Tag: Meekness and majesty

Sunday 8th December 2024

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders.  And he will be called: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 NLT

God of eternity,

The second advent Sunday and it is good to consider the past, the present and the future knitted together in this one beautiful verse from Isaiah. I can never read this without hearing the bit where it is sung in Handel’s Messiah word for word. Because it is the kind of verse that explodes off the page for me, Lord.

Incredible that Isaiah may have been inspired by You at the time he wrote this but not how or when You would bring it to pass. Ot that Jesus would be Your Son and come as a vulnerable baby, be a refugee, rejected and killed. That is mind boggling. The shepherds and wise men certainly did not full understand who they met under that starry sky, laid in a manger. At Christmas so many people have no idea who that baby really was and is.

But for those of us who believe: You are our wonderful counsellor, the one we share our hopes and fears with. And the One active in our lives. The One who created all we know, who we trust with this world and its future. The One who loves us deeply, eternally and does not keep a record of our wrongs. We commit ourselves to You, Our Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of eternity,

For our family, friends, neighbours, those we promised to pray for.
For our Christian family and the plans for Christmas in our churches to draw in new people.
For our king and His family and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). Speak into their lives afresh.
For our Government, the Commons, the house of Lords, the civil servants.
For Ukraine and Russia. A miraculous end to war.
For all the conflict in the Middle East for the ongoing complications and vengeance. to end.
For the church hierarchy to plan for the future keeping Jesus at the centre.
For the families and persons living on our road, a glimpse of Your glory and the road to Jesus.
For the justice systems to be righteous. For the prison system to be improved and for chaplains.
For those coping with the storm Darragh damage.
For us to let You rule in us so we know and respond with love, hope and glory to whatever comes.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 8th December 2024

Meekness and majesty, manhood and deity
In perfect harmony, the Man who is God.
Lord of eternity dwells in humanity
Kneels in humility and washes our feet.

Oh what a mystery
Meekness and majesty
Bow down and worship
For this is your God
This is your God

Father’s pure radiance perfect in innocence,
Yet loves obedience to death on a cross.
Suffering to give us life conquering through sacrifice,
And as they crucified, prays “Father forgive”

Chorus

Wisdom unsearchable God the invisible,
Love indestructible in frailty appears.
Lord of infinity stopping so tenderly
Lifts our humanity to the heights of His throne

Chorus

Lyrics: Graham Kendrick

Saturday 20th April 2024

“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;” Isaiah 42:3 NIV

“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory.” Matthew 12:20 NIV

Almighty God,

Many Old Testament verses talk about defeating enemies. But then Isaiah speaks of one who will come and be victorious in a new totally different way. And we see the promise of Jesus. Jesus, You came and were full of compassion for the weak, the dispossessed, the sick and those in need of Your Fathers mercy. You gave back the only son to the grieving widow at Nain (Luke 7:13-15). You allowed a woman with an issue of blood and lepers to touch You and be healed. Behaviour which offended the self righteous in Jesus time. (Luke 8:43-48). Luke’s gospel is full of Your compassion and mercy.

You were not a task driven Saviour. You did not come to tick a set of boxes and then go home. You came to love, save, forgive and heal. You still do and we love You Lord. A bruised reed, a smouldering wick – tiny things thrown out as of no value. But You see the value of every life and each vulnerable person and You are faithful. Give us faith to know Your compassion and practice it ourselves.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Almighty God,

For our family and friends. For all their needs today, those near, distant and broken relationships.
For our neighbours and neighbourhood to prosper and grow. To care for each other.
For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, members. For all those who work for You willingly.
For the royal family. For continued healing and family unity.
For our Parliament. In a world of turmoil to be calm and hear Your leading, for an end to war.
For those waiting results of medical tests, results, interviews or outcomes.
For sufferers of leprosy and those treating and researching.
For Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, all places of conflict. Bring an end to war. Speak peace to stubborn hearts. Bless the peacemakers with power.
We pray for children caught in the mist of conflict. Bless food and medical agencies.
For those who find it hard to understand weakness in others. Patience..
For good marriages and Your help in those that are struggling.
For what we need for today to roll along successfully. With open eyes to see Your blessings.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 20th April 2024

Meekness and majesty
Manhood and Deity
In perfect harmony
The Man who is God
Lord of eternity
Dwells in humanity
Kneels in humility
And washes our feet

O what a mystery
Meekness and majesty
Bow down and worship
For this is your God
This is your God
This is Your God

Father’s pure radiance
Perfect in innocence
Yet learns obedience
To death on a cross
Suffering to give us life
Conquering through sacrifice
And as they crucify
Prays: ‘Father forgive.’

Wisdom unsearchable
God the invisible
Love indestructible
In frailty appears
Lord of infinity
Stooping so tenderly
Lifts our humanity
To the heights of His throne

Lyrics: Graham Kenrick







Monday 18th December 2023

“ When they (the wise men) saw the star they shouted joyfully.11 As they came into the house and saw the child with Mary his mother, they bowed down and worshipped him. They opened their treasure boxes and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:10,11 NET

God of all,

We bow down and worship You. We find it difficult to bow down sometimes because we are self conscious, have pride or dodgy knees! But we have nothing to be proud about before You. You know our weaknesses. Yet You sent Jesus. So we bow our hearts in worship and our mouths joyfully thank You in praise. For sins forgiven, a conscience cleansed, death defeated and a life without end.

Frankincense, the second gift. An aromatic balm used to make incense , a gift used on the altar of deities. The wise men brought this balm to make a sweet smelling incense for a divine King. God, help us to be as frankincense to the world.. “For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing – to the latter an odour from death to death, but to the former a fragrance from life to life”. (2 Corinthians 2:15,16). May the aroma of Christ be in us and all we do. And may it point to You.

Meanwhile, Herod was seeking to destroy Jesus. Just like today, some worship You, others are seeking to destroy you by invalidating or refuting You or promoting science as their God. You can work miracles even in the hearts of disbelievers. Saul became Paul on the Damascus Road! No-one is beyond Your touch of love. Keep us sharing our faith in You, so You can change hearts, one at a time, through Your Son.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of all,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. They are as precious as gold to us, bless them and keep them safe and open to Your love.
For churches as they prepare advent services and carol services for those who will come at this season. Hearts be open to receive You.
For all those trying to follow You amid disbelief and negativity from family.
For our Government, that it might open and honest and focus on serving the people of this nation,
For King Charles, the Queen and their families at this busy time.
For Gaza and the Middle East, for a miraculous way forward to peace.
For Putin and Ukraine. An end to war. Send Putin dreams of peace and signs to show the way.
For all those who need to know they are loved with Your everlasting, unfailing love today.
For leaders, insecure like Herod and cruel, Bless them with the gift of compassion and kindness.
For all those who deliver help and aid, large or small.
For all those planning Christmas meals and food for those struggling.
For those who work to provide water, sanitation and agriculture to places where there is none.
For ourselves, amidst the uncertainty in the world, we put our trust in You. Thank You for he balm of You love, which restores our souls and heals our wounds and all those small blessing we take for granted.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 18th December 2023

Meekness and majesty manhood and deity
In perfect harmony the Man who is God
Lord of eternity dwells in humanity
Kneels in humility and washes our feet

O what a mystery meekness and majesty
Bow down and worship for this is your God
This is your God

Father’s pure radiance perfect in innocence
Yet learns obedience to death on a cross
Suffering to give us life
Conquering through sacrifice
And as they crucify prays Father forgive

O what a mystery meekness and majesty
Bow down and worship for this is your God
This is your God

Wisdom unsearchable God the invisible
Love indestructible in frailty appears
Lord of infinity stooping so tenderly
Lifts our humanity to the heights of His throne

O what a mystery meekness and majesty
Bow down and worship for this is your God
This is your God
This is your God

Lyrics: Graham Kendrick