Tag: Daily Prayer Devotional

Monday 22nd January 2024

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”  John 10:11 NET

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.  John 10:14,15 NET

“13 No one has greater love than this—that one lays down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.” John 15:13,14 NET

Lord God,

Last Monday, I have been informed was blue Monday? Designated the day most people feel bad on! I hope and pray they feel better. Thank You that we are not controlled by the calendar and that You, God colour even our hard or difficult days with Your grace and glory.

What stops me going into the blue zone?! Remembering to come to my Shepherd. Recalling Bible verses, hearing You speak through them. Being reassured of Your care, Your rod and staff they comfort me (Psalm 23).

These verses are deliver assurance and faith. The Shepherd that laid down His life for the sheep. Jesus came from You, lived and died for His sheep, more personally, me. Who rose again and is once more seated with You at Your right hand (Hebrews 12:2). He is our Saviour (John 3:16) and shows us the height, depth and width of Your love. More personally me. Words to recall and remind us of the cost, the suffering, the commitment to die alone on the cross, conquer death and rise again for us, me.

They also remind us that we do not hope to be or would like to be . . . Your sheep but in Jesus we are Your sheep. You know what is best for each one of us. Some You are calling to prayer, to a vocation, to be content where we are, to enjoy still waters in retirement. To just what is right for us. Help us to feed, drink and behave as Your sheep should and know we have the Shepherd with us.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Saviour God,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. Lead them to green pastures.
For our church fellowships, ministers, officials, congregations. May they all really know You.
For King Charles, the Queen and the royal family.
For our government and their families. Lead and speak clearly to them, that Your will be done in these days. Raise up the right people to stand in the elections, grant us a good Government.
For Ukraine and Russian. A miracle, miracles . . . Peace an end to war.
For wherever there is unrest, war, military oppression: Myanmar, Gaza, Sudan, Afghanistan, North Korea, Nigeria, China . . . change people, situations, hearts, politics.
For the Red Sea and growing International disruption. Overcome and deliver the world from evil.
For all those who restore. People, nature, broken things. In small ways or large.
For those who reconcile and help people to find peace and forgiveness.
For actual shepherds still out in the fields caring for the sheep whatever the weather.
For all leaders, managers, movers and shakers to put others first and encourage good.
For the gift of friendship. Protection from scammers, liars and those who would take advantage or the vulnerable.
For ourselves, to hear Your gentle voice and be reassured of Your love.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 22nd January 2024
See inspiration for the hymn below the lyrics.

‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

I’m so glad I learned to trust Him,
Precious Jesus, Saviour, Friend
And I know that He is with me,
Will be with me to the end.

Chorus x 2

Lyrics: Louisa M. R. Stead. 

The lyrics to “‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” were written by Louisa M. R. Stead. She was born in Dover in 1850 and converted to Christianity at the age of nine. At the age of 21, she immigrated to the Cincinnati USA. That year, she attended a camp meeting in where she felt the call of God to be a missionary to China but due to her health, was unable to go. In 1875, four years later, she married and moved to New York where she had her daughter, Lily.

When Lily was four years old, the family were visiting Long Island when they heard the frantic sounds of a drowning boy. Stead’s husband jumped in to try to save the child but, tragically, both died in the incident before Stead and her daughter’s very eyes. It is believed that this disaster provided the inspiration for the lyrics of the song



Sunday 21st January 2024

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men.  The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-8 NIV

God in whom we rejoice,

I like that you ask us to rejoice in You and then acknowledge that we do have all those things that cause us to be anxious and good things that we long to see happen. You really understand us because Jesus experienced it all. He knew grief when Lazarus died. He knew betrayal, frustration and had to deal with difficult relationships with those who opposed Him. He got tired, hungry and sometimes had to find space away from people to spend time with You and be restored.

So amid the rejoicing in who You are, and what You have done for us through Jesus, You ask us to pass over all our anxieties to You. Not that we should stop caring or loving but stop that inner turmoil, knots in stomach, that can make us ill.

Prayer and supplication! Divine love that makes me see my two sides of prayer. One praying thoughtfully with my Bible perhaps . . . and one asking and begging loudly. Whether it be for someone else or me!! Jesus in the garden knew prayer and supplication. He didn’t get the answer which would have been easy – He got the only right answer. Thank you that You give us the right answer even if we cannot always see it. Thank You for the countless answered prayers we do not even remember asking!

In Jesus name we pray Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God in whom we rejoice,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. Thank You answer their deepest needs.
For our church fellowships, ministers, officials, congregations thank You and lead them.
For King Charles, the Queen and the royal family.
For our government and their families. Lead and speak clearly to them, that Your will be done in these days. Raise up the right people to stand in the elections, grant us a good Government.
For Ukraine and Russian. A miracle, miracles . . . Peace an end to war.
For wherever there is unrest, war, military oppression: Myanmar, Gaza, Sudan, Afghanistan, North Korea, Nigeria, China . . . change people, situations, hearts, politics.
For the Red Sea and growing International disruption. Overcome and deliver the world from evil.
For all those who restore. People, nature, broken things. In small ways or large.
For those who reconcile and help people to find peace and forgiveness.
For all those who provide help, food banks, district nurses, home helps, friends, family. Samaritans, help lines, Lifeboats, mountain rescue, emergency relief charities.
For ourselves, to breathe in and know the depth of Your love and recognise our own blessings.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 21st January 2022
For all Your goodness, I will keep on singing . . . rejoicing . . .


Bless the Lord, o my soul, o my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before, o my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name

The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

Chorus

You’re rich in love and You’re slow to anger
Your name is great and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness, I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

Chorus

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still, my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

Chorus

Lyrics: Matt Redman


Saturday 20th January 2024

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men.  The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-8


God of peace and joy,

Verses which absolutely need to be taken in, considered and put into action . . . as much today as when they were first penned. Not typed or texted or tweeted to someone else . . . I need to be reminded to rejoice these days. It is so easier to dwell on the weather, well its a national trait, or the cost of living “woe is me” and then there is the news. Paul knew we needed reminding to rejoice when trouble comes. We need to learn to trust, hang on and to rejoice in You, whatever comes and be reminded that You are still in control!

To practice rejoicing, in who You are and what You have done for us in Jesus, while acknowledging the other troubling stuff is going on! Practice, in the sense of doing it, rather than just rehearsing. To be able to rejoice in what You are doing for us and in us today. Rejoice in all You have for us and what You have prepared for us to inherit. You, God, with us right now. Even when we don’t feel holy or blessed. When we are overwhelmed with anxiety or just a tad worried – You are right here. Fighting our battles, going before us and shielding our hearts.

We cannot always rejoice (show great joy or delight) in our circumstances or rejoice in the condition of our nation. But we can always rejoice in You. So please, lift our faith, hope and emotions to see and hear You, the source of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). You are still on the throne. All glory and honour and praise belong to You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of peace and joy,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. Thank You and bless them with joy.
For our church fellowships, ministers, officials, congregations thank You and help them rejoice..
For King Charles, the Queen and the royal family.
For our government and their families. Lead and speak clearly to them, that Your will be done in these days. Lead us this year of elections, to the best Government for our time.
For Ukraine and Russian. A miracle. Peace an end to war.
For wherever there is unrest, war, military oppression: Myanmar, Gaza, Sudan, Afghanistan, North Korea, Nigeria, China . . .
For the Red Sea and growing International disruption. Overcome and deliver the world from evil.
For young families growing up in todays society. Show them the value of faith, hope and love.
For our local community, our near neighbours, local doctors, dentists, community police, schools.
For all those who provide help, food banks, district nurses, home helps, friends, family. Samaritans, help lines, Lifeboats, mountain rescue, emergency relief charities.
For ourselves, to be able to rejoice in being Your child, loved and cherished. To see all the little blessings we can rejoice in today.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 20th January 2024
Read about the author of this hymn below the wonderful lyrics.

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater
He sendeth more strength when the labours increase
To added affliction He addeth His mercy
To multiplied trials His multiplied peace

When we have exhausted our store of endurance
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure
His pow’r has no boundary known unto men
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again

This song was written by Annie Johnson Flint (1866-1932), who by the age of 6 had lost both her parents. By her teens she had developed arthritis and soon after lost the use of her legs. Bedridden, she was covered with sores and lost control of her hands and many of her bodily functions. The song itself was not published until the 1940’s during a time of war, suffering, pain and loss.

If anyone could have been excused for writing dark and depressing lyrics it would have been a woman like Anne Flint. Instead, she focused on Jesus and the lyrics that she was inspired to write were of hope and faith.

https://realworldworship.org/2012/05/01/behind-the-music-he-giveth-more-grace/