“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 NLT
God of eternity,
The second advent Sunday and it is good to consider the past, the present and the future knitted together in this one beautiful verse from Isaiah. I can never read this without hearing the bit where it is sung in Handel’s Messiah word for word. Because it is the kind of verse that explodes off the page for me, Lord.
Incredible that Isaiah may have been inspired by You at the time he wrote this but not how or when You would bring it to pass. Ot that Jesus would be Your Son and come as a vulnerable baby, be a refugee, rejected and killed. That is mind boggling. The shepherds and wise men certainly did not full understand who they met under that starry sky, laid in a manger. At Christmas so many people have no idea who that baby really was and is.
But for those of us who believe: You are our wonderful counsellor, the one we share our hopes and fears with. And the One active in our lives. The One who created all we know, who we trust with this world and its future. The One who loves us deeply, eternally and does not keep a record of our wrongs. We commit ourselves to You, Our Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of eternity,
For our family, friends, neighbours, those we promised to pray for.
For our Christian family and the plans for Christmas in our churches to draw in new people.
For our king and His family and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). Speak into their lives afresh.
For our Government, the Commons, the house of Lords, the civil servants.
For Ukraine and Russia. A miraculous end to war.
For all the conflict in the Middle East for the ongoing complications and vengeance. to end.
For the church hierarchy to plan for the future keeping Jesus at the centre.
For the families and persons living on our road, a glimpse of Your glory and the road to Jesus.
For the justice systems to be righteous. For the prison system to be improved and for chaplains.
For those coping with the storm Darragh damage.
For us to let You rule in us so we know and respond with love, hope and glory to whatever comes.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 8th December 2024
Meekness and majesty, manhood and deity
In perfect harmony, the Man who is God.
Lord of eternity dwells in humanity
Kneels in humility and washes our feet.
Oh what a mystery
Meekness and majesty
Bow down and worship
For this is your God
This is your God
Father’s pure radiance perfect in innocence,
Yet loves obedience to death on a cross.
Suffering to give us life conquering through sacrifice,
And as they crucified, prays “Father forgive”
Chorus
Wisdom unsearchable God the invisible,
Love indestructible in frailty appears.
Lord of infinity stopping so tenderly
Lifts our humanity to the heights of His throne
Chorus
Lyrics: Graham Kendrick