Tag: Dear Lord and Father of mankind

Sunday 26th October 2025

“ One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grain fields, his disciples began breaking off heads of grain to eat. 24 But the Pharisees said to Jesus, “Look, why are they breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?” 25 Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you ever read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 26 He went into the house of God (during the days when Abiathar was high priest) and broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. He also gave some to his companions.” 27 Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!” Mark 2:23-27 NLT

“Then Jesus went over to their synagogue, 10 where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?” (They were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.) 11 And he answered, “If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you work to pull it out? Of course you would. 12 And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.” 13 Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored, just like the other one! 14 Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus.” Matthew 12:9-14 NLT

Lord of the Sabbath,

Sometimes it is easier to know the rules and keep them. It helps us behave in the right way in certain circumstances. Essential in some employment. Respectful when we are visiting. We all behave more relaxed when visiting someone we know well.

Sabbath was very regulated in Jesus day. Not everyone kept it I am sure. It was very rigid. How far you could walk, preparing food in advance etc. Some Christians still prepare food in advance to not be doing the work and the mundane on a Sunday. I wish I was that organised sometimes.

But Jesus came along and challenged everything about the Sabbath. With what the heart of the Law meant and not the letter of the Law. He came to set us free. The new rule was no rules – about the Sabbath. But heeding God, respecting that if God needed a day to rest, consider and see what is good how much more do we! Perhaps to find a day when I can rest from doing, have time to think or just to be and consider what God is doing in my life. It may not be a Sunday if work or commitment intrude . . . but a day to walk with You Lord and regain a quiet mind (Psalm 46:10). And I know I need to meet with like minded Christians to worship and keep me focused on You. Sunday can be a busy day . . .

In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 26th October 2025
We had this a couple of weeks ago – but for me it seems to encapsulate finding a Sabbath rest even at any time in the week . . .

Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
forgive our foolish ways!
Reclothe us in our rightful mind;
in purer lives Thy service find,
in deeper rev’rence, praise.

In simple trust like theirs who heard,
beside the Syrian sea,
the gracious calling of the Lord,
let us, like them, without a word
Rise up and follow Thee.

O Sabbath rest by Galilee!
O calm of hills above,
where Jesus knelt to share with Thee
the silence of eternity,
interpreted by love!

Drop Thy still dews of quietness,
till all our strivings cease;
take from our souls the strain and stress,
and let our ordered lives confess
the beauty of Thy peace.

Breathe through the heats of our desire
Thy coolness and Thy balm;
let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
speak through the earthquake, wind and fire,
O still small voice of calm!

Lyrics: John Greenleaf Whittier

Thursday 2nd October 2025

Esther replied, “My petition and my request is this: 8 If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.” “Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai. 10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home. Calling together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, 11 Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. 12 “And that’s not all,” Haman added. “I’m the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow. 13 But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.” 14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up.” Esther 5:9-14 NIV

Lord God,

This passage in Esther does remind me of Romans 12: 19-20 where it states we should let You avenge us and we should do good to our enemies. And Matthew 5:33-38 where Jesus tells us to love our enemies (not what they do), so we can be seen to be like You more and more.

Esther makes Haman feel special. She used only the truth with the King. So Mordecai could be thanked for his past deeds. It is Haman’s own wickedness, nothing to do with Esther, that leads to him suffering what he wanted to do to Mordecai. You troubled the King’s sleep so he read the Chronicles of his reign. And there was reminded of Mordecai’s loyalty. It was You, Lord that moved the King and Esther to then find a way to counteract an unchangeable law.

Sometimes we are not recognised for what we have done. Sometimes others are jealous of what we have achieved. Sometimes we do good and our own situation seems to get worse. Sometimes several things go wrong one after the other when we have done nothing to deserve them. You remind us in Peter t to be alert and of sober mind. Because our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (5:8). Help us to use our common sense and our faith and seek You first. I have been wronged and unable to put it right even with the truth – but You know God and it is in Your hands. I must keep on forgiving and not allow it to poison my heart.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 2nd October 2025
One hymn I can usually remember most of the verses of! And which reminds me You are always there restoring us.

Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
forgive our foolish ways!
Reclothe us in our rightful mind;
in purer lives Thy service find,
in deeper rev’rence, praise.

In simple trust like theirs who heard,
beside the Syrian sea,
the gracious calling of the Lord,
let us, like them, without a word
Rise up and follow Thee.

O Sabbath rest by Galilee!
O calm of hills above,
where Jesus knelt to share with Thee
the silence of eternity,
interpreted by love!

Drop Thy still dews of quietness,
till all our strivings cease;
take from our souls the strain and stress,
and let our ordered lives confess
the beauty of Thy peace.

Breathe through the heats of our desire
Thy coolness and Thy balm;
let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
speak through the earthquake, wind and fire,
O still small voice of calm!

Lyrics: John Greenleaf Whittier


Monday 3rd March 2025

“So Moses and Aaron called together these chosen leaders, 18 and they assembled the whole community of Israel on that very day. All the people were registered according to their ancestry by their clans and families. The men of Israel who were twenty years old or older were listed one by one, 19 just as the Lord had commanded Moses. So Moses recorded their names in the wilderness of Sinai.” Numbers 1:17-19 NLT

“Then the Lord gave these instructions to Moses and Aaron: 2 “When the Israelites set up camp, each tribe will be assigned its own area. The tribal divisions will camp beneath their family banners on all four sides of the Tabernacle, but at some distance from it.” Numbers 2:1-2 NLT

God of order,

Right from the beginning of the history of man You created order. The Holy Spirit hovered above a formless, dark and empty earth and day by day it became ordered and took form.

Here in numbers at the outset we see You showing Moses how to order this people so everyone could live at peace and know the plan. With the Tabernacle, the symbol of Your presence, right in the centre. And when they moved there would be no accidents no rushing to get out first. All was ordered.

Sometimes we would pray that life could be like that. Ordered, orderly predictable. To know our place and our time to move and our time to remain. But You did not make life predictable or drab or boring. It is full of blessings and You, God turning up unexpectedly, if we would look. It can be hard and then You hold us up and even carry us. Sometimes You comfort us through as a parent comforts a child. I have known many occasions when in disorder You have been there bringing me through lifes mess.

Order our steps Lord. Bring us to times when we can be in the right place at the right time. And help us keep You in the centre. We need Your order, keeping us through the mess life can be!

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 3rd March 2025
Verse four . . .


 Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
forgive our foolish ways;
re-clothe us in our rightful mind,
in purer lives thy service find,
in deeper reverence praise.

2 In simple trust like theirs who heard,
beside the Syrian sea,
the gracious calling of the Lord,
let us, like them, without a word
rise up and follow thee.

3 O Sabbath rest by Galilee!
O calm of hills above,
where Jesus knelt to share with thee
the silence of eternity,
interpreted by love!

4 Drop thy still dews of quietness,
till all our strivings cease;
take from our souls the strain and stress,
and let our ordered lives confess
the beauty of thy peace.

5 Breathe through the heats of our desire
thy coolness and thy balm;
let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still small voice of calm.

Lyrics: John Greenleaf Whittier