“As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”” Mark 11:1-3 NET
God of Peace,
Another day and we remain at the same Bible verses with the disciples having another day with Jesus. Never knowing what may happen and a little worried about entering Jerusalem maybe? Jesus is calmly preparing for His approaching battle with sin and death. Giving us the opportunity to one day enter not Jerusalem with Him but heaven.
We usually read these scriptures before Easter especially around Palm Sunday. But I love these little events before big occasions. All the details of Your preparation and the fulfilment of old prophecy. Behold Your King coming to you and riding on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9). Nothing takes You by surprise and reminds us Your plans will be fulfilled.
Jesus asks two disciples, and we do not know which ones, to do a mundane task. Go borrow a donkey, unbroken for Jesus use. They did not appear to ask why or ask someone else to do it for them. Sometimes the mundane tasks are important to You. Who are we to judge? What a privilege to be given even a small task. And you sent two together. Tasks are so much easier when we share them. Prayer is easier when we share it. Together we can make Your miracles happen if we are faithful even in the seemingly mundane.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of Peace,
For our family, extended family, friends, neighbours.
For our church Ministers, lay leaders, Sunday school teachers, fellow worshippers.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). Royal family.
For the Prime Minister and government, commons and Lords. Selection of new opposition leader.
For Gaza, Middle East, Change hard hearts, melt vengeance, send hope. Medical aid and food.
For Ukraine. Bereaved families. Families still in other countries. Change Putin’s heart to end war.
For Myanmar freedom from cruel military control. Protect Your church people.
For the ongoing Olympic games.
For the families affected in Southport and peace to the area.
For those sensitive to noise, movement and hypersensitivity to touch, sound and smell (ADHD).
For today, thanksgiving and grant us joyful peace and contentment amid whatever we have to do or not do today.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Worship Thursday 1st August 2024
A prayerful hymn. Reminds us to prayer for the world, our nation, our generation, the lost and finally ourselves . . . The story of the author is below the lyrics.
Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided,
urged and inspired us, cheered us on our way,
sought us and saved us, pardoned and provided:
Lord of the years, we bring our thanks today.
Lord, for that word, the word of life which fires us,
speaks to our hearts and sets our souls ablaze,
teaches and trains, rebukes us and inspires us:
Lord of the word, receive Your people’s praise.
Lord, for our land in this our generation,
spirits oppressed by pleasure, wealth and care:
for young and old, for commonwealth and nation,
Lord of our land, be pleased to hear our prayer.
Lord, for our world when we disown and doubt him,
loveless in strength, and comfortless in pain,
hungry and helpless, lost indeed without him:
Lord of the world, we pray that Christ may reign.
Lord for ourselves; in living power remake us,
self on the cross and Christ upon the throne,
past put behind us, for the future take us:
Lord of our lives, to live for Christ alone.
Lyrics: Timothy Dudley-Smith
This hymn was written for the centenary of the Children’s Special Service Mission (now part of the Scripture Union), and featured also in the Millennium celebrations in 2000 and in Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee in 2002. A Church of England clergyman, Timothy Dudley-Smith (b.1926) worked for the Evangelical Alliance and the Church Pastoral Aid Society before becoming Archdeacon of Norfolk and then Bishop of Thetford. Originally sung to the tune Finlandia, the tune ‘Lord of the years’ was specially written by Michael Baughen.
Born 26 December 1926 in Manchester, England, son of Arthur and Phyllis Dudley-Smith. He was raised in Buxton, Derbyshire, with his older sister. His father’s death in 1938 when he was eleven spurred him to consider a life in ministry:
“He had been gravely ill for some time. I vividly remember my poor mother taking me quietly aside and telling me he was not going to get better. Of course I prayed; and you would imagine that on his death I would have abandoned my childish praying as useless. I can only think that, without my earthly father, I felt more keenly the need for a heavenly one.”