticed by the offender. Waiting for an apology that will never come is hard. But You died for my sin before I was born. You didn’t wait for me to say sorry to offer forgiveness, You went to the cross first. You don’t carry resentment against me. And my forgiveness came without buts.
Help me let go of all that is not You. Resentment, judging others, dislike, hate, unforgiveness . . . God help me to forgive from my heart and let You be the one who will judge those who have wronged or hurt us. Especially where we are still dealing with the consequences and the memories.
Help us lay it all to rest so nothing can play on our mind or be used by the enemy. Help us to keep forgiving daily till unforgiveness is gone. We hand over judgement over to You.
In Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.
God of might and mercy,
For our close family. .
For our extended family, friends, neighbours, those we promised to pray for..
For our fellowship, ministers and congregations. Mid week prayer meetings.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For our Government. Lords and commons. Civil Servants. To change the laws to counter wrong.
For Ukraine and Russia. Drive out the desire for war.
For Israel, Lebanon, the Middle East. Drive out enmity and send Your Spirit of reconciliation.
For Sudan, Afghanistan and Myanmar.
For America and their political future.
For those whose lives are eaten up with vengeance, terrorism and violence. Deliver them to peace.
For the healing of minds and hearts of those who have suffered violence and abuse.
For Christians who need a fresh experience of Your love and forgiveness to sweeten their lives.
For us to forget offences large and small and refuse to let our memory reminds us.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 19th October 2024
Just the opening chords mellow my heart . . .
Wonderful grace that gives what I don’t deserve,
pays me what Christ has earned then lets me go free.
Wonderful grace that gives me the time to change,
washes away the stains that once covered me.
And all that I have I lay at the feet
of the wonderful Saviour who loves me.
Wonderful love that held in the face of death,
breathed in its final breath forgiveness for me.
Wonderful love whose power can break every chain
giving us life again setting us free.
And all that I have I lay at the feet
of the wonderful Saviour who loves me.
Lyrics: John Pantry