Tag: Daily Prayer

Tuesday 10th October 2023

“Samson said to them, “I will give you a riddle. If you really can solve it during the seven days the party lasts, I will give you thirty linen robes and thirty sets of clothes. 13 But if you cannot solve it, you will give me thirty linen robes and thirty sets of clothes.” They said to him, “Let us hear your riddle.” 14 He said to them, “Out of the one who eats came something to eat; out of the strong one came something sweet.” They could not solve the riddle for three days.” Judges 14:12-14 NET

Our Father,

The honey mentioned yesterday reminded me of Samson’s riddle. Some cameo’s in the Old Testament really do come to mind vividly! He really got himself into a mess by marrying a woman he just wanted, one of the daughters of his families enemies. There is no real love story attached. And everyone but his own desire opposed it. Sometimes we need to listen if everyone is giving us the same advice rather than trying to find someone who agrees with us! But then God did sort of use it in the end.

He took the honey earlier and had given some of it to his parents. He must of known that was wrong. To touch the dead carcass made him unclean. He did not tell his parents where it came from and he made them unclean too. If it was a test he failed. Something else he wanted regardless. Nothing wrong with honey where it came from? Help us not to want to get our own way when it is not helpful.

They could not solve the riddle for three days so then they went off and used lies and trickery. Why mention the three days? For three days Jesus was in the grave and the disciples were devastated. But Your Son really did rise from the dead. It was no trick! He was seen and ate with the disciples and they touched the wounds in his hands. He was not an illusion, a vision he was alive. Honey is sweet to taste but better still the taste of Your Lord’s goodness (Psalm 34:8).

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

An outline to prompt Your own prayers . . . .

Lord God,

For family, friends, neighbours, our church family. Those living in our neighbourhood.
For Putin and the end of war in Ukraine.
For Gaza and an end to the latest conflict. Not to escalate, for those caught in the middle of the bombardment.
For help, relief and comfort for those hit by the earthquake in Afghanistan, and for the devastated areas in Libya and Morocco. For all the aid and medical agencies.
For our Government and our King. Sincerity, honesty and openness. Uncover all that is not right.
For our fellowships and church projects here and overseas.
For those on missions overseas to see miracles and be blessed and kept safe.
For our own needs for today and this week. Be our Good Shepherd.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Worship Tuesday 10th October 2023
“How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth!” Psalm 119:103

Jesus, Jesus,
Holy and anointed one, Jesus.
(repeat)

Your name is like honey on my lips,
Your spirit like water to my soul
Your word is a lamp unto my feet,
Jesus I love You, I love You.

Jesus, Jesus,
Risen and exalted one, Jesus.

Your name is like honey on my lips,
Your spirit like water to my soul
Your word is a lamp unto my feet,
Jesus I love You, I love You. (repeat)
Jesus, Jesus.

Lyrics: John Barnett






Monday 9th October 2023

“Then the priest shall take from the grain offering a memorial portion, and burn it on the altar. It is an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord. 10 And what is left of the grain offering shall be Aaron’s and his sons’. It is most holy of the offerings to the Lord made by fire. 11 ‘No grain offering which you bring to the Lord shall be made with leaven, for you shall burn no leaven nor any honey in any offering to the Lord made by fire.” Leviticus 2:9-11 NKJV

God Everlasting,

You are a God of the detail and when we take the time to look closely and consider what seems not relevant, can become a taste of what was to come!

Before the command to add salt to all the offerings, showing the need to give with sincerity, you say not to add leaven or honey to the grain offering. It is to be offered just as it is.

Possible reasons to not use honey? It was used in pagan rituals as a gift to foreign gods and idols, something offensive to the one and only God – You. Secondly it was made by bees and not grown from their labour and was sweet pandering to mans tastes? It took no effort? But what about leaven? They did not use leaven during Passover, to remind them of You, saving them from death and slavery over night in Egypt. Leaving time only for unleavened bread! I also read it gave the grain a slightly sour taste?

So, the grain had to be given unadulterated not sweetened in any way. And not with any sourness or bitterness? Jesus spoke of us being like a grain of wheat (John 12:24). So we too need to come to you unadulterated, just plain grain as we are. Not trying to be better than we are and not trying to be puffed up with pride and self. And not with any bitterness in our hearts.

You take us, and adopt us just as we are. And love us enough to help us grow in love. Thank You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

An outline to prompt Your own prayers . . . .

Lord God,

Today we pray for family, friends, neighbours, our church family.
For Putin and the end of war in Ukraine.
For Gaza and an end to the recent conflict. Not to escalate, for those caught in the middle of the bombardment.
For help, relief and comfort for those affected by the earthquake in Afghanistan, and for the areas still recovering in Libya and Morocco. For all the aid agencies.
For our Government and the King. For sincerity, honesty and openness. Uncover all that is not right.
For our fellowships and church projects here and overseas..
For those on missions overseas to see miracles and be blessed and kept safe.
For our own needs for today and this week. Be our Good Shepherd.

Worship Monday 9th October 2023
Time to come as we are and be welcomed accepted and cleansed.

Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidd’st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

2 Just as I am, and waiting not
to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

3 Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

4 Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Lyrics: Charlotte Elliot



Sunday 8th October 2023

 “No grain offering which you bring to the Lord shall be made with leaven, for you shall burn no leaven nor any honey in any offering to the Lord made by fire. 12 As for the offering of the firstfruits, you shall offer them to the Lord, but they shall not be burned on the altar for a sweet aroma. 13 And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt.” Leviticus 2:11-13

God of all Creation,

Today, Sunday, we offer our sacrifice of praise and bring our first thanksgiving of the week! It is harvest time and many of us will be bringing gifts of food for food banks and fresh fruit and vegetables just to make the church reflect Your bounty.

Now I am not one for turning to Leviticus for encouragement in Bible reading or for assurance or direction. Its not a book Lord I have memorised verses from! But I did find verse 13 interesting, while we are on the subject of salt. Salt should never be lacking from any or all offerings.

From what I can read about it Lord, a salt covenant, was a binding covenant made by sharing salt in some way, usually eating it. It symbolised sincerity. Is it that You do not wants people to “just go through the motions” of worshiping, without being sincere? I suppose it is like empty flattery its quite insulting. You want our hearts to be right with You so then we can make honest sacrifices of praise and worship and honest willing offerings of our finances and service.

No offerings were or are sufficient to cover sin. They are a response to You, who gave Your only Son, the perfect sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 10:12). The offerings we make are a sincere response to what You have done for us and do for us daily.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

An outline to prompt Your own prayers . . . .

Lord God,

Today we pray for family, friends, neighbours, our church family.
For Putin and the end of war in Ukraine.
For help, relief and comfort for those affected by natural disasters in Libya and Morocco.
For Your justice and comfort for those who have lost a loved one through violence and murder.
For our Government and the King for all they need to lead this country and set and example of commitment, honesty and dedicated service.
For those projects our church prays for and supports, that much good would result..
For those on missions overseas that they would see miracles and be blessed themselves.
For my own needs and hopes and direction for the day ahead.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Lord God,

Worship Saturday 7th October 2023
Lord of harvest, grant that we wholesome grain and pure may be and accept our offering of thanks.

Come, ye thankful people, come,
raise the song of harvest home;
all is safely gathered in,
ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide
for our wants to be supplied;
come to God’s own temple, come,
raise the song of harvest home.

All the world is God’s own field,
fruit as praise to God we yield;
wheat and tares together sown
are to joy or sorrow grown;
first the blade and then the ear,
then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of harvest, grant that we
wholesome grain and pure may be.

For the Lord our God shall come,
and shall take the harvest home;
from the field shall in that day
all offenses purge away,
giving angels charge at last
in the fire the tares to cast;
but the fruitful ears to store
in the garner evermore.

Even so, Lord, quickly come,
bring thy final harvest home;
gather thou thy people in,
free from sorrow, free from sin,
there, forever purified,
in thy presence to abide;
come, with all thine angels, come,
raise the glorious harvest home.

Lyrics: Henry Alford