Tag: Daily Prayer Devotional

Friday 17th May 2024

“Beware to the filthy, stained city; the city filled with oppressors!
2 She is disobedient; she has refused correction. She does not trust the Lord; she has not sought the advice of her God. Her princes are as fierce as roaring lions; her rulers are as hungry as wolves in the desert, who completely devour their prey by morning.“ Zephaniah 3:1-3 NET


God who is merciful from everlasting to everlasting,

Reading Zephaniah I am struck how nothing really changes. We may think we are more sophisticated and ordered as a society but human nature is much the same. Zephaniah grew up under the reign of king Josiah’s predecessors: his evil grandfather, king Manasseh, and Manasseh’s son, the evil Amon. Surrounded by idolatry, child sacrifice, unjust killings. (2 Kings 21:16, 2 Chronicles 33:1010)

We are blessed with royalty who do not hide their faith and attend church. But over the years, members of the house of commons and Lords have hit the headlines for the wrong reasons. And society is not all well behaved or clean living. Today we are careful not to use such colourful language about sinful people for fear of slander! Sometimes the truth does not come out for years! And we are shocked by supposedly good people doing evil. Our cities do hold many today who worship anything else but You. Money, self, their own desires, the stars, science . . . We see children neglected, unloved and even murdered. Like Zephaniah we are horrified and reminded how seriously You, God, take our relationship with You. Zachariah in his first chapter reminds us that one day the unrepentant will answer to You.

Zephaniah reminds us we must choose sides. But in the midst be reminded You are still seeking and reaching out to the rebellious. Like the Good Shepherd who went after one small lost and wandering sheep (Luke 15). Our daily battle is to love the sinner, hate the sin and pray for the lost. Once upon a time it was us . . . we were sinners. We can never thank You enough that You saved us.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of miracles,

For our family and friends and neighbours. Health, safety purpose and salvation.
For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, church members. For renewal in the church.
For the royal family. To know You through the generations.
For our Government. Draw men and women with good hearts and good lives to take up the call.
For Ukraine, to stay free and lead Russia to desire peace and withdraw from war.
For Gaza, empower talks towards next step and give unity to all those in talks for peace.
For all who deal with sin, police, crown, magistrates and youth offending courts and prisons.
For teachers, tutors, carers, parents, mental health nurses.
For those who struggle with temper and poor mental health. Your love and power to change.
For a day to be grateful for whatever comes and look for You in our circumstances.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 17th May 2024

Everyone needs compassion
A love that’s never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Saviour
The hope of nations

Saviour
He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as You find me
And all my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender

Chorus

Shine Your light and let the whole world see
We’re singing
For the glory of the risen King, Jesus
Shine Your light and let the whole world see
We’re singing
For the glory of the risen King

Lyrics: Reuben Timothy Morgan and Benjamin David Fielding

Thursday 16th May 2024

“But now, put off all such things as anger, rage, malice, slander, abusive language from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another since you have put off the old man with its practices 10 and have been clothed with the new man that is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the one who created it.” Colossians 3:10 NET

“You must put away all bitterness, anger, wrath, quarrelling, and slanderous talk—indeed all malice. Instead, be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32 NET

God of wisdom,

I have just noticed in reading Colossians 3:10 that the verse written to that church is very similar to the one in the letter to the Ephesians. Which was last Tuesday’s verse. Why am I surprised? We all need reminding to watch ourselves and recognise when anything dubious in thought starts to move into behaviour! To the Ephesians you remind them to put kindness in place of bitterness, anger etc. To the Colossians you reminded them that as a new man, person, to put off anger rage etc and behave as we are dressed – as Christ. Renewed in knowledge? Wisdom?

Ephesus was a wealthy, important harbour and full of philosophers, thinkers and all manner of educated people. Paul called them not think but to do deeds of kindness.

Colossians was equally an important city because it was on a main trade route and they made their famous red wool. Visitors trade was recognised often by how they dressed and what they traded in. You called them to be wise, put off all malice, great and small, and to be clothed and renewed in knowledge of Jesus. To show Jesus by their behaviour. Jesus who was the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1 :15). To be renewed in the knowledge of Jesus.

It is not just putting off or out of ourselves un Christlike behaviour where it tries to sneak in, but letting You constantly revive us, make us new, restore us. And help us react with kindness. Have Your way Lord today.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God of wisdom,

For our family and friends and neighbours. We pray for their good and good relationships.
For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, church members. Fellowship and good relationships.
For the royal family. To know how to balance family, health and work.
For our Government. For our nations decision makers, wisdom to make godly laws.
For Ukraine, to stay free and humble Russia to desire peace and withdraw from war.
For Gaza, empower talks towards next step and humble all those in talks for peace.
For those whose calling is to listen. Help lines, doctors, counsellors, friends, family.
For teachers, tutors, carers, parents and nurses longsuffering and patience.
For those who struggle with temper and poor mental health. Your love and power to change.
For us to experience Your inner calm and forgiveness and lay down all ill will and annoyances. .

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 16th May 2024
Sometimes we just need to keep it simple, as a little child (Matthew 18:3)

I wanna be like Jesus
Think like Jesus
Do what He would do
In every way, everywhere, every day
Let His love and grace shine through.
I wanna be like Jesus
So that Jesus
Will be seen in me
Father help me be like Jesus.

Wednesday 15th May 2024

“And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Matthew 23:12

Almighty but humble Lord,

I love children’s movies or any movie where the hero is the the underdog, least noticed and often not the most athletic. But he or she makes good and overcomes the bullies, the bad situations, bad people and events. But sadly to make it interesting he or she has to go through many bad or difficult experiences first. Pushed to the bottom, ignored, not picked for the team.

We all have different walks in life, some have more of a struggle than others. Some have a better start than others. Some have more than others. But Jesus calls us to have the same attitude of heart. When we are invited somewhere, to go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited us comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ (Luke 14:7-11) Not to try to sit at the top be the most noticed or most popular. And not to feel unworthy.

Help us Lord to recognise we are chosen, loved by You, God, absolutely. Children of the King and heirs, and yet called to be humble because all we have is from You. Like You we are all called to serve, love and forgive. Regardless of our gifting and abilities. To put others first. To encourage and thank others. To not allow flattery to puff us up, Lord keep us grounded in Your humility.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Almighty and humble King,

For our family and friends and neighbours. Thank You for privilege of praying for them.
For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, church members. To serve and appreciate each other.
For the royal family.
For our Government. For our nations decision makers, humility and a desire to serve.
For Ukraine, to stay free and humble Russia to desire peace and withdraw from war.
For Gaza, empower talks towards next step and humble all those in talks for peace.
For those whose calling is to listen. Help lines, doctors, counsellors, friends, family.
For all those serving in churches cooking meals, running cafes, food banks, support groups, Bible studies, children’s playgroups . . .
For a good day, a restful day even among the business. To humbly acknowledge our weaknesses and find strength in You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 15th May 2024


Oh, kneel me down again
Here at Your feet
Show me how much You love
Humility
Oh, Spirit be the star
That leads me to
The humble heart of love
I see in You

‘Cause You are the God of the broken
The friend of the weak
You wash the feet of the weary
Embrace the ones in need

And I want to be like You Jesus
To have this heart in me
You are the God of the humble
You are the humble King

Oh, kneel me down again
Here at Your feet
Show me how much you love

Lyrics: Brenton Brown