Tag: Prayer for Today

Sunday 21th September 2025

“When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the Lord, the God of Israel, 2they came to Zerubbabel and to the heads of the families and said, ‘Let us help you build because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here. 3But Zerubbabel, Joshua and the rest of the heads of the families of Israel answered, ‘You have no part with us in building a temple to our God. We alone will build it for the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, commanded us. 4Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building.  5They bribed officials to work against them and frustrate their plans during the entire reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia.” Ezra 4:1-5 NIV

Lord God ,

We cannot always read people. Sometimes we can see that a smile is only on the lips and not in the eyes. But You told us to love our neighbours anyway (Matthew 5:44). But in Israel’s day the neighbours could turn to war. (Sadly much like it still appears today). The leaders of Israel did not believe the change of heart in their enemies offering to help. And sent them away.

But the enemies started a war without as they would have done from within. Usig very powerful weapons. The ‘dis’s. Discouragement, despair, disablement, disgruntlement, disatisfaction . . . They are all contagious and easily spread and caught. Nobody told the Israelites it would be easy. They chose to return, they were not forced. And they had God with them.

But sometimes it is hard to shake off the negatives especially if they are consistent as these enemies were. For us today is Sunday a Christian Sabbath. When we can rest, get together and be encouraged. Take communion and remember what You have done for us. And be encouraged, enabled, satisfied that You God are with us (John 14:16-17). You are for us in the fight (Romans 8:31). Sometimes Sunday is a day to praise, sometimes Sunday is a day to be restored, sometimes Sunday is a day to be realigned. Or all three. What do I need Lord God?

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 21st September 2025

Your eye is on the sparrow
And Your hand, it comforts me
From the ends of the earth to the depth of my heart
Let Your mercy and strength be seen

You call me to Your purpose
As angels understand
For Your glory, may You draw all men
As Your love and grace demands

And I will run to You
To Your words of truth
Not by might, not by power
But by the Spirit of God
Yes, I will run the race
‘Til I see Your face
Oh, let me live in the glory of Your grace

You call me to Your purpose
As angels understand
For Your glory, may You draw all men
As Your love and grace demands

And I will run to You
To Your words of truth
Not by might, not by power
But by the Spirit of God
Yes, I will run the race
‘Til I see Your face
Oh, let me live in the glory of Your grace

Repeat chorus

And I will run to You
To Your words of truth
Not by might, not by power
But by the Spirit of God
Yes, I will run the race
‘Til I see Your face
Oh, let me live in the glory
Oh, let me live in the glory
Oh, let me live in the glory of Your grace

Lyrics: Darlene Zschech

Saturday 20th September 2025

“8Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the Lord. 9Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brethren the Levites. 10And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the Lord, after the ordinance of David king of Israel. 11And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. 12But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy: 13So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.” Ezra 3:8-13 KJV

God of faith and works,

Ezra arrived in Jerusalem before Nehemiah. Both sent by You, God. To inspire the people who had returned to Jerusalem .Ezra to teach the Torah and rebuild the community (Ezra 7-10). Nehemiah, to lead the rebuilding of Jerusalem (Neh. 1-7). After a full year of hard work there was a joyful praise meeting organised to celebrate the relaying of the foundation. But unfortunately there was an equal number weeping as there were rejoicing and it was a terrible discordant noise across the land. Sad that they wept for the past glory of the Temple and not for their sin and the sins of their fathers that caused it. And they had been granted a miracle to return and build by a pagan king!

I remember visiting a church where half the congregation were from a church that had to be closed. Some resettled well. Some never stopped talking about ‘their’ church, now gone, not realising they were missing the future by trying to stay in the past. Grief can be a good thing. It gives time to remember and heal and begin to see the light of the future. Perhaps Your people in Jerusalem were still tied to faith in the Temple’s past glory rather than faith in You for their future. Help us be grateful for buildings, memories of events and people. But help us to keep our eyes fixed on You and the future. We need to look after our buildings but they are not the foundation of our faith. And You ask us to give thanks in all situations. (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 20th September 2025
Remember this? Simple but profound.
Written by an American Henry Smith (b.1952), who suffered from a degenerative condition that made him legally blind. He wrote many songs, but this was the only one which became widely known. A visiting military officer took it away with him and introduced it in Europe. It was inspired by a reference by Smith’s pastor to how Jesus made himself poor to make others rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Give thanks with a grateful heart,
give thanks to the Holy One;
give thanks, because he’s given
Jesus Christ, his Son.
Give thanks with a grateful heart,
give thanks to the Holy One;
give thanks, because he’s given
Jesus Christ, his Son.

And now let the weak say ‘I am strong’,
let the poor say ‘I am rich’,
because of what the Lord has done for us;
and now let the weak say ‘I am strong’,
let the poor say ‘I am rich’,
because of what the Lord has done for us.
Give thanks…

Lyrics: Henry Smith

Friday 19th September 2025

 “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, “2Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the Lord God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. 3Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem. 4And whoever is left in any place where he dwells, let the men of his place help him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, besides the freewill offerings for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.” Ezra 1:1-4 NKJV

God of the resurrection,

Here we read of those who felt called to return to Jerusalem and help build the Temple which lay in ruins. 42,360 returned with 7,337 servants and 200 singers. The singers were as important as the Levites and the priests. Praise was important. It was a part of worship.

The exiles were given the choice to go to Jerusalem or stay where they had settled. Those who were nudged by You, God returned and no where is it described as going back. They did not go back returned to build a new beginning. Another opportunity to return to God. How often we read that You called people to serve You even after they had failed. Like Moses (send Aaron), Jonah (ran the opposite direction) . . .

Today You still call to those who would turn to You and find You, to help build the church of today. The church, the people who love You. You do ask us to answer Your call and surrender all even if You do not intend us to leave where we are settled. We are not always called to mission somewhere else. Your call is individual. It is learning to hold all we have ready to be used by You and You do not call us to bankrupt ourselves or compare ourselves to others.

Help us to volunteer, just as those pioneers did heading back to Jerusalem, not knowing what lay ahead of them. Trusting.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 19th September 2025

All to Jesus, I surrender
All to Thee I freely give
I will ever love and trust You
In Your presence daily live

I surrender all, I surrender all
All to Thee, my blessed Savior
I surrender all

All to Jesus, I surrender
Lord, I give myself to Thee
Fill me with Your love and power
Let Your blessing fall on me

I surrender all, I surrender all
All to Thee, my blessed Savior
I surrender all

All to Jesus I surrender
Now I feel the sacred flame
O the joy of full salvation
Glory, glory, to Your name

I surrender all, I surrender all
All to Thee, my blessed Savior
I surrender all

All to Thee my blessed Saviour
I surrender all.

Lyrics: