Tag: Daily Prayer Devotional

Tuesday 23rd April 2024

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 NIV

God who rules over all,

In Your Word we read about Jesus going about his life as usual. Not complaining, not overwhelmed with fear or self sympathy. He is focused and expecting You, His heavenly Father to plan, purpose and provide for Him. You remind us that people who love and desire things other than, and over You, do not do well eternally to say the least. Rich men (lovers of money more than You God) cannot pass through eye of a needle. If something else is loved, relied on more, it pushes You out.

Jesus spent HIs life serving and He loved and treasured people. Regardless of their sickness, confusion and sin. Preparing everything for the disciples future. For the birth of the church and the pouring out of Your Spirit. Even seeing forward to our future, to now. So that we could have life through Him.

If we seek a relationship with You first, as King and our Lord, You add all the things of Your Kingdom to us. Grace, peace, love a sure future . . . Help us not to let the love of anything else take Your place so we can live in Your Kingdom.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God who rules over all,

For our family and friends. Each one with their own need and concerns. Send joy today too.
For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, members. Unity and enthusiasm for faith and worship.
For the royal family. For continued healing and family unity.
For our Parliament. We pray You will take out and bring in the right people for this time in history.
For Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, all places of conflict. Bring them to the end to war. Speak peace to hard hearts. Bless peacemakers with power.
For our emergency services. Local charities. Food banks.
For farmers trying to plant amidst wet fields and mud.
For our needs today, take our worries and concerns and bless us with all we need.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 23rd April 2024
This was written in 1971 by Karen Lafferty, inspired by a Bible study on the verse “Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33) at Calvary Chapel. It become one of the most well-known praise chorus’s and entered in many recent hymnals. The original version only included a single verse with a refrain of alleluias, which was sometimes sung as a round. The other verses, of anonymous authorship, were added based on Matthew 7:7 and Matthew 4:4. 

Seek ye first the kingdom of God
And His righteousness;
And all these things shall be added unto you.
Hallelu, Hallelujah!

Ask, and it shall be given unto you;
Seek, and you shall find.
Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Hallelu, Hallelujah!

You shall not live by bread alone,
But by every word
That proceeds out from the mouth of God.
Hallelu, Hallelujah!

And if the Son shall set you free
Ye shall be free indeed
Ye shall know the truth, and it shall set you free
Hallelu, Hallelujah!

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart
He shall direct thy paths
In all thy ways acknowledge Him
Hallelu, Hallelujah!

Lyrics and music by Karen Lafferty.


Monday 22nd April 2024

“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.” Galatians 4:4-5 NIV

God who redeems us,

We talk about being redeemed as Christians. But sometimes I forget it is more than just sin being paid for! We remember that You also redeemed the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. You showed us at Passover how the blood of sacrifice, smeared on the door lintels, redeeming them from death. But just being saved from death would have still meant slavery. They were saved from death and lead out of slavery to freedom. Free to pursue a new life and Your provision for the journey to the promised land.

We too are more than redeemed we are free to choose a new way f life with Your provision. I love this verse from Galatians. It reminds us that we are redeemed. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross frees us from death but it does not leave us where we are. It provides us with new life as Your children by Your Spirit. We not only have Your provision for the journey but a sure and beautiful destination.

One more step along the road I go, keep me travelling along with You, as the song says and keep me worshipping as I go.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God who redeems us,

For our family and friends. As we recall them and bring their faces to mind bless them.
For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, members. Joy for the journey and a harvest of new people..
For the royal family. For continued healing and family unity.
For our Parliament. So many discussions. Use them in unity, together for good.
For Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, all places of conflict. Bring an end to war. Speak peace to stubborn hearts. Bless the peacemakers with power. Enable talks to walk out of war.
For our emergency services. Local charities. Food banks.
For those made slaves even today, here and abroad, we pray freedom and a new future.
For today, thanks for spring whether wet, dry, windy or calm. Help us appreciate a new day, life in You and the blessings You will send this week.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 22nd April 2024
Good sometimes to just sing a familiar hymn full blast and lift one’s spirit – and it’s my prayer.

Guide me, O thou great Redeemer,
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but thou art mighty;
Hold me with thy powerful hand:
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven
Feed me till I want no more.
Feed me till I want no more.

Open thou the crystal fountain
Whence the healing stream shall flow;
Let the fiery, cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through:
Strong deliverer, strong deliverer
Be thou still my strength and shield.
Be thou still my strength and shield.

When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of death, and hell’s destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan’s side:
Songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever give to thee.
I will ever give to thee.

Lyrics: William Williams

Sunday 21st April 2024

“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory. 21 In his name the nations will put their hope.”
Matthew 12:20-21 NIV

God, Yahweh, Lord, Jehovah,

I linger on this verse for another day because at the moment so many nations need to turn and hope in You. “In Your name we put our hope”. This week a friend reminded me that the Bible is full of Your names all trying to describe You. When asked by Moses, You, God said You were called ‘I am who I am’ (Exodus 3:14). That is who You are.

Many of Your other names seem to try to show what You are like and what You do. Like Hagar called You the God who sees – because You saw her need and provided (Genesis 16:13). A beautiful name from Psalm 23, Jehovah Raah, the Lord my Shepherd. Or Elohim – creator mighty and strong. Many books have been written about Your names. They are all beautiful and help our understanding but they all point back to who You are. The only God, The great I am. In You we hope and put our trust.

We thank You for all You have done and are doing and will do. Above all we thank You for who You are. The only God, the great I am, perfect in all Your ways. And You keep Your promises. Speak peace into our world.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God,

For our family and friends. For all their needs today, those near, distant and broken relationships.
For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, members. For all those who work for You willingly.
For the royal family. For continued healing and family unity.
For our Parliament. In a world of turmoil to be calm and hear Your leading, for an end to war.
For those waiting results of medical tests, results, interviews or outcomes.
For Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, all places of conflict. Bring an end to war. Speak peace to stubborn or hard or angry hearts. Bless the peacemakers with power.
For the children caught up in war and conflict and hunger.
For those who use Your name as an exclamation or swear word – to know You are real.
For Your help for today to be a good day and be able to appreciate it.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 21st April 2024
Written in the 1980’s and may not be sung so often now . . . But I love this worship. It is biblical (Proverbs 18:10) easy to remember and a simple tune! Can worship ever be outdated?

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be the name of the Lord most high

The name of the Lord is a strong tower
The righteous run into it and they are saved
The name of the Lord is a strong tower
The righteous run into it and they are saved

Glory to the name of the Lord
Glory to the name of the Lord
Glory to the name of the Lord most high

The name of the Lord is a strong tower
The righteous run into it and they are saved
The name of the Lord is a strong tower
The righteous run into it and they are saved

Holy is the name of the Lord
Holy is the name of the Lord
Holy is the name of the Lord most high

The name of the Lord is a strong tower
The righteous run into it and they are saved
The name of the Lord is a strong tower
The righteous run into it and they are saved

Lyrics: Clinton Utterbach
Written in the 1980’s