Prayer for Today – Page 2

Sunday 27th April 2025

“David put it on, strapped the sword over it, and took a step or two to see what it was like, for he had never worn such things before. “I can’t go in these,” he protested to Saul. “I’m not used to them.” So David took them off again. He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine.” 1 Samuel 17:38-40 NLT

“David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword. Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. David used it to kill him and cut off his head.” 1 Samuel 17:45-51 NLT

Lord God,

David picked up 5 smooth stones from the stream but he only needed one. Was he ensuring he could get another shot in if he only brought Goliath to his knees? Or did he need them so he was not fumbling to find the one in the bottom of his bag? Some Biblical scholars believe it was in case Goliaths brothers came out to fight him. Sometimes I love the little detains in Your history Lord. It is so encouraging that we can be Your mighty men and women and You are in the detail of our lives. Providing us with what we need to battle through each day, battle the negative, win victories and see even the mighty fall to their knees before You.

We pray that the testimony and witness we share will be smooth and hit the right spot. So those we know can die to self and rise to eternal life in Your Son Jesus Christ. Help us in the fight against evil and lies. Even if we would prefer to run errands and not be up front . . .

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 27th April 2025

You are always fighting for us
Heaven’s angels all around
My delight is found in knowing
That You wear the Victor’s crown
You’re my help and my defender
You’re my Savior and my friend
By Your grace I live and breathe to worship You

At the mention of Your greatness
In Your Name I will bow down
In Your presence fear is silent
For You wear the Victor’s crown
Let Your glory fill this temple
Let Your power overflow
By Your grace I live and breathe to worship You

Hallelujah
You have overcome
You have overcome
Hallelujah
Jesus, You have overcome the world

You are ever interceding
As the lost become the found
You can never be defeated
For You wear the Victor’s crown
You are Jesus the Messiah
You’re the Hope of all the world
By Your grace I live and breathe to worship You

Chorus

Every high thing must come down
Every stronghold shall be broken
You wear the Victor’s crown
You have overcome, You have overcome

At the cross the work was finished
You were buried in the ground
But the grave could not contain You
For You wear the Victor’s crown

Hallelujah
You have overcome
You have overcome
Hallelujah
Jesus, You have overcome

Every high thing must come down
Every stronghold shall be broken
You wear the Victor’s crown
You will overcome, You will overcome

Lyrics: Darlene Zschech, Israel Houghton, Kari Jobe Carnes

Saturday 26th April 2025

“But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, ³⁵I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. ³⁶I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! ³⁷The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!”” 1 Samuel 17:34-36 NLT

God our Good Shepherd,

David’s three oldest brothers Eliab, Abinadab, and Shimea had joined Saul’s army. Or been commanded to join? We do not know what the other brothers were doing but we know that David was sent back and forth to run errands and tend the sheep, with the servants. I suppose he was an extra hand for left over chores not too important. His father Jesse had forgotten about him when Samuel wanted to see his sons (1 Samuel 16:11). Unlike Joseph the youngest and favourite son of Israel (Gen 37:3).

But he did not rebel and served his time with the livestock more than obediently. He put his own life in danger protecting them. And You used all he learned to prepare him for his future. How often we distain the mundane. Or we moan about chores we must do and we feel we are not achieving much. Help us to see we can learn from You all the time, we need to learn, understand and be rooted in You for our future. Here and in heaven.

David learned how to oversee the flock and lead them as well as protect them. He would need all these skills. His mundane prepared him. Help us to learn as we go in the everyday tasks that we must do.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 26th April 2025
I do not know of any modern worship that expresses this prayer . . .

New every morning is the love
Our wakening and uprising prove;
Through sleep and darkness safely brought,
Restored to life, and power, and thought.

New mercies, each returning day,
Hover around us while we pray;
New perils past, new sins forgiven,
New thoughts of God, new hopes of heaven.

If on our daily course our mind
Be set to hallow all we find,
New treasures still, of countless price,
God will provide for sacrifice.

The trivial round, the common task,
Would furnish all we ought to ask,
Room to deny ourselves,
a road To bring us daily nearer God.

Only, O Lord, in thy dear love
Fit us for perfect rest above;
And help us this and every day
To live more nearly as we pray.

Lyrics: John Keble

Friday 25th April 2025

“One of the servants said to Saul, “One of Jesse’s sons from Bethlehem is a talented harp player. Not only that—he is a brave warrior, a man of war, and has good judgment. He is also a fine looking young man, and the Lord is with him.” ¹⁹So Saul sent messengers to Jesse to say, “Send me your son David, the shepherd.” ²⁰Jesse responded by sending David to Saul, along with a young goat, a donkey loaded with bread, and a wineskin full of wine. ²¹So David went to Saul and began serving him. Saul loved David very much, and David became his armor bearer. ²²Then Saul sent word to Jesse asking, “Please let David remain in my service, for I am very pleased with him.” ²³And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away.” 1 Samuel 16:18-23 NLT

God of harmony,

Harmonious living was brought to Saul’s household by the introduction of musical harmony and discord was calmed! I am absolutely sure that all the household appreciated and benefitted from it. Music has that way of moving us. To dance, to relax, to be stirred emotionally. Drummers have led armies into war. National anthems have stirred loyalty. Love songs have melted hearts.

Then we remember the times we have been moved by a hymn or worship song. Moved to worship, repent or just to praise You. Or been lifted out of darkness and back into hope. Thank you for Psalmists, the hymns writers and the song writers of our generation. Yes, but thank You that Your Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus, Your Spirit who takes those words and chords and melodies and uses them to reignite, to heal, to do whatever it is You desire, within us. Help us be open to hear Your harmony and join in.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 25th April 2025

When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that’s of worth
That will bless Your heart
I’ll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the ways things appear
You’re looking into my heart

I’m comin’ back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about You
It’s all about You, Jesus
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it
When it’s all about You
It’s all about You, Jesus

King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve?
Though I’m weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath
I’ll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You’re looking into my heart, yeah

Chorus x 2

I’ll bring You more than a song
I’ll bring You more than a song, (more than a song)
I’ll bring You more than a song
I’ll bring You more than a song, (more than a song)
You’re looking into my heart
You’re looking into my heart
You’re looking into my heart
Into my heart

I’ll bring You more than a song
I’ll bring You more than a song, yeah, yeah
I’ll bring You more than a song
I’ll bring You more than a song

Lyrics: Matthew James Redman