Pray for Today – Page 4

Thursday 21st December 2023

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. ²⁰But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. ²¹And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

²²So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ²³“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” ²⁴Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, ²⁵and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.” Matthew 1:18-24

God who directs our steps,

Christmas, we are waiting to celebrate it, and yet we live because of it, every day. The promise of a Saviour realised, the Messiah, even if many did not, and still do not acknowledge Him. You choose to trust us with Your Son. You choose to use ordinary people to do extraordinary things for You. You still do.

Joseph was no-one special. A carpenter ready to settle down and get married. In trauma about his betrothed being pregnant knowing it could not be his. Wondering about what not marrying would mean for her perhaps? Disgrace? Could it all be done quietly? He must have felt betrayed, but did not want to make a public spectacle of her. Then You sent an angel to reassure him and tell him what to do. He did not do what Zachariah did and question the angel – he accepted it, got up and obeyed.

Father, help us to be like Joseph to wait, sleep on hard decisions and give You time to speak into our situations. Help us to be hear Your Spirit to be like Joseph and do the right thing. Help us to learn to listen for You and do what You ask so you can work out Your purposes for good.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggested for prayer,
Father God,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. To know what to do for the best in their lives.
For churches as they prepare advent services and carol services for those who will come at this season.
For all those engaged to be married, those planning lives together. Thank You for those marriages which have lasted a lifetime. For children who need security and loving parents and guardians.
For those who are going through the trauma of separation and the children involved.
For our Government, that You might be in their debates with righteousness and good decisions.
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 to peace.
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 those travelling to be with family before and during this season. Safe journeys.
For ourselves, that we would know that ordinary as we, like Joseph, have the Saviour of the world who choses to live with us.

In Jesus name, Amen.

Worship Thursday 21st December 2023

One more step along the world I go,
One more step along the world I go;
From the old things to the new,
Keep me travelling along with you:
And it’s from the old I travel to the new;
Keep me travelling along with you.

Round the corners of the world I turn,
More and more about the world I learn;
All the new things that I see
You’ll be looking at along with me.
And it’s from the old I travel to the new;
Keep me travelling along with you.

As I travel through the bad and good,
Keep me travelling the way I should.
Where I see no way to go,
You’ll be telling me the way, I know.
And it’s from the old I travel to the new;
Keep me travelling along with you.

Give me courage when the world is rough,
Keep me loving though the world is tough;
Leap and sing in all I do,
Keep me travelling along with you:
And it’s from the old I travel to the new;
Keep me travelling along with you.

You are older than the world can be,
You are younger than the life in me;
Ever old and ever new,
Keep me travelling along with you:
And it’s from the old I travel to the new;
Keep me travelling along with you.

Lyrics: Sydney Carter

Wednesday 20th December 2023

“When they (the wise men) saw the star they shouted joyfully.¹¹As 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

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 NKJV

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, ⁶who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, ⁷for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. 1 Timothy 2:5-7 NKJV

God who ransomed us,

As we approach the celebration of Your birthday on Saturday, we are amazed, astonished and absolutely dumbfounded. Lord of Creation, Lord of History and time, Lord of all power and majesty. The God who we cannot fully comprehend or imagine, who sent Your only Son to a tiny planet in a tiny part of the universe inhabited by a rebellious disobedient people. At a particular unstable time in history. Knowing men would kill Him!

And You know our disobedience well. From Adam and Eve, people have been selfish and disobeyed. We say we would not have shouted crucify Him but would we have stepped forward as his supporters? Even Peter denied knowing Him least he got arrested too.

“The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”(Romans 6:23. Sin takes us captive and there is nothing we can do. We cannot buy our way out, be good enough, or earn our way out. No rituals will get us out. Jesus gave His pure sinless life for us and the ransom was paid in full, once and for all. We just have to humbly accept His gift of light and life.

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8). Help us to open ourselves fully, to being loved by You, no arguments. Accept Your priceless forgiveness and worship You.

In Jesus loving name we pray, Amen.

God who ransomed us,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. Precious as gold, bless them with all they need and Your healing love.
For churches as they prepare advent services and carol services for those who will come at this season.
For our Government, that You might gift them with honesty, truth and a desire to serve.
For King Charles, the Queen and their families.
For Gaza and the Middle East, for a miraculous peace. Regardless of men.
For Putin and Ukraine. An end to war.
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 those travelling to be with family before and during this season. Safe journeys.
For ourselves, light in our hearts that twinkles with Your love. Joy in our smiles and hope without end.

In Jesus powerful name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 20th December 2023

As with gladness men of old
did the guiding star behold,
as with joy they hailed its light,
leading onward, beaming bright;
so, most gracious God, may we
evermore be led to thee.

As with joyful steps they sped,
Savior, to thy lowly bed,
there to bend the knee before
thee whom heaven and earth adore;
so may we with willing feet
ever seek thy mercy seat.

As they offered gifts most rare
at thy cradle rude and bare,
so may we with holy joy,
pure and free from sin’s alloy,
all our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to thee, our heavenly king.

Holy Jesus, every day
keep us in the narrow way,
and, when earthly things are past,
bring our ransomed souls at last
where they need no star to guide,
where no clouds thy glory hide.

W. Chatterton Dix
CD: Choir of Selwyn College, The Complete New English Hymnal Vol 14, Priory Records.

Friday 15th December 2023

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, ²saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” ³When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. ⁴And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ⁵So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:

⁶‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’

⁷Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared.” Matthew 2:1-7 NKJV

God of signs and wonders,

You created the heavens. created the laws of quantum physics, astrology and all the other ‘ologies’. You are the creator, only you could make the sun stand still for a day and go backwards for a time (Joshua 10:12-14 and 2 Kings 20:8-11). You did not just make it all but are Lord of all. We thank You that our World, our history is not some random theory but has reason and purpose.

This star seen in the East was unusual, a new sign in the sky. These wise men (not kings?) read it and discerned that a unique sovereign birth was due. I suppose asking the local King was sensible and Herod was the nearest. Herod was not surprised – but troubled? A king? A threat! Herod’s Priest’s search Scripture and gave directions to Bethlehem.(Micah 5:2). Delaying the wise men till after Jesus was born. But you helped keep the birth place hidden.

Thank You for the times when we have seen signs and heard from You. Times we can look back and be assured how involved You were and are in our lives. When we were going through a tough patch or when the enemy attacks our peace, and You redirected us and hold us in Your care.

As the saying goes: ‘wise men (and women) still seek him’. Thank You, as we seek You, we find You have been there all the time.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of signs and wonders,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. We pray for signs of Your love to meet their needs..
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 who have gone before sharing Jesus thank You. For the generations yet to be born to get to know You in all Your fulness.
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 sings 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 refugees and those separated from family at this time.
For those with mental health problems and grief and who find this season difficult.
For ourselves, light up our lives, as we put up our Christmas decorations. Like the Kings we will seek You to give You our worship and praise and thanksgiving.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 15th December 2023

We are all just travellers on this journey called life;
Some walk in darkness, while others follow a light.
We carry our treasures so close to our heart;
Some we let go of while others never part.
And somewhere on this journey we encounter a King
That will change us forever, to Him our treasures bring.

(Chorus)
And wise men still seek Him, they follow a star
That leads them to Jesus as travellers a far.
Men of great nations and the poor of the earth
All join together to proclaim Christ’s birth.

Sometimes we find ourselves with no room at the inn
Filled with hopes and dreams, none of them with Him.
Walk along a winding road, and can’t find our way;
Look to the Heavens a star as bright as day.
And somehow He finds Himself in the hardest of hearts,
Whispers I love you, never more to part.

(Chorus)

(Bridge)
Star of Bethlehem shine tonight
And lead us and guide us to His perfect light.
Oh come Lord Jesus, we ask Thee to stay
And renew our spirit on this Christmas day.

We are all just travellers on this journey called life;
Been through the darkness, and now we see the light.
We carry a treasure more precious than gold,
A gift of redemption, His grace we now hold.
And someday we’ll find ourselves at the foot of the King
With all of God’s angels, His praises we’ll sing.

(Chorus)

Lynn Cooper