Prayer for Today – Page 219

Friday 29th December 2023

“As they (the wise men) came into the house and saw the child with Mary his mother, they bowed down and worshipped him. They opened their treasure boxes and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. ¹²After being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back by another route to their own country. ¹³After they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to look for the child to kill him.” ¹⁴Then he got up, took the child and his mother during the night, and went to Egypt. ¹⁵He stayed there until Herod died. In this way what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet was fulfilled: “I called my Son out of Egypt.” Matthew 2:11-15 NET

Jehovah Jireh, God who provides, (Genesis 22:14)

We worship You, remembering how You placed Your son as a helpless baby into the hands of an inexperienced young couple. We remember how You placed the birth of Your church into the hands of a dozen inexperienced men and a handful of women. We are in awe that You choose to use us. Thank you that You call those needed to reach each every generation. So we can never boast – only boast in You (1 Corinthians 1:31).

The wise men, after they left Bethlehem, were warned in a dream to avoid Herod. Knowing Herod’s heart – You also warned Joseph through a dream. Flee to Egypt now, not a short journey. No baby carriers and car seat, no fast food outlets, no camper van. No road side recovery. No social security payments.

But You provided. Had the wise men not found Jesus . . . Had they not given priceless gifts to a baby in a manger . . . Had they specified what to use the gold for . . . But they did as You asked, and just gave.

How many times has God provided just before or just when we needed. How often have we found He has provided inspiration, words, strength, direction, things, money at the right moment. And You have used us to be someone else’s provision at their time of need. You, God provided and led Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus forward safely. Thank You for providing for us. Help us trust You and lead us onward.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Jehovah Jireh, God who provides, (Genesis 22:14)

For all our family, friends and neighbours. For blessings and good health and joy.
For King Charles, the Queen and their families, our government and their families.
For good men and women to speak out for, and bring, peace in troubled areas.
For all areas of war and oppression. For Gaza and the Middle East, Ukraine, Afghanistan, North Korea.
For refugees everywhere. Those who have been in camps for years. Those becoming refugees from danger, war and oppression. Those who are refugees from abusive relationships and slavery.
For those who have been victims of crime and murder and their families.
For Your church that spreads the Good News and its hand of help to those who need it all around the world.
For ourselves, that we would appreciate the simple joys of today.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 29th December 2023
This may be new to You but just let the words and the Holy Spirit wash over and through you.

At the moment of my weakness,
When my need for power is plain,
And my own strength is exhausted once again,
Then my Lord has made provision
For the day of my despair,
And His precious Holy Spirit
Hears my prayer, my prayer;
Then my Lord has made provision
For the day of my despair,
And His precious Holy Spirit hears my prayer.

Holy Spirit! Promised presence fall on me.
Holy Spirit! Make me all I long to be.
Holy Spirit! Holy Spirit!
Give Your power to me, O Holy Spirit.

When the darkness falls around me,
When bewildered and afraid,
When I feel the most deserted and betrayed,
Then my every need is answered
By God’s providential care,
And His precious Holy Spirit
Hears my prayer, my prayer;
Then my every need is answered
By God’s providential care,
And His precious Holy Spirit hears my prayer.

Nothing now can rob God’s servant
Of the peace that He bequeaths,
Nothing take away the strength
His presence breathes.
Of the everlasting arms of love
I’m daily made aware,
And His precious Holy Spirit
Hears my prayer, my prayer;
Of the everlasting arms of love
I’m daily made aware,
And His precious Holy Spirit hears my prayer.

Give Your power to me O Holy Spirit . . .

Lyrics: John Gowans
Available on CD: The King’s Singers, Salvation Army Favourites, Vocal Reflections, SPS2015.

Thursday 28th December 2023

“When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he became enraged. He sent men to kill all the children in Bethlehem and throughout the surrounding region from the age of two and under, according to the time he had learned from the wise men. ¹⁷Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: ¹⁸“A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud wailing, Rachel weeping for her children, and she did not want to be comforted, because they were gone.”” Matthew 2:16-18 NET

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8,9).

Omniscient (all knowing) God,

We worship You the only true and living God. We cannot fully comprehend Your thoughts and wisdom and plans. And yet we can know You intimately by having Jesus in our life, reading Your Word and allowing Your Spirit to live in us. But there are many things we cannot understand this side of heaven and we do have some unanswered questions. Give us faith to leave these things pending till we see You face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12). Not to endlessly be eaten up with the why’s.

Father God, this time of year many acknowledge innocents day. It started way back in the 5th century. You must have had a reason for telling us about Herod killing all the under 2 year olds. It is unbearable to think about. So many things in Your Word we would prefer not to know. But You do not sweep evil under the carpet. Greed, jealousy, selfishness start small – Herod shows us what happens when we let them run free in our mind and the possible terrible consequences.

The enemy used seeds of evil in Herod’s heart. But he let them grow even fed them. The enemy tried to stop Jesus, at the very beginning, then before he began his ministry, in the wilderness. He tried to stop Him in the garden of Gethsemane. The enemy used Jesus humanity, plain old temptation but Jesus submitted it to You, His Father and stopped it at the thought stage.

Thank You that we have You with us to protect us and help us to be good. You knew and loved those little boys who died. Theologians may pontificate but we trust You with their eternal destiny. We rest in Your compassionate heart. Keep us reading, learning, praying and trusting even beyond the why’s.

Father God,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. For blessings and good health and joy.
For King Charles, the Queen and their families, our government and their families.
For good men and women to speak out for, and bring, peace in troubled areas.
For our NHS, regardless of politics and finance. Inspire those who can help it prosper, to be a place of healing and care.
For all those who foster and adopt babies and children.
For all those who work in and support orphanages abroad. For the children who need new parents and guardians.
For those who have had difficult or bad news at this time to be held in Your arms of love.
For ourselves, that we would not let any doubts disturb us and bless us today.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 28th December 2023
An old worship hymn but with words relevant to today.

When He cometh, when He cometh
To make up His jewels,
All His jewels, precious jewels,
His loved and His own:

Refrain:
Like the stars of the morning,
His bright crown adorning,
They shall shine in their beauty,
Bright gems for His crown.

He will gather, He will gather
The gems for His kingdom;
All the pure ones, all the bright ones,
His loved and His own.

Little children, little children,
Who love their Redeemer,
Are the jewels, precious jewels,
His loved and His own.

Lyrics: Rev William Orcutt Cushing USA 1823-1903.

Wednesday 27th December 2023

“When they (wise men) saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. ¹¹And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshipped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. ¹²Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.” Matthew 2:10-12 NKJV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5,6

The only God, only wise God,

You are love. But you cannot overlook wrong. You will judge and find guilty those whose names are not written in the book of life (Revelation 20:12). A sobering thought and why we share the love of Jesus, the good news. Love that forgives those who are sorry. Christmas is a time to remember You are a generous giving God. It is not just about Christmas movies, traditions, eating, more eating and having a good time.

You inspired the wise men to follow the sign, the star, and find You. They met a helpful King. No reason to suspect Him. But You read hearts God. You know the ways of man and sent them home another way avoiding him. When we choose You we choose to go another way, Your way. You teach us to give love, even to our enemies, but don’t say we have to trust them. You teach us to be as wise as serpents as harmless as doves. (Matthew 10:16).

You spoke to the wise men in a dream. Speak to us, through dreams, Your Word the Bible and Your Holy Spirit, so we know how best to go forward. Help us to know what is good, true and kind and will bear fruit. Help us to know when someone is not what they appear. Or not being truthful. Keep us from half lies. Not so we can get our own back, but so we can avoid trouble. And walk Your path of peace.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
The only wise God,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. For blessings and good health and joy.
For King Charles, the Queen and their families, our government and their families.
For good men and women to speak out for, and bring, peace in troubled areas.
For Ukraine and Gaza and an end to conflict.
For our churches and all those places that have celebrated Your birthday and shared meals and food and given shelter to those without homes.
For those who have had difficult or bad news at this time to be held in Your arms of love.
For ourselves, that You would give us good dreams and good sleep and restful days.

In Jesus powerful, loving name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 27th December 2023

Outrageous Grace

There’s a lot of pain but a lot more healing
There’s a lot of trouble but a lot more peace
There’s a lot of hate but a lot more loving
There’s a lot of sin but a lot more grace

Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Love unfurled by heaven’s hand
Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Through my Jesus I can stand

There’s a lot of fear but a lot more freedom
There’s a lot of darkness but a lot more light
There’s a lot of cloud but a lot more vision
There’s a lot of perishing but a lot more life

Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Love unfurled by heaven’s hand
Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Through my Jesus I can stand

Short music bridge

There’s an enemy
That seeks to kill what it can’t control
It twists and turns
Making mountains out of molehills
But I will call on my Lord
Who is worthy of praise
I run to Him and I am saved

Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Love unfurled by heaven’s hand
Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Through my Jesus I can stand

Godfrey Birtill