Tag: Before the throne of God above

Monday 5th August 2024

“It so happened that on the third day Esther put on her royal attire and stood in the inner court of the palace, opposite the king’s quarters. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the palace, opposite the entrance. 2 When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she met with his approval. The king extended to Esther the gold sceptre that was in his hand, and Esther approached and touched the end of the sceptre. 3 The king said to her, “What is on your mind, Queen Esther? What is your request?”” Esther 5:1-3 NET

Lord God, Almighty,

I love the book of Esther, it is not too long to read the whole story and it has all of life in it. Divorce, remarriage, treachery, hatred, love, family. Good winning over evil but sadly as today war, conflict, racial hatred and death.

When Esther approached the King, she put on her royal attire. Help us to never take off the robe of righteousness that Jesus gives us and help us to keep it spotless in Him. Help us also to keep on our armour (Ephesians 6:10-18) on so we can not be taken captive by the enemy or wounded or tempted to sin.

Esther went to the King on the third day. It is intriguing that she asked for Mordecai and the Jews to fast and pray for three days before she went to the King with her request. We think of the three days Jesus spent before He rose from the grave! How wonderful that we do not have to wait three days to enter Your presence. We can come before You immediately, You are with us always, our King, our High Priest and our God. You who can sympathize with our weaknesses because Jesus was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. So we can come boldly to Your throne of grace, obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16).

We do not touch the end of Your sceptre we meet You through Jesus. How awesome, amazing and overwhelming.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Lord God Almighty,

For our close family,
For our extended family, friends, neighbours.
For our church Ministers, lay leaders, Sunday school teachers, fellow worshippers.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). Royal family. Parliament on summer break.
For Ukraine. An to end war. Medical aid and protection.
For peacemakers in Gaza, Middle East. Change hard hearts, melt vengeance, make steps to peace.
For Myanmar Your church people. Other areas where church is persecuted.
For the ongoing Olympic games. The pleasure effort and the strong yet peaceful competition.
For a revival of faith and assurance in church people in this nation. For revival around churches.
For those whose hands help the sick and the weak.
For us to remember and give thanks for all the good that is being done today around the world.
For the good people around us especially those that know and love You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 5th August 2024
A new old hymn!
The lyrics of Before the Throne of God Above were written in Ireland by Charitie Lees Bancroft (1841–1923). She titled it The Advocate. These powerful words were published in The Baptist Hymn and Tune Book in 1871, and in Charles Spurgeon’s Our Own Hymn Book in 1884. The hymn briefly rose in popularity during the 1870s then lay near dormant for almost 100 years. It was published again in hymnals around 1970. But it’s most recent revival came when Vikki Cook of Sovereign Grace Worship, wrote this beautiful new arrangement tune in 1997. 

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea
A great High Priest, whose name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me

My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look, and see Him there
who made an end to all my sin

Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me

He pardoned me.

Behold Him there, the Risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless righteousness
The great unchangeable I am
The King of glory and of grace!

One with Himself I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ, my Savior and my God

Lyrics: Charitie Lees Bancroft
New Tune: Vikki Cook

Thursday 20th June 2024

” a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,” NIV
“A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away;” NKJV

God of time and purpose,

A time to keep. I can’t think this is about keeping possessions or wealth. Remembering what You said warning the man in the parable wanting to building bigger barns! (Luke 12:18-20). I cannot think it means keeping things just as they are, or we would still be washing everything by hand! You constantly tell us we are on a journey whether resting, walking or running! (Proverbs 3:6, Hebrews 12:1).

What are the things I treasure and keep? I do have items of no value which remind me of good times. I treasure my friends. Do I treasure my relationship with You in Jesus Christ more than all? The pearl of great price (Matthew 1345,46). Do I really treasure You! Not always perfectly – but then I remember You treasure me always. This is what the enemy would love to steal (1 Peter 5:8). Our peace from sin forgiven, our trust in the cross, our hope of our wonderful future with You.

Now is the time to recognise, reject and throw away his doubts, contradictions half lies and lies. Especially when he comes when we are vulnerable and weak. Hebrews 12:2 also reminds us to keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. He endured the cross, scorning its shame. The enemy can make us doubt. But he cannot separate us from You (Romans 8:38,39). We are made new (2 Corinthians 5:17) and we are loved eternally (John 15:9).Help us keep and treasure Your truth in our hearts.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God our Father,

For our family, friends, neighbours. Their needs for today and blessings to show You love them.
For our Ministers, lay leaders, church members. Encouragement and guidance of Your Spirit.
For the neighbourhood where we live and those who live around us, run the shops, doctors, school teachers, dustbin men.
For the Royal family. Strength for today and a successful end to treatment for Charles and Kate.
For our nation and our future representatives in Government.
For Gaza, and the Middle East. Move those with power to make a way to peace. Talk before war.
For Ukraine, continued support from other nations and a move of Your Spirit to end war, soon.
For those who are struggling to keep the faith and are hurt, disappointed or in pain.
For our local councillors, local magistrates and neighbourhood police.
For us a day to remember and treasure all the times You have been faithful and blessed us.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 20th June 2024
The second verse came to mind today and I had to search to hum and sing till I remembered how it started!

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea;
a great High Priest whose name is Love,
who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on his hands,
my name is written on his heart.
I know that while in heav’n he stands
no tongue can bid me thence depart,
no tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
and tells me of the guilt within,
upward I look and see him there
who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died,
my sinful soul is counted free;
for God the just is satisfied
to look on him and pardon me,
to look on him and pardon me.

Behold him there, the risen Lamb,
my perfect, spotless righteousness,
the great unchangeable I AM,
the King of glory and of grace.
At one with him, I cannot die;
my soul is purchased by his blood.
My life is hid with Christ on high,
with Christ my Savior and my God,
with Christ my Savior and my God.

Lyrics: Charitie Lees Bancroft

Saturday 23rd March 2024

“ Therefore He (Jesus) is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25

Almighty God,

This reminded me of a saying about “the guttermost to the uttermost” which I think was to do with the gin drinking ladies of the late 1800’s passing out on the streets! Mothers ruin was its nickname. Sadly still ruining lives today Father. William Booth’s told his Salvation Army soldiers, “Go straight for souls and go for the worst.” God, You are able to save anyone, whoever they are, wherever they are and whatever their situation. Maybe the worst know their need most! You found me. You saved me.

I love to pray. I am not sure I am an intercessor. When I do pray my concentration easily wanders. I loose focus, become distracted or simply seem in desperate need of a cup of tea! Is it the enemy or me or both?

But Jesus is always interceding for us, personally, and in Your presence. Every minute of every day. Who knows our needs better than Your Son. When Jesus walked among us He prayed that we would be one just as You, Father and Jesus are one (John 17:20-23) Us in You and You in us. Hekp us to pray.

It is such a blessing when someone prays for us when we meet. How eternally wonderful to know we are constantly being prayed for, by the one who died for us, the King of Kings.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Almighty God,

For our family, friends and neighbours. Help them, You know their deepest needs, fears and joys.
For those we rub up against. Help us to respond in love.
For our church family, Ministers and church leadership. Inspire them.
For the Royal family. Their health. To have some privacy along with their public duties.
For our government. House of commons, House of Lords, civil servants.
For our nearest towns and cities and city centres. For employment, development and growth.
For those on the front line in the NHS and police. Ambulance crew, rapid response, air ambulance.
For an end to the war in Ukraine. Deal with Putin as You did with Pharaoh so he will let them go.
For a solution for Gaza and peace and healing and a way to rebuild relationships and homes.
For countries where there is conflict, oppression or famine – be their path to peace and support.
For those individual and groups who commit to prayer for our nation and world.
For a good day. Grant easy sleep. Bless those of us who wake in the night and those who find it hard to wake in a morning. Grant us Your rest within, restore and refresh us.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 23rd March 2024

Charitie was the daughter of an Irish minister, born in county Dublin in 1841 . This text was paired with hymn tunes (including the tune to “Sweet Hour of Prayer”) that gave the words a mournful quality. So it was not widely sung. Then, in 1997, Vikki Cook of Sovereign Grace Ministries wrote a more joyous folk melody. It set the words free for a new generation to express the confidence and joy of being in Christ.

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea;
a great High Priest whose name is Love,
who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on his hands,
my name is written on his heart.
I know that while in heav’n he stands
no tongue can bid me thence depart,
no tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
and tells me of the guilt within,
upward I look and see him there
who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died,
my sinful soul is counted free;
for God the just is satisfied
to look on him and pardon me,
to look on him and pardon me.

Behold him there, the risen Lamb,
my perfect, spotless righteousness,
the great unchangeable I AM,
the King of glory and of grace.
At one with him, I cannot die;
my soul is purchased by his blood.
My life is hid with Christ on high,
with Christ my Savior and my God,
with Christ my Savior and my God.

Lyrics: Charitie Lees Bancroft

Charitie was the daughter of an Irish minister, born in county Dublin in 1841 . This text was paired with hymn tunes (including the tune to “Sweet Hour of Prayer”) that gave the words a mournful quality. So it was not widely sung.

Then, in 1997, Vikki Cook of Sovereign Grace Ministries wrote a more joyous folk melody. It set the words free for a new generation to express the confidence and joy of being in Christ.