Tag: Prayer for Today

Monday 11th March 2024

“The Lord is near! Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:5b-7 NIV

Lord and Father,

Anxiety. Worry starts in the head I believe, anxiety seems to affect the body too! In Philippians we are shown the opposite of anxiety is the God’s peace, guarding the mind and the heart. Anxiety threatens our good sleep, our sanity and can make us physically ill. We cannot get rid of it by trying not to think, by distraction ourselves or drugging it away. I know this! It often disrupts our behaviour so we are short-tempered, intolerant, irritable. I confess! Lord, You know us well. And sometimes it makes us work hard to hide it, to protect others, pretending we’re fine.

I have learned that You do not always remove the cause of our anxiety. We do not always have all the answers. But You offer to carry our anxiety and grant us heavenly peace. Paul says we should tell You God all about them even though You already know! But perhaps in speaking them out we can root them out of our deep places and give over our self sufficiency and worry to You.

Sometimes You change the situation and other times You carry us. Help us to bring all our anxiety to You. Even if we think it is small in comparison to others. Your care about everything that disrupts our peace. May Your Holy Spirit keep our hearts and minds safe, guarded and secure in You, in every situation.

In Jesus name, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Lord and Father,

For family, friends, neighbours, their urgent needs and future hopes and freedom from anxiety.
For our neighbours and the wider community where we live. To be open to the message of Easter.
For our church family each and every member and attender. Bless the lent groups as they study.
For the Royal family. Ongoing healing and opportunities for Harry to be reconciled.
For our government. Work in their hearts and minds with Your wisdom and peace.
For an end to the war in Ukraine. Send a miracle of peace. Change the hearts of both nations to desire peace.
For Gaza. A way forward to peace and living in peace. Help those delivering aid and medical help.
For a harvest of new people and believers to the churches this Easter.
For the NHS and all the specialist units. A&E, maternity, surgery, cancer . . . and the people who work in them. For their inner peace in mind, body and soul.
For the emergency services as they deal with trauma, accidents, and crime and violence. Keep their hearts at peace and restore them from the trauma of what they deal with.
We pray for those with murder or suicide in their hearts. In place of turmoil, dark and evil plant Your peace – and hope.
For us a day where anxiety is handed over to You. A day of Your reassurance, peace and company.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 11th March 2024

John Newton was ordained a curate of Olney Parish in Buckinghamshire, England after working as a sailor and slave trader. He organising spiritual gatherings during the week. Thursday afternoons for children, to explain the Scriptures to them in a simple way and in the evenings for adults.

He began to compose little bits of verse to be sung, to summarize the Scripture lessons. He was not a poet and did not pretend to be. He wanted to write for ordinary people. The hymn “How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds” was published under the title “The Name of Jesus.” It was based on Song of Solomon 1:3: “Your anointing oils are fragrant; your name is oil poured out; therefore virgins love you.”

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
In a believer’s ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,
And drives away his fear.

It makes the wounded spirit whole
And calms the troubled breast;
’Tis manna to the hungry soul,
And to the weary, rest.

Dear Name! the Rock on which I build,
My Shield and Hiding Place,
My never-failing Treasury filled
With boundless stores of grace!

Jesus! my Shepherd, Husband, Friend,
My Prophet, Priest, and King;
My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End,
Accept the praise I bring.

Weak is the effort of my heart,
And cold my warmest thought;
But when I see Thee as Thou art,
I’ll praise Thee as I ought.

Till then I would Thy love proclaim
With every fleeting breath,
And may the music of Thy name
Refresh my soul in death.

Lyrics: John Newton.

Sunday 10th March 2024

“But now in Christ Jesus you who used to be far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13 NET

God who is and always will be,

“Before the mountains were born, or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.” (Psalm 92:2) We join the Psalmist to acknowledge that You are the God of eternity. Many people believe there must have been a greater being that made the universe and yet are not interested in finding who, or checking out You! I remember finding being told there was no Santa Claus. I searched for evidence for and to the contrary before I made up my mind! Perhaps it is me that needs to test things to prove they are true!

In Christ Jesus I, we who believe, have the evidence that You not only exist but we can know You. Not just Your intent and Your commitment to us but who You are and what You are like. You are not a God we remember just with stories about Christmas and Easter but a living God who draws near and becomes a friend. We can more than believe in You (excuse grammar!) we can know You through Your Word, be held, loved and indwelt by Your Spirit. Without any fear of You, a universe creating Almighty Holy God. Because of the love of Christ, Your Son.

Help us to draw near to You – always. To remember You loved us so much You sent Christ to shed His blood for us. To give thanks, always. To remember You are the creator, our Creator and beyond our imagination always. Awesome in majesty and yet drawing near to give us Your love, always.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God who is and always will be,

For family, friends, neighbours, let them see Your goodness in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13).
We pray for our neighbours. Those we know and those we don’t. All have needs, hurts and worries.
Bless our church family and help it to be the best it can be. Bless the lent groups as they study.
For the Royal family. King Charles treatment success, Kates recovery and family privacy.
For our government. For both the members in the commons and the titled in the lords.
For an end to the war in Ukraine. Send a miracle of peace. Thwart Russia and war at every pass.
For Gaza. Give success to calls for peace talks. Help those delivering aid to where it is needed.
For a harvest of new people and believers to the churches this Easter.
For support agencies and volunteer groups across the UK. Inspire a new generation of volunteers.
For victims of crimes, scams, bullying. For those involved a change of heart or capture or both.
For us a day of worship, rejoicing even amid the normal activities of a Sunday routine. Whether we take communion or not to remember the old rugged cross, the empty tomb and the risen Christ.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 10th March 2024

Kelly had been leading worship and pastoring the worship ministry at his church for two years. He was under pressure leading and pastoring. Confident musically, he felt green in worship and people leadership. He got so busy, that his personal connection with God suffered.

One Sunday, January 1994 Kelly came home after leading worship and felt tired and down. He sat at the piano and a song just started pouring out of his heart. Kelly realized that he wanted to know Jesus more than do good works for him. Somehow he had lost connection with Jesus. He spontaneously sang “I give it all up again to hear you say that I’m your friend”, and his heart melted. He later rewrote this line to be “I lay it all down again…” which is how it’s known today.


You’re all I want
You’re all I’ve ever needed
You’re all I want
Help me know you are near

Draw me close to you
Never let me go
I lay it all down again
To hear you say that I’m your friend
You are my desire
No one else will do
‘Cause nothing else can take your place
To feel the warmth of your embrace
Help me find the way
Bring me back to you

Lyrics: Kelly Carpenter, Vineyard worship pastor, 1994.

Saturday 9th March 2024

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3 NIV

God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

‘Flourish’ what a wonderful word. I thought it was a gardening term It has become a very popular word in the school where I am a governor. Want all children to flourish in their own way. We too need to flourish. We need Your light, the water of Your word, and to be good soil, to grow, thrive like healthy plants and flourish. Not to be distracted, and as Pilgrims Progress puts it, enter the slough of despond. Been there, its not pleasant.

But this verse from Ephesians promises to help us thrive and flourish. It gives us the promise that You God, will give and provide what we need in those despondent and down situations of life if we trust, depend on and obey Christ. And if we trip off Your path or stumble over trouble as we do . . . Christ our risen Lord, seated at the Your right hand (Mark 16:19) the seat of honour and power, will pick us up and lead us back.

Spiritual blessings! Every spiritual blessing that You, Father can bestow, that the Son can provide and that the Spirit can apply. Too much to unpack here . . . pardon, peace, redemption, adoption, forgiveness of sins, joy, an inheritance, and being sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise . . .

Help us to flourish and when dark, low or rocky times come, keep us looking to You, Your promises and Your blessing. And lead us through.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

For family, friends, neighbours, let them see Your goodness in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13)
We pray for our neighbours and their needs today, even those we do not know. Bless them.
Bless our church family and help it to be the best it can be. Bless the lent groups as they study.
For the Royal family. For gossip to end and healing to come.
For our government. Be amongst all that is going on and being said and work for good.
For an end to the war in Ukraine. Send a miracle. Turn Russia away.
For Gaza. Give success to calls for peace talks. Help those delivering aid to where it is needed.
For a harvest of new people and believers to come to churches this Easter.
For those who need Your help getting over trauma, bereavement and need relief for the mind.
For us a day of blessings and to find Your blessings amongst the chores and or our responsibilities.
Help us to appreciate all we do have, and are blessed by.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 9th March 2024
Not a well known song but one to listen to perhaps.

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things

‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
As long as we have faith to believe

Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home

Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

Lyrics: Laura Story