Tag: Lord of all hopefulness

Sunday 12th January 2025

 Now Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran. 11 So he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. And he took one of the stones of that place and put it at his head, and he lay down in that place to sleep. 12 Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 And behold, the Lord stood above it and said: “I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. 14 Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. 15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” 16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” 17 And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!” Genesis 28:10-17 New King James Version

Lord God,

An encounter with You. Many of us we can relate an encounter or experience that led us to know You. For some it may have been in Sunday School, with a friend, at a Christian rally, alone in our bedroom! He knows what we need. For Jacob, He needed to see that the God of his Father was not a tame God who blessed and comforted and provided but a mighty God of creation and His future. And he saw and was afraid.

Not a bad place to start – in awesome fear. We are told fear is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One, understanding.(Proverbs 9:10). Not only did he discover he was not the centre of the universe, able to rely on himself, but he had a God to worship and had a purpose and a future.

Thank you that our life is not dependant on us. We too have You with us whatever season of life we are in. We have a purpose and a future. Help us look for those encounter moments when reading Your Word, in dreams or through something that happens in the day. And see that even a schemer, is loved by You and needs to hear the gospel.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Sunday 11th January 2025

Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy,
Whose trust, ever child-like, no cares can destroy,
Be there at our waking, and give us, we pray,
Your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day.

Lord of all eagerness, Lord of all faith,
Whose strong hands were skilled at the plane and the lathe,
Be there at our labours, and give us, we pray,
Your strength in our hearts, Lord, at the noon of the day.

Lord of all kindliness, Lord of all grace,
Your hands swift to welcome, your arms to embrace,
Be there at our homing, and give us, we pray,
Your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day.

Lord of all gentleness, Lord of all calm,
Whose voice is contentment, whose presence is balm,
Be there at our sleeping, and give us, we pray,
Your peace in our hearts, Lord, at the end of the day.

Lyrics: Jan Struther

Pray for your family, friends, neighbours, church family to have rich encounters with God throughout the day.
Pray for Putin’s heart to be changed.
Pray for a blessed encounter today.

Wednesday 3rd April 2024

 “Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee . . .

. . .Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.” John 21:1, 10-14 NIV

Father God,

Your resurrection appearances show you meeting the disciples where they were. It often involved eating. It was the meal, the breaking of bread and praying that enabled two disciples to recognise Jesus on the Emmaus Road (Luke 24:30-31).

For grieving fishermen to clear their heads and not sit idle, fishing was a natural outlet. Jesus went to meet them where they were. It is so easy to think Jesu is closer when we are reading the Bible, praying or in a service.

You showed us that being holy and wholly Yours is not just about spiritual feelings but about a living relationship. Jesus built relationships by spending time with people where they were often over a meal. Whether it was a small gathering like at Zacchaeus house ( 19:5), or many like the crowd of 5,000 (Matthew 14:18-21). He wants to be with us when we are relaxed as well as studying His Word.

As we bask in the celebration of Your resurrection, help us appreciate everyday life with You. Whether it be as we eat breakfast, talk to someone during the day or just hear the birds beginning their spring chorus. And to build good relationships with You Lord and others – perhaps over coffee and a biscuit or two . . .

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Father God,

For our family, friends and neighbours. Healing, comfort, strength, joy . . . individual needs.
For our congregation and all Your churches to grow in new believers.
For the royal family for healing and strength for Charles and Kate as treatment continues.
For our nation, our Parliament, county councils and local councils. Wisdom of Solomon.
For our neighbourhood and its well being, good community and security from evil.
For those still on holiday – refreshment. Those who are back at work or have not had a break.
For Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, places of conflict. End war drive them down paths of peace.
For our hospitals, chaplains and all staff: their well and healing for all patients.
For the multitude of unseen workers who keep our society safe and healthy . . .
For all the kind people who will do good today no matter how small.
For us a good day, upheld by You and lift our heads to see Your light in this world as well as the approaching spring.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 3rd April 2024

Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy,
Whose trust, ever childlike, no cares can destroy,
Be there at our waking, and give us, we pray,
Your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day.

Lord of all eagerness, Lord of all faith,
Whose strong hands were skilled at the plane and the lathe,
Be there at our labours, and give us, we pray,
Your strength in our hearts, Lord at the noon of the day.

Lord of all kindliness, Lord of all grace,
Your hands swift to welcome, your arms to embrace,
Be there at our homing, and give us, we pray,
Your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day.

Lord of all gentleness, Lord of all calm,
Whose voice is contentment, whose presence is balm,
Be there at our sleeping, and give us, we pray,
Your peace in our hearts, Lord, at the end of the day.

Lyrics: Jan Struther (1901-1953)

As well as the creation of the character Mrs Miniver in a fortnightly column in The Times, Jan Struther is remembered for her many hymns for children, including “Lord of All Hopefulness”, “When a Knight Won His Spurs” and “Daisies are Our Silver”. These resulted from an approach by Canon Percy Dearmer of Westminster Abbey, Words Editor of the enlarged edition of Songs of Praise 1931. She was said to be an agnostic, although she did go to church!


Saturday 23rd Sept 2023

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.” Ephesians 4:1-7 NIV

God our Keeper,

Or was Paul suggesting here that You are his jailor? No!!! A prisoner for You not of You. Sometimes thou we do feel we are unable to change things and feel trapped. By a job that is work and not a career. One that brings no satisfaction. By young children at the age they are very demanding and continues longer because they live at home longer. Because we lack the funds to do what we really want to. Because life is not always what we hoped it would be. Because we are passed the age we can do anything about it?

Paul refused to be anything but like Jesus even when the imprisoned him for preaching about You, God. He lived and he still preached that Your way is best. That You do not just help those who seem to have it all. Or those who seem to be having prayers answered. He gives grace to those of us pootling along in life as generously as to all.

Our calling is to be humble, gentle, patient, loving each other even in annoyance. Help us. And to receive Your grace through Jesus in abundance. Christ was never stingy, the 5000 were fed till they were full. We receive eternal life and forgiveness without measure not a ticket to attend the feast in heaven and then leave! And through it all, in it all and with us all, You are our God and Father and love us. Praise You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God our Keeper,

Keep our family, friends, church fellowship and neighbours safe in the knowledge of Your love and provision. Help those who do not yet fully know You be moved to pray and find You a good God and worthy of praise. Remind us to pray first, think second. Grant us grace as we struggle with some aspects of our lives.

Ukraine, Morocco and Libya. All have limitless needs and a need of Your divine help and comfort. Help change their situations with peace, comfort, and human aid and compassion.

We pray for our King and Government and are not even sure what to pray so we commit them to You for You to work in their lives and to point them to their calling to serve the nation.

We pray for those actually in prison, and the chaplains and Christians who work there. May there be seeds of Your love and lifestyle sown that take root. We pray for those who are released and that You will provide a way forward that gives them the choice of a good life.

Thank You for autumn a buffer before the winter and a rest for the land.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 23rd September 2023
I remember this from school assemblies.

Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy,
whose trust, ever childlike, no cares could destroy:
Be there at our waking, and give us, we pray,
your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day.

Lord of all eagerness, Lord of all faith,
whose strong hands were skilled at the plane and the lathe:
Be there at our labours, and give us, we pray,
your strength in our hearts, Lord, at the noon of the day.

Lord of all kindliness, Lord of all grace,
your hands swift to welcome, your arms to embrace:
Be there at our homing, and give us, we pray,
your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day.

Lord of all gentleness, Lord of all calm,
whose voice is contentment, whose presence is balm:
Be there at our sleeping, and give us, we pray,
your peace in our hearts, Lord, at the end of the day.

Lyrics: Jan Struthers (1901-1953)

Jan Struther is the pen name of Joyce Torrens-Graham. Used because she was a popular novelist. Mrs. Miniver was a popular, among many other books, poetry, hymns, novels and satires. She wrote Lord of all hopefulness when she and Percy Deamer were editing Songs of Praise 1931 version. During World War II she left London for New York where she continued writing and raising her children. She died there from cancer.