Category: Daily Prayer

Sunday 19th November 2023

“Praise the Lord, O my soul! 2 While I live I will praise the Lord; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. 3 Do not put your trust in princes, nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help. 4 His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; in that very day his plans perish.
5Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the Lord his God,”
Psalm 146:1-5

Lord, God of Jacob,

I shouldn’t be amazed that Sunday seems to have come around so fast this week. Time is measured and yet sometimes it really seems different lengths?! Today, I turn to the Psalms for comfort, rest and joy in Your presence. I cream off the top half of this Psalm of praise and it reminds me Lord how the cream used to rise to the top of a bottle of milk!

It reminds us that we have an invitation to move to live on Praise Avenue and if we do we have a promise of happiness and hope. It is always possible to find something to praise You for because of Jesus. We have no excuse to want to dwell in Pity Parade, Complaining Court, Doubting Drive . . . Petulant Place . . . Not that everything is rosy all the time, but in You we are never going it alone and we can seek You to find the resources we need in Christ.

It is You that makes the difference in our lives. However we got to know You. Whether as a child, at some evangelical event, through bereavement, a difficult time or through a friends invitation . . . You have turned our world upside down for good. Or rather the right way up. We have no condemnation for sin (Romans 8:1). We can know the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:6). Our shame is removed, crushed under Your feet at the cross (Hebrews 12:2) We are loved with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). We have a future in heaven for sure (John 14:1).

Happy, blessed are we who have You, the God of Jacob, as our Saviour. We have a sure and certain hope because of You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen,

Lord, God of Jacob,

We pray,
For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family.
For ministers, pastors, congregations and all that is done by those belonging to churches to support, help and bless their local communities.
For our Government, that You would be the God of our democracy and enable truth and care.
For our King and Queen and their family and all those who work in positions where they can be a force for good..
For Gaza and the Middle East, Lord a miracle of Your peace and reconciliation is needed.
For Putin and Ukraine. A full stop, an end to war and conflict and bloodshed.
For those in the midst of conflict, that they would hear of Your love.
For all those who suffer depression, have lost sight of hope and who need others to carry them at this time. Or who suffer medical depression and need medical help and support and understanding.
For all those in the news who have had a member of their family murdered. Comfort them. Send Your Spirit to turn the hearts and hands of those with evil intent so they turn away before harm is done.
For ourselves that we would experience Your love, and hope would spring eternal and keep us looking to You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen,

Worship Sunday 19th November 2023

Who breaks the power of sin and darkness?
Whose love is mighty and so much stronger?
The King of glory, the King above all kings
Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder?
And leaves us breathless in awe and wonder?
The King of glory, the King above all kings

This is amazing grace
This is unfailing love
That You would take my place
That You would bear my cross

You laid down Your life
That I would be set free
Oh, Jesus, I sing for
All that You’ve done for me

Who brings our chaos back into order?
Who makes the orphans a son and daughter?
The King of glory, the King of glory
Who rules the nations with truth and justice
Shines like the sun in all of its brilliance
The King of glory, the King above all kings

This is amazing grace
This is unfailing love
That You would take my place
That You would bear my cross

You laid down Your life
That I would be set free
Oh, Jesus, I sing for
All that You’ve done for me

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy, worthy, worthy

This is amazing grace
This is unfailing love
That You would take my place
That You would bear my cross

You laid down Your life
That I would be set free
Oh, Jesus, I sing for
All that You’ve done for meAll that You’ve done for me

Saturday 18th November 2023

“The next day, after they had come down the mountain, a large crowd met Jesus. 38 A man in the crowd called out to him, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, my only child. 39 An evil spirit keeps seizing him, making him scream. It throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It batters him and hardly ever leaves him alone. 40 I begged your disciples to cast out the spirit, but they couldn’t do it.” 41 Jesus said, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you and put up with you?” Then he said to the man, “Bring your son here.” 42 As the boy came forward, the demon knocked him to the ground and threw him into a violent convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the evil spirit and healed the boy. Then he gave him back to his father. 43 Awe gripped the people as they saw this majestic display of God’s power.” Luke 9:37-43 New Living Translation.

God of the mountaintops and the valleys,

Seems one day we can be full of faith and on the mountaintop rejoicing in You and marvelling at Your amazing grace and then the next -back down to earth with a bump. Heaven one minute and a challenging situation the next. Jesus and the three disciples experienced that. Well the disciples more than Jesus. Maybe a challenge to His patience but He never lost it.

A father in the crowd has lost faith because the disciples could not heal his son. The crowd around him was disappointed because they had come to see the show, a miracle. The remaining disciples were despondent because they had been unable to do what they did when Jesus had sent them out a couple of weeks ago (Luke 9:1-6).

Sometimes what we try to do just does not work, or what we have done in the past does not have the desired outcome. God sometimes chooses to work a different way. Here, there is a happy ending because the father in his helplessness recognises Jesus, their Master and takes His need directly to Him. It reminders us that we need to direct people to Jesus for what they need and not get in the way. Yes, Jesus was frustrated coming down the mountain and finding the disciples in a mess – but He sorted it out, healed the boy and restored him to his family. We can rely on You even when our faith is low.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God of the mountaintops and the valleys,

We pray,
For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family. For You to meet their needs and let us know if we can help.
For ministers, pastors, congregations and all that is done by those belonging to churches to support, help and bless their local communities. Help them to make Jesus known by love.
For our Government, that You would lead, shape, and help the right people be in the right places somehow!
For our King and Queen and their family and all those who work in positions where they can be a force for good..
For Gaza and the Middle East, Lord a miracle of Your peace and reconciliation is needed.
For Putin and Ukraine. An full stop to political power seeking and an end to war and conflict and bloodshed.
For those in the midst of conflict, that they would hear of Your love.
For those on the mountain tops rejoicing and those in doubt, despair and difficulties in the valleys.
For ourselves, our needs for today and this weekend. And the times we feel down to be lifted.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 18th November 2023

Simply trusting every day,
Trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Trusting as the moments fly,
Trusting as the days go by;
Trusting Him whate’er befall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Brightly doth His Spirit shine
Into this poor heart of mine;
While He leads I cannot fall;
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Singing if my way is clear,
Praying if the path be drear;
If in danger for Him call;
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Trusting Him while life shall last,
Trusting Him till earth be past;
Till within the jasper wall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Lyrics: Edgar Page 

Friday 17th November 2023

“Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. 30 And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him. 33 Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.  While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” 36 When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. But they kept quiet, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen. ” Luke 9:28-36 NKJV

God of Glory,

What a wonderful place to get stuck. Up on the mountain with Jesus! I wonder if the disciples were tired after the climb up the mountainside or were naturally tired and heavy with sleep? Perhaps Jesus conversation with Elijah and Moses was private . . . but they did wake and see them and Jesus glorified. I wonder if they looked at each other to see if the other was also seeing it? Amazing experience. Then Peter puts his foot in it, as we say, and asks if they should build tabernacles.

I have empathy with Peter. As someone once suggested – it is best to put ones brain into gear before opening one’s mouth! But he was trying to be helpful, he was out of his depth. We too get it wrong sometimes and we miss an opportunity or we say something silly, not helpful. No matter. We do not hinder You. You spoke from the cloud. This is My beloved Son. Hear Him.

Thank You that we can hear You and Your Son by Your Spirit. When we are out of our depth, You help us. Whether we are on a mountain top, in a valley or amid the mundane at home You are our encouragement. Keep our ears open to hear and our mouths ready and – awaiting understanding.

In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

God of Glory,

We pray,
For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family. For their individual needs, for miracles and strength and help.
For ministers, pastors, congregations and all that is done by those belonging to churches to support, help and bless their local communities. Draw people in to ask about You.
For our Government, that You would reveal sin, oust it and guide them to truth, for the good of the nation. Help their ears hear You and their mouths speak truth.
For our King and Queen and their family and lead them in paths of righteousness and goodness.
For Gaza and the Middle East, Lord a miracle of peace.
For Putin and Ukraine. An full stop an end to war and conflict and bloodshed.
For those in the midst of conflict, that they would hear of Your love.
For those who need the right words to speak. Teachers, parents, counsellors, doctors, friends, all those in law, Government and friends.
For ourselves, that we would know those moments when we are assured we are loved by You, as Jesus was, and You are still on the throne of glory.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 17th November 2023

Open our eyes Lord
We want to see Jesus
To reach out and touch Him
And say that we love Him
Open our ears Lord
And Help us to listen
Open our eyes Lord
We want to see Jesus

Open our eyes Lord
We want to see Jesus
To reach out and touch Him
And say that we love Him
Open our ears Lord
And Help us to listen
Open our eyes Lord
We want to see Jesus
Open our eyes Lord
We want to see Jesus

Lyrics: Robert Cull