Daily Prayer Devotional – Page 34

Thursday 11th April 2024

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had,so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” Romans 15:5-7 NET

God of endurance and comfort,

Children, and well all of us actually, need hugs and human touch. I am not a huggy person but that does not mean I don’t need human touch Lord. Covid forced many of us to be isolated, even now if someone coughs a lot we move away. Or did we always?

Thank You that we always have Your embrace. Like the prodigal Father who ran to embrace his child, You Lord run to embrace the repentant and humble. And You remind the other obedient son he could have a hug and Your attention whenever he wanted! In the Old Testament You told Your people that You, eternal God was their refuge, and underneath were Your everlasting arms. (Deuteronomy 33:27). The picture of a capturing hug.

We don’t deserve it. To be hugged eternally by Your in love. It is a gift of grace. Jesus, welcomes us, loves us and died for us. Your mercy is everlasting. We can live as if eternally embraced by You. Hold us close, let Your love enfold us. And even if we are not huggers – help us to make each other feel loved and accepted.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God of endurance and comfort,

For our family and friends. Meet their daily needs Let them know a holy hug today.
For our church, Ministers and lay leaders, endurance and heavenly comfort.
For the royal family. Endurance, health and comfort from You.
For our Parliament, both the Commons and Lords. Regardless of politics a desire to do their best.
For our local town or city. For town centres to flourish and new business to prosper.
For our hospitals, police and all those who keep us and our community safe.
For those bereaved, Your comfort, those brought low Your arms to carry.
For those at odds with each other, even family, a way forward to peace.
For Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, places of conflict. End war.
For us and our own personal needs, hopes and if we have ought against anyone to let go . . .

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 11th April 2024

Lord I come to You
Let my heart be changed, renewed
Flowing from the grace
That I have found in You
And Lord I have come to know
The weaknesses I see in me
Will be stripped away
By the power of Your love

Hold me close
Let Your love surround me
Bring me near
Draw me to Your side
And as I wait
I will rise up like the eagle
And I will soar with You
Your Spirit leads me on
In the power of Your love

Lord unveil my eyes
Let me see You face to face
The knowledge of Your love
As You live in me
Lord renew my mind
As Your will unfolds in my life
In living every day
By the power of Your love

Chorus

Lyrics: Geoff Bullock

Wednesday 10th March 2024

“Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again,but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”” John 10:13-14 NKJV

Father God,

After yesterdays reading about You knowing us as individuals by name, this cannot have been just a random meeting between Jesus and this woman from Samaria. You knew this woman and what she needed – more than actual water!

We can live for some time without food in emergencies – but we cannot survive long without water, I think the medical profession say 3 days?! Same length of time that You were in the grave. Reminding us that thirst may be fatal after 3 days but death was beaten in 3 days! Death cannot take us because we have You, Jesus, our water of eternal life. But I digress, Lord, You organised this moment to explain to an outcast woman of Samaria, a foreigner, that You knew her problem, cared and had the solution. The water of life.

You offer us the same, personally, intimately with the same life giving power. Streams of life welling up within us, washing us clean from sin, refreshing our souls, quenching our thirst in the midst of the challenges of life. And it will never run out.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Father of life,

For our family and friends. Meet their needs and for those who do not know You, opportunity to drink that life giving water.
For our church, Ministers and lay leaders, Your refreshment, leading, protection and provision.
For the royal family. Strength, refreshment and healing.
For our Parliament, both the Commons and Lords. Wash hearts and minds. Lead them to serve.
For our local community, safety, good relations and employment.
For our hospitals, police and all those who keep our community safe.
For places where there is no clean water. Where they walk miles to collect it.
For water aid agencies who dig wells and purify water.
For places, homes flooded from too much rain water.
For Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, places of conflict. End war. Pour over them the life changing water of life and peace.
For us to appreciate water to drink, wash and refresh the land. Your water of life to refresh us.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 10th March 2024

Let your living water flow over my soul
Let your holy spirit come and take control
Of every situation that has troubled my mind
All my cares and burdens onto you I roll

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Sing to the Father
Father, Father, Father
Holy Spirit
Spirit, Spirit, Spirit

Come now Holy Spirit and take control
Hold me in your loving arms and make me whole
Wipe away all doubt and fear and take my pride
Draw me to your love and keep me by your side

Give your life to Jesus, let Him fill your soul
Let Him take you in His arms and make you whole
As you give your life to Him, He’ll set you free
You will live and reign with Him eternally

Let your living water flow over my soul
Let your Holy spirit come and take control
Of every situation that has troubled my mind
All my cares and burdens onto you I roll

Lyrics: John Watson (Vinesong Ministry).

Tuesday 9th April 2024

“The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The doorkeeper opens the door for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” John 10:2,3 NET

Great Shepherd,

Jacob called You “the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day.” (Genesis 48:15). You were known as the Good Shepherd even before Jesus revealed Himself as our Good Shepherd (John 10:11). And the shepherd, You, knows each one of us personally and by name. I am terrible with names. That is almost incomprehensible, except that You are God.

How lovely it is, in a crowded place, when someone calls our name and we do not feel alone! How wonderful when a friend sends a card with our name on and has remembered our birthday. You assure us that you don’t just know us as a bunch of believers, one of the crowd in a certain church, but individually. As a parent knowns their child. You know us as a shepherd knew his sheep. Their parentage, their birth, their life, their character, their weakness and their strengths.

Not only can we get to know You but You we are already known lovingly by You. Not for judgement or measurement or reprimand . . . But so we can hear You call us by name, to befriend us, take care of us, love us and lead us to where we should be. Or remain with us where You have led us. Help us get to know You like You know us.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Great Shepherd,

For our family and friends. Lead them to green pastures, refresh them. Speak to their hearts.
For our church, Ministers and lay leaders, Your leading, Your protection and provision.
For the royal family. Strength, healing.
For our Parliament, both the Commons and Lords for Your Spirit to be in their midst, leading.
For our local community, safety, good relations and employment.
For our hospitals, police and all those who keep our community safe.
For Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, places of conflict. End war. Lead, empower those who speak peace.
For those in danger from drought or hunger or natural disasters.
For those who are in positions of responsibility. Help to lead.
For us to simply hear Your voice of assurance and guidance in our daily chores, work and rest..

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 9th April 2024

The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want;
He makes me lie in pastures green.
He leads me by the still, still waters,
His goodness restores my soul.

And I will trust in You alone,
And I will trust in You alone,
For Your endless mercy follows me,
Your goodness will lead me home.

He guides my ways in righteousness,
And He anoints my head with oil,
And my cup, it overflows with joy,
I feast on His pure delights.

And though I walk the darkest path,
I will not fear the evil one,
For You are with me, and Your rod and staff
Are the comfort I need to know.

A bonus worship song for if you have an extra few minutes!