Tag: Pray for Today

Thursday 14th December 2023

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:6,7 NKJV

God of zeal,

An announcement is made! We hear Isaiah’s enthusiasm. And the foretelling of Your plan bursting out of Your prophet. An exuberant prophecy of the coming of Jesus. Showing us Your passion to reconcile men and women to Yourself, despite our sin, and because of Your great love. Even though, apart from a star and an angelic choir, the King arrived humbly and quietly in Bethlehem.

Thank you God, that Your enthusiasm has been from everlasting to everlasting, that Your Zeal has not waned with the lapse of Your people into sin or turning to false idols and self reliance. Thank You that You are focused, longsuffering, unchanging and undefeatable.

Help us remember that now is not forever. We are in our time in history, it was not chance we were born at such a time as this. What will our generations be remembered for? World turmoil, wars, a global pandemic, global warming? Being faithful to our God?

Your zeal and enthusiasm for us amazes us. That You planned from eternity to come to us as Jesus, a baby. You planned from eternity each one of us to be born! (Psalm 139) You gave us opportunity to accept Your gift of life and bow the knee to Jesus so we too can know eternity. So You could be our Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Life changing.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of Zeal,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. So many hopes and prayers.
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 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. So destruction can stop.
For Putin and Ukraine. An end to war, and soon. Change Russia’s outlook and situation.
For all those who need to know they are loved with Your everlasting, unfailing love today.
For all those who deliver medical help and food and water 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 countries where power is misused. Dictatorships, Military Junta’s. Provide for the oppressed.
For ourselves, faith and hope and encouragement as well as the joy of the Christmas season.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 14th December 2023
Even if you are not a fan of classical music this short excerpt from Handel’s Messiah always reminds me of the promise and message of Christmas.


For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace
(Isaiah 9:5)

Handel
CD: Handel’s Messiah, London Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir, Stardust Records.

Wednesday 13th December 2023

“For this reason he (Jesus) had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Hebrews 2:17,18

“Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. 11 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. 12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them!” Revelation 12:11,12 NIV

God of the sinful,

We praise You because You are the God of the sinful, the flawed, broken, the seeking heart. Not of the perfect. They need no-one if they exist! God of those of us who acknowledge our need, not just for forgiveness but for a reason to wake up and give thanks for the morning. Because You lovingly direct, help, support, comfort, inspire and delight in us. Because You became human and know what it is like to walk in our shoes. To be tempted, disappointed, to suffer and to die.

There have been many generations and incredible history since that first Christmas. And we are amazed at who You used. Fishermen, tax collectors, doubters who needed proof, men who at first persecuted Your followers . . . Countless millions of unknown individuals around the world, many who gave their lives. Each one with a unique testimony of how they met Jesus and made Him Lord. Their lives changed forever.

Each one precious, chosen, called by You with their own testimony of how and where they became Christians. You found us or we found You . . . and we too have a testimony. Even if it was not a Damascus Road experience, it was a miracle. Help us to appreciate Your forgiveness, to flourish in Your love, rely on Your strength and praise You. Wonderful Saviour, glorious Lord. Help us pray for the next generation who will come after us.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of the broken,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. So many hopes and prayers.
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 be directed to live to serve the people of this nation,
That the truth about what happened during Covid might be clearly seen and learned from.
For King Charles, the Queen and their families and steps towards reconciliation with Harry even if it looks impossible..
For Gaza and the Middle East, for a miraculous way forward to peace. So destruction can stop.
For Putin and Ukraine. An end to war, and soon. Change Russia’s outlook and situation.
For all those who need to know they are loved with Your everlasting, unfailing love today.
For all those who deliver help and aid in difficult times, war zones and places where there is famine, flood or poverty.
For all those planning Christmas meals and food for those struggling. For Christmas presents where they may not be any.
For countries where power is misused. Dictatorships, Military Junta’s. Provide for the oppressed.
For ourselves and our help and strength and well being today.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 13th December 2023
Beautiful words and melody with some familiar words in the chorus!

All these pieces
Broken and scattered
In mercy gathered
Mended and whole
Empty handed
But not forsaken
I’ve been set free
I’ve been set free

Chorus
Amazing Grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
Oh, I once was lost
But now I am found
Was blind but now I see
Oh I can see You now
Oh I can see the love in Your eyes
Laying Yourself down
Raising up the broken to life

You take our failure
You take our weakness
You set Your treasure
In jars of clay
So take this heart Lord
I’ll be Your vessel
The world to see
Your life in me

Chorus

Worship Interlude

Chorus

Lyrics: Jonas Myrin / Joel Houston

Tuesday 12th December 2023

“Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah.” Matthew 1:17

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Saviour. Jeremiah 23:5,6

Lord God,
You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Hallelujah. There is none like You. We cannot think or imagine big enough, to be able to see You as You really are! Sometimes we forget how righteous, powerful and unapproachable in holiness You are. Christmas shows us how far You went to reach us in person. You drew near to us to deal with our sin. Amazing grace.

Down the generations You prepared for your Son’s birthday. No rush, gently leading Your stubborn people, revealing more of Yourself, promising and preparing. Thank You for all those wonderful glimpses of Your glory and Jesus in the Old Testament.

David was not just a harp playing, superhero, sling shot giant killer. He was an adulterer and organised her husbands death! Nathan, at Your command, faced him with his sin (2 Samuel 12:1-13). David immediately repented but had to live with the consequences. Yet You still used Him. You choose to use us, cracked pots, imperfect jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from You and not from us. (2 Corinthians 4:7). 

We look forward to celebrating Your coming birthday and Your next coming, not as a baby, but as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Revelation 19:11-16). Then there will be no doubting who You are! Help us worship You as King of Kings and Lord of Lords and the forgiver of our sin. Yours is the Kingdom, the power and the Glory for ever and ever.

In Jesus name, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Lord God,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. That they would know Your help in their lives just where they need it..
For churches as they prepare advent services and carol services for those who will come at this season. Pray seeds of faith will be sown and take root. There would be joyful services.
For our Government, stir up hearts to serve You so the good of the country comes first. Send some Nathans to speak out against wrong.
That the truth about what happened during Covid might be learned from not just talk.
For King Charles, the Queen and their families and steps towards reconciliation with Harry even though it looks impossible..
For Gaza and the Middle East, for a miraculous way forward to peace. So destruction can stop.
For Putin and Ukraine. An end to war, and soon. Change Russia’s outlook and situation.
For all those who need to know they are loved with Your everlasting, unfailing love today.
For all those who deliver help and aid in difficult times, war zones and places where there is famine, flood or poverty.
For all those planning Christmas meals and food for those struggling. Christmas presents where they may not be any.
For those who misuse their power over family or victims or over nations as dictators. Bend them to Your will.
For those who are planning to do good, help others and be charitable.
For ourselves, that we may enjoy today, be content and know Your love and friendship.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 12th December 2023

All my days I will sing this song of gladness
Give my praise to the fountain of delights
For in my helplessness, you heard my cry
And waves of mercy poured down on my life

I will trust in the cross of my Redeemer
I will sing of the lamb that never fails
Of sins forgiven, of conscience cleared
Of death defeated and life without end

Beautiful Savior, wonderful counsellor
Clothed in majesty, Lord of history
You’re the way, the truth and the life
Star of the morning, glorious in holiness
You’re the risen one, heaven’s champion
And you reign, you reign over all

I long to be where the praise is never ending
Yearn to Dwell where the glory never fades
Where countless worshippers will share one song
And cries of ‘worthy’ will honour the Lamb!

Stuart Townend
CD: Beautiful Saviour, Live Worship from Stoneleigh International Bible Week 1998, Kingsway Music.