Tag: Prayer for Today

Friday 7th November 2025

So when Jesus came, He found that he (Lazarus) had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. 19 And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. 20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. 21 Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” John 11:17-27 NKJV

Father of Compassion,

The gospels are filled with real people and it is wonderful to catch up with some of them on several occasions. We met Mary and Martha when there was a family disagreement about catering and Jesus said, I am here with you now, time for that later!

Martha took the lesson to heart. This time as soon as she heard Jesus was there she went to Him even though she was in mourning. Nothing distracted her not even her grief. And she had an honest conversation with Him. Jesus gave her living proof that He had dominion over life and death in word and in deed. He raised Lazarus from the dead. Four days dead. And she is asked a question we who know Jesus also ask and have answered. Though we die, as we all must, will the Messiah Jesus raise us up so we will live again in heaven? Thank you that we now have written proof Jesus can raise from the dead in Lazarus, but it also takes a step of faith.

And stating what we believe and understanding why can, gives us that assurance we need to live without fear and in hope. It is not easy and sometimes we are distracted Lord by the evil of this world and the negativity of those outside Your Kingdom. So keep us among those who are like minded and love You and Your Word. Keep us, Holy Spirit, like Martha learning to put You first. You are the resurrection and our life. And we desire to live in Your life in all its fulness now and forever (John 10:10).

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 7th November 2025

My Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine;
for thee all the follies of sin I resign;
my gracious Redeemer, my Savior art thou;
if ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I love thee because thou hast first loved me
and purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree;
I love thee for wearing the thorns on thy brow;
if ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I’ll love thee in life, I will love thee in death,
and praise thee as long as thou lendest me breath,
and say when the deathdew lies cold on my brow:
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I’ll ever adore thee in heaven so bright;
I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow:
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

Lyrics: Anon

Thursday 6th November 2025

Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. 20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. 21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores. 22 “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side. 24 “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’ 25 “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’ 27 “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. 28 For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’ 29 “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’ 30 “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’ 31 “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’” Luke 16:19-31 NLT

God of Heaven,

I love this story that Jesus relates and Luke faithfully recalls. (Not about the Lazarus who Jesus raised from the dead). An aptly named Lazarus, which means I believe, God has helped. I used to think this passage was all about heaven and hell, and in some ways it is, but so much more. Jesus knew He would rise from the dead and many would still not believe. The irony of verse 31! But recently I have seen it in the light of other passages in Luke’s gospel. The man who built bigger barns to get richer and then died. (Luke 12:16-21) Mary sings about the hungry receiving and the rich being sent away empty handed (Luke 1:53). So many teachings about the warnings of the danger of riches and wealth!

Not about people becoming rich but how they live with it! Here the rich man is in the place of the dead suffering eternally separated from Lazarus who is seated at the heavenly banquet with all his needs supplied. It is not the riches that condemned the rich man or the poverty that raises Lazarus to heaven. Jesus is again showing his listeners that it is how men handle riches that matter. The rich man had had the opportunity to use his wealth while he was alive and did – but for himself. Lazarus had nothing but God to put his trust in.

I was reminded the other day that I am considered very wealthy compared to much of the third world. I have a warm dry home, clean running water, three meals a day at least and enough to buy a friend a coffee or take the train to visit my daughter. No matter how much we have Father, this passage reminds me that I am only a steward and should use what You give me wisely. Not bankrupt myself but not become a hoarder. I cannot save myself or buy Your love – but I can please You by using what I have for You. You particularly noticed the widows mite and drew attention to it (Luke 21:1-4). Show us how rich we are and when and how we can use what we have for you.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 6th November 2025
Many YouTube versions of this hymn do not include the verse, Take my silver and my gold. I had not noticed before … but I found this one which does. Sung in a church in Newcastle upon Tyne.

 Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise.

Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee.

Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee

Take my silver and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose.

Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne.

Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee.

Lyrics: Francis Ridley Havergal

Wednesday 5th November 2025

““Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” 41 Peter asked, “Lord, is that illustration just for us or for everyone?”

42 And the Lord replied, “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. 43 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. 44 I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. 45 But what if the servant thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? 46 The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful. 47 “And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. 48 But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.”” Luke 12:39-48 NIV

Lord and Master,

It is good to jump back a few chapters from yesterday and remember Jesus gave us warnings that we cannot blame others for not knowing what we should be doing. We should know and be self aware. A faithful servant makes sure he is doing what he was asked, behaving as he was charged to do and doing what the master wants because it is right, good and His service for His master.

But You are a good God You are not an waiting to catch us out or to trip us up, or say I knew you would let me down. But You do say that You will punish those who know and do not do . . . For those of us willing and trying, You God are glad to catch us doing good, willing to forgive where we trip up and only expecting us to do what is humanly possible. Because then You can step in and help doing the divine and the miraculous.

You know when we are burned out and need to be enfolded. You know when we need a nudge to be brave and You know when we need a little more oil in our lamp. So keep us willing and not numbered with those not prepared to do what a servant should do. And not judge them but be encouragers. And not get puffed up about how good we are, as we read in Luke 17:10, “‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’”

In Jesus name we pray.

Worship Wednesday 5th November 2025
The verses not included are written underneath the lyrics below.

O to be like Thee! Blessed Redeemer,
this is my constant longing and prayer;
gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus Thy perfect likeness to wear.

Oh! to be like Thee! O to be like Thee,
blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art!
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

O to be like Thee! Full of compassion,
loving, forgiving, tender, and kind;
helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
seeking the wand’ring sinner to find.

Chorus

O to be like Thee! Lowly in spirit,
holy and harmless, patient, and brave;
meekly enduring cruel reproaches,
willing to suffer, others to save.

Chorus

Lyrics: Thomas O Chisholm

Verses not included but worth praying . . .

O to be like Thee! Lord, I am coming
now to receive the anointing divine;
all that I am and have I am bringing,
Lord, from this moment all shall be Thine.

O to be like Thee! While I am pleading,
pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love;
make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,
fit me for life and heaven above. [Refrain]