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




Tuesday 8th August 2023

“I will surely gather all of you, Jacob;
I will surely bring together the remnant of Israel.
I will bring them together like sheep in a pen,
like a flock in its pasture;
the place will throng with people.
13 The One who breaks open the way will go up before them;
they will break through the gate and go out.
Their King will pass through before them,
the Lord at their head.” Micah 2:12,13 NIV

Lord, Shepherd and King,

Micah is a prophet of bad news for the rebellious people of God. Bit like the behaviour we hear of in the news today. Most of the 10 commandments trodden over Trouble, threat of spreading trouble and risk of it being unsurmountable. Imagine being forced to leave your home, your own country, and made to live in a different land. Imagine that you are held captive in a foreign city – a prisoner in a foreign land. You cannot go back home. This was the reality of what Micah prophesied concerning the Israelites. Many people know this today!

But, but there in the middle of his doom and gloom, trouble and judgment, there was hope. This same God who holds them accountable and brings judgment to the oppressors, will surely save His people in the end. God will do it. They cannot. And You did do it. You gave and sent Jesus, who broke open the way. You kept Your promise but there is more to come.

Peter calls us believers, a people who are like aliens and strangers in a foreign land (1 Peter 2:11). Jesus called us into the Kingdom of God (Luke 17:20-21). Micah’s prophesy reminds us that You came but will come again and You will lead Your people and there will be a new heaven and a new earth. Amidst our present history we have hope for today, hope for tomorrow and hope for the future.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God and Coming King,

We pray for those we love and care about for their here and now. Help them in their present needs and give them a glimpse of the glory to come and heaven. For now, we ask You to help and strengthen and heal.

We pray for Ukraine fighting for freedom for their realm. We pray You will not bring peace just for them but as a witness to the world that war is not the solution. And we long to see an end to the death and trauma and suffering of all those involved in war.

We pray for our King and his family, that he might know the qualities a king needs and the willingness to practice them. For our Parliament that they might be honest and seek the best for the nation. Uncover anything not worthy or unholy. Bless those who are working hard for their constituencies.

We continue to pray for the farmers who need sun and warm and dry conditions for harvesting. Help them.

In Jesus name we pray,

Worship Tuesday 8th August 2023

The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want
He makes me lie in pastures green.
He leads me by the still, still waters,
His goodness restores my soul.

And I will trust in You alone.
And I will trust in You alone,
For Your endless mercy follows me,
Your goodness will lead me home.

He guides my ways in righteousness,
And He anoints my head with oil,
And my cup, it overflows with joy,
I feast on His pure delights.

Chorus with descant

And though I walk the darkest path,
I will not fear the evil one,
For You are with me, and Your rod and staff
Are the comfort I need to know.

Chorus with descant

Lyrics: Stuart Townend

Monday 7th August 2023

“The word of the Lord that came to Micah of Moresheth in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. “Hear, all you peoples! Listen, O earth, and all that is in it! Let the Lord God be a witness against you, The Lord from His holy temple.”” Micah 1:1-2 NKJV

Lord God and Father,

All through the Old Testament we read that Your Word came to Your prophets and Kings. And they often ignored or went against it. And then Your Word came so we could all know it, Him, Jesus and know You personally. Help us not to ignore Him or forget at what cost it came.

And there is much to think about Micah today. He lived in a rural settling and away from the capital. He had a heart for the less fortunate in society and aimed his writings at the powerful leaders of Samaria and Jerusalem. It was not a good time and there were always power struggles with neighbouring nations and nations that wanted to take over the known world. He would have fitted right into today! I wonder if he would have been a Parliamentary lobbyist?

The Lord God will be a witness! Micah says. Sometimes we feel we cannot change the big picture, solve our nations need of good government and true. Stop the wars and skirmishes around the world. But you do still calls us to do what we can where we are. “Do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God.” Micah says later in chapter 6 and verse 8. So God, as You are our witness, as the saying goes, help us to live good and true where we are, support the cause for justice where we can and seek Your help for the big picture.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Heavenly Father,

Bless and keep those we love safe and where they have troubles or worry or sickness be their Saviour and very present help (Psalm 46). Strengthen and grow our church fellowships and congregations. Inspire our leaders and ministers. Fill us with all we need for this week.

Bring a change in Russia and an end to war. Release Ukraine form having to fight to stay free.

Be strength and hope to those who lost their homes and livelihood in the fires in Greece. We are saddened to learn some were caused by negligence and some by intent. God You are a witness. We cannot go back and change anything but we pray You will convict so those responsible repent and never do it again.

Lord bless our nations Government with grace and mercy so they respond the needs of the less fortunate. We pray You will turn them from selfish intentions to see and know the best for the nation. We pray You will uncover any wrongdoing and bless those who do right.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 7th August 2023

God of justice, love, and mercy
Pour your wisdom on our souls;
By your all-sustaining power
Keep our spirits strong and whole.
Lift our eyes to see your vision
Of a world in urgent need;
Grant us courage, then, to follow.
Bringing comfort with each deed.

God of justice, love, and mercy
With compassion let us care;
As we come in humble weakness,
May your strength be ours to share.
Press our hearts to know the struggle
Of the ones we cannot see;
Brothers, sisters, all who suffer,
May Your kindness set them free.

God of justice, love and mercy,
Send us out and make us bold.
As we strive for your high calling,
Let our hands your mercies hold.
You have blessed us with abundance,
Gifts to share with those in need;
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
May we follow as You lead.

You have blessed us with abundance,
Gifts to share with those in need;
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
May we follow as You lead.

Lyrics: Edwin M. Willmington 2015