Tag: Daily Prayer Devotional

Sunday 11th January 2024

 “I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.” Psalm 121:1-4 NKJV

God who made heaven and earth,

This is one of those Psalms Lord I remember when I awake in the night and cannot get back to sleep! But like with many hymns I can remember the first half easily but struggle with the second half! It is also my go to scripture when I want to counter those who worship creation and not the creator. Stood on the top of a lake district Crag , the Malvern Hills, Snowdonia or even Mow Cop I marvel at the amazing views, the wonder of creation, but more so at the wonder of Your love who formed them. The children of Israel felt that high places were somehow more Holy. But we are not closer to You, God – just more apart from the noise of mankind.

Sometimes we feel church is the place to meet You. Perhaps that too is a place where we can escape from the noise of mankind. The true wonder is that Jesus showed us that we have You, God, available personally through Your Holy Spirit, wherever we are. You are not some idol limited to Your temple. Our help comes from You, who is, who was and always will be creator of the world, the Saviour of the word and the one who gives us limitless love. You are not part of creation, You made it.

We worship and thank You, You who never slumbers or sleeps but is always there for us. Specially when we wake in the night.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God who made heaven and earth,

For family, friends, neighbours, to have their hopes met and health, strength and peace.
For our church families to grow and reach out beyond the walls.
For the Royal family to know and trust You. For Charles treatment to go well and not be unpleasant. For Prince William, Princess Anne and Queen Camilla as they take on his duties.
For our government and MPs and their families.
For Your wisdom in decisions made by international world Governments. For the USA and their future leadership to be for good.
For Ukraine and Gaza permanent peace. Along with Yemen, Myanmar, North Korea, Chine, Sudan, Syria and other countries where there is war, aggression, oppression, dictatorship, slavery.
We pray for Israel that they would hear You at this time and make wise choices for peace.
For those who suffer from lack of sleep, the inability to sleep or broken sleep. Make up the rest to their bodies and their minds.
For all the volunteers who make life better at food banks, on phone help lines, helping neighbours and supporting the vulnerable.
For us, a day of rest and perhaps company and smiles? Remind us as the snowdrops break through that spring will surely come and we do not have to wait for You. You are here now.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 11th January 2024

I have not heard this for many years possibly back in the 1990’s? But I love it.

I lift my eyes up, to the mountains
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from You
Maker of heaven, Creator of the earth
Repeat . . .

Oh how I need you Lord
You are my only hope
You’re my only prayer

So I will wait for you
to come and rescue me
Come and give me life

Lyrics: Brian Doerkson and Psalm 121.


Friday 9th February 2024

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NKJ
 
Lord God,

You, God, think about me! Selah, I pause and think about that! That is more that amazing. I am one of billions and not worthy of note. But then I realize that I am not the only one you think about. You are able to think upon of all Your children, each one with love, all of the time. You are God, not a man, not a super hero, beyond human understanding. And You think of me just as lovingly as every one else You have no favourites (Ephesians 6:9). We can trust You. Because of Jesus, I know that You think about us for our good to plan for us, give us purpose and a certain hope of coming home one day.

What a life changing verse this is. God has forgiven my past, is with me in the present and will be with me not until the end . . . but forever. There is no end. Just change for here to there. None of us like change but this will be the last and the best.

But meanwhile . . . in the middle is a “then”. If we know You are giving us peace, a future and hope THEN we know for sure we can come to You with everything. Our joys, our worries, our hopes our disappointments and needs. You will listen hear and answer. Sometimes You do not take us out of the situation but You give us a way through or enable us to bear it. You are a wonderful God, an amazing Saviour and present help, Holy Spirit..

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Lord God,

For family, friends, neighbours, to find You and lean on You whenever they need help.
For our church families to welcome everyone and together find faith in You.
For the Royal family to know You and trust You. For Charles and Kate’s restoration to full health.
For Michelle O’Neill, N. Irelands first minister and members as they rebuild an active Parliament.
For Your wisdom and purpose in decisions made by world Governments. To make situations better not seek their own agenda.
For Ukraine and Gaza steps to peace. Along with Yemen, Myanmar, North Korea, Chine, Sudan, Syria and other countries where there is war, aggression, oppression, dictatorship, slavery.
For abusers, bullies, manipulators and scammers. Uncover them, protect the vulnerable from them. Help the police and crime preventers find, catch and charge them.
For young people to find Your God given purpose for their lives.
For the many churches and charities which help people find a purpose for their life and help prevent them taking their own.
For us, regardless of the weather, to shine with the love of Jesus from within.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 9th January 2024

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a perfect plea:
a great High Priest, whose name is Love,
who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on his hands,
my name is written on his heart;
I know that while in heaven he stands
no tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair,
and tells me of the guilt within,
upward I look, and see Him there
who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died,
my sinful soul is counted free;
for God, the just, is satisfied
to look on him and pardon me.

Behold him there! the risen Lamb!
My perfect, spotless righteousness,
the great unchangeable I AM,
the King of glory and of grace!
One with himself, I cannot die;
my soul is purchased by his blood;
my life is hid with Christ on high,
with Christ, my Savior and my God.

Lyrics: Charitie Lees Bancroft

Thursday 8th January 2024

“Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.” Psalm 56:2 NKJV

“You are my hiding-place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7 NIV

You are my hiding place, You always fill my heart
With songs of deliverance
Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You

I will trust in You, Let the weak say I am strong
In the strength of the Lord

You are my hiding place, You always fill my heart
With songs of deliverance
Whenever I am afraid I will trust in You

Lyrics: Michael James Ledner
CD: Praise Worship, Glorify Thy Name, Kent Henry, Integrity’s Hosanna Music.

A powerful little chorus I learned many years ago for when I am afraid. Unless You never feel afraid?

God, who is trustworthy,

When we are full of faith and all is going well it is easy to trust. But of course the news is depressing, the smart meter is whizzing round when the heating is on. The storms have loosened all sorts of things if only in our imagination! Unexpecting little daily complications crop up. And sometimes the smaller the worry – the bigger it grows in our minds.

Thank you, that being a Christian does not mean we are super spiritual, super human or in control of life. I love it that as the Psalmist says, whenever I am afraid I will trust in You. Whenever means the Psalmist, and You Lord, know most of us fear at some level at some time.

So we ask You to help us hold our trust before our eyes so to speak. So we constantly see everything that happens as an opportunity to see You at work in our lives. When we cannot see we will still trust.

Help us to be honest with You, so when we are hurt, upset, or need deliverance from fear, we can hear Your song of love in our hearts. When it is tough, we can retreat into You and trust You to be our strength, reassurance and lead us forward. One step at a time. Thank You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God and Father,

For family, friends, neighbours, to find You and lean on You whenever they need help.
For our church families to welcome everyone and help them encourage faith in You.
For the Royal family for healing and to know they can trust You for healing, for the future.
For the governments in the UK. England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Unity whilst serving the different needs of the different communities.
For Michelle O’Neill, N. Irelands first minister stepping up to all her responsibilities.
For Your wisdom and peace in decisions made by the international world Governments. Those whose power affects more than their own nation.
For Ukraine and Gaza permanent peace. Along with Myanmar, North Korea, Chine, Sudan, Syria and other countries where there is oppression and slavery and sickness.
For abusers, bullies, manipulators and scammers. Uncover them, protect the vulnerable from them. Help the police and crime preventers catch and charge them.
For those who live in fear to be able to escape to freedom from violence and slavery.
For those organisations who help and provide safe places and new safe lives.
For our NHS and doctors. For the good medical health of the people of our nation.
For us, to have a day full of trust and without fear. Cause us to smile and send us blessings.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Father, I place into your hands
The things I cannot do,
Father, I place into your hands
The things that I’ve been through.
Father, I place into your hands
The way that I should go,
For I know I always can trust you. 

Father, I place into your hands
My friends and family.
Father, I place into your hands
The things that trouble me.
Father, I place into your hands
The person I would be,
For I know I always can trust you. 

Father, we love to see your face,
We love to hear your voice.
Father, we love to sing your praise
And in your name rejoice.
Father, we love to walk with you
And in your presence rest,
For we know we always can trust you. 

Father, I want to be with you
And do the things you do.
Father, I want to speak the words
That you are speaking too.
Father, I want to love the ones
That you will draw to you,
For I know that I am one with you.

Lyrics:  Jenny Hewer