Pray for Today – Page 2

Wednesday 7th August 2024

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1 NIV

“Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear an oath, and he said, “When God comes to help you and lead you back, you must take my bones with you.” ²⁶So Joseph died at the age of 110. The Egyptians embalmed him, and his body was placed in a coffin in Egypt.” Genesis 50:25,26 NLT

God of eternity,

You go on forever, but we seem to have lots of beginnings and endings and seasons in our lives. The beginning and the ending of the book of Genesis are opposites. Its opens with life and ends with the death of Joseph and the end of an era. And so much happened in between!

Joseph, Father God, was very particular in his last words and the generations coming after him had to remember and pass on his instructions. Joseph discovered You were faithful even when his brothers wanted to murder and get rid of him. You were faithful when he was sold as a slave in a foreign land. You were faithful when the baker forgot him in prison for years. He believed, without doubt, that one day You, God would rescue and deliver him. It gave Him faith to say that one day You would lead his people out of Egypt and back to their own land. The land sworn to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. So he made them promise to takes his bones when they did!

This promise made sure they all kept it in mind. They could not forget. You created us in our time. You gave us the promise that one day we would go to the home in heaven you promised us (John 14:1) You sent us our deliverer who will carry us there so we would never forget. Hallelujah.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of here and now,

For our close family, all their particular needs.
For our extended family, friends, neighbours.
For our church Ministers, lay leaders, Sunday school teachers, fellow worshippers.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For bankers, politicians, managing directors, inventors, researchers, self employed.
For Ukraine. An to end war. Medical aid and protection.
For peacemakers in Gaza, Middle East. Change hard hearts, melt vengeance, make steps to peace.
For Myanmar Your church people. Other areas where church is persecuted.
For the ongoing Olympic games. All those taking part, organising and attending.
For those trapped in modern day slavery, deliverance and a future.
For those trapped in poverty, by drugs or mental disability.
For those bereaved, affected by violence going through trauma. In fear from violence.
For those who stir up trouble to be brought to nought.
For us today, thanksgiving for all good that has been said and done and all the prayers around the world. Bless us today in all we do and say.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 7th August 2024

There’s a place where the streets shine
With the glory of the Lamb.
There’s a way, we can go there,
We can live there beyond time.

Because of You, because of You,
Because of Your love,
Because of Your blood.

No more pain, no more sadness,
No more suffering, no more tears.
No more sin, no more sickness,
No injustice, no more death.

Because of You, because of You,
Because of Your love,
Because of Your blood.

All our sins are washed away,
And we can live forever,
Now we have this hope,
Because of You.
Oh, we’ll see You face to face,
And we will dance together
In the city of our God,
Because of You.

There is joy everlasting,
There is gladness, there is peace.
There is wine ever flowing,
There’s a wedding, there’s a feast.

Because of You, because of You,
Because of Your love,
Because of Your blood.

Lyrics: Paul Oakley

Tuesday 6th August 2024

“Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain. ²Beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth.” Psalm 48:1,2

“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.” Psalm 13:5

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise,
the city of our God, the holy place,
the joy of the whole Earth.
Great is the Lord in whom we have the victory,
he aids us against the enemy,
we bow down on our knees.

And Lord, we want to lift your name on high,
and Lord, we want to thank you,
for the works you’ve done in our lives;
and Lord, we trust in your unfailing love,
for you alone are God eternal,
throughout Earth and Heaven above.

Lyrics: Steve McEwan

O Lord, our Lord,

Ruler of earth and heaven. It is good and right to arise to worship You every day and not just on a Sunday. To greet the incredible gift of a new day and the gift of Your steadfast love and faithfulness. New every morning (Lamentations 3:22,23). Steadfast? Resolute or firm and unwavering. You are, am I?.

Help us today whatever we may feel like. Whether we are tired, not one hundred percent, sleepy, mediocre, worried, confused, happy, content, bored, challenged or good . . . to greet You with thanksgiving and praise for being our good God.

The Psalmist looked to the Temple in Jerusalem, the city of God, where Your symbolic presence was. We look, not to our church buildings, lovely as they may be, steeped in worship and prayer, but to You. We know You are with us, wherever we are, in us by Your Spirit and will never leave us and You never nod off or slumber (Psalm 121:4).

Thank You for the works You have done in our lives. Amazing. Not coincidences, but God instances. The opportunities, the people, the joy that we have known. The trouble we have come through. And we have the steadfast promise of all yet to come both in this life and the next. There is no end to Your steadfast love and faithfulness. So today we shake off any weariness and praise You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God through all eternity,

For our close family, to love and be loved and know Your love.
For our extended family, friends, neighbours.
For our church fellowship to know Your steadfastness wherever they are today.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For those who work hard to keep our nation safe and well and provided for.
For Ukraine. An to end war. Medical aid and protection.
For peacemakers in Gaza, Middle East. Change hard hearts, melt vengeance, make steps to peace.
For Myanmar Your church people. Other areas where church is persecuted.
For the Olympic games. All those taking part, organising and attending.
For those struggling to give thanks. Bereaved, affected by violence going through trauma.
For us to know our strength comes from praise and prayer. Whatever the day holds, carry us through.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Saturday 3rd August 2024

“If you keep quiet at this time, liberation and protection for the Jews will appear from another source, while you and your father’s household perish. It may very well be that you have achieved royal status for such a time as this!” Esther 4:14 NET

God of the Jews and the Gentiles,

The donkey from yesterday reminded me of the worship song below which I have not listened to for a couple of years! The donkey was born for exactly such a time as that to carry the King of Kings! Just as Esther was born at the perfect time to have opportunity to save her people. Mordecai (her uncle) challenged Esther to consider not just if she had been born for such a time but also put in exactly the right place.

Each one of us becomes the child of the King, adopted into Your family God, in Jesus. No longer fighting our way out of trouble as Esther did, but seeking peace and justice. We also have a position in a family, in a church, in a circle of friends. Psalm 139, verse 13 reminds us that You, God new exactly whose womb we were created in and what particular history we would live through.

The older we are the more changes we have seen. We notice the things that are no more. Camera shops, high street window shopping, spangles. People chatted face to face, not looking at phone screens. We were born at the right time for us and we too have influence over those around us for good. We have opportunity to show and tell others what knowing You and being loved by You means. Help us affect someone’s destiny! Help us keep praying, loving, encouraging at such a time as this. Even when our prayers seem repetitive.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God of the Jews and the gentiles,

For peacemakers in Gaza, Middle East. Change hard hearts, melt vengeance, make a new peace.
For our family, extended family, friends, neighbours.
For our church Ministers, lay leaders, Sunday school teachers, fellow worshippers.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). Royal family.
For decision makers and influencers for peace in Nations and in their military.
For Ukraine. Bereaved families. Families still in other countries. Change Putin’s heart to end war.
For Myanmar freedom from cruel military control. Protect Your church people.
All those affected by violent outburst. Speak into those who would be violent before they break out.
For the ongoing Olympic games. The pleasure and the pain and the peaceful competition.
For those sensitive to noise, movement. Those hypersensitive to touch, sound and smell (ADHD).
For the youth of today bombarded with social media to hear Your voice.
For us to be of service to You where we are, in any way we can, whoever we are with pleasure.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 3rd August 2024
Just take a few minutes to listen to this. It always encourages me personally. At such a time as this. It also encourages me to pray on for peace influencers and for the leadership in the Middle East.

Now, all I have is now, to be faithful
To be holy and to shine
Lighting up the darkness
Right now, I really have no choice
But to voice the truth to the nations
A generation looking for God

For such a time as this
I was placed upon the earth
To hear the voice of God
And do His will
Whatever it is
For such a time as this
For now and all the days He gives
I am here, I am here
And I am His
For such a time as this

You, Do you ever wonder why
Seems like the grass is always greener
Under everybody else’s sky
But right here, right here for this time and place
You can live a mirror of His mercy
A forgiven image of grace

Chorus

Can’t change what’s happened till now
But we can change what will be
By living in holiness
That the world will see Jesus

Chorus

Lyrics: Wayne Watson