Tag: Prayer for Today

Tuesday 25th March 2025

 “The Israelites had moved about in the wilderness forty years until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt had died, since they had not obeyed the Lord. For the Lord had sworn to them that they would not see the land he had solemnly promised their ancestors to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. 7 So he raised up their sons in their place, and these were the ones Joshua circumcised. They were still uncircumcised because they had not been circumcised on the way. “And after the whole nation had been circumcised, they remained where they were in camp until they were healed. 9 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” So the place has been called Gilgal to this day. 10 On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover. 11 The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land . . . ” Joshua 5:6-11 NIV

Lord God ,

Who took away their shame. Circumcision being the outward sign of a commitment to You God, Yahweh the great I Am. They belonged to You and to each other. They were no longer slaves even if they were not rich.

 The New Testament in Romans (12:2) tells us now to look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our  faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and at down at the right hand of the throne of God. No longer do we need an outward physical sign bt we have the one who endured the cross for us who removes our shame, and writes faith into our hearts. We belong to His family. The Trinity. Slavery to sin is not an option. Slavery to shame should not be an option. We are released into forgiveness. We may live with consequences and regrets . . . but they have been forgiven.

The children of Israel celebrated Passover to remind themselves that death had passed over them because of the blood of the Lamb. It was an early promise that we would be able to be passed over by death through the blood of The Lamb, Jesus. So each time we take communion or share a meal we can remember we are loved, we are forgiven, our shame has been scorned, taken way we belong to God’s family. You, Lord God, Jesus and Holy Spirit. And all of those who have put their faith in You. Keep writing Your love in our hearts and leading us into the next chapter of our lives. One day at a time.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 25th March 2025
A reminder to silence the lies of the enemy and a song and truth I wish all young people and older would listen to..

Are you past the point of weary?
Is your burden weighing heavy?
Is it all too much to carry?
Let me tell you ’bout my Jesus
Do you feel that empty feeling ’cause shame’s done all it’s stealing?
And you’re desperate for some healing, let me tell you ’bout my Jesus

He makes a way where there ain’t no way
Rises up from an empty grave
Ain’t no sinner that He can’t save
Let me tell you ’bout my Jesus
His love is strong and His grace is free
And the good news is I know that He
Can do for you what He’s done for me
Let me tell you ’bout my Jesus
And let my Jesus change your life
Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah amen, amen

Who can wipe away the tears from broken dreams and wasted years
And tell the past to disappear?
Oh, let me tell you ’bout my Jesus
And all the wrong turns that you would go and undo if you could
Who can work it all for your good?
Let me tell you about my Jesus

Chorus

Who would take my cross to Calvary?
Pay the price for all my guilty?
Who would care that much about me?
Let me tell you ’bout my Jesus, oh

Chorus

And let my Jesus change your life (change your life)

Lyrics: Matthew Joseph West, Jeff Pardo, Anne Wilson

Monday 24th March 2025

“So the people left their camp to cross the Jordan, and the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant went ahead of them. 15 It was the harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge, 16 the water above that point began backing up a great distance away at a town called Adam, which is near Zarethan. And the water below that point flowed on to the Dead Sea until the riverbed was dry. Then all the people crossed over near the town of Jericho. 7 Meanwhile the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant stood on dry ground in the middle of the riverbed as the people passed by. They waited there until the whole nation of Israel had crossed the Jordan on dry ground. 1When all the people had crossed the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, 2 “Now choose twelve men, one from each tribe. 3 Tell them, ‘Take twelve stones from the very place where the priests are standing in the middle of the Jordan. Carry them out and pile them up at the place where you will camp tonight.’” Joshua 3:14-4:3 NLT

Father God,

These were another generation from the ones who saw Moses part the waters (Exodus 14:22). Perhaps they had heard the stories but they would be just that. So Joshua told then to build a memorial, simply a pile of stones. But they would be reminded of Your miracle. You knew this would be an encouragement when they again faced difficulties.

I sometimes collect a pebble or a reminder when I have had a day by the sea or a special day. They bring warm memories. Do I remember all the things You have done for me? Sometimes I forget to say thankyou and I don’t always see Your hand in the little things. But You are there and I am sorry I do not always acknowledge You or Your provision. If I were to put stones in a pile to remind me of all the occasions You have blessed me, got me our of difficulties, kept me safe, led me forward I would run out of stones and a place to put them.

But it all started at the cross and with an empty tomb. I will never forget that. Keep me grateful, looking for the next way forward and not worried about how You will make the way forward.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 24th March 2025
I could not find a recording of this hymn but the words just become a prayer . . .

Looking back but moving forward,
Lord, our times are in your hand.
You’re the God who never changes,
God of every age and land.
You’re our End as our Beginning;
You were there when time began
and through all the years of history
you’ve been working out your plan.

Looking back but moving forward,
you have blessed us year by year.
Thank you, Lord, for those whose vision
built our church and served you here;
and successive generations
bearing witness to your Name:
yesterday, today, for ever
Jesus still remains the same!

Looking back but moving forward,
times have changed and much is new:
smart phones, lasers, transplants, space flight –
things our forebears never knew.
Yet you’re Alpha and Omega,
God of then and God of now.
As we serve the present age, Lord,
by your Spirit show us how.

Looking back but moving forward,
as we celebrate today,
giving thanks for all that’s past, we
pledge ourselves to walk your way.
Holy Spirit, lead us onward;
keep us faithful to your call.
May this ever spur our mission:
Jesus Christ is Lord of all!

Lyrics: Brian Hoare (b.1935) Jubilate Group

Sunday 23rd March 2025

“Then Joshua secretly sent out two spies from the Israelite camp at Acacia Grove. He instructed them, “Scout out the land on the other side of the Jordan River, especially around Jericho.” So the two men set out and came to the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there that night. 2 But someone told the king of Jericho, “Some Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of Jericho sent orders to Rahab: “Bring out the men who have come into your house, for they have come here to spy out the whole land.” 4 Rahab had hidden the two men, but she replied, “Yes, the men were here earlier, but I didn’t know where they were from. 5 They left the town at dusk, as the gates were about to close. I don’t know where they went. If you hurry, you can probably catch up with them.” 6 (Actually, she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them beneath bundles of flax she had laid out.)” Joshua 2:1-6 NLT

God of new adventures,

The same and yet different. This time two spies were sent out rather than twelve. Perhaps Joshua had learned from the past not to make the same mistakes but trust two good men. And they had a different experience in that they were straight away at risk. But You had gone before and prepared a safe place for them with the least expected person. A woman, a foreigner and a prostitute, Rahab. We read in the genealogy of Jesus, Salmon was the father of Boaz whose mother was Rahab (Matthew 1:5). Making her the great great grandmother of David. And an ancestor of Mary mother of Jesus. How wonderful. They did not judge who saved them they were just grateful. You love us just as we are.

When Jesus came Your Word said he would have nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He would be despised, rejected, a man of sorrows and acquainted with deepest grief (Isaiah 53:2,3). He came as one of us. And he would be the one to keep us safe. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of You God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).

You, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in Your eyes. You decided in advance to adopt us into Your own family by bringing us to Yourself through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:4,5). How amazing. Help us, like Rahab, to do what is right towards others.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

 Worship Sunday 23rd March 2025
Such a profoundly simple way to praise God.

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Repeat . . .

Lyrics: Thomas Ken.
This hymn was originally the final verse of three hymns by Thomas Ken. (“A Morning Hymn”, “An Evening Hymn”, and “A Midnight Hymn”), but is more commonly sung as a hymn unto itself.