Prayer for Today – Page 222

Monday 11th December 2023

“¹⁰Moreover, Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, I have acquired as my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brethren and from his position at the gate. You are witnesses this day.” ¹¹And all the people who were at the gate, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman who is coming to your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built the house of Israel; and may you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. ¹²May your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring which the Lord will give you from this young woman.”

So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. ¹⁴Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! ¹⁵And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.” ¹⁶Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him. ¹⁷Also the neighbour women gave him a name, saying, “There is a son born to Naomi.” And they called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.” Ruth 4:10-17 NKJV

Father God,

Another wonderful part of the family tree of Joseph that Jesus was born into. Although Joseph was not Jesus actual father, the family he came to was not random. Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) Placed where You foresaw.

In the book of Ruth and read how Jesus lineage passed from Perez down to Boaz. (Perez the elder twin of Judah by his daughter in law, Tamar (Genesis 38:6-30). Boaz chose Ruth, a foreigner, a widow. nott the first choice for a wealthy landowner? But Ruth had chosen to stick with Naomi and Naomi’s God, You, over her Moabite Gods. You saw her heart! (1 Samuel 16:7) Help us not to judge the people we meet.

Father sometimes we find ourselves in situations we would not want to be in. Like Ruth and Naomi, widowed. Or having to move. Having to rely on others for help or having to economise. Naomi trusted You. Ruth learned, through her, You could be trusted and they became part of Your divine plan.

You blessed Ruth and Boaz with a son. You blessed Mary with a Son and we were all blessed. Your plans and purposes cannot be thwarted. So in Jesus we can trust You too.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Father God,

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Father God,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. There daily needs and those needs particular to them.
For churches as they prepare advent services and carol services for those who will come at this season. Pray seeds of faith will be sown and take root.
For our Government, for the country to come first in all the think, say and do.
That the truth about what happened during Covid might be learned from.
For King Charles, the Queen and their families and a coming together in joy and harmony.
For Gaza and the Middle East, for a miraculous way forward to peace. So destruction can stop.
For Putin and Ukraine. An end to war, and soon. Change the whole situation.
For all those who need to know they are loved with Your everlasting, unfailing love today.
For all those who delivering help and aid in difficult times, war zones and places where there is famine, flood or poverty.
For all those planning Christmas meals and food for those struggling. Christmas presents where they may not be any.
For the NHS and in particular the maternity units, the midwives, new mothers and babies.
For the courts: High Court, the Crown Court, Magistrates Courts, Family Courts, Juvenile Courts, Bankruptcy Courts, Tribunal Courts. For all those affected by crime, fraud and violence.
For ourselves, that we may see the wonder of Your purposes. And Your blessings in our day.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship 11th December 2023

Blessed be Your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
When I’m found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I’ll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun’s shining down on me
When the world’s ‘all as it should be’
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there’s pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I’ll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

I will find a way to the place of praise
Oh I’ll find a way . .

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Lyrics: Matt and Beth Redman

Saturday 9th December 2023

“When Rebekah was told what her older son Esau had said, she sent for her younger son Jacob and said to him, “Your brother Esau is planning to avenge himself by killing you. ⁴³Now then, my son, do what I say: Flee at once to my brother Laban in Harran. ⁴⁴Stay with him for a while until your brother’s fury subsides.” Genesis 27:42-44

“When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. ¹²He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. ¹³There above it stood the Lord, and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. ¹⁴Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.” Genesis 28:11-14

“When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” ¹⁷He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.”” Genesis 28:16,17

God of encounters,

We worship You today because You did not stay hidden, apart and withdraw from Your rebellious creation. You remained and used angels, dreams, and theophanies (visible signs of Your presence, like Moses burning, unburning bush). You spoke to individuals like Abraham, Jacob, Moses. – until You sent Jesus and spoke to the world.

Jacob, was not the kind of man we would imagine You choosing! He used his mothers schemes to steal a blessing. He lied to his father. He cheated his brother. But Jacob had his encounter in a dream. He realised that You, the God of Abraham (his grandfather) and Isaac (his father) was real. He did nothing to earn it. We all need our own encounter.

To know You Jesus, is to know You Father. It is life changing. That you want to know us, just as we are and imperfect, is miraculous. That You want to have fellowship with us, not at a remote fixed place with a ladder, but right here, now is a miracle of grace.

Thank You, that encountering You gives us a new start, a clean sheet, daily blessings and Your forever presence. Help us to walk, trust and know we are loved by You. So like Jacob we can change from sinner to child of God. Wise as serpents, but gentle as doves (Matthew 10:16)

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of encounters,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. Love those we love and care for with blessings and all they need today.
For churches as they prepare advent services and carol services for those who will come at this season. Pray seeds of faith will be sown and take root.
For our Government, for the country to come first in all the think, say and do.
For King Charles, the Queen and their families and a coming together in joy and harmony.
For Gaza and the Middle East, for a sudden miraculous way forward to the end of hostilities.
For Putin and Ukraine. An end to war, and soon.
For all those who need to know they are loved with Your everlasting, unfailing love today.
For all those who delivering help and aid in difficult times, war zones and places where there is famine, flood or poverty.
For all those planning Christmas meals and food for those struggling. Christmas presents where they may not be any.
For ourselves, that we my know Your glorious presence with us throughout the day and through the night.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 9th December 2023

Faithful one, so unchanging
Ageless one, you’re my rock of peace
Lord of all I depend on you
I call out to you, again and again
I call out to you, again and again

You are my rock in times of trouble
You lift me up when I fall down
All through the storm
Your love is, the anchor
My hope is in You alone

Brian Doerkson
CD Brian Doerkson, You Shine, Integrity.

Friday 8th December 2023

“When Abram was 99 years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am the Sovereign God. Walk before me and be blameless.²Then I will confirm my covenant between me and you, and I will give you a multitude of descendants.”” Genesis 17:1,2

“Then Abraham bowed down with his face to the ground and laughed as he said to himself, “Can a son be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?” ¹⁸Abraham said to God, “O that Ishmael might live before you!” Genesis 17:17,18

“Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him.^“ Genesis 18:18

Father,

We laugh with Abraham and Sarah at having a child in their 90’s. Yet we also smile because we see how You proved You keep Your promises. You kept making promises and covenants and they kept breaking them. But the miracle is You stuck with them even after they sinned trying to make it come true through a maidservant. You kept showing them the best way forward.

Israel would rebel and turn to idols like the golden calves in the dessert because they were impatient (Exodus 32). They would complain and moan continually about being fed up of manna, needing water. Complaining was easier than humbly asking for help from You. They demanded an earthly king to be like other people, got one, and still turned away from You. Your patience was tested beyond human endurance, generation after generation! But You, are slow to anger and great in mercy (Psalm 145:8).

Man has done his worst and still does! And yet You sent Jesus and forgive those who turn to You through Him. You kept Your promises. You keep Your promises. Some are yet to come, and we can trust You. Jesus will come again in power and majesty, and we will spend eternity in heaven, and there will be much joy and no pain. Help us keep our promise to follow You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Father,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. For each one and their personal individual needs.
For churches as they prepare advent services and carol services for those who will come at this season. Pray seeds of faith will be sown.
For our Government, for less disagreements, an uncovering of the truth and good governance.
For King Charles, the Queen and their families and reconciliation. A healing of words and hearts.
For Gaza and the Middle East, for a miraculous way forward to peace.
For Putin and Ukraine. An end to war, conflict and bloodshed.
For all those who need to know they are loved with Your everlasting, unfailing love today.
For all those who delivering help and aid in difficult times, war zones and places where there is famine, flood or poverty.
For those who need to forgive themselves for mistakes made in the past as You forgive them.
For those sick from desire for vengeance to hand over judgement to You, God who judges.
For ourselves, we pray You will keep us standing firm on Your promises, content in Your love and generous with our prayers..

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 8th December 2023
Worship for the past, the present and the future.

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Joy to those who long to see Thee
Day-spring from on high, appear.
Come, Thou promised Rod of Jesse,
Of Thy birth, we long to hear!
O’er the hills the angels singing
News, glad tidings of a birth;
“Go to Him your praises bringing
Christ the Lord has come to earth!”

Come to earth to taste our sadness,
He whose glories knew no end.
By His life He brings us gladness,
Our redeemer, Shepherd, Friend.
Leaving riches without number,
Born within a cattle stall;
This the everlasting wonder,
Christ was born the Lord of all.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Lyrics: Charles Wesley