Tag: Onward Christian Soldiers

Friday 2nd May 2025

 “In the course of time, David inquired of the Lord. “Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” he asked. The Lord said, “Go up.” David asked, “Where shall I go?” “To Hebron,” the Lord answered. 2 So David went up there with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 3 David also took the men who were with him, each with his family, and they settled in Hebron and its towns. 4 Then the men of Judah came to Hebron, and there they anointed David king over the tribe of Judah.” 2 Samuel 2:1-4 NKJV

“Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, had taken Ish-Bosheth son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim. 9 He made him king over Gilead, Ashuri and Jezreel, and also over Ephraim, Benjamin and all Israel.” 2 Samuel 2:8-9 NKJV

King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Our God,

First of all your people wanted a king rather than being led by You and now they are divided by having 2 Kings. One anointed by Samuel to be king and one descended from the first king, also anointed, Saul. North and South. Israel and Judah. And we can just sense the trouble that is to come when they not only have enemies without but animosity within. And we know, that the promised king who would not only reunite their kingdoms but the world’s tribes, would not be born for 2000 years. He would not be recognised by many as Your Son and the King of Kings. The thief on the cross next to Jesus was one of the first (Luke 23\;42) and the Roman centurion on guard duty at the cross a close second saying “Surely this was the Son of God” (Matthew 27:54).

Help us find the things that unite us believers and not be tripped up by the trivia we may disagree on. Help us to be able to disagree, share our views and agree to differ than split. Help us to appreciate where other people are coming from and keep the main thing the main thing. We all belong to Jesus. The King of Kings. We have our feet on the same rock and do not need to be aggressively defensive. There will come a time when You will sort the sheep from the goats and it is not our job. Ours is to build the Kingdom Your Kingdom, share Your love and fight sin and evil. One King! Lead us forward in unity in Jesus. One in Christ.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Friday 2nd May 2025|
Pray for churches around the world, church leaders, the next generation of believers and those not yet born . . .

Onward, Christian soldiers,
marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
going on before!
Christ, the royal Master,
leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
see his banner go!

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before!

At the sign of triumph
Satan’s host doth flee;
On, then, Christian soldiers,
on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver
at the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices,
loud your anthems raise!

Chorus

Like a mighty army
moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading
where the saints have trod;
We are not divided;
all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine,
one in charity.

Chorus

Onward, then, ye people,
join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices
in the triumph song;
Glory, laud, and honor,
unto Christ the King;
This thro’ countless ages
men and angels sing.

Lyrics: S Baring-Gould

Thursday 13th February 2025

 “The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. 9 Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.”10 So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.” Exodus 17:8-13
“Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner.” Exodus 17:15

Jehova Nissi, The Lord my Banner,

This is the first mention of Joshua and he proves himself faithful and capable. The banner told the enemy who they were and Moses wanted to give all the glory to God. He did not want to be a superstar or take any attention. He knew that all they achieved was because of You. Help us stay humble and Have You as our banner for victory over sin.

I love the picture of Moses standing before You on their behalf and needing others to help him. Thank you for those who intercede, pray together for us and the church. And a threesome reminding us of Jesus being encouraged by Moses and Elijah on the Mount of transfiguration (Matthew 17:3). And of course that a three cord strand is not easily broken ( Ecclesiastes 4:12). Finally it reminds me that You are one, but also trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. You are our banner and we are stronger when we stand together, hold each other up and seek Your face.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 13th February 2025
Had to be a battle song . . .

Onward, Christian soldiers,
marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
going on before!
Christ, the royal Master,
leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
see his banner go!

Onward, Christian soldiers,
marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
going on before!

Like a mighty army
moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading
where the saints have trod;
We are not divided;
all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine,
one in charity.

Chorus

Onward, then, ye people,
join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices
in the triumph song;
Glory, laud, and honor,
unto Christ the King;
This thro’ countless ages
men and angels sing. [Refrain]

Lyrics: S Baring Gould

Friday 8th November 2024

“Now Jericho was shut tightly because of the Israelites. No one was allowed to leave or enter. The Lord told Joshua, “See, I am about to defeat Jericho for you, along with its king and its warriors. Have all the warriors march around the city one time; do this for six days.  Have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the horns. When you hear the signal from the ram’s horn, have the whole army give a loud battle cry. Then the city wall will collapse, and the warriors should charge straight ahead.”” Joshua 6:1-5 NET

Lord God,

We do not live in Joshua’s time. We know our cities and towns are far from holiness and shut up against Godly living. But the answer is not to bring them to rubble and kill all the people! We war against the hold of sin on and in their lives. They need a deliverer. A Joshua who brings freedom and another way to live- in Jesus.

But this battle is so not physical warfare! Joshua sought You, Lord, for the way forward and he involved his whole army. All those willing to step out for You in plain sight. And they all marched together in their particular roles shoulder to shoulder, together. In Psalm 133 You say how You will bless Your people when they live in agreement with each other.

And they followed Joshua as we follow Jesus. To success. We may have different hymn books, different worship styles, different traditions. But we all follow Jesus by Your Holy Spirit. Together we can march forward, so Jesus can break down of walls of sin and enter new hearts. Your Army is town wide, nation wide and world wide.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Lord God,

For our family, friends, neighbours, those we promised to pray for.
For our fellowship, ministers and our and neighbouring congregations. New comers.
For our king and His family and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For our Government. Lords and commons. Civil Servants. Local councillors.
For Ukraine and Russia. For Israel, Lebanon, the Middle East. Countries in conflict.
For Your Army in churches large and small. Rich and poor. Growth.
For all the kindness done at community level through churches. Luncheon clubs, warm places, befriending and bereavement cafe’s, food banks, children’s clubs. Sharing Jesus.
For us, todays provision for todays challenges and todays restorative rest for the end of the day.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 8th November 2024

The writer of this hymn, Sabine Baring-Gould (1865) explains, “Whit-Monday is a great day for school fes­tiv­als in York­shire. One Whit-Mon­day, thir­ty years ago, it was ar­ranged that our school should join forc­es with that of a neigh­bour­ing vil­lage. I want­ed the child­ren to sing when march­ing from one vil­lage to an­oth­er, but couldn’t think of an­y­thing quite suit­a­ble; so I sat up at night, re­solved that I would write some­thing my­self. On­ward, Chris­tian Sol­diers was the re­sult. It was writ­ten in great haste, and I am afraid some of the rhymes are faulty. Cer­tain­ly noth­ing has sur­prised me more than its po­pu­lar­i­ty.”

Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before.
Christ, the royal Master,
Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle
See His banners go!

Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the Cross of Jesus
Going on before.

At the sign of triumph,
Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers,
On to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver
At the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices,
Loud your anthems raise.

Like a mighty army
Moves the Church of God;
Brothers, we are treading
Where the saints have trod.
We are not divided,
All one body we,
One in hope, in doctrine,
One in charity.

Verse omitted from video.
(Crowns and thrones may perish,
Kingdoms rise and wane,
But the Church of Jesus
Constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never
’Gainst that church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise,
And that cannot fail.)

Onward then, ye people,
Join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices
In the triumph song.
Glory, laud and honor
Unto Christ the King,
This through countless ages
Men and angels sing.

Lyrics: Sabine Baring-Gould