Tag: Daily Prayer Devotional

Tuesday 12th March 2024

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.” Hebrews 12:1-3 NKJV

God who reigns,

There is so much to think about in these verses. And at their heart, the reminder that Jesus lives and still loves this fallen world. Thank God You do. Jesus. Made a refugee as a small child, the family fleeing to save hiss life. Returning to his own people ruled by Romans and under their military law. He healed the sick, raised the dead and told the truth but was hated by the religious leaders. Persecuted, condemned unjustly, tried unfairly, beaten to within an inch of his life and put to death cruelly, slowly. He knew times of testing, disappointment, frustration and temptation. Yet he displayed only faith, hope, joy, purpose and love.

Now You call us to live the life You, God have set before us. Well run it actually! Suggesting no hesitating or going backwards? Some challenge! Then we see Jesus, who has finished the race and has come back by His Spirit to run it with us. At our speed, to ensure we make it to the finishing line. Thank You that You, God, cheer us on, give us the nourishment we need and keep us going whether a sprint or a pootle.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God who reigns,

For family, friends, neighbours, hear and answer their needs and prayer. Keep them safe.
For our church family and keep them faithful. Bless the lent groups as they study.
For the Royal family. Ongoing healing, medical privacy and for healing for family rifts.
For our government. Raise up good men and women to serve and keep them focused on good.
For an end to the war in Ukraine. Send a miracle of peace. So families can be reunited.
For Gaza. A peaceful way forward. Help those delivering aid to where it is needed.
For a harvest of new people and believers to the churches this Easter.
For Haiti, not in the news but still in the control of drug and criminal gangs, widespread poverty.
For families to thrive and children enjoy childhood. For single parents to find support and thrive.
For adopted and fostered children’s safety and nurture and best.
For us a day to relax in Your faithfulness and appreciate nature as it begins to awake with spring.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 12th March 2024
No apologies for having this familiar hymn again. Settle back and be assured, we have His faithful presence to cheer and to guide . . . always.

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 will 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

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father.

Thomas O. Chisholm was born in 1866 in a Kentucky log cabin. He did not have an academic education but at 16 became a schoolteacher in the same schoolhouse where he was educated. Later he became associate editor of the local newspaper and later an editor of the Pentecostal Herald in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1893 aged 26, Thomas made the most important decisions of his life and accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. In 1903, he was ordained a minister, but was forced to limit his years of service due to poor health. Throughout his life, Thomas wrote hundreds of poems. Great is Thy faithfulness was put to music by his friend William Runyan.





Monday 11th March 2024

“The Lord is near! Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:5b-7 NIV

Lord and Father,

Anxiety. Worry starts in the head I believe, anxiety seems to affect the body too! In Philippians we are shown the opposite of anxiety is the God’s peace, guarding the mind and the heart. Anxiety threatens our good sleep, our sanity and can make us physically ill. We cannot get rid of it by trying not to think, by distraction ourselves or drugging it away. I know this! It often disrupts our behaviour so we are short-tempered, intolerant, irritable. I confess! Lord, You know us well. And sometimes it makes us work hard to hide it, to protect others, pretending we’re fine.

I have learned that You do not always remove the cause of our anxiety. We do not always have all the answers. But You offer to carry our anxiety and grant us heavenly peace. Paul says we should tell You God all about them even though You already know! But perhaps in speaking them out we can root them out of our deep places and give over our self sufficiency and worry to You.

Sometimes You change the situation and other times You carry us. Help us to bring all our anxiety to You. Even if we think it is small in comparison to others. Your care about everything that disrupts our peace. May Your Holy Spirit keep our hearts and minds safe, guarded and secure in You, in every situation.

In Jesus name, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Lord and Father,

For family, friends, neighbours, their urgent needs and future hopes and freedom from anxiety.
For our neighbours and the wider community where we live. To be open to the message of Easter.
For our church family each and every member and attender. Bless the lent groups as they study.
For the Royal family. Ongoing healing and opportunities for Harry to be reconciled.
For our government. Work in their hearts and minds with Your wisdom and peace.
For an end to the war in Ukraine. Send a miracle of peace. Change the hearts of both nations to desire peace.
For Gaza. A way forward to peace and living in peace. Help those delivering aid and medical help.
For a harvest of new people and believers to the churches this Easter.
For the NHS and all the specialist units. A&E, maternity, surgery, cancer . . . and the people who work in them. For their inner peace in mind, body and soul.
For the emergency services as they deal with trauma, accidents, and crime and violence. Keep their hearts at peace and restore them from the trauma of what they deal with.
We pray for those with murder or suicide in their hearts. In place of turmoil, dark and evil plant Your peace – and hope.
For us a day where anxiety is handed over to You. A day of Your reassurance, peace and company.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 11th March 2024

John Newton was ordained a curate of Olney Parish in Buckinghamshire, England after working as a sailor and slave trader. He organising spiritual gatherings during the week. Thursday afternoons for children, to explain the Scriptures to them in a simple way and in the evenings for adults.

He began to compose little bits of verse to be sung, to summarize the Scripture lessons. He was not a poet and did not pretend to be. He wanted to write for ordinary people. The hymn “How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds” was published under the title “The Name of Jesus.” It was based on Song of Solomon 1:3: “Your anointing oils are fragrant; your name is oil poured out; therefore virgins love you.”

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
In a believer’s ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,
And drives away his fear.

It makes the wounded spirit whole
And calms the troubled breast;
’Tis manna to the hungry soul,
And to the weary, rest.

Dear Name! the Rock on which I build,
My Shield and Hiding Place,
My never-failing Treasury filled
With boundless stores of grace!

Jesus! my Shepherd, Husband, Friend,
My Prophet, Priest, and King;
My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End,
Accept the praise I bring.

Weak is the effort of my heart,
And cold my warmest thought;
But when I see Thee as Thou art,
I’ll praise Thee as I ought.

Till then I would Thy love proclaim
With every fleeting breath,
And may the music of Thy name
Refresh my soul in death.

Lyrics: John Newton.

Sunday 10th March 2024

“But now in Christ Jesus you who used to be far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13 NET

God who is and always will be,

“Before the mountains were born, or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.” (Psalm 92:2) We join the Psalmist to acknowledge that You are the God of eternity. Many people believe there must have been a greater being that made the universe and yet are not interested in finding who, or checking out You! I remember finding being told there was no Santa Claus. I searched for evidence for and to the contrary before I made up my mind! Perhaps it is me that needs to test things to prove they are true!

In Christ Jesus I, we who believe, have the evidence that You not only exist but we can know You. Not just Your intent and Your commitment to us but who You are and what You are like. You are not a God we remember just with stories about Christmas and Easter but a living God who draws near and becomes a friend. We can more than believe in You (excuse grammar!) we can know You through Your Word, be held, loved and indwelt by Your Spirit. Without any fear of You, a universe creating Almighty Holy God. Because of the love of Christ, Your Son.

Help us to draw near to You – always. To remember You loved us so much You sent Christ to shed His blood for us. To give thanks, always. To remember You are the creator, our Creator and beyond our imagination always. Awesome in majesty and yet drawing near to give us Your love, always.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God who is and always will be,

For family, friends, neighbours, let them see Your goodness in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13).
We pray for our neighbours. Those we know and those we don’t. All have needs, hurts and worries.
Bless our church family and help it to be the best it can be. Bless the lent groups as they study.
For the Royal family. King Charles treatment success, Kates recovery and family privacy.
For our government. For both the members in the commons and the titled in the lords.
For an end to the war in Ukraine. Send a miracle of peace. Thwart Russia and war at every pass.
For Gaza. Give success to calls for peace talks. Help those delivering aid to where it is needed.
For a harvest of new people and believers to the churches this Easter.
For support agencies and volunteer groups across the UK. Inspire a new generation of volunteers.
For victims of crimes, scams, bullying. For those involved a change of heart or capture or both.
For us a day of worship, rejoicing even amid the normal activities of a Sunday routine. Whether we take communion or not to remember the old rugged cross, the empty tomb and the risen Christ.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 10th March 2024

Kelly had been leading worship and pastoring the worship ministry at his church for two years. He was under pressure leading and pastoring. Confident musically, he felt green in worship and people leadership. He got so busy, that his personal connection with God suffered.

One Sunday, January 1994 Kelly came home after leading worship and felt tired and down. He sat at the piano and a song just started pouring out of his heart. Kelly realized that he wanted to know Jesus more than do good works for him. Somehow he had lost connection with Jesus. He spontaneously sang “I give it all up again to hear you say that I’m your friend”, and his heart melted. He later rewrote this line to be “I lay it all down again…” which is how it’s known today.


You’re all I want
You’re all I’ve ever needed
You’re all I want
Help me know you are near

Draw me close to you
Never let me go
I lay it all down again
To hear you say that I’m your friend
You are my desire
No one else will do
‘Cause nothing else can take your place
To feel the warmth of your embrace
Help me find the way
Bring me back to you

Lyrics: Kelly Carpenter, Vineyard worship pastor, 1994.