Tag: Prayer for Today

Friday 8th March 2024

“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Romans 12:4,5 NIV

Father God,

We belong. You liken it to being a body made up of different parts. The family of God. All unique and not because of what we can do or have! All in Christ are holy and beautiful. Even if we find it hard to see ourselves like that at times!

Today, I believe, is designated International Womens Day.  Aiming to focus global attention on the position of women when it comes to gender equality, bias, stereotypes and discrimination. The Christian church has struggled with this down the ages and, many still do today. But here in this little verse in the original Greek the word for members was not masculine or feminine it was neutral. That suggests, to me, it meant both. Every single person, individual and yet part of the family in God.

Jesus quietly went against the culture and taught men and women together (Matthew 14:21) and had many women followers (Luke 8:1-3). At Pentecost Your Holy Spirit fell upon all present, men and women (Acts 1:14, Acts 2:1-4). He was always inclusive.

Thank You for church (the members). It is not perfect. Being in Your family is not about status or role or importance but about belonging. Help us be welcoming and encouraging and support each other. To be the best we can. We were made for fellowship with You and each other.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Father God,

For family, friends, neighbours, hold them safe, and shower them with Your love.
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. Bring reconciliation and love to churches where there is discord or disharmony.
For all the women down through history who have changed things for good. Made life changing discoveries and influenced families for good.
For women treated as property and abused changes in the law and attitudes in their countries.
For the Royal family. King Charles and Camilla, Prince William, Kate and family for healing.
For our government. A harmony and unity to serve the nation even when views differ.
For an end to the war in Ukraine. Send a miracle of peace soon. Have mercy. Bless and prosper those delivering aid and medical care.
For Gaza an end to all the killing, hostage taking and hate. Give success to the search for peace and help those trying to deliver aid to where it is needed.
Send a harvest of new people and believers to the churches this Easter.
For support agencies and volunteer groups across the UK inspire new volunteers to join and help.
For us help us to appreciate each other and those we worship with. Help us to remember them in prayer.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 8th March 2024

Help us accept each other
as Christ accepted us;
teach us as sister, brother,
each person to embrace.
Be present, Lord, among us
and bring us to believe
we are ourselves accepted,
and meant to love and live.

Teach us, O Lord, your lessons,
as in our daily life
we struggle to be human
and search for hope and faith.
Teach us to care for people,
for all, not just for some,
to love them as we find them,
or as they may become.

Let your acceptance change us,
so that we may be moved
in living situations
to do the truth in love,
to practice your acceptance
until we know by heart
the table of forgiveness,
and laughter’s healing art.

Lord, for today’s encounters
with all who are in need,
who hunger for acceptance,
for righteousness and bread,
we need new eyes for seeing,
new hands for holding on;
renew us with your Spirit,
Lord, free us, make us one!

Lyrics: Fred Kaan

Thursday 7th March 2024

“We are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners, yet we know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by the faithfulness of Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.” Galatians 2:15,16 NET

 “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”
Galatians 3:27

Holy God,

Not by law, not by works but by Jesus Christ. Justified – made righteous. Righteous in the English dictionary means: to be virtuous, honourable, or morally right. In Hebrew, Lord I read there are a few different words for righteous or righteousness .
Sad-diq – just, innocent, in the right, devout, upright.
S-da-qa – honesty, justice, justness.
Se-deq – accuracy, what is correct, right thing, what is honest, equity, what is right.

Help me grasp that righteousness is not something You do God, it is who You are, Your character. You are just and honest in all You do. You are upright in all Your ways. You do what is right.

Me? I am far from it. Though we all like to think we are right at times! But we cannot be right all the time. So we cannot come to You, Holy God because we are not righteous. But for Jesus. Three beautiful words. But for Jesus. And one amazing yet terrible sacrifice and a life changing gift. The robe of righteousness. Keep us humble enough to put on what we cannot earn, cannot procure or ever be good enough for. On putting on Christ You see us wearing His robe of righteousness as if we too had never sinned.

Never mind fashion, impressing others . . . Today, I worship You for clothing me in Your Son at such a great cost. For accepting me in Christ as righteous. For helping me to learn to be like You. Help me to walk, live and rejoice in Jesus and His gift of righteousness.

In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Holy God,

For family, friends, neighbours, hold them safe, and shower them with Your love.
We pray for our neighbours and their needs today, even those we do not know. Bless them.
Bless our church family and all the lent groups that are meeting across this nation.
For all the Royal family. For healing and well being and some privacy.
For our government. Amidst all the talk and speeches we pray Your gentle wisdom will be heard in their hearts focussing them on the truth, the good and doing their best.
For an end to the war in Ukraine. Send a miracle of peace soon. Have mercy. Bless and prosper those delivering aid and medical care.
For Gaza an end to all the killing, hostage taking and hate. Give success to the search for peace and help those trying to deliver aid to where it is needed.
Thank You for those who first shared the gospel in the UK and empower those who share it today.
For support agencies and volunteer groups across the UK inspire new volunteers to join and help.
For us today to arise and put on the robe of righteousness. To know how much You love and value us today.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
 
Worship Thursday 7th March 2024
Sometimes well known words and tunes just say it all. Timeless truth.

My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand:
all other ground is sinking sand;
all other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest on his unchanging grace;
in every high and stormy gale,
my anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, his covenant, his blood,
support me in the whelming flood;
when all around my soul gives way,
he then is all my hope and stay.

When he shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in him be found:
dressed in his righteousness alone,
faultless to stand before the throne.

Lyrics: Fred Kaan

Wednesday 6th March 2024

“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.  Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”” 1 Corinthians 1:27-31 NIV

Lord God,

Thank You. I cannot argue with that. Sometimes, I really am a foolish thing. That You chose us not according to what we have, what we look like or what we can do is beyond understanding. You know we are foolish! Your love for us in Christ Jesus is not fully comprehensible. Yet Christ gives us our righteousness (our right standing with You our creator), our holiness (as if we had never sinned), and our redemption (payment for our righteousness and holiness).

Now that’s something to pause and think about! And wisdom, we need Your wisdom.. Wisdom is not static and it does not always have to do with knowledge and learning. It is God centred. Though education is very valuable, it does not always make us wise . . . Hearing Your voice, once again telling me that You lead me into good decisions and the enemy pushes me into not so good ones. So I learn to stop and see if I am being led or pushed!

I remember times when pray has come first and things have been considered that no-one had thought about previously! Wisdom has come. Help us to seek Your Holy Spirit first and listening for HIs gentle, inspiring guidance. Thank you that in Christ Jesus we have the resources and guidance we need to make good choices – and Your present help when we have been foolish.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Lord God,

For family, friends, neighbours, hold them safe, send them the wisdom they need to have a good day.
For our church family and their needs today, those not well, those with family worries. Bless them.
For all the lent groups that are meeting across our community, nation and throughout the world!
For the Royal family. Healing physically, strength to serve and mending of broken relationships.
For our government. Amidst all the talk and speeches we pray Your gentle wisdom will be heard in their hearts focussing them on the truth, the good and doing their best.
For an end to the war in Ukraine. Send a miracle of peace. Have mercy. Bless and prosper those delivering aid and medical care.
For Gaza an end to all the killing, hostage taking and hate. Give desire for peace talks and help those trying to deliver aid to where it is needed.
For all those groups meeting together for lent. Bless those who do not fully understand yet, a revelation of Your Son, Jesus and the life they can have through Him.
For those who enable us the everyday luxuries. Those who keep our services running, water, electric, gas, council dustbin workers, farmers, parcel deliveries.
For us if we have to make decisions that You will give us wisdom. And we are grateful if we have a quiet day. Whatever the day holds we give thanks You are committed to being with us, in and through it.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 6th March 2024
Seems right to use the version sung by an Irish worship leader. See the story of the hymn below.

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light

Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one

Be thou my battle-shield, sword for the fight;
be thou my dignity, thou my delight,
thou my soul’s shelter, thou my high tower;
raise thou me Heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise
Thou mine inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only first in my heart
High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art

High King of heaven, after victory won
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s sun
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O ruler of all

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light

Lyrics: Dallán Forgaill

This hymn is based on a Middle Irish poem most attributed to Dallán Forgaill, an early Christian Irish poet born in 530AD.

In 1905, nearly 1500 years later, the forgotten hymn re-emerged from the mists of time. Mary Byrne, a 25-year-old university student, discovered the 14th century copy of “Rop tú mo Baile” and translated it into English. In 1912, an Irish woman named Eleanor Hull set the words to music. The melody she set it to was none other than “Slane,” the medieval tune written in honor of St. Patrick.  It first appeared in a hymnal in 1919.