Tag: Daily Prayer Devotional

Wed 8th November 2023

“Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. 2 He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece. 4 “Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. 5 And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” 6 So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.” Luke 9:1-6 NKJV

God, our Lord,

The disciples were happy to follow Jesus but here we see Him standing back and letting them grow. Your Son passing on His and therefore Your authority and calling, to His disciples. It is still all about Jesus but delivered through them. It is the first time he has sent them out on their own to do what they had seen Him doing. They were bestowed with His and therefore Your power over evil forces, to heal sicknesses in order to proclaim the Good News of Your Kingdom.

They are not to be worried about being up to date with the latest fashions. Not encumbered with an abundance of possessions. Just willing to bring You and Your compassion into each situation they met. Hospitality in the middle east meant they would eat and be offered somewhere to stay. And they are not to be choosy, big or small. If not welcome, just move on. Rejection is not personal, no offence to be taken, it is the message that is rejected.

Raising the dead, miraculously healing the sick? I have so many questions about why not today and I believe You can and do still heal. Whether medical or miracle. But today help us remember we are still to take the Gospel, Your love, wherever we go and find hearts willing. Every person is unique and valued by You. We are still called to live lives of simplicity. Look at the flowers of the fields (Matthew 6:28-29. A message our buy now, throw away consumer world needs.

It is not always easy to bring You into our conversations. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit who can prompt us and who is the one that seeks to make the seed grow in hearers hearts. Help us to simply tell how You have blessed us and give You thanks.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen,

Lord God,

We pray,
For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family. For their needs for today and their hope for tomorrow.
For our ministers and all that is done by churches to support, help and bless their local communities. For food banks and social gatherings and care. That along with the love the Good News will be shared.
For our Government our King and Queen and all those who work for the best future for our nation.
For Gaza and the Middle East, Lord we need a miracle of peace and wisdom from world leaders not division.
For Putin and Ukraine, that there would be a change in direction away from war. An end to conflict.
For the NHS, hospitals, clinics and GP surgeries. For their future and for their best and the best for patients. For all those with long term illness and disability for their strength, breakthroughs in medicine and Your joy and hope throughout the day. For those that care for them blessings and health.
For all those, in every land, whose motivation is to share Jesus. To see people choose Christ Jesus.
For ourselves, for all we need for today, that we would rejoice and be glad and know Jesus with us.

In Jesu name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 8th November 2023

Restore, O Lord,
The honour of Your name,
In works of sovereign power
Come shake the earth again;
That all may see
And come with reverent fear
To the living God,
Whose kingdom shall outlast the years.

Restore, O Lord,
In all the earth Your fame,
And in our time revive
The church that bears Your name.
And in Your anger,
Lord, remember mercy,
O living God,
Whose mercy shall outlast the years.

Bend us, O Lord,
Where we are hard and cold,
In Your refiner’s fire
Come purify the gold.
Though suffering comes
And evil crouches near,
Still our living God
Is reigning, He is reigning here.

Restore, O Lord,
The honour of Your name,
In works of sovereign power
Come shake the earth again;
That all may see
And come with reverent fear
To the living God,
Whose kingdom shall outlast the years

Restore us O Lord
Revive us O Lord.

Monday 6th November 2023

“But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him. 43 Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, 44 came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. 45 And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’” 46 But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” 47 Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. 48 And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”” Luke 8:42-48 NKJV

Lord God,

It is a long time since I have been in crowds. Not done sales, queueing or busy places. The only time recently was getting on a train and I seriously almost shouted stop pushing please. Multitudes thronged Jesus. And He asked, “Who touched me?” The disciples hadn’t a clue. Could have been anyone. But Luke showed the compassion of Jesus, even when surrounded by people and on the way to the house of Jairus, an important man, whose daughter was gravely ill.

But Jesus stopped, not annoyed or irritated or cross. But because he wanted to speak to her, reassure her of her faith and healing. So how did He say, “Who touched me?” Loud, demanding or gentle and full of assurance? And once again I am reminded how gently You speak to me even when You are correcting me. You are God and like a good parent. Not like an earthly one who bids us be seen and not heard. You want to know us. To share Yourself with us. To allow us to touch You and be made whole.

Help us to continually reach out to You. To know You will meet our needs and respond to our faith. We are not just another one in the crowd, You know us right well and love us because of Your Son.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Lord God,

For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family. Soften their hearts to allow You to speak and bless and guide those who know You.
For our church and all that happens there through the week to show Your love and care.
For our Government our King and Queen and all those who seek the best future for our nation.
For Gaza and the Middle East, for a miracle ceasefire and an end to terror and war.
For Putin, the Russian people and Ukraine, for men and women to choose peace over endless war.
For those areas in Afghanistan, Libya and Morocco that need it, to have provision for the winter.
For safety where there are fireworks and bonfires. For our fire service and emergency services.
For all those with long term illness and disability for strength, breakthroughs in medicine and Your joy and hope throughout the day. For those that care for them, blessings in return.
For ourselves, for all we need for today to make us smile – and maybe say something kind or do good for someone else.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 6th November 2023

Bless the Lord oh my soul, oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before, oh 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

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

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

Sat 4th November 2023

 “Jesus demanded, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, for he was filled with many demons. 31 The demons kept begging Jesus not to send them into the bottomless pit. 32 There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby, and the demons begged him to let them enter into the pigs. So Jesus gave them permission. 33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned.
34 When the herdsmen saw it, they fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. 35 People rushed out to see what had happened. A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been freed from the demons. He was sitting at Jesus’ feet, fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. 36 Then those who had seen what happened told the others how the demon-possessed man had been healed. 37 And all the people in the region of the Gerasenes begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone, for a great wave of fear swept over them.” Luke 8:30-37 New Living Translation.

God of mercy,

I love the poetry of the authorised version and I love the story, the potted freedom autobiography of this man. I love to read and hear the testimony of men and women from all walks of life how and where they met Jesus. From the rough sleeper given a tract by a passing grandma to a young woman who met You in her bedroom. This man in the Bible, possessed by demons, he discovered that meeting Jesus means transformation and freedom. You have not changed God and You are still setting people free from sin today.

Do miracles still happen in our time. Yes, I believe Lord. And we give thanks for every life that has been changed by Jesus. The most wonderful miracle – is our own story – because we know what we were like and the difference You have made to our lives. Where would we be without You?

This man lived in an unholy place – among pigs. Unclean to a Jew. He had lost everything besides his sanity. The pig herders lost their collateral and their income. Yet Jesus told him to go back to his home town and tell them what God had done for him. Face those he had put out of business? Yes, but they could not argue with a walking miracle. God asks us to tell people what a change Jesus has made to our lives. It might not be as dramatic for us but being forgiven, knowing Your love and heaven to come is a miracle. It may be the only way someone will hear. It plants a seed. Help us to share the good news. It is such good news.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen,

God of mercy,

We pray:
For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family. Soften their hearts to allow You to speak and bless and guide those who know You.
For our church be a beacon of hope and a place of comfort, welcome and good news.
For our Government our King and Queen and all those who seek the best future for our nation.
For Gaza and the Middle East, for a miracle ceasefire. Lord have mercy.
For Putin, the Russian people and Ukraine, for men and women to choose peace over endless war.
For those areas in Afghanistan, Libya and Morocco that need it, to have provision for the winter.
For safety where there are fireworks and bonfires. For our fire service and emergency services.
For farmers combatting the endless rain and flooding. For homes in flood plains and those battling with leaks from such torrential rain!
For safety tomorrow with fireworks and bonfires.
For ourselves, for all we need physically, mentally and spiritually. Meet our needs and gently remind us how much we are loved.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 4th November2023
I selected this acoustic song because, for me, it makes it personal worship rather than a congregational. And it is just good to hear something familiar afresh.

Love divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heav’n to earth come down,
fix in us Thy humble dwelling;
all Thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
pure, unbounded love Thou art;
visit us with Thy salvation;
enter every trembling heart.

Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit
into every troubled breast!
Let us all in Thee inherit,
let us find the promised rest.
Take away our love of sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
end of faith, as its beginning,
set our hearts at liberty.

Come, Almighty to deliver;
let us all Thy life receive;
suddenly return and never,
nevermore Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
serve Thee as Thy hosts above;
pray, and praise Thee without ceasing,
glory in Thy perfect love.

Finish then, Thy new creation;
pure and spotless let us be;
let us see Thy great salvation
perfectly restored in Thee.
Changed from glory into glory,
till in heav’n we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before Thee,
lost in wonder, love, and praise.

Lyrics: Charles Wesley