Tag: Prayer for Today

Saturday 2nd March 2024

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.”
Matthew 11:28-30 New Living Translation

Father,

I moan about carrying shopping home or rather unloading it and carrying from the car and packing it into the fridge! Then I remember those who walk miles to carry water home . . . But we all carry the responsibilities and practicalities of life. And ours are ours. And there is something else I carry, feel burdened down by sometimes . . . guilt, worry, anger and fear? Sometimes the stress of not knowing, being afraid of what may happen weighs me down Father. Help me bring it all to You, little and large, and find You want to carry it with me, shouldering the weight of responsibility and removing the weight of sin and shame and guilt. We do not have to beat ourselves up or feel we have to worry as penance. Or making ourselves ill to try to show how much we care? Help us rest in Your gentle almighty strength.

Paul also told us to, ‘Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.’ (Galatians 6:2). If we are not weighed down by our own needs we are free to help each other. Not by taking on their burdens but listening and handing them over to You and helping with the practicalities.

You do not burden us down, You lead to a place where You carry them with us and for us. You do not ask for beautifully worded prayers or hours of prayer . . . help us if we feel overwhelmed. We will trust in You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Father,

For family, friends, neighbours, You know their real needs for today, bless them.
For our church family, ministers and all who serve, Carry them smoothly through todays tasks.
For all the Royal family. King Charles to Know You’re carrying Him through all the treatments.
For our government. In all the comings and goings today and many words be their guide.
For an end to the war in Ukraine. Send a miracle and soon. Have mercy Father.
For the church in Ukraine, Myanmar and the underground churches. Keep them safe and strong.
For Gaza an end to all the killing, hostage taking and hate. May talks start, lead to a ceasefire and peace..
For the many things we hear in the news and can do nothing about – we bring to You Father who can.
Bless our local communities, food banks, groups toddlers groups, social and lunch provision.
Encourage and strengthen those who work in hospitals, dentist and doctors surgeries. Those who work in maternity, surgery and cancer wards. Those volunteering and working in hospices. Comfort the comforters.
For us to know You walk with us Help us know you shoulder our cares and worries and give us joyful rest.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 2nd March 2024
I will trust in You.
Simple words, beautiful haunting melody. Singing Scripture.
“You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:7).
“Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.’” (Joel 3:10).

You are my hiding place
You always fill my heart
With songs of deliverance
Whenever I am afraid

I will trust in You
I will trust in You
Let the weak say
I am strong
In the strength of the Lord

Lyrics and music: Michael Ledner

Michael Ledner, composed “You Are My Hiding Place” at the age of 27 when he was going through a painful period in his life, a period of separation from his wife. He shared the song with several friends, made a recording of it, and set it aside. Nine months later he shared the song with a group while they were serving at a kibbutz (communal settlement) in Israel. These friends took the song back with them to California, and after it was sung there, Michael was contacted by Maranatha Music who asked if they could record it.

Friday 1st March 2024

“Then Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,20 teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””
Matthew 28:18-20 New Living Translation.

Lord God,

I am reminded that You are Father, Son and Holy Spirit and that as One God, You love me, Your creation and Your church in Christ. Even if it doesn’t always seem so. How awesome that You authorise us, messed up us, to represent You. Not sending us out alone, unsupported! But by being with us, committed to us and helping us every step of the way.

You will stick with us – even to the end of the age and for ever. There have been lots of ages . . . each generation has seen extraordinary things. Good things: the discovery of medical treatments, anaesthetics and vaccines. The development of central heating! The designing of engines of every kind. Its not that long ago we had no washing machines! But there and extraordinary terrible things even in our so called enlightened age. War, murder, pollution, manipulation of the truth. Will we ever learn?

How can we ever express our gratitude that You are with us, personally all the time. Not busy doing something else but giving us Your full attention. Sharing our pain and our joys. Cheering our victories and comforting us in loss. Every single step of the way till we see You face to face. Thank You and help us find ways to share our faith, with Your authorisation to those we know and meet.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Lord God,

For family, friends, neighbours, give them a glimpse of Your glory and provide for them today.
For our church family, ministers and all who serve, Let them know and hear Your well done.
For all the Royal family. King Charles to see healing coming with the treatment.
For our government. Use their authority to do good and guide them in right paths.
For an end to the war in Ukraine. Send a miracle.
For the church in Ukraine, Myanmar and the underground churches. Keep them safe and strong.
For Gaza an end to all the killing, hostage taking and hate. Enable and give success to peace talks.
Bless our local communities, all those who work to provide compassion through food banks, support groups and being good neighbours.
Encourage and strengthen those who work in hospitals, dentist and doctors surgeries. Those who work in hospices and those who are close to the bereaved. Comfort the comforters.
For us a day to take a deep breath and be glad to be alive literally and also alive in Your love.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 1st March 2024
Timeless truth


What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
And what a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer
Oh, what peace we often forfeit
Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged
Take it to the Lord in prayer
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness
Take it to the Lord in prayer

Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there

Lyrics: Joseph Medlicott Scriven






Thursday 29th February 2024

“This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
1 John 1:5-7 NKJV

God of light,

Thank You that you are not a God far off or a God who comes near and spies to critique our every move . . . But a God who dispels darkness in order that we might have an intimate loving relationship and walk in Your love and light. We know how You love – because You gave us Jesus.

Relationships. They should enable us to learn to trust, be blessed, grow. Being enriched by family, friends and helps us to be the best we can be. They are vital, from a very early age. We need to share our lives and help each other. They can make life meaningful, memorable and enrich us. We all have very different experiences some good and some not so. They colour our outlook and trust.

But that You want a relationship with us, imperfect as we are, is amazing. You were even willing to send Your Son to the cross to enable it to happen, almost unbelievable. That the relationship is for our good for 24 hours a day, any day of the week is life saving. And it is an unbalanced relationship. Your Holy Spirit brings not just Your company but all the gifts and blessings You send each day. And we bring You all our sins to be forgiven, our needs to be met and sometimes we remember to worship and say thank you. We share with You our joys and sorrows, laughter and tears, and receive Your love and wisdom. Thank you. Help us to be forgiving and generous to those we know.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of light,

For family, friends, neighbours, shine into their lives and give them a bright good day.
For our church family, ministers and all who serve, shine Your light into all they do today.
For all the Royal family. King Charles to see healing coming with the treatment..
For our government. Light up their way. Let love for this nation drive them to de their best.
For an end to the war in Ukraine. Lord disrupt Russia and lead them away, remove desire to war.
For the church in Ukraine, Myanmar and the underground church in many countries. Strong love.
For Gaza an end to all the killing, hostage taking and hate. Give success to all peace talks.
Chase away the gloom and dark in out communities. Help the police prevent crime.
Encourage and strengthen those who work in hospitals, dentist and doctors surgeries. Those who work in hospices and those who are close to the bereaved. Comfort the comforters.
For us, a day as bright as the dawn and which lifts our spirits even amidst the things we must do or try to do!

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 29th February 2024

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
leaning on the everlasting arms;
what a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning,
safe and secure from all alarms;
leaning, leaning,
leaning on the everlasting arms.

O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
leaning on the everlasting arms.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
leaning on the everlasting arms.

Lyrics: Anthony J Showalter, Elisha Hoffman

This hymn was published in 1887. Anthony Showalter said that he received letters from two of his former pupils saying that their wives had died. When writing letters of consolation, Showalter was inspired by the phrase in Deuteronomy 33:27, “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms”. He wrote the lyrics to the chorus and asked Elisha Hoffman to write verses.