“And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: 13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.” Genesis 9:12-15 NIV
Lord God,
Seems to me in where I live we see more rainbows at this time of year. Black clouds, rain in the air and sunshine breaking through. I was disappointed as a child when I learned in science about prisms and light. Then I was overawed when I discovered the God who created science with such artistry and attention to detail. Thank You that You provided Noah with a boat. It saved him and he was able to invite all his family to join him. Thank You that You gave us Jesus and the opportunity to invite our family, friends and anyone we meet to find life in Him.
The world remains awash, flooded with sin. Thank You that Jesus, in every generation, is the Saviour. Our rescuer. Who will lead us into the promised land one day. We stand in awe and wonder that You loved us when we were still sinners. You hoisted us aboard and we found ourselves washed, cleansed, forgiven and adopted.
We may not see a rainbow every day but the empty cross, reminds us You keep Your promises.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Suggestions for prayer . . .
Lord God,
For our close family. Love them as they need.
For our extended family, friends, neighbours, those we promised to pray for..
For our fellowship, ministers and congregations. To be active and effective.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For our Government. Lords and commons. Civil Servants. To plan for a hopeful future.
For Ukraine and Russia. Drive out the desire for war.
For Israel, Lebanon, the Middle East. Drive out enmity and send Your Spirit of reconciliation.
For Sudan, Afghanistan and Myanmar.
For America and their political future.
For those in the UK still struggling following floods.
For those in the UK now struggling to afford to heat their homes to a comfortable level.
For those who man the lifeboats and Your ability for safe and successful rescues.
For those who see only the science in life and not the one who created and set it in motion.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Sunday 20th October 2024
O Love That Will Not Let Me Go” was written by Scottish minister George Matheson in 1882.
He wrote, ‘It was composed with extreme rapidity; it seemed to me that its construction occupied only a few minutes, and I felt myself rather in the position of one who was being dictated to than of an original artist. I was suffering from extreme mental distress, and the hymn was the fruit of pain.’
O Love, that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee;
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.
O Light, that followest all my way,
I yield my flickering torch to Thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in Thy sunshine’s blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.
O Joy, that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to Thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain
That morn shall tearless be.
O Cross, that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from Thee;
I lay in dust life’s glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be.
Lyrics: George Matheson