“Now Jericho was shut tightly because of the Israelites. No one was allowed to leave or enter. The Lord told Joshua, “See, I am about to defeat Jericho for you, along with its king and its warriors. Have all the warriors march around the city one time; do this for six days. Have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the horns. When you hear the signal from the ram’s horn, have the whole army give a loud battle cry. Then the city wall will collapse, and the warriors should charge straight ahead.”” Joshua 6:1-5 NET
Lord God,
We do not live in Joshua’s time. We know our cities and towns are far from holiness and shut up against Godly living. But the answer is not to bring them to rubble and kill all the people! We war against the hold of sin on and in their lives. They need a deliverer. A Joshua who brings freedom and another way to live- in Jesus.
But this battle is so not physical warfare! Joshua sought You, Lord, for the way forward and he involved his whole army. All those willing to step out for You in plain sight. And they all marched together in their particular roles shoulder to shoulder, together. In Psalm 133 You say how You will bless Your people when they live in agreement with each other.
And they followed Joshua as we follow Jesus. To success. We may have different hymn books, different worship styles, different traditions. But we all follow Jesus by Your Holy Spirit. Together we can march forward, so Jesus can break down of walls of sin and enter new hearts. Your Army is town wide, nation wide and world wide.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Suggestions for prayer . . .
Lord God,
For our family, friends, neighbours, those we promised to pray for.
For our fellowship, ministers and our and neighbouring congregations. New comers.
For our king and His family and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For our Government. Lords and commons. Civil Servants. Local councillors.
For Ukraine and Russia. For Israel, Lebanon, the Middle East. Countries in conflict.
For Your Army in churches large and small. Rich and poor. Growth.
For all the kindness done at community level through churches. Luncheon clubs, warm places, befriending and bereavement cafe’s, food banks, children’s clubs. Sharing Jesus.
For us, todays provision for todays challenges and todays restorative rest for the end of the day.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 8th November 2024
The writer of this hymn, Sabine Baring-Gould (1865) explains, “Whit-Monday is a great day for school festivals in Yorkshire. One Whit-Monday, thirty years ago, it was arranged that our school should join forces with that of a neighbouring village. I wanted the children to sing when marching from one village to another, but couldn’t think of anything quite suitable; so I sat up at night, resolved that I would write something myself. Onward, Christian Soldiers was the result. It was written in great haste, and I am afraid some of the rhymes are faulty. Certainly nothing has surprised me more than its popularity.”
Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before.
Christ, the royal Master,
Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle
See His banners go!
Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the Cross of Jesus
Going on before.
At the sign of triumph,
Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers,
On to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver
At the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices,
Loud your anthems raise.
Like a mighty army
Moves the Church of God;
Brothers, we are treading
Where the saints have trod.
We are not divided,
All one body we,
One in hope, in doctrine,
One in charity.
Verse omitted from video.
(Crowns and thrones may perish,
Kingdoms rise and wane,
But the Church of Jesus
Constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never
’Gainst that church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise,
And that cannot fail.)
Onward then, ye people,
Join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices
In the triumph song.
Glory, laud and honor
Unto Christ the King,
This through countless ages
Men and angels sing.
Lyrics: Sabine Baring-Gould