Tag: How lovely is Your dwelling place

“One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grain fields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels. ² Some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” ³ Jesus answered them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?  ⁴ He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” ⁵ Then Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” Luke 6:1-5 NIV

Lord God,

So Jesus came strolling through corn fields and teaching his disciples on the Sabbath. Thank you that now everyday is a Sabbath, a day to learn worship and follow You. Though we keep Sunday for worship, like a sabbath. I wonder if perhaps Sunday becomes so busy we just need to find Sabbath times to be with You uninterrupted.

You rested at the end of Your creation week. Moses gave the instructions first, for a holy day of rest. (Exodus 20:8-11). But it became a rule. Thou shalt not walk this far, carry more than this . . . And then in our generation Sunday has become the opposite. A day to shop, do sports, DIY and all the things on our lists. Jesus show us what is important. Not ticking the Sabbath box been to church last Sunday. Though that is good for a million reasons. Help us find those moments when You have our full attention and teach the difference between the law and love.

You are the Lord of every day. Help us find time this Tuesday, even just a little, to walk with You, aside from distractions. It may be a little wet and cold and windy for corn fields . . . but we, I, need to defy the world, rushing us on, to stop and spend some time with You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Lord of Tuesdays,

For our close family.
For our extended family, friends, neighbours, those we promised to pray for..
For our fellowship, ministers and congregations. Mid week prayer meetings.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For our Government. Lords and commons. Civil Servants.
For Ukraine and Russia. You are our hope.
For Israel, Lebanon, all around the Middle East.
For Sudan and Myanmar.
For America and their political future.
For farmers as they prepare the land for rest, bring animals in and plan winter sowing.
For the homeless in our areas facing winter and for those who support and provide shelter.
For ourselves, to find quiet moments to be still and know You are God, with us.

In the name of the Lord Jesus we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 15th October 2024
The Psalmist spoke of Your Temple, Your dwelling place in Psalm 84, we rejoice that Your dwelling place is right here with and in us.

How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord mighty God, Lord of all
How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord mighty God, Lord of all

Even the lowly sparrow finds a home for her brood
And the swallow a nest for herself
Where she may lay here young
In your altars my king and my God

How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord mighty God, Lord of all

Blessed are they whose dwelling
Is Your own Lord of peace
Blest are they refreshed by springs and by rain
When dryness daunts and scathes
Behold my shield
My king and my God!

How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord mighty God, Lord of all

I would forsake a thousand
Other days anywhere
If I could spend one day in Your
Courts belong to you alone
My strength are You alone
My glory, my king and my God!

How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord mighty God, Lord of all

Lyrics: Bukas Palad

“One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grain fields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels. ² Some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” ³ Jesus answered them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?  ⁴ He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” ⁵ Then Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” Luke 6:1-5 NIV

Lord God,

You were completely involved in creation, as Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:2), as God (Genesis 1:1) and as Jesus (John 1:2,3). The trinity in complete unity creating a perfect world to be inhabited and to provide all we need. Then we, with our behaviour, messed it up. You are the Creator and we are the created, we cannot put it right. So You paid the price of our disobedience. And today, Sunday, is a good day to praise and thank You.

You rested after creation and You taught Your people to rest one day a week. Moses giving them rules to help them know what was classed as work and not to be done. (Exodus 20:8-11). Rules and regulations. Dotting the I’s and crossing every single T! And then along You came, living as one of us, Jesus Christ. Taking back the heart of the Sabbath. Standing up the the legalists by allowing Your followers to eat a few grains of wheat.

Help us to know what is right and what is being over religious. Not to be glued by rules but follow Your lead. You showed us that our salvation is not about rule keeping to earn it, but about Your provision on the cross. Not about trying harder and harder but walking with You and doing our best. Your gracious favour. Accepting Your gift and choosing to follow You.

Your Son showed what was important. He was not a man of religion but a man of faith in prayer, fellowship and knowing Your word. It was natural not forced. It was a relationship with You. Not rushed. Help us to follow and rest in You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Lord of the Sabbath,

We want to find rest this day, so we bring all those we pray for and hope for, and love to Your Throne room. To give our prayers for them and our hearts and minds rest. Help us to put down any tension for them and about them. Help us to trust You.

We remember all the different churches we have friends at and ask that You bless them. Restore their peace, hope and well being. Lift their and our hearts to worship while making lunch, washing up, watching the rain fall, the sun shine, talking on the phone.

Today we pray for our land and farmers as they struggle to harvest their grain amidst the showers and damp. Grant them dry days before harvest and enough dry days to get the wheat and grain harvest in.

Help those in China who have had unusually heavy monsoon rain and are flooded out. Bless those who mourn. Lord help, rescue and aid reach those areas who need it most. There are so many evacuated in distress and need. Be a God who not just stops the storm but dries it up and provides for those distressed.

Break into relationships between Russia and Ukraine and bring about cessation of war soon.

In the name of the Lord Jesus we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 6th August 2023

Lord today, Sunday, whether at church and at home we are in Your dwelling place. (Psalm 84).

How lovely is your dwelling place, almighty Lord
There’s a hunger deep inside my soul
Only in your presence, are my heart and flesh restored, how lovely

How lovely is your dwelling place Almighty Lord
There’s a hunger deep inside my soul
Only in your presence, are my heart and flesh restored,
how lovely is your dwelling place

In your court there’s shelter for the greatest and the small
The sparrow has a place to build her nest
The pilgrim finds refreshment in the rains that fall
And each one has the strength to meet the test

How lovely is your dwelling place Almighty Lord
There’s a hunger deep inside my soul
Only in your presence, are my heart and flesh restored,
how lovely is your dwelling place

A single day is better when spend in humble praise
than a thousand days of living without you
The Lord bestow his flavour on each one who obeys
and blessings on the one whose heart is true

Lyrics: Tom Howard