Tag: Pray for Today

Tuesday 26th December 2023

“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marvelled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.” Luke 2:8-20

Father God,

You announced the birth of Your Son in fields to shepherds! A heavenly host praising You! An angel who spoke! Terrified shepherds? But you calmed their fear, they checked out the facts, and found the baby and glorified You. Simple working men. Telling everyone they met about angels and a baby. Well you would wouldn’t You, we all like to share good news! I wonder if they heard 30 years later about the Crucifixion and remembered the baby?

How many people since the shepherds have told the story of Jesus birth? How many people have then heard about his death and resurrection and become Christians? It is mind bogglingly wonderful. It is not a story, not a legend, it is history, His story. Knowing Jesus (not just knowing about Him) is a life changing experience. We are not a club, not just like minded people doing the same rituals to please a far off God. Not people trying to be good and get nearer. We are Yours.

We know You personally through Jesus, who died for our sin and rose again. Death had no hold on Him (Acts 2:24). We will rejoice for all eternity. You found us and now shepherd us. You will never leave us, never forsake us, never lie, never stop loving us. Always be our Saviour if we will follow . . . Keep us safe, keep speaking to us and open our ears to hear (John 10:27,28). We bring You our worship, our lives – it’s all we have to give – as an offering.

In Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

Suggested prayer . . .
Father God,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. For blessings and good health and joy.
For all our church family around the world, and the ones we know and love.
For King Charles, the Queen and their families, our government and their families.
For good men and women to speak out for, and bring, peace in troubled areas.
For Your Spirit to be at work bringing lasting peace in war torn areas.
For all those working at this time to keep society safe and provided for. The emergency services, the police, the Samaritans and the many charities providing essential help and support.
For those who have had difficult or bad news at this time to be held in Your arms of love.
For ourselves, that we would again just enjoy today and not worry about tomorrow.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 26th December 2023


I will offer up my life in spirit and truth
Pouring out the oil of love, as my worship to you
In surrender I must give my every part
Lord, receive this sacrifice of a broken heart

Jesus, what can I give, what can I bring
To so faithful a Friend, to so loving a King?
Savior, what can be said, what can be sung
As a praise of Your name for the things You have done?
Oh, my words could not tell, not even in part
Of the debt of love that is owed by this thankful heart

You deserve my every breath, for You’ve paid the great cost
Giving up your life to death, even death on the cross
You took all my shame away, there defeated my sin
Open up the gates of heaven and have beckoned me in

Jesus, what can I give, what can I bring
To so faithful a Friend, to so loving a King?
Savior, what can be said, what can be sung
As a praise of Your name for the things You have done?
Oh, my words could not tell, not even in part
Of the debt of love that is owed by this thankful heart

What can I give, what can I bring, what can I sing as an offering, Lord?
What can I bring to the King of kings?
Oh, what can I give, what can I bring, what can I sing as an offering, Lord?

Matt Redman,
CD: Matt Redman, Passion for Your name, Kingsway Music.,

Monday 25th December 2023

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgement and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” Isaiah 9:6,7. NKJV

“But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20,21 NKJV

God of every day,

This is a day like any other day – but man has put his thumb print upon it and given it a purpose and expectations. Christs Birthday! It sometimes falls short of perfection and we are tired from all the rushing about before. We cannot put our trust in events for lasting joy. Happiness comes and goes but Your joy lasts a lifetime. Be our source of everlasting joy.

Joseph and Mary had to spend their first Christmas apart from their family. And no Christmas is perfect! But thank You for the gift of Your perfect Son. Our first Christmas gift was perfect. In Jesus we are made new and have a hope and a future.

So whether we are on a mountain top or in a valley today, we give You thanks. You are our Saviour and our very present help and strength. Sometimes we are hanging on by our fingertips only to find underneath are Your everlasting arms holding us (Deuteronomy 33:27). You are the reason we celebrate today. Thank You for those of us who are able to see our family and share the joy.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

God of today,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. For blessings and good health and lasting joy.
For King Charles, the Queen and their families, our government and their families.
For good men and women to speak out for, and bring, peace in troubled areas.
Help the Ukrainians celebrate Christmas at this time as they break from the Russian tradition of it being January 6th. May there be a breakthrough of peace.
For Gaza, the Middle East, Sudan, Afghanistan and countries where there is darkness, shine the light of peace, hope, compassion and change.
For those who have had difficult or bad news at this time to be held in Your arms of love and comforted.
For ourselves, that we would just enjoy today and not worry about tomorrow.

In Jesus name we pray.

Worship Monday 25th December 2023

Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the world! the Saviour reigns;
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

Isaac Watts
CD: The Bands and Choirs of the Salvation Army, A traditional Christmas, Crimson.


Friday 22nd December 2023

“Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register all the empire for taxes. 2 This was the first registration, taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 Everyone went to his own town to be registered. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him, and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.“ Luke 2:1-7

God of unfathomable goodness,

We cannot comprehend the height, width and depth of Your love. We do not always see You at work in the world, and our lives, but You are. We cannot always see all the intertwined goodness that You are working into our lives – but You are. Give us faith.

An unexplainable pregnancy. Would Mary and Joseph have been believed by their families if they told of angel visitations and dreams?! A Roman decree send them to register for tax. It got them away from gossip but with an 80 to 90 mile (several days) journey to Bethlehem. Heavily pregnant and no mid wife booked – or accommodation. You provided. A manger suggests downstairs, where animals were brought in for the night.

After committing themselves to God’s will, marrying and accepting the child- they seemed to have nothing but trouble. We wonder sometimes why trouble seems to arrive when we seek to do Your will? Maybe You are testing us, maybe its the work of the enemy or maybe its just life?! Or a bit of all three! But Jesus was born safely – fulfilling Micah’s prophesy in 5:2, that the ruler would be born in Bethlehem.

Father God, help us to understand that You do work in what seems mysterious ways Your wonders to perform sometimes. We cannot always see. You use all sorts of means and ways and people to bring Your promises to pass. Provision may come as basic (animal accommodation) or abundant (gold, frankincense and Myrrh). Help us to keep our shield of faith up when things seems tough. You are not asleep, or distracted – You are still at work . . .

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of unfathomable goodness,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. For their best, answers to their prayers and needs.
For our and the many churches preparing carol services for those who will come at this season.
For all the ordinary people doing kind, generous and extra ordinary things for You.
For our Government, Lords and commoners to be willing to stand for what is right and righteous.
For King Charles, the Queen and their families.
For Gaza and the Middle East, for a miraculous way forward to peace. Regardless of men.
For Putin and Ukraine. An end to war. Change Putin’s determination from oppression to peace.
For those around the world in floods and unusually heavy rainfall.
For all those who need to know they are loved with Your everlasting, unfailing love today.
For all those planning Christmas meals and food for those struggling.
For the NHS and those affected by the strikes.
For those travelling to be with family before and during this season. Safe journeys.
For ourselves, that we would know You are there in the midst of all that is happening in our lives.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Worship Friday 22nd December 2023
The story of the song is below the lyrics.

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform
He plants his footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up his bright designs
And works his sovereign will

Take courage now you fearful saints
The clouds you so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head

And I will trust
The hands that made the starry heavens
And I will trust
The wounds of Calvary
And I will trust
And I will not be afraid
For all his ways are love

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense
But trust him for his grace
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face

His purposes will ripen fast
Unfolding every hour
The bud may have a bitter taste
But sweet will be the flower

Chorus

Lyrics: William Cowper
Chorus addition: Graham Kendrick

CD: Graham Kendrick, Keep the Banner Flying High, Make Way Music.

The story behind the Hymn
Late one stormy London night in 1763, a broken man was determined to end his life. He hired a coach to take him to the river. Only when he cast himself into the roiling Thames and drowned, he thought, would his agonising trials finally end. He was unwavering in his resolve. He stepped down from the coach and walked through the fog toward the river’s edge. When he reached the quays, he noticed a strange man sitting there, staring at him, as if on guard. Moreover, despite the rainfall, the tides were low—too low to drown a man.

Returning home, the desperate man decided to poison himself with an overdose of laudanum, a potent drug derived from opium. But he couldn’t raise the bottle to his lips. He tried again and again. Each time, it was as if an invisible hand were pushing it away. Finally, he tried to hang himself. The rope snapped, and his housekeeper rushed in, responding to the noise. The man gave up. For reasons he could not conceive, the life that brought such despair and misery could not be ended…

That man was William Cowper, the famous English poet. It had not been the first time he had contemplated suicide, only to be held back by forces greater than himself. Four years after his dark evening in London, he sought a fresh start and moved to the village of Olney in Buckinghamshire. There, he met another man who had witnessed God’s grace at a moment of great desperation.

That man was John Newton, the celebrated Anglican preacher. Appointed to serve in Olney, Newton earned such a reputation for the power of his preaching and the depth of his convictions that people who desperately needed guidance and hope—like William Cowper—moved to town to benefit from his ministry.

Cowper took residence in a house adjoining Newton’s, and took a measure of peace in Newton’s friendship and care. Newton understood that for the fragile poet’s mind to find peace, writing would have to be part of the recovery. He encouraged Cowper to turn his creative talents to the composition of hymns, and the two collaborated on a collection of nearly 350 works known as the Olney Hymns.

In the centuries since, countless people have similarly found comfort and spiritual sustenance in the hymns written by these two men.

https://www.guideposts.org/faith-and-prayer/bible-resources/is-that-in-the-bible