“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Roman 5:1 KJV
God our Creator, our Lord and our Father,
I wonder how many Christians are fasting today or abstain from alcohol or cakes or chocolate or TV as part of lent? It can be interesting to discover how addicted we are to these things when we try to do without them! This year with our lent study, lent for me Father, has been more about Jesus. A deeper understanding of Jesus and me. Our relationship..
We cannot repair the broken relationship with You or bridge the chasm of offensive sin between us. You did it all. You came to us. Not remembering our past enmity, not bringing up our past failures. Giving Your whole self to making friendship possible with us. A sacrificial relationship.
Many of us have or have had family squabbles, times of not speaking, being annoyed. Broken friendships and people at church we don’t really get on with. Some relationships are painfully broken and need a miracle. Trust has been betrayed.
Help us remove hate and unforgiveness from our hearts. Not easy Lord! Help us forgive even where it would be foolish to trust again. Help us to build good, healthy relationships wherever we can. And through doing so learn about how You went to extreme’s to have a relationship with us. And love us and keep on loving us even when we offend, neglect you, or make mistakes..
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Suggestions for prayer:
God our creator, Lord and Father,
For family, friends, neighbours, we pray for all of them, grant them your friendship and help us give ours.
For our church family, ministers and all who serve, build their relationship with You, strong..
For all the Royal family. King Charles to Know Your holding Him through all His treatments.
For our government. Build relationships between individuals and parties so the best way forward can be found.
For an end to the war in Ukraine. Send a miracle and soon. Have mercy.
For the church in Ukraine, Myanmar and the underground churches. Keep them safe and strong.
For Gaza an end to the killing, hostage taking and hate. Enable talk, ceasefire and a path to peace.
Bless our local communities, food banks, church toddler groups, social and lunch provision.
Encourage and strengthen those who work in hospitals, dentist and doctors surgeries. Those who work in hospices and those who are close to the bereaved. Comfort the comforters.
For us today a good relationship with You. Encourage us and let us know anything we should put right. Anyone we should get in touch with to let them know they are loved.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Sunday 3rd March 2024
And can it be that I should gain
An int’rest in the Saviour’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me?
He left His Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace;
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race;
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.
Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Lyrics: Charles Wesley
“And Can It Be That I Should Gain?” was written by Charles Wesley in 1738 to celebrate his conversion to Christ, which he regarded as having taken place on 21 May that year. The hymn celebrates his and our personal salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus and is sung in worship around the world today.