Give me joy in my heart – Start The Day

Jesus prays to His Father . . .“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. ” John 17:13 NIV

Jesus says to us . . . “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. ¹¹I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:9-11 NIV

God of Glory,

I do not always feel joyful and when I do the news comes on or someone talks about the wet weather! We need Your joy these days Lord God. You are our source of joy and You have given us all those people and things that give us joy. Your angels reminded us that first Christmas, You sent joy to all people with Christ’s birth (Luke 2:10-12). The joy of You, God breaking into our history, walking among us. Not to condemn, but to give the joy of sin forgiven and the joy of hope and heaven to come.

Jesus promised we would share in His joy – if – we remain in His love, keep His commands. Even if we make mistakes. Where we trip he forgives, where we are not perfect He covers us with His righteousness. It gave Jesus great joy when the 72 disciples returned from their mission. And they discovered the joy of sharing His message and power to change lives. Help us to find joy serving You and in every day circumstances.

Grant us Your sustaining joy in these days. Help us to seek it when we awake. Surprise us with Your underlying joy when life and the world news is distressing.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God of Glory,

For our close family.
For our extended family, friends, neighbours, those we promised to pray for..
For our fellowship, ministers and congregations. Oil of joy and new harvest of souls.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For our Government. Lords and commons. Civil Servants.
For Ukraine and Russia. Oh Lord, peace. Divine protection of life.
For Israel, Lebanon, all around the Middle East. For medical help and supplies.
For America and their political future.
For those bereaved and homeless and suffering amidst war.
For countries to develop medical services and for relief agencies that help them.
For those going through difficult times financially, employment needs and health wise.
For us to give You permission to keep working in us and to give thanks for everyone and everything that makes us smile.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 9th October 2024

Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising
Give me joy in my heart, I pray
Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising
Keep me praising ’til the end of day

Sing hosanna, sing hosanna
Sing hosanna to the King of kings
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna
Sing hosanna to the King

Give me peace in my heart, keep me resting
Give me peace in my heart, I pray
Give me peace in my heart, keep me resting
Keep me resting ’til the end of day

Give me love in my heart, keep me serving
Give me love in my heart, I pray
Give me love in my heart, keep me serving
Keep me serving ’til the end of day

Lyrics: Anon

“For everything there is an appointed time, and an appropriate time for every activity on earth:
²A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot what was planted;
³a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
⁴a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
⁵A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
⁶a time to search, and a time to give something up as lost; a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
⁷a time to rip, and a time to sew; a time to keep silent, and a time to speak.
⁸A time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

God of comfort and God of joy,

We are all different, whether by family genes, upbringing or our own particular characteristics. Some of us wear our hearts on our sleeves and some of us are stoic (endure pain or hardship without showing any feelings or complaining!). Some of us cry easily and some of us go quiet and dry eyed.

But Lord God none of us go through this life without times when we want to weep and times when we cannot help but laugh. Thank goodness for laughter! Times when we mourn and times when we feel like dancing. But then again some of us are more inhibited. Extroverts, introverts and all mixes in-between. There is no right or wrong.

The disciples panicked at the thought of having to find food for 5,000 hungry people (Matthew 14:16). And there must have been great joy after when all were fed and there was enough left over for them to eat! (Matthew 14:20). Jesus wept when he heard Lazarus had died (John 11:35). But joy when he called him forth alive. I cannot imagine Mary’s pain seeing Jesus crucified (John 19:25). But Sarah laughed when You, God promised Isaac a son in their old age (Genesis 18:12-15)!

We too laugh and cry and we too have You to be both our God in sorrow and Joy and all things in between. How sad when someone blames You for the sorrow and cannot accept Your help. Be our God in all circumstances and send the laughter along with the comfort.

In Jesus name we worship and pray, Amen.

God of comfort and God of joy,

For our family, friends, neighbours. Balm for sorrow, laughter for healing.
For our Ministers, lay leaders, church members. Joy amid the sorrow and hard work.
For the neighbourhood where we live and those who work and labour in it.
For the Royal family. A season of restored health and joy.
For our nation and future Government. Guide us into a government of good men and women.
For Gaza, and the Middle East. Move those with power to make a way to peace.
For Ukraine, a move of Your Spirit to change hearts and end war, soon.
For our armed forces and the many duties they do peacekeeping around the world.
For the national Health service, our justice system and police force. Growing for the future.
For us to know You are with us whatever the day holds and to have laughter to lift our spirits.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 17th June 2024

Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising
Give me joy in my heart, I pray
Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising
Keep me praising ’til the end of day