Category: Daily Prayer

Friday 18th August 2023

“And he (Jesus) entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. 2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.” Matthew 9:1-3 KJV

God of good cheer,

Jesus had just been asked to leave the country of Gergesenes where he had healed a man possessed but it had caused the loss of a herd of swine. He never forces his company on anyone and leaves with good grace. But You also promised to never leave us – those who love Your presence.

Friends made the effort needed to carry a man paralysed to Jesus. Well there were no electric wheel chairs. The writer notes that Jesus saw their faith and hope. I wonder if it was the paralysed mans idea or those that brought him? Or both?

Jesus gave all his attention to the one in need. He addressed Him personally, intimately to put him at ease and then He asked him to be of good cheer. Not to be afraid but cheerful. When ever we bring someone to You through Jesus or we come ourselves we can be of Good cheer. Because You are a good God. We need not be afraid of You even though You are beyond our comprehension, more powerful that anything we can imagine and Holy and all seeing. Because Jesus is our mediator our righteousness and ready to help.

So we can cheer up. Our sins are forgiven and we can walk in holiness again and again and again. If we follow Jesus and allow Him to lead. Miserable Christians? Maybe sometimes. Underneath it all cheerfully forgiven? Always?

In Jesus name, Amen.

God of good cheer,

Help our family, friends, and those we know in our church congregations and fellowships be cheerful about our faith. We ask too that You would meet their needs so they can find reason to be cheerful too. And for those who do not yet know the joy of Your forgiveness – lead them to a place where they can meet You and hear You.

Ukraine, Lord bring an end to the paralysing, deadly war and speak peace into the hearts of those who are driving it. We pray for Canada experiencing a record number of wildfires causing many thousands to be evacuated. Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain there Lord, and stop the fires before they can reach the city of Yellowknife at the weekend.

Thank You for today and all the blessings it holds.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 19th August 2023
Cheer up. The gospel is good news and God is a good good Father.

Oh, I’ve heard a thousand stories of what they think You’re like
But I’ve heard the tender whisper of love in the dead of night
And You tell me that You’re pleased
And that I’m never alone

You’re a good, good Father
It’s who You are, It’s who You are
It’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
It’s who I am, It’s who I am
It’s who I am

Oh, I’ve seen many searching for answers far and wide
But I know we’re all searching
For answers only You provide
Cause You know just what we need
Before we say a word

[Chorus]

Cause You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways to us, aah
You are perfect in all of Your ways
Oh, you’re perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways to us

Oh, it’s love so undeniable
I, I can hardly speak
Peace so unexplainable
I, I can hardly think
As You call me deeper still
As You call me deeper still
As You call me deeper still
Into love, love, love

[Chorus]

[Bridge]
You are perfect in all of Your ways
It’s who You are
It’s who You are
It’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
You are perfect in all of Your ways
It’s who I am
It’s who I am
It’s who I am

Lyrics: Chris Tomlin

Thursday 17th August 2023

“My days are swifter than a runner, they speed by without seeing happiness. 26 They glide by like reed boats, like an eagle that swoops down on its prey. 27 If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression and be cheerful,’ 28 I dread all my sufferings, for I know that you do not hold me blameless. 29 If I am guilty, why then weary myself in vain?” Job 9:25-29 NET

Lord God,

What a picture. A runner, in those days delivering a message and if bad news not welcomed. Reed boats speeding to buy goods and an eagle speeding to kill its prey who has done nothing to deserve death. Life passes and Job suffers on soon to be passed himself. Not cheerful.

I do not find Job east to read but the question of suffering is discussed. Job replies to Bildad that he cannot for a minute forget his complaint, his bereavement and ill health and suffering. He cannot change his expression and pretend to be cheerful.

There are times we cannot be falsely cheerful. Job is concerned that he cannot have it out with You God. He says a few verses later in verse 33, “If only there were someone to mediate between us,
    someone to bring us together,  someone to remove God’s rod from me, so that his terror would frighten me no more. Then I would speak up without fear of him, but as it now stands with me, I cannot.”

Thank You that we do. Jesus who stands in the gap between Me and You, God. So in all situations I can know Your presence and forgiveness. Even in suffering or ill health. You did not answer all Jobs questions about suffering, You reminded Him You are God and then You restored Him.

Remind us that You are still Almighty God and loving Saviour despite what we may be going through. Be our rock and defender and healing and the provider of life and all that is good beyond this earths trouble.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Lord God,

We do not understand sickness and trauma and distress. We do not have all the answers and come to You to look for help and strength and all we need and for our families and friends. We ask for healing and provision for those who are in need. Help us when we cannot understand, to trust. And know Your help and comfort with us.

We pray for the end to war and conflict in Ukraine and other areas of the world where power drives the leaders and greed directs their plans. Open blind eyes to see mercy.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship 17th August 2023
A hymn written out of suffering and loss.

When peace like a river attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well with my soul.”

It is well with my soul;
it is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control:
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and has shed his own blood for my soul. Refrain.

My sin oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
my sin, not in part, but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more;
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

O Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
the trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend;
even so, it is well with my soul.

Lyrics: Horatio Gates Spafford

Horatio G. Spafford was a successful lawyer and businessman who suffered tremendous loss in his life. Not only did he lose his business in the great Chicago fire, but he and his wife lost their son to scarlet fever and then later lost all four daughters to shipwreck in the Atlantic. Shortly after the wreck, Spafford journeyed to England through the very waters where his daughters perished. It was on that journey that he penned the lyrics to “It Is Well.”

Wednesday 16th august 2023

“For just as in one body we have many members, and not all the members serve the same function, 5 so we who are many are one body in Christ, and individually we are members who belong to one another. 6 And we have different gifts according to the grace given to us. If the gift is prophecy, that individual must use it in proportion to his faith.7 If it is service, he must serve; if it is teaching, he must teach; 8 if it is exhortation, he must exhort; if it is contributing, he must do so with sincerity; if it is leadership, he must do so with diligence; if it is showing mercy, he must do so with cheerfulness.” Romans 12:5-8 NET

God of mercy,

Showing mercy with cheerfulness. Words not too popular in todays language. Mercy and cheerfulness and certainly I do not hear them said together very often. But thinking about it, it makes sense. Kindness without making someone feel indebted?

Mercy: the compassionate treatment of those in distress, especially when it is within one’s power to punish or harm them. With cheerfulness!

The gift of showing mercy? Help us see where we can do this naturally and by making an effort. Help us be patient with people’s quirks. Help anyone around us who is hurting. Give people a second chance. Do good to those who hurt us? (Do we have to? I find that hard sometimes if I am honest). And I know what the answer is Lord. Be kind to those who offend us. Help those in need or distress.

It sometimes surprises me about how cheerful I feel when I have helped someone or given a donation where there is need. Help me make cheerfulness part of my giving.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God of mercy,

We would that all our friends, family and neighbours would be cheerful today. Would know something of Your mercy and provision. Work out Your purposes in their lives and bless them with Your cheer.

We pray for the many places in distress around the world. For the people trying to live and just survive under oppressive regimes. For the girls and their families in Afghanistan. We pray You would move in the Government and religious rulers to allow them to be free to reach their potential.

We pray for those areas suffering from poverty and without the ability to change their circumstances. Areas like Papua New Guinea, that we rarely hear about, but who need mercy and much provision. Even to have the basics of clean water and shoes to keep them from the terrible foot infections.

Help us give thanks and be cheerful because we have much.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 16th August 2023
Now often improved by singing Brother, sister, let me serve you.

Brother, let me be your servant;
Let me be as Christ to you;
Pray that I might have the grace to
Let you be my servant, too.

We are pilgrims on a journey;
We are family on the road;
We are here to help each other
Walk the miles and bear the load.

I will weep when you are weeping;
When you laugh I’ll laugh with you;
I will share your joys and sorrows
Till we’ve seen this journey through.

When we sing to God in Heaven
We shall find such harmony,
Born of all we’ve known together
Of Christ’s love and agony.

Brother, let me be your servant;
Let me be as Christ to you;
Pray that I might have the grace to
Let you be my servant, too.

Lyrics: Richard Gillard (1978)