Category: Daily Prayer

Easter Sunday 31st March 2024

 “But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.6 He is not here, for he has been raised, just as he said. Come and see the place where he was lying. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead.” Matthew 28:5-7 NKJV

Father God,

Praise You Lord. Today we rejoice that the cross is empty, the grave is empty – but heaven and earth are full of the risen Lord. And our hearts too can know Him and His gift of resurrection life.

The women who went to the tomb did not fully understand what the empty cross and empty grave meant. They went and told the disciples what the angel had said. The change came when they met the risen Lord. We too join them rejoicing that death could not hold Your Son. They saw and believed. We have not seen – but believed (John 20:29). What a beautiful, powerful, faithful Saviour. We cannot thank You enough that we too can meet Your Son and have our lives changed for good forever.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Lo! the sun’s eclipse is over, Alleluia!
Lo! He sets in blood no more, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King Alleluia!
Where O death is now thy sting, Alleluia!
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where’s thy victory boasting grave, Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Father,

For all those we know, to know You and Your Son and receive His gift of hope, love and life.
For our churches to reap a harvest and there be a Christian awakening across our land.
For our world to see a turning to peace, love of fellow man and to see evil routed.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Easter Saturday 30th March 2024

“Now there was a man named Joseph who was a member of the council, a good and righteous man. 51 (He had not consented to their plan and action.) He was from the Judean town of Arimathea, and was looking forward to the kingdom of God.]52 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and placed it in a tomb cut out of the rock, where no one had yet been buried.” Luke 23:50-53 NET

God Almighty Victorious,

I am always tempted to open Easter eggs on Easter Saturday and not look at them longingly and wait till Sunday. Temptation is chocolate shaped. And Easter Saturday is kind of a between days, a no da Lord? Jesus died at the beginning of Passover which was Thursday night. Saturday was the third day Jesus was in the tomb. When nothing seemed to be happening. Had the disciples forgotten what Jesus said and were still in grief and not really waiting for a glorious resurrection dawn! For us it too is a waiting day.

Jesus disciples, family and friends stayed by the cross through three hours blackness, the shock of the Temple curtain being torn in too and seeing Your Son die.

We have that wonderful gift of hindsight. We are waiting but we are anticipating. Knowing His resurrection did come, death was vanquished (what a lovely word), defeated! Like the dying repentant thief we too have the promise of one day being with You, God (Father, Son and Spirit) in heaven.

Experience has taught me that when I seek God in prayer it is best to wait till He leads or speaks. Waiting is sometimes the hardest thing to do. It is easy when we are anticipation something wonderful like a holiday or going out for a meal. Today we can sit back and enjoy the anticipation of the coming Easter Sunday Morning! Help us to wait at other times with joy because You are a faithful, merciful and and prayer answering Father.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Father,

For our family, friends and neighbours. Give them Easter hope and joy.
For our nation, to retain the foundation of Your law of justice and mercy.
For there to be a respect for life in this nation and the world.
For all those waiting – for healing, operations, diagnosis, Your help, strength and good outcomes.
For weddings, births, holidays. Joy and a future.
For Ukraine, Gaze, Sudan, Myanmar places of conflict. Your light to lead to a way of peace.
For us to learn to wait when nothing seems to be happening.
For You to conquer the evil within that drives men and women to sin and harm.
For every single one of Your children in Christ to know the joy of the resurrection dawn.
For a day when we can wait upon You and receive what we need for today.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 30th March 2024
A worship conversation not to be rushed.

Here I am waiting
Abide in me I pray
Here I am longing, for You

Hide me in Your love
Bring me to my knees
May I know Jesus more and more

Come live in me
All my life take over
Come breathe in me
And I will rise on eagle’s wings

Lyrics: Reuben Morgan

Good Friday 29th March 2024

“It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 because the sun’s light failed. The temple curtain was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And after he said this he breathed his last. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all those who knew Jesus stood at a distance, and the women who had followed him from Galilee saw these things.” Luke 23:44-49 NET

Father,

We read these scriptures every year in the Easter season and many other times too. Yet Your Word always comes with fresh inspiration and awe. Noon till 3 pm – darkness. I remember dark stormy days. But this one was different, supernatural dark. All sunlight failed . . . It was not a solar eclipse. Not ten minutes not even an hour. Three hours. And it ended the moment You died on the cross.

The curtain of the temple was torn in two. A massive curtain, 60 feet high, 30 feet wide, woven and extremely thick. Bigger than any theatre curtain and bigger than any I can imagine. This curtain kept the holy place in the Temple, holy, private. One priest entered once a year and only after many, many animal sacrifices for sin. The Temple curtain was not a symbolic veil, it could not be torn by human hand, it did not fall by accident. The curtain was rent in two.

Three hours while Jesus went through agony. Yet He listening with compassion to the other two men crucified with him. Hearing ones confession and granting Him forgiveness. Jesus went through every human emotion and pain. And being separated even from You, God. He understands our humanity, trauma and pain.

Even the crowd went home beating their breasts in the dark. Those who knew him stayed at a distance. Waiting, grief stricken. Help us to worship and realise that because of what Jesus went through we will never have to go through that darkness.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Father,

For our family, friends and neighbours. For Your light to dawn upon them.
For our nation, to retain the foundation of Your law of justice and mercy.
For there to be a respect for life in this nation and the world.
For Your light to show up darkness and bring healing and rescue to those imprisoned by addiction, evil thoughts and actions and depression.
For Ukraine, Gaze, Sudan, Myanmar places of conflict. Your light to lead to a way of peace.
For us to consider the darkness You went through to better understand the cost of our light of life.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 29th March 2024

When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count as loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
save in the death of Christ my God:
the very things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.

See from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down:
when did such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were an offering far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all!

Lyrics: Isaac Watts