Daily Prayer Devotional – Page 9

Tuesday 25th June 2024

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 New King James Version

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 New Living Translation

Lord of every day,

Tuesdays. A day not at the beginning of the week, not in the middle and seems a long way away from the week end. Some times it just feels like another busy to get what needs to be done at work, got through if we have chores, or tolerate if we are on our own, are not well or facing the dentist. Today, as once again I am isolated by another dose of Covid I look forward to just going out to the corner shop one day!

But for all of us, especially me, I need to take a deep breathe and pass over all my niggles and cares to You, so I can step into Your presence, complaining and uncluttered in my head. As the Psalmist paints the picture with words – to feel even on a Tuesday, I can come apart from the world to a sheltered place in Your throne room. In the shadow of You, Almighty God. Sheltered where nothing can touch and there is rest and restoration for our souls. We cannot rest when our mind is running through what we need to do, what we haven’t done, what we can’t do yet. We are distracted.

Today, help us to pause, find that secret place with You where we can be still, rest in Your shadow. Not a dark place but away from anything that would seek to harm us. So we can hear Your love song, and be comforted. And we can worship.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Lord of the Sabbath,

For our family, friends, neighbours. Their needs and hopes.
For our Ministers, lay leaders, church members. Refreshment and encouragement.
For the Royal family. Their daily needs and time to be family.
For our nation and the members yet to be elected to Parliament. For You amidst the choosing.
For preparations for the Olympics in Paris and all those competing, and good health.
For Gaza, and the Middle East. Lasting solutions for peace for the good of all.
For Ukraine, those living there or abroad. A mighty move of Your Spirit to end war, soon.
For all those around the world doing good for God.
For those giving so others can do good.
For those who need comfort today in sickness, bereavement or sadness.
For the good Samaritans of today. For those who volunteer on the help lines..
For our needs to be met today, our rest to be good today and our joy to be restored.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 25th June 2024

As the deer pants for the water
So my soul longs after You
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship You

You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship You

You’re my friend
And You are my brother
Even though You are a King
I love You more than any other
So much more than anything

As the deer pants for the water
So my soul longs after You
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship You

You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship You

Followed by prayer by Robin Mark.

Lyrics: Martin J. Nystrom

Monday 24th June 2024

“What do workers gain from their toil? ¹⁰I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. ¹¹He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. ¹²I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. ¹³That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. ¹⁴I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.” Ecclesiastes 3:9-14 NIV

Eternal God,

A last lingering look at Ecclesiastes, for now Lord. and verse 12,”I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.”

We cannot make ourselves happy all the time. And sometimes our hormones or moods take us into the doldrums. But we can do good while we live. And I have discovered that when I make the effort and do something good for someone else, even when I am down, it makes me feel better, happy! It helps me stop moping and it brings perspective. James tells us that we need both faith and works (James 2:18).

There are so many other verses about doing things for You, and how good it is for us!
“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” Matthew 25:40
“Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great…” Luke 6:35
“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
“As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.” 2 Thessalonians 3:13
“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” Hebrews 13:16

Help us to do what we can, when we can, how we can. And be happy doing even a little good. We all have different situations – but we can all do something good sometime! Giving is doing good too. And thank You that doing good does make us feel good.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God who is good,

For our family, friends, neighbours. That they would find Your happiness and joy in doing.
For our Ministers, lay leaders, church members. Give them happiness and joy as they serve.
For our neighbourhood, for families and individuals peace, joy and much doing good.
For the Royal family. Their daily needs and time to be family.
For our nation and the members yet to be elected to Parliament. For You amidst the choosing.
For preparations for the Olympics in Paris and all those competing, good health.
For Gaza, and the Middle East. Lasting solutions for the good of all.
For families torn apart by war, disputes or broken relationships. Heal scars, wounds. Make a way.
For Ukraine, those living there or abroad. A mighty move of Your Spirit to end war, soon.
For all those around the world doing good for God. Giving so others can do good.
For those who take services in residential and nursing homes.
For those who have or who care for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
For the good Samaritans of today. Who see a need and try to help.
For us to do what we can, if we can, when we can, to be a blessing to someone else. To encourage, to bless, to make someone feel loved.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 24th June 2024

From Heaven, You came helpless babe
Entered our world, your glory veiled
Not to be served but to serve
And give Your life that we might live

This is our God, The Servant King
He calls us now to follow Him
To bring our lives as a daily offering
Of worship to The Servant King

There in the garden of tears
My heavy load he chose to bear
His heart with sorrow was torn
“Yet not My will but Yours”, He said

Come see His hands and His feet
The scars that speak of sacrifice
Hands that flung stars into space
To cruel nails surrendered

So let us learn how to serve
And in our lives enthrone Him
Each other’s needs to prefer
For it is Christ we’re serving

Lyrics Graham Kendrick

‘Servant King’ was the title for 1984 Spring Harvest theme. It was sent to several Christian song writers, including Graham Kendrick. He found the phrase funny and yet inspiring. They weren’t being asked, ‘Can you write a song with the words “Servant King” in it. But those two words, because they were such opposites started his writing juices flowing.

“If you are a lyricist, opposites always kickstart ideas; those two words don’t normally sit together. So I just started to unpack that whole story. The obvious part of the story is the incarnation, ‘From heav’n You came, helpless Babe…’ And it’s sort of unfolded from there.”

Sunday 23rd June 2024

“What do workers gain from their toil? ¹⁰I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. ¹¹He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. ¹²I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. ¹³That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. ¹⁴I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.” Ecclesiastes 3:9-14 NIV

Everlasting God,

The person writing this is struggling to find the meaning of life and yes I too ask the big questions even if I find no absolute answer! We are free to ask. There are not always answers in the here and now. But one thing is for certain the writer is down but not out. His faith is still in You, You are not the question. He is standing, searching for understanding about wisdom, pleasure, and possessions. In the end he seems to discover that amidst it all we should find joy this life, the one that God has given us (verse 13).

Right in the middle He says You, God have made everything beautiful in its time. This is a difficult verse. Sometimes I can glimpse that when in hindsight I see Your hand at work even in the tough times. Or when I see creation and glimpse what it would have been like without sin and the fall. Then I see You have made something beautiful come from the death of Your Son. You have set eternity in our hearts.

The things we blame You for , call acts of God, aren’t they a result of our rebellion and sin? How can we blame You for accidents? One man’s craving glory, power, or wealth causes so much pain and mess to so many people.

We too struggle sometimes to find You, God making things beautiful. We cling to the ugliness of the cross for the most beautiful miracle of all. The song of salvation, redemption and Your (a Father’s) love.

Help us glimpse miracles and Your hand of compassion at work even where manor women is at their worst.
And eternity? You will make it beautiful in its time. There is no doubt. You are God and the kingdom of the world will become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and He will reign for ever and ever (Revelation 11:15). Help us see.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Everlasting God,

For our family, friends, neighbours. To know, see Your beauty, healing and blessing in their lives.
For our Ministers, lay leaders, church members. To be able to share Your beauty with those they meet.
For our neighbourhood, for families and individuals to want to find Christ in their lives.
For the Royal family. Good health and relationships. Opportunity for healing family ties.
For our nation and the members yet to be elected to Parliament.
For preparations for the Olympics in Paris and all those competing for good health.
For Gaza, and the Middle East. Lasting solutions for the good of all.
For families torn apart by war, disputes or broken relationships. Heal scars, wounds. Make a way.
For Ukraine, those living there or abroad. A mighty move of Your Spirit to end war, soon.
For beauty to shine and bless every heart in every church service in every country today.
For those angry at You God, blaming You, to have a breakthrough and find healing and hope.
For us a day to keep it simple. Love the old rugged cross – but love You more. Thank You for all that is beautiful. Those people who do amazing things for the good of others and those things which are beautiful to look at. A smile, a leaf, a rich colour, a night sky, morning light, a freshly made cup of tea?

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 23rd June 2024

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross
The emblem of suffering and shame
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross
Till my trophies at last I lay down
I will cling to the old rugged cross
And exchange it some day for a crown

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true
It’s shame and reproach gladly bear
Then he’ll call me some day to my home far away
Where his glory forever I’ll share

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross
Till my trophies at last I lay down
And I will cling to the old rugged cross
And exchange it some day for a crown

Lyrics: George Bennard