Tag: Prayer for Today

Wednesday 7th February 2024

“But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with such scum?”
17 When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”” Mark 2:16,17 New Living Translation

Jehovah Rapha, The Lord who heals,

This was one of Your names in the old testament. When You made the bitter water at Marah safe to drink (Exodus 15:26). They still grumbled all the rest of the way across the promised land. Help us pray first . . . maybe a little grumble later? No! We will look to You, sorry Lord.

Here, in the verses from Mark, Jesus shows how religious people can start to believe they are better than everyone else. Scum is the word used in a recent translation, sinners was used in the NIV. They, the Pharisees, believed they were better when actually they were the same. We are all sinners and are only made better, washed, healed because of Jesus. The Pharisees, the teachers of the law of Jesus day were supposed to be humbly calling people to You and to repentance. They had forgotten they had the same needs and were setting themselves up as judge and jury above others.

Jesus said their were two main commandments, to love God and love your neighbour as yourself! (Matthew 22:37,38). It is a work in progress Lord . . . not judging others.

We need to our own faults and failures first and bring them to You for healing. You are our remedy for sin. Some of those so called scum became disciples and built the family of God. Help us see with Your eyes. Realising how much we are loved and forgiven – help us to treat others and see them as You do.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer
Jehovah Rapha,

For family, friends, neighbours, to use words that heal, encourage and love even where difficult.
For our church families to welcome everyone and not be judgemental.
For HRH King Charles for healing and for HRH Kate as she recovers at home. To open a way to heal where family has broken down.
For the governments in the UK. England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
For Michelle O’Neill, N. Irelands first minister stepping up to all the new responsibilities.
For Your wisdom and peace in decisions made by the many international world Governments.
For Ukraine and Gaza permanent peace. Along with Myanmar, North Korea, Chine, Sudan, Syria and other countries where there is oppression and slavery and sickness.
For Your church here and round the world. That many would know the healing love of Jesus.
For the many hospitals planted by churches and missions. Offering medical healing along side Jesus.
For us, our good health in body, and by the indwelling of Your Holy Spirit and Your healing forgiveness.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 7th February 2024
I just love this song. Written by John Pantry, who for many years was the morning presenter on Premier Christian Radio. Retired, he still does weekly programmes.

You don’t need the doctor
unless your feeling sick
You don’t need to join us
If You’ve got your problems licked
We’re a fellowship of sinners
A rough and ragged crew
But we’ve all got Jesus in us
And we’re learning what to do

We’ve been called professional beggars
A superstitious crowd
‘Cos we’ve all got religion and we shout the message loud
But we know where we’re going
And we know the one we love
For He satisfies and heals us
He has given us His love

One day we will meet Him
Then we will be changed
From this weary band of pilgrims
To the heirs that bear His name
Fear and pain will pass away
And there will be no war
Then the memories of our failures
Will hurt a man no more

And this church is not a building
NO this church has not a spire
It’s the men and the women
Who’ve got Jesus as their friend
Though we’re sinners we’re forgiven
Lift your voices higher.

John Pantry
CD: Simply the Best of John Pantry, ICC

Tuesday 6th February 2024

 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

God,

From yesterday we step back a few verses to a familiar fruit packed verse! A sight that all the disciples would have seen – grapes on vines. At the beginning of the chapter You are called the gardener, but more than that, You created the garden. We messed it up and are in awe and wonder that You still choose and love us and want us to be in Your family.

But how often do we link it to the end of the verse -the reminder that without You we can do nothing. You are the vine and we are just little branches. Without you we are just sticks trying hard to be good and do good. It is dry, hard work trying to be a good clean stick without You! But with You we abide in the vine and draw all we need from You, the sap of real life. Ability to bear fruit and the promise of life eternal.

We may not always see fruit. We never know who is watching us to see if our faith is true and if this Jesus life works. We never know who is listening to us talk about praying and that we trust in You. We never know who is seeking for answers to the big questions, looking for You and not able to admit it yet. We may never know who we have helped and it is better sometimes not to know and glory in it!

Help us to just be ourselves, abide in You , trust You, rely on You and not be a dry twig.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God,

For our family, friends, neighbours, church fellowship. For their health, their well being.
For Kings, rulers and Governments. To be who they should be, righteous, brave and guided by You.
For HRH King Charles for healing – miracle and medical. And for his family.
For HRH Duchess of Cambridge’s continuing recovery.
For our government, Your wisdom in decisions for the many international decisions to be made.
For nations and their rulers and governments to have a desire to make peace, and make it happen.
For Ukraine and Gaza permanent peace. Along with Myanmar, North Korea, Chine, Sudan, Syria.
For Your church here and round the world. For a harvest of new Christians, those called to ministry would have all they need to respond and say Yes. For healing where churches are divided For the ability to serve You safely where they do not have freedom.
For us, our health and well being and a day full of You whatever it holds.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 6th February 2024

You are the Vine
We are the branches
Keep us abiding in You
You are the Vine
We are the branches
Keep us abiding in You

Then we’ll grow in Your love
And we’ll go in Your Name
That the world will surely know
That You have power to heal and to save

Lyrics: Danny Daniels & Randy Rigby



Monday 5th February 2024

“You didn’t choose me. I chose you.” John 15:16a

God our Father,

This little verse is one of those which is almost a dichotomy. Two opposing things! Because i made a decision to become a Christian because I found You, God and yet it was really because You, God chose me!

This little verse chases away all the rejection the world offers me. Yes, I was always one of the last chosen at school to be on a sports team. But this verse reminds me that You, God choose me, because You loved me regardless that I could not hit a tennis ball, a rounders ball or catch anything thrown towards me. You have a purpose for our lives and more importantly love us for who we are. None of us are last choice. We are all like Your first born and joint heirs because of Jesus (Romans 8:17).

So we bless You Lord, and forget not all Your benefits. You forgive all our iniquities, heal all our diseases, redeem our life from destruction, crown us with loving kindness and tender mercies. Satisfy our mouths with good things, so that our youth is renewed like the eagle’s (Psalm 103:2-5)

We are sad that some do not want to be part of Your family and live in the Kingdom of God. We continue to pray for them. Thank You for choosing us. For seeing us as Your precious sons and daughters and not as the world sometimes makes us feel. We pray that You will keep calling those in our family and friends who have not yet opened their hearts to You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer:
God our Father,

For our family, friends, neighbours, church fellowship. For their health, their well being and their knowledge of Your love.
For Kings, rulers and Governments. To be who they should be, righteous, brave and guided by You.
For HRH King Charles and HRH Duchess of Cambridge, and their families as they recover at home.
For our government, Your wisdom in decisions for the many international decisions to be made.
For nations and their rulers and governments to have a desire to make peace, and make it happen.
For Ukraine and Gaza permanent peace. Along with Myanmar, North Korea, Chine, Sudan, Syria.
For those who work away often unseen making society safer and pleasant. District nurses, dustbin men, electrician’s, reservoir keepers, police, bakers, carers, home helps, farmers . . .
For the livestock of this nation, working dogs and family pets.
For us our health and well being and to look up and forward and see all the good You are doing despite the news. And to have a good day.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 5th February 2024

O Jesus, I have promised
To serve you to the end;
Be thou forever near me,
My Master and my friend;
I shall not fear the battle
If Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If Thou wilt be my guide.

Oh, let me feel Thee near me;
The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
The tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me,
Around me and within;
But, Jesus, draw Thou nearer,
And shield my soul from sin.

Oh, let me hear Thee speaking,
In accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion, 
The murmurs of self-will;
Oh, speak to reassure me,
To hasten, or control;
Oh, speak, and make me listen,
 Thou Guardian of my soul.

O Jesus, Thou hast promised
 To all who follow Thee
That where Thou art in glory
There shall Thy servant be;
And Jesus, I have promised
 To serve Thee to the end;
Oh, give me grace to follow,
My Master and my Friend.

Lyrics: John Ernest Bode

This hymn was written by John Ernest Bode (13 February 1816 – 6 October 1874) an Anglican priest, educator, poet, and hymnist on the occasion of the confirmation of his own two sons and daughter at Castle Camps village in 1869. It was not put to music until 1881.