Tag: Daily Prayer Devotional

Monday 8th April 2024

 “For where two or three are gathered in My name [meeting together as My followers], I am there among them.” Matthew 18:20 Amplified Bible

“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20 NKJV

Lord God Almighty,

We know that You are always with us by Your Spirit and You promise You will never leave us. Yet here You are reassuring us, promising us, that where we gather in Your name, on Your business, You are in the midst, a family gathering! With the head of the household. Not just separate believers but joined together by Your blood.

I have been to a lot of meetings, committees and gatherings. We know the frustration of a chair who waffles, wanders of the point or who is bias. Groups function best with a focused leader – and one who serves. How true. We function to our very best when we get together and submit to Your leading. As if You were there in person having the first word and the last word, by Your Spirit in us. Humbly submitting to each other in love.

Thank You for those times when we have been so aware of Your presence. When something has been said that we all know was inspired by You. When Scripture speaks into a situation and there is agreement. For being an almighty God who is the only one to sit on the Throne, comprehend us in our mess and be willing to persevere with us for our best. Help us to keep gathering in Your name and calling upon Your presence with us together, to cheer and to guide.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God of the moment,

For our family and friends. For mercy, healing, help and whatever their needs are today.
For our church, Ministers and the leadership of denominations to pray and plan for the future.
For the royal family. Strength, healing and no fear.
For our Parliament, Commons and Lords for the Spirit to be in their midst.
For our local community, those who live and work near us.
For our hospitals, police and all those who keep our community safe, well, caring and growing.
For Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, places of conflict. End war and press towards peace..
For all those affected by the earthquake in Taiwan. Comfort and provision.
For all those who meet to pray, few or many. Those who run 24 / 7 prayer meetings.
For us to appreciate our freedom to pray and worship and remember those who have to meet in secret or not at all! Those persecuted.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 8th April 2024

AS WE ARE GATHERED Jesus is here;
One with each other, Jesus is here.
Joined by the Spirit, washed in the blood,
Part of the body, the church of God.
As we are gathered Jesus is here,
One with each other, Jesus is here.

Lyrics: John Daniels

Sunday 7th April 2024

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
2 Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever.
3 Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever:
4 To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures forever;
5 To Him who by wisdom made the heavens, For His mercy endures forever;
6 To Him who laid out the earth above the waters, For His mercy endures forever;
Psalm 136:6:1-6

God of mercy,

Repetition, its often the only way I can learn and often how You have to teach me! Times tables, languages, using some new device . . . The Psalmist was a teacher. They wanted to be sure those singing this song, if they remembered nothing else, would remember the repetition . . . Your mercy endures forever!

Sung as they went up to the Temple to worship repeatedly. This Psalm also reminds us that You created the earth within the sea. And the coast where Jesus walked and served breakfast! Everything comes from You.

Your mercy endures forever. Modern advertisers know that we only need to hear something at least 7 times in order for it be in our memory and affect us. Hence annoying repetitive jingles and advert tunes regularly placed. (I still remember everyone’s a fruit and nut case tune!) The Psalm was sung by the leader and all the people singing the response – so it would be imbedded forever in their memory. What a wonderful truth.

Your mercy endures forever. ‘Mercy’ -compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm. We have sinned but we have Your gift of mercy and forgiveness because of Jesus. Thank You, we worship and praise You.

In Jesus name, Amen.

Suggestions for pray . . .
God of mercy,

For our family and friends. For mercy, healing, help and whatever their personal needs today.
For our church, Ministers, those who serve and all who attend worship and mid week events.
For the royal family. Healing. Strength for those stepping in to cover engagements.
For our Parliament, Commons and Lords for the leading of Your Spirit.
For our local community, those who live and work near us.
For our schools as they return from Easter holidays to tell the stories of Jesus in assemblies.
For Open the Book church volunteers who act out Bible stories in school assemblies.
For Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, places of conflict. End war and drive or lead them to peace.
For all those affected by the earthquake in Taiwan. Those seeking to help.
For those who do not have the security of daily bread or fresh water. Provide for them and the agencies who provide for today and the means to earn a living for themselves.
For us help us to remember Bible verses and hymns and Bible stories rather than worries and annoying advert tunes!

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 7th April 2024
I have loved this song since I first heard it a decade ago sitting by the sea . . . I love Jesus and I love the sea and the sky. I need God in my heart and my head . . . What sights make You worship? Perfect flower, loved ones smile, mountains, your pet, ice cream . . .

Lately, I’ve been thinking about You
And lately, I’ve been dreaming of You
And lately, I can’t get You out of my head
Get You out of my head

Something about the ocean
Makes me rise up and praise
Something about the heavens
Makes me stand in awe again
Something about the sunrise
Reminds me of Your faithfulness
Something about the ocean
And I’m lost in love again

I’ll sing until I sense a smile
Upon Your great and lovely face
And till I know Your glory’s in this place
Your glory’s in this place

Lyrics: Lamont Hiebert

Saturday 6th April 2024

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be

Great is Thy faithfulness, great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside.
Lyrics: Thomas Obadiah Chisholm 

“Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.” John 21:7-14 NIV

God who came and loved us,

153 fishes. So exact a number. It reminds me that You, God do not do things slap dash or by chance. And who added them up? The fishermen? To show it was a miracle!? For me the number of fish can be a distraction from the real miracle. The risen Lord waiting for them, to serving them. The risen Lord waiting to give them their daily bread and encourage them. The risen Lord waiting to assure them that He was not dead, all they had learned was true and to give them hope for the future.

We wake up and start the day. Risen Lord, You are there waiting to greet us, feed us, encourage us. Love us. What a miracle. Help us to remember right at the start of our day. And to respond as Peter did, rushing to speak to You first. Even if it is only to say good morning my Lord, my King and my friend.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of miracles,

For our family, friends and neighbours. For Your joy God, and good health to greet them as they awake, along with the knowledge they are loved.
For our church fellowship. Ministers and all who serve and attend worship and mid week events.
For the royal family. Healing. Strength for those stepping in to cover engagements.
For our Parliament, county councils and local councils. Raise up good men and women this summer to stand in the next general election.
For our local community, those who live and work near us.
For school teachers and staff and pupils a good break and enthusiasm for next term.
For Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, places of conflict. End war and drive them in paths of peace.
For all those affected by the earthquake in Taiwan. Those seeking to give aid and help.
For those who do not have the security of daily bread or fresh water. Provide and send aid.
For us thank you for our daily bread. For all those who have toiled to provide.

Lord in Your name we pray, Amen.