Category: Daily Prayer

Friday 11th August 2023

Listen to what the Lord is saying:
“Stand up and state your case against me. Let the mountains and hills be called to witness your complaints. 2 And now, O mountains, listen to the Lord’s complaint! He has a case against his people. He will bring charges against Israel. 3 “O my people, what have I done to you? What have I done to make you tired of me? Answer me! 4 For I brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from slavery. I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to help you. 5 Don’t you remember, my people, how King Balak of Moab tried to have you cursed and how Balaam son of Beor blessed you instead? And remember your journey from Acacia Grove to Gilgal, when I, the Lord, did everything I could to teach you about my faithfulness.” Micah 6:1-5 NLT

Our Father,

Micah returns to His message of judgement, against the society he lived amongst, and sets the scene of a court and trial. Trials are still much the same today. Reading the charges asking for a response of guilty or innocent and calling witnesses.

I have never noticed before, but You, God puts yourself in the dock and asks what You have done wrong. What are the charges against You? You calls on the mountains to be Your witnesses as they literally have seen it all! Then You cite all the occasions when You did provide and was faithful.

So many people today blame You. God for all sorts of things. Put You on trial and have already decided You are guilty. It reminds me of a hill that witnessed Your faithfulness, and men’s sin. Where Jesus took our punishment.

Today we thank You for your faithfulness to us today. I give thanks that King Hezekiah and the people heard and responded to Micah and Your Word and changed their behaviour (Jeremiah 26:18-19). They returned to Your blessing for a while anyway! Help us to respond to Your faithfulness and not be prone to wander or sin.

Our Father,

Who art in heaven and yet in the hearts of men by Your Spirit, bless those we know and love. Guide and direct their paths and touch them where they hurt and need healing, where they need light and hope and purpose. Thank You for our church fellowship and those who faithfully pray for us each day or week.

We pray for our justice system which gained such a backlog in Covid and which was already overburdened with cases. Many are long and complicated. We ask that You would call those with wisdom to become judges and magistrates. Grant them divine discernment. Help the system cope and catch up. Though we pray by Your hand criminals would find You, repent and not add to the case load.

We pray for families of those in prison who need help and we pray for the victims of crime whose lives have been changed forever. Be their provider.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 11th August 2023

Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world
They resound with God’s own heart
Oh, let the ancient words impart

Words of Life, words of Hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e’er we roam
Ancient words will guide us home

Chorus:
Ancient words ever true
Changing me and changing you
We have come with open hearts
Oh, let the ancient words impart

Holy words of our Faith
Handed down to this age
Came to us through sacrifice
Oh heed the faithful words of Christ

Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world
They resound with God’s own heart
Oh let the ancient words impart

Chorus
Ancient words ever true
Changing me and changing you
We have come with open hearts
Oh, let the ancient words impart

Lyrics: Michael W Smith






Thursday 10th August 2023

“As for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, seemingly insignificant among the clans of Judah—from you a king will emerge who will rule over Israel on my behalf, one whose origins are in the distant past. 3 So the Lord will hand the people of Israel over to their enemies until the time when the woman in labour gives birth. Then the rest of the king’s countrymen will return to be reunited with the people of Israel. 4 He will assume his post and shepherd the people by the Lord’s strength, by the sovereign authority of the Lord his God. They will live securely, for at that time he will be honoured even in the distant regions of the earth. 5 He will give us peace.” Micah 5:2-5 NET

Sovereign Lord God,

Yes, the shopping channels (I merely scrolled past them on the TV guide!) have been doing Christmas in July and are having Christmas again in August. The world needs reminding we have to spend to make it more wonderful than last year and to be happier???? For those of us who know Christ we never cease to wonder that You came has a defenceless helpless baby to become the Saviour of the world.

Scholars think Micah was written 600 to 700 years before Christ and yet here is a promise of his coming. Bethlehem. Ephrathah is a biblically referenced former name of Bethlehem, meaning “fruitful”. It is also a personal name. The special place of no significance to man where You planned Your Son would be born. As Micah foretold, He certainly assumed His post even if His own disciples could not always understand or see it.

He was a good Shepherd to those who would follow and still is (v4) . By Your strength (v4) as He only did what He saw You doing (John 5:19). He is honoured even in the distant regions of the world, because 12 men and some women spread the gospel by the power of Your Holy Spirit. You give us peace. One day, and You knows when, You will give us a beautiful, joyful, life filled peace in heaven. Thank You for the promises that have been fulfilled and those we are looking forward to in our future.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Sovereign Lord God,

Bless, keep and shepherd our friends and family into good places and good health and into Your safe keeping. Open the eyes of those who cannot yet see who You truly are. We pray for our ministers and those who keep our churches open and based on Your Word. We pray for Bishops, Superintendents, Senior Pastors and the heads of the Pentecostal denominations. We pray they will lead the church forward and even where there is disagreement find a way forward in peace keeping the gospel central.

We pray for those who buy lights and try to buy happiness at Christmas. Break into their lives now so they can know the wonder, the life changing difference Your Son made when He came to Bethlehem, Ephrathah that little insignificant yet fruitful personal birth place.

We pray that there will be a change for Ukraine before Christmas. Send the message of peace and goodwill to all men and women involved in decisions in these days. So another way forward can be found.

We do not want to get caught up in all the endless political discussions but we do want to pray for our Parliament. That You would bless it, root out lies and sham for what they are and enhance the truth and good when it is spoken.

Bless our homes and thank you for all who visit this week. Bless each house on our street. Some have many needs and some are dark. Visit them with Your light and hope and health.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 10th August 2023
No apologies – I just wanted this today, because we too can sing for and to Him.

It was on a starry night
When the hills were bright,
Earth lay sleeping, sleeping calm and still.
Then in a cattle shed, in a manger bed
A Boy was born, King of all the world.

And all the angels sang for Him,
The bells of Heaven rang for Him,
For a Boy was born, King of all the world.

Soon the shepherds came that way
Where the Baby lay,
And were kneeling, kneeling by His side;
And their hearts believed again
For the peace of men,
For a Boy was born, King of all the world.

Lyrics: Joy Webb



Wednesday 9th August 2023

“Listen, you leaders of Jacob, you rulers of Israel. Should you not embrace justice, 2 you who hate good and love evil; who tear the skin from my people and the flesh from their bones; 3 who eat my people’s flesh, strip off their skin and break their bones in pieces; who chop them up like meat for the pan, like flesh for the pot?” Micah 3:1-3 NIV

God of Truth,

I avoid horror films and and novels. I sometimes think my imagination can conjure up worse than a film director is allowed to show! And the images stay even when I don’t want to remember them. Yet I can’t remember peoples names! Well, these verses paint a picture I am not sure I want to see in my imagination. But You knew they had stopped listening to gentle correction or even strict warnings. So Micah does not mince Your words, through him, against those responsible for worship and who should be leading the people in holy living.

Your people could not say You, God did warn them of the consequences if they continued behaving as if You were not there. Disrespecting You in worship and behaving like You don’t really exist. Sometimes we need shaking up, to keep us from being complacent.

You, God never left your people without showing them the error of their ways, giving them a way to return to You. You always offer hope and restoration. But You could not and cannot overlook sin.

The wonderful thing about the prophet Micah’s hard hitting brutally honest words was that he heard. Hosea was ignored, and so was Amos. Jeremiah was thrown in jail for his prophecy. King Hezekiah and the leadership of Judah listened to Micah. And turned to You. Help us hear Your voice so we are not prone to wander.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

God and Saviour,

We ask for our family, mercy and goodness. Grant them health and joy. For our friends we give thanks and ask for provision today. For our church and fellowships we pray that they will be strong in faith and grow in stature and numbers. May Your love be their, and our, driving force.

We pray for the church world wide to be a witness to the love and power of God. In word and in action and deeds. That we, Your church, Your people will give light and life and the love of God to those around us.

We pray for all leaders and rulers. Let them know one day they will have to face You and know that You are God. We pray that those who kill and torture, and oppress to keep power, will have their hearts changed in these days. Where they are hard and unbending You would bring about their downfall. And prepare good hearted men and women of peace to take their place.

We pray for Putin and a change of desire, from war to an end of conflict. We do not know how but You know what is needed and how to bring it about. Please do not stay Your hand of mercy from Ukraine.

For our Parliament we pray You would encourage and bless the good and uncover those with selfish and harmful agendas. There are no simple answers and we need You to be the one who guides us into justice with mercy.

Thank You for today and all You have poured into it for us already.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 9th August 2023
A beautiful new take on the hymn I need You.
“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3

Lord, I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You’re the One that guides my heart

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defence, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Where sin runs deep Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
Where You are, Lord, I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defence, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

So teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
When I cannot stand I’ll fall on You
Jesus, You’re my hope and stay

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defence, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

You’re my one defence, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
My one defence, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You