Tag: Daily Prayer Devotional

Tuesday 14th May 2024

“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 who forgives,

Stand in a primary school playground for a while and we soon see that the children need to be reminded to be kind to one another. Look around as an adult and it is evident the lesson still needs to be reinforced. And it is not just stopping the unkind and leaving a void, it is putting something in its place.

As Christians we like to think we are kind. Perhaps we are not unkind very often . . . but are we actively kind? I wonder how easily we are hurt, just a little put out? Can we remember past offences. Some of us have better memories than others! I try to let things wash over me God, but they do leave a sediment now and again.

What does actively being kind mean? Giving extra attention to the person who needs it even if we are tired? Being friendly and patient with the personal who is sometimes brusque? Lord God, You are so kind to us. You are patient, You do not boast about Your holiness and keep reminding us of our sin. You do not dishonour us to others, You are not self-seeking, easily angered and keep no record of our wrongs. You do not delight in evil but rejoice in the truth. You always protect, always trust, always hope, always persevere. Your love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

In response – help us to be kind to one another.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God who forgives,

For our family and friends and neighbours. May they know Your kindness in answered prayer.
For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, members. Help them know Your kindness and share it.
For new and established churches to grow in strength and numbers and give the glory to God.
For the royal family. That there might be healing and kindness leading to reconciliation.
For our Government. For our nation. For the decision makers. To hear God’s wisdom.
For Ukraine, to stay free and move Russia to change their attitude and withdraw from war.
For Gaza, empower talks towards next steps and a kind way forward to peace.
For reconciliation and kindness wherever there has been division. In families, politics, nations.
For those who bridge the gap with food banks, emergency housing, hostels, fostering.
For those who bridge the gap by listening: Samaritans, child help lines, prayer lines.
For a day to give thanks for Your kindness and a day to just be kind.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 14th May 2024
A new song to me.

Let the fragrance of my life
Be a pleasing sacrifice
Every decision every moment
May You be glorified

Make me like You
Come mould me shape me
Do what only You can do
Make me like You
Here I am come take me
All my life belongs to You
Make me like You

Let the fragrance of my life
Be a pleasing sacrifice
Every decision every moment
May You be glorified

My one thing
I want nothing more now
Tune my heart to Your sound
Be my all in all
My worship costly I lay all down
I’ll be like oil poured out
Every drop is Yours

Lyrics: Brian McCleery

Monday 13th May 2024

 “So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away—look, what is new has come!18 And all these things are from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation. 19 In other words, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting people’s trespasses against them, and he has given us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making his plea through us. We plead with you on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God!”” 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 NET

God of reconciliation,

Love means never having to say you are sorry? An often quoted line God, as You know, when the movie ‘Love Story’ came out. I never liked it. They quoted it like it was truth. There are times when sorry is the only word that will do. Something is said or done which is hurtful and only a sincere apology bridges the divide and brings reconciliation. There is no other way to find Your forgiveness or mend a broken relationship. Being sorry and changing our behaviour – repenting.

What a day, when we said sorry to You, God, and You reconciled us through the cross. We were found guilty and then forgiven as if we had never sinned! How wonderful that the great gulf between us, separating us from You was removed. I remember the Berlin wall coming down. Hugs and shouts of joy, flags waving and tears. I cannot consider the wall of my sin coming down with a polite, Oh how nice. It needs a hallelujah and a praise You Lord.

What a wonderful ministry to be in. Helping people understand that there is a way to make peace with You, God. Have all their mistakes, hiccups of life, anger, and selfishness forgiven and be able to then forgive themselves. Give us opportunities to share Your love. I am so grateful people told me about Jesus at a time I really wasn’t interested but they planted the seed anyway.

God of reconciliation,

For our family and friends and neighbours. Many needs, hopes. That they know You.
For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, members. To make a place where Jesus is made known.
For new and established churches to grow in strength and numbers and give the glory to God.
For the royal family. That there might be healing and reconciliation.
For our Government. For our nation. For the decision makers. To hear God’s wisdom.
For Ukraine, to stay free but move Russia to change their attitude and withdraw from war.
For Gaza, empower talks towards next steps and a peaceful way forward. Release of hostages.
For reconciliation wherever there has been division. In families, politics, nations.
For those who bridge the gap with food banks, emergency housing, hostels, fostering.
For those who bridge the gap by listening: Samaritans, child help lines, prayer lines.
For a day to give thanks that we are at peace with You, at peace with our neighbours, at peace as a nation.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 13th May 2024
A thoughtful hymn and very challenging. Thank God for forgiveness when I have failed Him. I love the words of verse three . . .

When it’s all been said and done
There is just one thing that matters
Did I do my best to live for truth
Did I live my life for you

When it’s all been said and done
All my treasures will mean nothing
Only what I’ve done for love’s reward
Will stand the test of time

Lord your mercy is so great
That you look beyond our weakness
And find purest gold in miry clay
Making sinners into saints

I will always sing your praise
Here on earth and ever after
For you’ve shown me Heaven’s my true home
When it’s all been said and done
You’re my life when life is gone

When it’s all been said and done
There is just one thing that matters
Did I do my best to live for truth
Did I live my life for you
Lord I’ll live my life for you

Lyrics: Jim Cowan

Sunday 12th May 2024

“Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.  By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.”
1 Corinthians 15:3 NIV

Holy God,

Thank you for my recycled front garden gate Father. Hinged onto a solid concrete post. This reading reminds me that my my faith all hinges on the solid truth of the Gospel. Christ died for our sins according to Scripture. Because of the first garden when one man and one woman showed how we just cannot help touching what we shouldn’t, eating what we shouldn’t and listening to that voice that tempts us to disobey You, God. Can’t help being selfish and want what we can’t have and don’t need!

I am reconciled to the fact that try as hard as I try not to, I still sin. So we need to be reconciled – which is when two situations or beliefs are opposed to each other but exist together! I am reconciled to the fact that You, God are Holy and no-one sinful can enter Your presence. But in Jesus His holiness reconciles me to You. Sinful to sinless. Because Jesus took my sin at the cross. We can be reconciled to You, God, be made clean and receive all You have to give us: light, life and love. Keep us repentant, keep us living in Jesus. Keep us from thinking we can do it ourselves. And keep us in the joy of being reconciled to You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Holy God,

For our family and friends and neighbours. Their hearts desires and good relationships.
For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, members. To make a place where Jesus love is shown.
For new and established churches to grow in strength and numbers and give the glory to God.
For the royal family. That there might be healing and steps to reconciliation.
For Ukraine, to stay free but move Russia to change in attitude and withdraw. End to killing.
For Gaza, empower talks towards next steps to a peaceful way forward.
For aid and medicine to reach all the areas where there is need across the Middle East.
For reconciliation wherever there has been division. In families, politics, nations.
For the weak and vulnerable. The hungry, the abandoned and orphaned children.
For marriages plant seeds of reconciliation where there is discord.
For a day to give thanks that we are forgiven. And remember all the good done in Your name today.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 12th May 2024
Never tire of this hymn.

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

Lyrics: John Pantry