Tuesday 5th December 2023

“Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, 6 ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ 7 And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ 8 But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.” Luke 11:5-8 NLT

Our Father,

“Then teaching them more about prayer” . . . what an incredible little statement. Not what to pray but how it works. You did not give us lots of prayers to learn. No magic formula. You told the disciples, and us, to be assured that their requests would be answered if sincere. If we can trust that a friend would give us a loaf when it was inconvenient, we can trust You to provide what we need – if we shamelessly bang on Your door in our time of need! What a wonderful picture.

And as You never slumber or sleep, You would never answer with an excuse like You are tucked up for the night. I wonder if Jesus told this illustration with a smile on his face and twinkle in His divine eye?!

Help us to remember our answered prayers and grow in faith. If we are in a place where we are not sure what to ask, help us just to tell You and leave You to answer. Knowing that You are a miracle working Saviour. You do not measure out answers, we cannot use up Your grace. We are all loved to the fullness of Christ. No exceptions. We all deserve to receive grace, in fact grace upon grace because of Jesus (John 1:16)! Luke knew it was important to include this teaching about prayer. Help us to pray persistently while trusting You for answers whatever the situation and whatever time of day it is.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Just suggestions for prayer . . .
Our Father,

We pray,
For all our family, friends and neighbours. For their many individual needs and hopes. We pray with shameless persistence they will know the true meaning of Christmas.
For churches as they prepare advent services and carol services that visitors will attend. That visitors will be blessed and drawn to come again to meet You not just to sing about baby Jesus.
For those who turn to Your prayer in times of need – help them to meet with You through it.
For our Government, King, Queen and their family.
For Gaza and the Middle East, for a ceasefire and a miraculous future of peace.
For Putin and Ukraine. To see a future without war and a way to peace and justice.
For all those who need to know they are loved with Your everlasting, unfailing love today.
For all those who gather together for prayer in two’s , three’s or church groups. And those who pray consistently at home in their quiet moments. For the prayer rooms where there is 24 hour prayer 7 days a week!
For ourselves, we pray that You would accept our worship, bless our homes, our families, our churches, our neighbourhood, our town or city, our nation, our world, our galaxy with Your grace, healing and eternal life.

In Jesus name, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 5th December 2023

Make my life a prayer to You
I wanna do what you want me to
No empty words and no white lies
No token prayers no compromise
I wanna shine the light You gave
Through Your Son You sent to save us
From ourselves and our despair
It comforts me to know You’re really there

Well I wanna thank you now
For being patient with me
Oh it’s so hard to see
When my eyes are on me
I guess I’ll have to trust
And just believe what You say
Oh you’re coming again
Coming to take me away

I wanna die and let You give
Your life to me so I might live
And share the hope You gave me
The love that set me free
I wanna tell the world out there
You’re not some fable or fairy tale
That I’ve made up inside my head
You’re God the Son and You’ve risen from the dead

Oh I wanna thank you now
For being patient with me
Oh it’s so hard to see
When my eyes are on me
I guess I’ll have to trust
And just believe what You say
Oh you’re coming again
Coming to take me away

I wanna die and let You give
Your life to me so I might live
And share the hope You gave to me
I want to share the love that set me free

Monday 4th December 2023

“Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 2 Jesus said, “This is how you should pray: “Father, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. 3 Give us each day the food we need, 4 and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation.”” Luke 11:1-4 NLT

“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’” Matthew 6:9-13 NIV

Father,

I wonder how Jesus prayed when he went off alone. Silent, out loud, in tongues? Perhaps singing the Psalms? The disciples obviously felt humbled by His prayers and wanted to learn. I know the feeling of inadequacy sometimes when I pray.

I have listened to sermons, read books, been to prayer meetings and am often overwhelmed. Others seem to pray with ease. Others know more about it! Thank you that you started by simply leading the disciples in such a simple and yet profound all encompassing prayer. Whichever version we use! Help us not to say it rote like we are saying our times table off by heart.

When we do not know where to start, Your prayer can be like turning on the tap to start the water flowing. It reminds me who You are, what Your reason to be is, how I should live and be dependant on You. Sometimes we need to sort out ourselves out first, deal with any unforgiveness, temptation etc, so we can unblock ourselves and move on to listen and pray. And if, when we are down and it is all we can manage, or out of our depth, we can keep close to You with the familiar words. Thank you.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

We pray,
For all our family, friends and neighbours. For their many individual needs and hopes. We pray they will know the true meaning of Christmas.
For churches as they prepare advent services and carol services that visitors will attend. That visitors will be blessed and drawn to come again to meet You not just to sing about baby Jesus.
For those who turn to Your prayer in times of need – help them to meet with You through it.
For our Government, King, Queen and their family.
For those in Iceland in the dangerous areas and those evacuated.
For Gaza and the Middle East, for a miracle that would enable peace.
For Putin and Ukraine. For a miracle in Putin and his entourages hearts to desire peace.
For all those who need to know they are loved with Your everlasting, unfailing love today.
For giving us a prayer which is relevant for all Christians whatever their background, personality or situation and which reminds us we are all in this together. United in Your love, hope and Your future.
For ourselves, we pray that You would accept our worship, forgive us, deliver us from evil, feed us with all we need to be nourished in mind, body and soul. And touch us with Your Kingdom love and strength.

In Jesus name we pray.

Worship Monday 4th December 2023

Our Father who art in Heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Thy Kingdom come thy will be done on earth as in heaven
Give us to thee our daily bread
And forgive our sins
As we forgive each one of those who sin against us
And lead us not to the time of trial
But deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory

Our Father who art in Heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Thy Kingdom come thy will be done on earth as in heaven
Give us to thee our daily bread
And forgive our sins
As we forgive each one of those who sin against us
And lead us not to the time of trial
But deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory

Let all the people say amen
in every tribe and tongue
Let every heart’s desire be joined
To see the kingdom come
Let every hope and every dream
Be born in love again
Let all the world sing with one voice
Let the people say amen

Let all the people say amen
in every tribe and tongue
Let every heart’s desire be joined
To see the kingdom come
Let every hope and every dream
Be born in love again
Let all the world sing with one voice
Let the people say amen

Amen Amen Amen . . .






Sunday 3rd December 2023

 “Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God;
For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.
2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers together the outcasts of Israel.
3 He heals the broken hearted And binds up their wounds.
4 He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name.
5 Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.
6 The Lord lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground.
Psalm 147:1-6 NKJV

Great Lord,

We want to praise You this first Sunday in Advent. Following on from Psalm 146 last Sunday this Psalm is perfect. You, God count the stars it tells us. You who made the stars individually. You called one of Your stars to speak astrologically to the magi and set off to search for a King. Not any old star a new one that those magi (possibly astrologers) found and followed.

We marvel, wonder, are amazed as we consider You, our God, You, who not only created the stars and galaxies but who knows all their orbits and gravitational pull and every detail. So You have no trouble knowing each one of us and even how many hairs we have on our head! (Luke 12:7) Your understanding is infinite (impossible to measure or calculate).

And even though You are all powerful, God of all creation – You choose to gently gather the outcasts, heal the broken hearted and lift up the humble. Because at the heart of Your power is love. Love for Your creation, for all You have made. So much love You sent Your Son to live and die, in this messy fallen world, for our sin.

But the wicked You will cast down? It is our choice. We can choose to know You who counts the stars, or reject Your love and forgiveness. We choose to follow not a star but You, through Jesus. Help us to both live in and follow You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Great God,

We pray,
For all our family, friends and neighbours. For their many individual needs and hopes. We pray they will know the true meaning of Christmas.
For churches as they prepare advent services and carol services that visitors will attend. That visitors will be blessed and drawn to come again to meet You not just to sing about baby Jesus.
For those who read horoscopes and worship created things, that they may see beyond and see You, the creator.
For our Government, King, Queen and their family.
For Gaza and the Middle East, Lord bring another cease fire into being and guide them to peace.
For Putin and Ukraine. End this war, conflict and bloodshed.
For all those who need to know they are loved with Your everlasting, unfailing love today.
For the loving way You lead us Your children both as a Father and in Your church family.
For ourselves, we thank You for today. Help us to keep our eyes fixed on You the author an finisher of our faith as we begin looking to the anniversary of Your birth.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 3rd December 2023
Some of us may not be called to mission work overseas or to ministry but we can carry people to You in our hearts . . . in prayer . . . and touch those we know who live without Your love . . .

I, the Lord of sea and sky
I have heard my people cry
All who dwell in dark and sin
My hand will save
I who made the stars of night
I will make their darkness bright
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord, Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night
I will go, Lord, If You lead me
I will hold Your people in my heart

I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my words to them.
Whom shall I send?

I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will send the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide,
‘Til their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?