Prayer for Today – Page 229

Thursday 9th November 2023

“¹Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. ²He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”

“¹⁰When the apostles returned, they told Jesus everything they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew privately to a town called Bethsaida.” Luke 9:1,2 and 10 NKJV

Father God,

They withdrew privately. Yes to a town but to meet privately. Sometimes, it is great to go to church and we come home ready to face the week. Some Sundays we cannot go but find just what we need curled up warm with You, maybe our Bible or maybe a service on TV. Sometimes we are excited by a mid week gathering and sometimes it is an effort. Thank You God, You do not mark our card if we miss something but rejoice when we spend time with You.

It is not about how good we look to others. It is not about how much we read and learn scripture. Not about how long we sit before You or how long we sing worship. It is not just coming when we have a need or a want.

It is about spending time with You. Enjoying Your company, being ourselves. Sharing what is on our heart and mind. Rejoicing in anything that has been good. Whether we pray to Jesus, Father or Your Holy Spirit, You are One. Whenever we withdraw to spent time with You – You give us 100 per cent of Your attention. You are the only one who knows exactly how we feel and do not judge.

And it doesn’t have to fit in Your or our busy schedule. It can be when we are awake and can’t get back to sleep. Just before we sleep or when we awake. It can be over coffee, after a meal or if we have 5 minutes to ourselves. It is about keeping our relationship alive.

For we have received Your spirit of adoption as sons (and daughters) (Romans 8:15). Help us keep in loving communication with You because You want to hear from us and it always does us good.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Father God,

We pray,
For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family. For the many needs, some we know, some are urgent and some prayers are because we want You in their lives.
For our ministers, pastors and youth workers and all that is done by those belonging to churches to support, help and bless their local communities. For food banks and social gatherings and care and that the Good News will be shared.
For our Government, that You would shake it up so that those with the good of the nation would be seated there.
For our King and Queen and those who work for the best future for our nation.
For Gaza and the Middle East, Lord we need a miracle of peace and wisdom from world leaders not division.
For Putin and Ukraine, that there would be a change in direction away from war. An end to this conflict.
For the NHS, hospitals, clinics and GP surgeries. For all those with long term illness and disability.
For those leaving hospital or living with carers. For those living alone.
For all those, in every land, whose motivation is to share Jesus. To see people choose Christ Jesus.
For ourselves, for time to spend with You and know Your love for us.

In Jesu name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 9th November 2023

To be in your presence
To sit at your feet
When your love surrounds me
And makes me complete

This is my desire, o Lord
This is my desire
This is my desire, o Lord
This is my desire

To rest in your presence
Not rushing away
To cherish each moment
Here I would stay

This is my desire, o Lord
This is my desire
This is my desire, o Lord
This is my desire

Lyrics: Noel Richards

Wed 8th November 2023

“Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. ²He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. ³And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece. ⁴“Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. ⁵And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” ⁶So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.” Luke 9:1-6 NKJV

God, our Lord,

The disciples were happy to follow Jesus but here we see Him standing back and letting them grow. Your Son passing on His and therefore Your authority and calling, to His disciples. It is still all about Jesus but delivered through them. It is the first time he has sent them out on their own to do what they had seen Him doing. They were bestowed with His and therefore Your power over evil forces, to heal sicknesses in order to proclaim the Good News of Your Kingdom.

They are not to be worried about being up to date with the latest fashions. Not encumbered with an abundance of possessions. Just willing to bring You and Your compassion into each situation they met. Hospitality in the middle east meant they would eat and be offered somewhere to stay. And they are not to be choosy, big or small. If not welcome, just move on. Rejection is not personal, no offence to be taken, it is the message that is rejected.

Raising the dead, miraculously healing the sick? I have so many questions about why not today and I believe You can and do still heal. Whether medical or miracle. But today help us remember we are still to take the Gospel, Your love, wherever we go and find hearts willing. Every person is unique and valued by You. We are still called to live lives of simplicity. Look at the flowers of the fields (Matthew 6:28-29. A message our buy now, throw away consumer world needs.

It is not always easy to bring You into our conversations. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit who can prompt us and who is the one that seeks to make the seed grow in hearers hearts. Help us to simply tell how You have blessed us and give You thanks.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen,

Lord God,

We pray,
For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family. For their needs for today and their hope for tomorrow.
For our ministers and all that is done by churches to support, help and bless their local communities. For food banks and social gatherings and care. That along with the love the Good News will be shared.
For our Government our King and Queen and all those who work for the best future for our nation.
For Gaza and the Middle East, Lord we need a miracle of peace and wisdom from world leaders not division.
For Putin and Ukraine, that there would be a change in direction away from war. An end to conflict.
For the NHS, hospitals, clinics and GP surgeries. For their future and for their best and the best for patients. For all those with long term illness and disability for their strength, breakthroughs in medicine and Your joy and hope throughout the day. For those that care for them blessings and health.
For all those, in every land, whose motivation is to share Jesus. To see people choose Christ Jesus.
For ourselves, for all we need for today, that we would rejoice and be glad and know Jesus with us.

In Jesu name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 8th November 2023

Restore, O Lord,
The honour of Your name,
In works of sovereign power
Come shake the earth again;
That all may see
And come with reverent fear
To the living God,
Whose kingdom shall outlast the years.

Restore, O Lord,
In all the earth Your fame,
And in our time revive
The church that bears Your name.
And in Your anger,
Lord, remember mercy,
O living God,
Whose mercy shall outlast the years.

Bend us, O Lord,
Where we are hard and cold,
In Your refiner’s fire
Come purify the gold.
Though suffering comes
And evil crouches near,
Still our living God
Is reigning, He is reigning here.

Friday 3rd November 2023

“Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. ²⁵But He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and marvelled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!” Luke 8:24,25 NKJV

Lord God,

End of this Bible story and they all were safe. Breathe. But there was a lot of fear and not understanding getting trouble doing what He asked them to do. First the fishermen were afraid of the wild water. Well Lord, they knew how serious storms could be. But then they were afraid of, and marvelled at Jesus Himself. From being in jeopardy of loosing the boat and worse still drowning, to being in fearful awe of a man who could sleep through a storm and speak to control nature.

I would have been exactly the same, terrified! I would have wondered who on earth this person was who could tell the weather off and command it to stop right away. And they questioned who He was among themselves even though he was right there with them.

Sometimes we go from extreme worry to still because of Your intervention and are overawed. Sometimes we have to battle through a storm of life for a long time. And sometimes we have to wait till it naturally abates. Like the actual storms battering the UK at the moment.

Help us to have faith that You are always in the boat and in the storm with us. If it helps send other disciples to encourage us. Sometimes we need to come together to ask for Your help. Grant us the assurance of Your presence and when it looks dark or stormy the promise that You will hold us fast.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Lord God,

We pray:
For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family. Be their help and strength and source of peace today.
For our Government our King and Queen and all those who seek the best future for our nation.
For Gaza and the Middle East, for a miracle ceasefire and an end to war.
For Putin, the Russian people and Ukraine, for men and women to choose peace over endless war.
For those areas in Afghanistan, Libya and Morocco that need it, to have provision for the winter.
For safety where there are fireworks and bonfires. For our fire service and emergency services.
Again for all those physically working on the seas. Cargo ships away from home for long periods, little fishing vessels trying to earn a living. Ferries, passenger ships and lifeboats. Let them not be in any peril. Those in bad weather and their families praying for their safe return.
For safety as people prepare for bonfire night at home or for public displays.
Bless all those affected by the storms this week. And help the storm blow itself out to calm.
For ourselves, still any storms in our family and lead us beside quiet waters and restore our souls (Psalm 23:2).

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 3rd November 2023
Beautiful old hymn updated with new melody.

When I fear my faith will fail
Christ will hold me fast
When the tempter would prevail
He will hold me fast
I could never keep my hold
Through life’s fearful path
For my love is often cold
He must hold me fast

He will hold me fast
He will hold me fast
For my Saviour loves me so
He will hold me fast

Those He saves are His delight
Christ will hold me fast
Precious in His holy sight
He will hold me fast
He’ll not let my soul be lost
His promises shall last
Bought by Him at such a cost
He will hold me fast

He will hold me fast
He will hold me fast
For my Saviour loves me so
He will hold me fast

For my life He bled and died
Christ will hold me fast
Justice has been satisfied
He will hold me fast
Raised with Him to endless life
He will hold me fast
‘Til our faith is turned to sight
When He comes at last!

He will hold me fast
He will hold me fast
For my Saviour loves me so
He will hold me fast

Lyrics: Ada Ruth Habershon 1906
Tune: Matt Merker 2013