Daily Prayer Devotional – Page 19

Sunday 26th May 2024

“May God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. ⁴Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.” Galatians 1:3-4 NLT

God who planned,

Random or planned? The question many scientists grapple with looking at the infinite cosmos. Yet the more they do documentaries on the vastness of galaxies, suns and stars – the more I see Your hand designing, developing and continually creating. Keeping our little solar system stable, safe and ongoing. Your big picture.

And You, God also meticulously planned to stick with Your rebellious people Continually calling them back to You. You stuck with them as You promised and sent Your Son as one of them knowing they would bruise Him and kill Him. And when they did You took their punishment and then gave them Your Spirit to be in relationship with them, with us, with me.

What love. A Creator, a Saviour, a life giving Spirit. Today we celebrate You. One God and yet we know as Father Son and Holy Spirit. An awesome holy God we are not worthy to approach. Yet our Saviour, a Redeemer who died in our place. And the Spirit who comes to teach and lead and provide all we need to have faith and live in peace with You.

You planned the answer to our sinful choices. At great cost to Yourself. And You gave us the choice Even though we live amidst mans best and worst their is a plan. Your plan. Even if I cannot see or understand all the big picture. One day we will, safe in the arms of Jesus.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God who planned,

For our family whether near or distant, each generation.
For friends and neighbours.
For our Ministers, lay leaders, church members. Church family.
For the royal family.
For our nation, government, civil servants. Your plans overriding theirs.
For Ukraine, show Your power for peace and disassemble this war.
For Gaza, and the Middle East. Pause, a time to talk, a time to not throw stones, peace.
For a revival in seeking You. Sunday to be a witness of those who go to Your house.
For our minds and thoughts to come to rest with no anxiety. Hear Your plan one step at a time.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 26th May 2024

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty
God in three persons blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! all the saints adore Thee,
casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
cherubim and seraphim, falling down before Thee,
which wert and art and evermore shalt be.

Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see
Only Thou art holy there is none beside Thee
Perfect in power, in love and purity

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty
All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty
God in three persons blessed Trinity.

Lyrics: Reginald Heber

Saturday 25th May 2024

“Who is wise? Let them realise these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.”
Hosea 14:9 NIV

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18 NKJV

Dear Lord and Father of mankind,

We sing forgive our foolish ways. Foolish ways? I occasionally say to myself, “What a fool.” when I do something wrong. But Hosea is not showing us a different way to do the same thing. He is summing up his whole book to tell us that here is only one way, God, Your way, to do the right thing. Hosea knows people always think they know better than You, Lord but they did and we can keep tripping up and stumbling.

Hosea is not talking about those of us who slip up, seek forgiveness and step out again forgiven. He is talking about those who will not accept and believe in You, God or who have given up or been offended by someone or something. Or do not like the idea of You showing them how to live. Many of us did not like to be told what to do! I remember a teacher who so terrified us that we did what she wanted before she even came in the class room!

But we have learned You are a wise, kind and faithful God. As generous as You are Holy. We are learning and indeed have learned that Your way is best. Lord You echo’s Hosea’s words in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. We know the power of the cross, the power of love through Christ and the wonder of walking with You. Direct our hearts minds and steps today. And help those who have a wrong concept of what You are like discover the truth.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Dear Lord and Father of mankind,

For our family and friends and neighbours. Healing, hope, happiness or just an uplifting day.
For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, church members. Encourage and renew them in love.
For the royal family. Thanksgiving and continued healing and help.
For our nation, a good government now and after the election and a positive way forward.
Ukraine, show Your power for peace and disassemble this war.
For Gaza, and the Middle East. Pause, a time to talk, a time to not throw stones, talk peace.
For police local and international. Who monitor and prevent terrorism and organised crime.
For Bible translators and those who take Bibles where they are needed.
For our schools and those who help children diagnosed with learning disabilities.
For our mental heath service. Those who work with those whose needs are complex.
For answers to our own prayers and light to guide and comfort us even in the sunshine..

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 25th May 2024

Day by day, day by day,
O, dear Lord, three things I pray:
to see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly,
follow thee more nearly, day by day.
Day by day, day by day,
O, dear Lord, three things I pray:
To see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly,
follow thee more nearly, day by day,
by day, by day, by day.

This song is from the musical Godspell (based on parables from Matthews gospel).
But it originates from a13th-century prayer by the English Bishop, Saint Richard of Chichester ;
May I know Thee more clearly,
Love Thee more dearly,
Follow Thee more nearly.
It became the hymn “Day by Day” in 1940, in the Protestant Episcopal Church USA hymnal.
Matched with a new singable tune in 1970 for Godspell many thought it new.

Friday 24th May 2024

“Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for your sin has been your downfall!” Hosea 14:1

“I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger will turn away from them.
⁵I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily, he will send down his roots like a cedar of Lebanon. ⁶His young shoots will grow; his splendour will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon. ⁷People will reside again in his shade; they will plant and harvest grain in abundance. They will blossom like a vine, and his fame will be like the wine from Lebanon. Hosea: 14:4-7

Lord our God,

I remain with Hosea’s call. Your call echoing through eternity. Return to Me, the Lord Your God. Our sin was our downfall, it all started in a garden with a simple disobedience. A simple act that in itself did not seem wrong. Picking a piece of fruit and tasting it. But Your warned them. Then You sent Your people guidance in the form of 10 commandments. But men and women have thought they know better and have ignored Your warnings ever since!

You sent prophets and then You sent Son. They killed them and then Him too. You knew we would and yet He still came. Such love. So we too could be adopted, grafted into Your family like a branch grafted on Your vine. (John 15:1).

Like morning dew refreshes, refresh us with the water of life every morning. Help us blossom like creation with both the colour and the aroma of Christ. Help us develop the fruit of Your Spirit. Help us to have the beauty of Jesus living in us. Go before us into the lives of those we meet and help us to find ways to share Your love with those around us.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Lord our God,

For our family and friends and neighbours. Healing, hope, happiness or just an uplifting day.
For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, church members. Encourage and renew them in love.
For the royal family. Thanksgiving and continued healing and help.
For our nation, good growth, good government, good management, positive way forward.
Ukraine, show Your power for peace and disassemble this war.
For Gaza, and the Middle East. Pause, a time to talk, a time to not throw stones, talk peace.
For Bible translators and those who take Bibles where they are needed.
For our schools and those who help children diagnosed with learning disabilities.
For farmers and those who take care of the countryside and our protected nature areas.
For Your help today in our work, chores, must do’s and at home. Give us cause to smile.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 24th May 2024
A hymn I slip in again because I can and I never tire of it.

Wonderful grace that gives what I don’t deserve
Pays me what Christ has earned then lets me go free
Wonderful grace that gives me the time to change
Washes away the stain that once covered me

And all that I am I lay at the feet
Of the wonderful Saviour Who loves me

Wonderful love that held in the face of death
Breathed in it’s final breath forgiveness for me
Wonderful love whose power can break every chain
Giving us life again setting us free

And all that I am I lay at the feet
Of the wonderful Saviour Who loves me

John Pantry
CD: The Gifts of God Series, Grace, Mission Worship