Tag: Daily Prayer Devotional

Saturday 13th July 2024

“Thomas said, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus replied, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:5-6 NET

 “Then Pilate said, “So you are a king!” Jesus replied, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I was born, and for this reason I came into the world—to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate asked, “What is truth?” John 18:37-38 NET

Father God,

Thomas is a person after my own heart. He was concerned and needed to check things out. Don’t worry the Bible tells us – but I do!. Don’t worry about what others think, if you don’t understand something ask! Now I am finally realising and learning, as I grow, that no question is silly.

The press shares much that many would want to keep secret. Celebrities, politicians and public figures. And we know regardless of court cases and reports we may never know the truth. Honesty is paraphrased in confusing mists! It reminds me Lord, of the Biblical leader and politician, Pilate asking Jesus, what is truth?

Pilate chose to avoid Jesus statement, not respond to it directly but go off at a tangent. Jesus came into the world to tell us the truth. He was truth. He never lies, minces his words, never avoids the unpopular truth and tells it like it is. Sin is bad but the enemy makes it look good. Some people think being good is boring. Its not boring Lord, its hard work sometimes but it does bring great reward.

Where things are not always black and white, help us to know Your truth through Your Son. We can believe Your truth in Jesus. Help us to see through Your eyes.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Father God,

For our family, friends, neighbours. Good health, good days, good rest and good choices
For our Ministers, lay leaders, church members. Your truth to sustain them.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For all those preparing for the Paris Olympics. Behand the scenes and those who will take part.
For Gaza, Middle East, continuing peace talks. Talk and not war. Protect the relief agencies.
Ukraine. Send a miracle, soften Putin’s hard heart and his officials and generals and advisors.
For the justice system seeking the truth and giving justice.
For our Young offenders courts to understand what is best and know those who can be helped.
For honesty and integrity among public figures and leaders.
For all those who do mundane employment but who make our lives good.
For us a lovely day even if at work, a good nights rest and to be able to give up our worries to You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 13th July 2024
A beautiful marriage of a hymn and modern worship. Read, below under the lyrics, how Matt was inspired to write it.

One day You’ll make everything new, Jesus
One day You will bind every wound
The former things shall all pass away
No more tears

One day You’ll make sense of it all, Jesus
One day every question resolved
Every anxious thought left behind
No more fear

When we all get to heaven
What a day of rejoicing that will be
When we all see Jesus
We’ll sing and shout the victory

One day we will see face to face, Jesus
Is there a greater vision of grace
And in a moment, we shall be changed
On that day

And one day we’ll be free, free indeed, Jesus
One day all this struggle will cease
And we will see Your glory revealed
On that day

Chorus x 2

One day we will see face to face, Jesus
Is there a greater vision of grace
And in a moment, we shall be changed
On that day

Lyrics:
Eliza Hewitt in 1898
Matt & Beth Redman Leonard Jarman 2017

“I hadn’t really been familiar with that old hymn at all. We were writing some verses based around what we’re looking forward to with Heaven and my wife Beth actually had the whole idea of the song. We had a few friends walking through a lot of stuff, losing loved ones. She said, ‘it’d be nice to have a fresh song going to that place, talking about what’s coming one day.’And so we started writing this song with our friend Landon. And we couldn’t write the chorus. We went a long time, probably six weeks I think just trying to figure out what it was. And then one day I said to him, ‘hey, wonder if it’s like an old hymn or something?’ and he literally sung straight into ‘when we all get to heaven.’ It was the right tempo, the right theme, the right key. It was just a beautiful moment.” – Matt Redman

Link
https://freeccm.com/2018/08/07/behind-the-song-matt-redman-shares-the-heart-behind-his-song-one-day-when-we-all-get-to-heaven/

Friday 12th July 2024

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people.  It trains us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, as we wait for the happy fulfilment of our hope in the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:11-13
“My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.” James 1:2-4
New English Translation.

Lord God Almighty,

Good morning and thank you. Thank you for all for all your blessings to us. Forgiveness, mercy through Jesus, the indwelling and companionship of Your Holy Spirit. Your almighty power which keeps the universe in place and our tiny little world safely turning.

When we are young we long to leave school. To grow up and then we realise life is one long learning curve. The longer I live the more I realise I hardly know anything at all! I make mistakes and I do not always know best. Help me to be teachable. To keep my account with you short and bring anything to mind I need to repent of. And have it washed away. Thank You that You do not keep reminding us of past mistakes, help us silence the enemies condemnation.

How often we learn most in the hard, difficult and challenging times. We don’t always like or want these lessons on growing because we have to change. Then you remind us you are God, your patience is unending and you want and know what is best for us.

Today Father we give you permission to work in our lives for good. The cross shows us how much you love us. So we open ourselves to you to learn and grow. Come Holy Spirit and reveal what we need to learn today.

In Jesus beautiful name we pray, Amen.

Father,

For our family, friends, neighbours. Guide them in paths of righteousness even if they do not acknowledge You.
For our Ministers, lay leaders, church members. A rich relationship with You and inspiration.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). Our new and returning MP’s..
For all those preparing for the Paris Olympics. Behand the scenes and those who will take part.
For Gaza, Middle East, continuing peace talks. Talk and not war. Protect the relief agencies.
Ukraine. Send a miracle, soften Putin’s hard heart and his officials and generals and advisors.
For those young people who have sat exams and are awaiting results next month.
For those starting and learning new jobs and employment.
For those starting rehabilitation learning a new way to live with disability or free of addiction.
For schools in the last weeks of term and teachers coping with all the end of term business.
For us to want to grow more like Christ, not holier than thou, but more compassionate and kind.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 12th July 2024
More a prayer than a song. I am so grateful God does not leave me as I am but loves me and wants to help me grow to be more like His Son.

I’m growing, I don’t like it
I’m growing and it hurts
I love You, but I’m tired
I guess I’ve got a lot to learn
Yeah, guess I’ve got a lot to learn

Don’t leave me here
You said You would not forsake me
But You never said that You wouldn’t break me
To make me over in the image of You
In the dark night of the soul
When there’s no comfort in praying
Not a moment’s pleasure in straying
You’re the only shelter I know

I’m growing, I don’t like it
I’m growing and it hurts
I love You, but, God, I’m tired
I guess I’ve got a lot to learn
Yes, I’ve got a lot to learn

When feelings fail
When “close enough” isn’t good enough
When “full enough” just isn’t full enough
Your grace will be sufficient for me
No wind to sail
No rain to water the flower
In my most desperate hour
Oh, You will be the strength that I need

Wayne Watson
CD: The Way home, Wayne Watson, Word Records

Thursday 11th July 2024

“Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool called Bethzatha (Bethsaida) in Aramaic, which has five covered walkways. 3 A great number of sick, blind, lame, and paralyzed people were lying in these walkways. 5 Now a man was there who had been disabled for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and when he realized that the man had been disabled a long time already, he said to him, “Do you want to become well?” 7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up. While I am trying to get into the water, someone else goes down there before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Stand up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9 Immediately the man was healed, and he picked up his mat and started walking. (Now that day was a Sabbath.)” John 5:2-9 New English Translation

God our healer,

I wonder about the disabled man who had been visiting the pool for many, many years and cannot get to the front of the queue. And we can empathise with someone who has probably lost heart and yet still goes to this place daily! But Jesus asks Him if he still wants to get well. He does not answer yes as you would expect. He gives an excuse. It is not his fault, no-one in 38 years has helped him get in the water in time. I know sometimes I would like to find someone or something else to blame for my problems. Sometimes it is no ones fault.

I wonder why he didn’t just say yes, yes I want to be well? Had it just become familiar his way of life? And he saw no other way that day as he’d missed the water being stirred. Even though Jesus was stood right before Him. Not someone who could lift him into the water but who is the healing water of life.

Help us not look back to what might have been. Help us not to carry judgement of those who could have helped. Help us to see You are standing here with us today and put our trust in You. Yes we want to be healed of hurt and sin. Yes we want to go with You. Direct us away from past disappointments to future hope. Raise us to our feet Lord to walk held, guided and healed by You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God who heals,

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God our healer,

For our family, friends, neighbours. Raise them up today to see hope and goodness, joy and You.
For our Ministers, lay leaders, church members. A day of answered prayer.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). Calm and stability for all Parliamentarians.
For all those preparing for the Paris Olympics. Behand the scenes and those who will take part.
For Gaza, Middle East, continuing peace talks, negotiations and a way forward in peace.
Ukraine. Send a miracle, soften Putin’s hard heart. And his officials and generals and advisors.
For all those having medical treatment today be their peace and healing along with the doctors.
For those who are facing difficult circumstances today be their calm and strength and comfort.
For those who care for others and do the lifting and feeding and washing.
For us: Help us to give the why questions that cannot be answered to You and trust You for today.

Worship Thursday 11th July 2024

 All hail the power of Jesus’ name!
Let angels prostrate fall.
Bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all.

Let every kindred and every tribe
On this terrestrial ball,
to him all majesty ascribe,
and crown him Lord of all.

Oh, that with all the sacred throng
we at his feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting song
and crown him Lord of all.

Lyrics: Edward Perronet