Make me a channel of your peace

Wednesday 30th April 2025

“When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed low before him. ²⁴She fell at his feet and said, “I accept all blame in this matter, my lord. Please listen to what I have to say. ²⁵I know Nabal is a wicked and ill-tempered man; please don’t pay any attention to him. He is a fool, just as his name suggests. But I never even saw the young men you sent. ²⁶“Now, my lord, as surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, since the Lord has kept you from murdering and taking vengeance into your own hands, let all your enemies and those who try to harm you be as cursed as Nabal is. ²⁷And here is a present that I, your servant, have brought to you and your young men. ²⁸Please forgive me if I have offended you in any way. The Lord will surely reward you with a lasting dynasty, for you are fighting the Lord’s battles.” 1 Samuel 25:23-28 NLT

Lord of all,

How different Abigail’s response is to that of her husband. David requested help reasonably knowing that Nabal’s servants would have reported their good behaviour daily. Nabal we are told was a mean man. He could not even spare a cake of figs.

Abigail proved what the writer of proverbs tells us in 15:1, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” In the face of her husbands anger and David’s response she speaks words of wisdom and peace. Giving a genuine apology, not just words but, with actions proving her words.

Help us to recognise when we need to give a gentle answer and show our generosity. Not allowing meanness any room. To be able to stop and think before we respond in emotions and consider the words of our mouths. To speak life and hope and love where possible. It is one thing to speak up when hard truths need to be heard it is another to be able to speak gently when the situation calls for it. Help us to be an Abigail and not a Nabal.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 30th April 2025

Make me a channel of Your peace
Where there is hatred let me bring Your love
Where there is injury, Your pardon, Lord
And where there’s doubt, true faith in You

Make me a channel of Your peace
Where there’s despair in life let me bring hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there’s sadness, ever joy

Oh, Master, grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul

Make me a channel of Your peace
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
In giving to all men that we receive
And in dying that we’re born to eternal life

Chorus

Repeat first verse.

Lyrics: Attributed to ST Francis of Assisi, adapter Sebastian Temple.

Saturday 19th October 2024

“When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. ³⁴Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”” Luke 23:33,34

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. ³⁸Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:37,38.

God of mercy and strength,

We look to You and see Your power and majesty! We look to You and see mercy and humility. Such opposites. Then we see Jesus and understand. You can be both holy Judge and the one who took our punishment. Help us to worship You as we should. To acknowledge Your sovereignty and be open and honest with You. You know it all anyway.

Father, Jesus taught that forgiving one another is not an option. He taught many times that if we don’t forgive, You will not forgive us. He didn’t just preach it he practised it – forgiving even those who killed Him.

Sometimes God, it is hard to forgive. Events can be life changing or even unnoticed by the offender. Waiting for an apology that will never come is hard. But You died for my sin before I was born. You didn’t wait for me to say sorry to offer forgiveness, You went to the cross first. You don’t carry resentment against me. And my forgiveness came without buts.

Help me let go of all that is not You. Resentment, judging others, dislike, hate, unforgiveness . . . God help me to forgive from my heart and let You be the one who will judge those who have wronged or hurt us. Especially where we are still dealing with the consequences and the memories.

Help us lay it all to rest so nothing can play on our mind or be used by the enemy. Help us to keep forgiving daily till unforgiveness is gone. We hand over judgement over to You.

In Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

God of might and mercy,

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. To change the laws to counter wrong.
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 whose lives are eaten up with vengeance, terrorism and violence. Deliver them to peace.
For the healing of minds and hearts of those who have suffered violence and abuse.
For Christians who need a fresh experience of Your love and forgiveness to sweeten their lives.
For us to forget offences large and small and refuse to let our memory reminds us.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 19th October 2024
Just the opening chords mellow my heart . . .

Wonderful grace that gives what I don’t deserve,
pays me what Christ has earned then lets me go free.
Wonderful grace that gives me the time to change,
washes away the stains that once covered me.

And all that I have I lay at the feet
of the wonderful Saviour who loves me.

Wonderful love that held in the face of death,
breathed in its final breath forgiveness for me.
Wonderful love whose power can break every chain
giving us life again setting us free.

And all that I have I lay at the feet
of the wonderful Saviour who loves me.

Lyrics: John Pantry

Friday 19th April 2024

“For he is our peace, the one who made both groups into one and who destroyed the middle wall of partition, the hostility . . .” Ephesians 2:14 NET

Father of peace,

This tiny little verse speaks about God’s power to break down of walls of hostility. Back when it was written, it was hostility between Jews and gentiles. To reunite His people with His other people of creation. The church was having to learn to overcome prejudice and love each other. They came from different backgrounds and different cultures and were all having to learn to value and respect each other to live the Jesus way.

We can count to ten, meditate, have a cup of tea . . . But You are our real peace. Yet Father, I find myself wakeful on occasions and remembering words spoken or hurt or picky little things that have annoyed me. You never gave up on the disciples and You never once tried to get your own back, or bear grudges.

You tell us to keep our account short with God and with other people around us. Forgive others as You have forgiven us. Even if we cannot trust them. You even forgave from the cross. You do not keep account of all our faults to remind us of them. You were never sarcastic, unkind or argumentative. Your love is kind even when hard. You spoke the truth on occasions but in such a way it was for their good. Help us give up, hand over to You our hurt and irritation and unforgiveness and swop it for Your peace. Help us not take it up again.

Help us see when and how relationships can be made even better or mended. If they are harmful, help us to step aside with dignity.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Father, God of peace,

For our family and friends. For all their needs today. To find ways to keep in touch and encourage.
For our neighbours and neighbourhood to prosper and grow. To care for each other.
For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, members. To be a place of living powerful peace in You..
For the royal family. For peace of mind, continuing healing, family support and unity.
For our Parliament. In a world of turmoil to be calm and hear Your leading, together.
For those waiting results of medical tests, results, interviews or outcomes.
For Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, all places of conflict. Bring an end to war. Speak peace to stubborn hearts. Bless the peacemakers with power.
For those who find it hard to let go of anger, unforgiveness.
For good marriages and Your help in those that are struggling.
For our own needs and hopes today, both little and large. To put down our irritations.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 19th April 2024

Make me a channel of your peace
Where there is hatred let me bring your love
Where there is injury, your pardon Lord
And where there is doubt true faith in You

Oh, Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul

Make me a channel of your peace
Where there is despair in life let me bring hope
Where there is darkness only light
And where there’s sadness ever joy

Make me a channel of your peace
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
It is in giving to all men that we receive
And in dying that we are born to eternal life

Lyrics: Sebastian Temple