Tag: Daily Prayer Devotional

Wednesday 31st January 2024

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 NIV

God who exists!

We do not need to wander far into the book of Hebrews to find small verses we are familiar with. Full of truth and common sense. Sometimes, they are the ones that when they come to mind – we cannot remember which book they are in! Or as a friend of mine used to say, where they live.

Common sense when I think about it. How can we have faith in You, God unless we believe You exist. But here we find not an if, or a therefore – but an and pointing to the verse before which talks about Enoch.  “For before he (Enoch) was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.” (Hebrews 11:5b taken from Gen 5:21–24). Enoch believed and walked to please You.

So today is a good day to pause. To consider what I do believe, so I can talk to You about anything I struggle with. Creed is a good measuring stick as it is written from scripture:

We believe in one God, the Father the Almighty, the maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us all and our salvation He came down from Heaven;
We believe in one God, the Father the Almighty, the maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us all and our salvation He came down from Heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit He became incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.  On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his Kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic (meaning the complete, universal church not a specific denomination.) and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.  

And . . . You reward those who earnestly seek You. Give us faith to believe.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God,

For our family, friends, neighbours, church fellowship. Each one’s personal need.
For those in Government both here and other nations. For good decisions and a will to bring about lasting peace.
For the Royal family as they rearrange work. For Charles and Kate’s opportunity to rest and recover at home.
For hot spots where there is war, danger of war, hostility and disagreement. Solutions and peace.
For society to look after and care for the weak, the sick and those with special needs.
For those affected by the wind, rain and for our farmers as lambing approaches.
For us to be rested and at rest today, to speak to friends and have joy and reason to smile.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 31st January 2024

Our Father everlasting
The all-creating One
God Almighty
Through your Holy Spirit
Conceiving Christ the Son
Jesus our Saviour

I believe in God our Father
I believe in Christ the Son
I believe in the Holy Spirit
Our God is three in One
I believe in the resurrection
That we will rise again
For I believe in the Name of Jesus

Our Judge and our Defender
Suffered and crucified
Forgiveness is in You
Descended into darkness
You rose in glorious light
Forever seated high

Chorus: I believe in God our Father . . .

I believe in You
I believe You rose again
I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord
(I believe)
And I believe in You
I believe You rose again
I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord

Chorus twice: I believe in God our Father . . .

I believe in life eternal
I believe in the virgin birth
I believe in the saints’ communion
And in Your Holy Church
I believe in the resurrection
When Jesus comes again
For I believe in the Name of Jesus

Chorus twice ; I believe in God our Father . . .

Lyrics: Ben Fielding and Matt Crocker

Tuesday 30th January 2024

“Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, acknowledging his name. 16 And do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.” Hebrews 13:15,16 NET

God who is worthy of our praise (Psalm 145:3),

I must confess that I remember this verse in my own shortened form “We must continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God.” Because I read a book called Praise Avenue which spoke about where Christians should live spiritually!

Sacrifice – had to be the best you had to offer. Not maimed not half hearted. It should remind us we can’t fob God off with something substandard. Praise – is expressing our respect and gratitude to You, God, either in words, song or deeds. We should continually offer a sacrifice of praise to You even when we don’t feel like it or when life doesn’t feel praiseworthy. Not always easy to remember let alone do . . . But Your gift of salvation never ceases and Your mercies to us never come to an end.

And verse 16 starts with and . . . can’t be chopped off it is part of what has gone before. It is the practical outworking. You lift our thoughts and hearts to heaven and then ground us in how that works out! A heart attitude of praise to You . . . and . . . not forgetting to do good and share what we have. And You will be pleased. How wonderful.

In Jesus name we pray and praise, Amen

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God who is worthy of our praise,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. Grant them answers to prayer and thankful hearts.
Thank You for answered prayer.
For our church fellowships, ministers, officials, congregations. Hearts to praise You.
For King Charles, the Queen and the royal family. Help Charles and Kate rest and recover at home. Direct and guide them.
For our government and their families. We need You to form, guide and direct each MP.
For Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales, the beauty of our United Kingdom.
For Ukraine and Russian. We will not cease to ask You to bring peace and an end to war.
For where there is war, military oppression, division: Myanmar, Gaza, Sudan, Afghanistan, North Korea, Nigeria, China . . . be the God of peace and justice and bring change.
For our involvement in international relationships and politics.
For those who show their love by giving and doing good. For charities, emergency relief and support groups all around the world..
For ourselves, keep us from becoming negative and when we cannot praise or do not feel like it comfort and uphold us.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 30th January 2024
I don’t know where I know this from but I love both the words and the melody..

I cast my mind to Calvary
Where Jesus bled and died for me
I see His wounds, His hands, His feet
My Saviour on that cursed tree

His body bound and drenched in tears
They laid Him down in Joseph’s tomb
The entrance sealed by heavy stone
Messiah still and all alone

O praise the Name of the Lord our God
O praise His Name forevermore
For endless days we will sing Your praise
Oh Lord, oh Lord our God

Then on the third at break of dawn
The Son of heaven rose again
O trampled death where is your sting?
The angels roar for Christ the King

O praise the Name of the Lord our God . . .

He shall return in robes of white
The blazing sun shall pierce the night
And I will rise among the saints
My gaze transfixed on Jesus’ face

O praise the Name of the Lord our God . . .

Lyrics: Benjamin Hastings

Monday 29th January 2024

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know. 5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”” John 14:1-5 NKJV

Father God,

This verse is known by many of us and is so reassuring when Christians we know have died. Jesus gives us that underlying relief and joy, amid the sorrow, that heaven is their destination. He was there for them. Even though they had no map, directions and had never been there before . . . in Jesus the hope is certain and prepared.

Thomas was honest and confessed his ignorance of the way. It would be a coupe of years before he would actually know, beyond doubt, Jesus was the way to heaven. By seeing the risen Lord with nail marks in His hands! We do not have the opportunity to touch Your pierced hands as he did – but You have touched our lives in so many ways and touched our hearts and given us faith. Thank You for all those occasions when our faith has been strengthened, our hope restored and we have know we can trust Your Word.

Keep our hearts from being troubled. We believe in You, God and in Your Son. We know living with You in heaven will be incredible and shared with those who have gone before. We know that You will never leave us. Thank You for the assurance and comfort Your truth brings.

In Jesus name we give thanks, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Father God,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. Grant them answers to prayer and light to guide.
For our church fellowships, ministers, officials, congregations. To know Your truth and share it.
For King Charles, the Queen and the royal family. Restored health for Charles and Kate as they rest at home.
For our government and their families. Raise up good honest people now and to stand in this years elections. Lead out those who would hinder good government or have selfish desires.
For Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales, the beauty of our United Kingdom.
For Ukraine and Russian. We will not cease to ask You to bring peace and an end to war.
For where there is war, military oppression, division: Myanmar, Gaza, Sudan, Afghanistan, North Korea, Nigeria, China . . . be the God of peace and justice and bring change.
For international relationships and politics.
For those bereaved whether through illness, accident, crime or at the end of a long life.
For ourselves, for where we lay our head in this life we give thanks as well as heaven.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 29th January 2024
I love this tune. Londonderry air from Northern Ireland. And the words and swell of the melody perfectly fit.

 I cannot tell why He, whom angels worship,
  Should set His love upon the sons of men,
Or why, as Shepherd, He should seek the wanderer’s,
  To bring them back, they know not how or when.
But this I know, that He was born of Mary,
  When Bethlehem’s manger was His only home,
And that He lived at Nazareth and laboured,
  And so the Savior, Savior of the world, is come.

I cannot tell how silently He suffered,
  As with His peace He graced this place of tears,
Or how His heart upon the Cross was broken,
  The crown of pain to three and thirty years.
But this I know, He heals the broken-hearted,
  And stays our sin, and calms our lurking fear,
And lifts the burden from the heavy laden,
  For yet the Savior, Savior of the world, is here.

I cannot tell how He will win the nations,
  How He will claim His earthly heritage,
How satisfy the needs and aspirations
  Of east and west, of sinner and of sage.
But this I know, all flesh shall see His glory,
  And He shall reap the harvest He has sown,
And some glad day His sun shall shine in splendour
  When He the Savior, Savior of the world, is known.

I cannot tell how all the lands shall worship,
  When, at His bidding, every storm is stilled,
Or who can say how great the jubilation
  When all the hearts of men with love are filled.
But this I know, the skies will thrill with rapture,
  And myriad, myriad human voices sing,
And earth to heaven, and heaven to earth, will answer:
  At last the Savior, Savior of the world, is King.

Lyrics by Rev William Young Fullerton 1857-1932.

Born at Belfast, Northern Ireland, Rev William was raised Presbyterian, became a Baptist preacher, administrator, and writer. He was influenced by Charles Spurgeon who became his friend and mentor. He became pastor of the Melbourne Hall Baptist Church (Leicester UK). He spoke frequently at Keswick Conventions.  Thousands of people came to Christ under his ministry.