But the Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground! 11 Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has swallowed your brother’s blood.” Genesis 4:10,11 NIV
“So Cain went out from the LORD’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden.” Genesis 4:16 NIV
Lord God,
Not long after creation, man shows his true nature. jealousy, envy and pride. They move from ungodly emotion to irreversible action. Cain murders. His punishment? The loss of his ability to farm, exiled from family and exiled from Your presence and blessing Lord God. Sin always separates.
Cain chooses the land of Nod. In Hebrew, the word Nod means “wandering.” Today we say someone was in the land of Nod meaning they had nodded off, wandered into sleep. It reminds me how often my mind sleeps or wanders when I am trying to read my Bible, study or pray. Everything distracts me. Should I get a cup of tea to help me concentrate, should I make a note of what I need to do later lest I forget . . . I will just rest me eyes a moment . . .
Cain chose the land of Nod perhaps because he wanted to forget what he had done or to wander so he could no longer see what he used to have. I know the best way to deal with anything is to come straight to You. Good, bad or sin. All I have is because of You, God. Jesus warned His disciples, in the garden of Gethsemane, to stay awake, watch and pray so that they would not fall into temptation (Matthew 26:41). Help us to spiritually stay awake. Not let our emotions lead us to sin and not spiritually nod off.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Lord God,
For our close family.
For our extended family, friends, neighbours.
For our church fellowship, ministers and congregations.
For all Paralympians, family and coaches and those supporting.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). For their family relationships..
For Ukraine. May Your will be to end war, soon. Protect and bless Your church.
For Gaza, all the Middle East. Peace, Your peace and direction. A peace miracle amid vengeance.
For those who have difficulty sleeping, or pain or worries that hinder rest.
For those who work shifts good healthy sleep whatever the time.
For the worldwide church to be awake and ensure there is always prayer.
For those organising and running occasional or permanent 24/7 prayer rooms.
For us to have a day of ease even if busy and grant us restorative sleep and pleasant dreams.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Sunday 8th September 2024
A hymn from a different century, for the end of the day. They had sacks of straw for beds? No soft sheets, soft pillows or central heating. But they are beautiful, still relevant words of prayer.
O Christ, Who art the Light and Day,
Thou drivest darksome night away!
We know Thee as the Light of light
Illuminating mortal sight.
All holy Lord, we pray to Thee,
Keep us tonight from danger free;
Grant us, dear Lord, in Thee to rest,
So be our sleep in quiet blest.
Let not the tempter round us creep
With thoughts of evil while we sleep,
Nor with his wiles the flesh allure
And make us in Thy sight impure.
And while the eyes soft slumber take,
Still be the heart to Thee awake,
Be Thy right hand upheld above
Thy servants resting in Thy love.
Lyrics: Attributed to Wolfgang Mosculus 1497-1563
Translator: William John Copeland