Tag: Prayer for Today

Friday 28th November 2025

“Dear brothers and sisters, we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing. 4 We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering.”
2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 NLT

“Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him. 2 Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us. 3 Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction. 4 He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4

God Almighty,

Paul writes a second letter to the church at Thessalonica, soon after the first to reinforce his encouragement and assurance that Jesus is coming back. And not to be taken in by and con artists! He also wants to share the truth about Christs return so they can weigh the truth themselves. He has heard there has been false teachers trying to mislead them. It is not always easy to discuss the second coming as we do not have exact times, or details of what it will actually be like! I am not sure I can imagine it. I walk by faith and not by sight.

But Paul uses the certainty of Christs second coming as an added encouragement to keep going in their suffering. And when it happens they will know without a doubt. Perhaps we do not need the minutia of details but the faith that it will happen. That we do not know when, should keep us on our toes . . .

Paul suggests that, till that day, they should not forget the spiritual qualities of discipline and self control. They did not see the day and we still look for it. Pauls advice is as good for us today as then. n all situations discipline and self control will keep us focused on Jesus and busy doing Your will, Lord God. Always caring for others not just ourselves.

Worship Friday 28th November 2025
I have never really noticed the last verse of this hymn. Like Fanny we can be ready even if it is not in our life time. (Exodus 33:22 Moses sees Gods glory from the cleft of a rock.)

A wonderful Saviour is Jesus my Lord,
A wonderful Saviour to me;
He’s hiding my soul in the cleft of the rock,
Where rivers of pleasure I see.

He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock
That shadows a dry, thirsty land;
He hideth my life in the depths of his love
And covers me there with his hand,
And covers me there with his hand.

A wonderful Saviour is Jesus my Lord;
He taketh my burdens away,
He holdeth me up, and I shall not be moved;
He giveth me strength as my day.

Chorus

With numberless blessings each moment he crowns
And filled with his fullness divine;
I sing in my rapture, oh, glory to God
For such a Redeemer is mine.

Chorus

When clothed in his brightness, transported I rise
To meet him in clouds of the sky,
His perfect salvation, his wonderful love,
I’ll shout with the millions on high.

Chorus

Lyrics: Fanny Crosby

Thursday 27th November 2025

 “We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. 3 As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 1:1:1-3 NLT

4“Even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would soon come—and they did, as you well know. 5 That is why, when I could bear it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out whether your faith was still strong. I was afraid that the tempter had gotten the best of you and that our work had been useless. 6 But now Timothy has just returned, bringing us good news about your faith and love.” 1 Thessalonians 3:1-6 NLT

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. 15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. ” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 NLT

Father God,

Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-4) soon after leaving. He wrote to give thanks for them for their love and hope. And to encourage them in their difficult situation. And to know without a doubt their future.

How wonderful to be remembered for faithfulness, love and hope and not for reciting their problems and difficulties. They didn’t need to be broadcast those as they were easy to see! It is difficult some times not to share the hinderances and antagonism that sometimes surrounds us. Rather than looking to God for encouragement and sharing that. We are emotional beings and their are times we need to talk to someone and not bottle things up. But not to become a broken record of negatives.

So today I use the first three verses as a prayer for my church fellowship and will try to live so they can see something of those qualities in me . . . And keep in mind that one day I will be with Jesus.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 27th November 2025

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.

This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect communion, perfect delight,
visions of rapture now burst on my sight.
Angels descending bring from above
echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Chorus

Perfect submission, all is at rest.
I in my Savior am happy and bless’d,
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with his goodness, lost in his love.

Chorus

Lyrics: Fanny Crosby

Wednesday 26th November 2025

  “ A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. 23 They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. 24 So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.“ Acts 16:22-24 NLT

“But when some Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God in Berea, they went there and stirred up trouble. 14 The believers acted at once, sending Paul on to the coast, while Silas and Timothy remained behind. 15 Those escorting Paul went with him all the way to Athens; then they returned to Berea with instructions for Silas and Timothy to hurry and join him.” Acts 17:13-15 NLT

“When they heard Paul speak about the resurrection of the dead, some laughed in contempt, but others said, “We want to hear more about this later.” 33 That ended Paul’s discussion with them, 34 but some joined him and became believers. Among them were Dionysius, a member of the council, a woman named Damaris, and others with them. Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently arrived from Italy with his wife, Priscilla. They had left Italy when Claudius Caesar deported all Jews from Rome. 3 Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was.” Acts 17:32-18:3 NLT

God of the resurrection of the dead,

In Philippi, Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned. But God shook the Jail, and the Jailer and all his family believed in Christ. And they gained their freedom. Acts chapter 16 vividly recounts what happened. In Berea, trouble was being stirred up and Paul hastened on to Athens and Silas and Timothy catching him up a little later. There were those in Athens who laughed with contempt but Dionysius and Damaris and some others believed. They Paul moved on to Corinth and earned his living using his trade, tentmaking.

They experienced trouble every step of the way but yet some believed. Oppressive trouble, physical trouble, scary trouble! And yet they kept on and were encouraged! Even if it meant moving to a new area. Seeds were sown and they trusted You to water them. Your Word was constantly on their lips. They may have had to move on, but did so to speak where they would be heard. Evangelism is not easy, but to God it is about individuals and here we even read the names and occupations of those first believers. And churches grew out of the few. Help us see Your joy in the individuals we see finding Christ. We would love a revival Lord, but see how faithfully Paul and Silas kept on personally sharing the gospel..

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 26th November 2025
No, you have probably never heard this and it was written for a Salvation Army musical in the 1980’s. But I remember hearing it at a large event and being tremendously moved to stay true.

If crosses come, if it should cost me dearly
To be the servant of my Servant Lord,
If darkness falls around the path of duty,
And men despise the Saviour I’ve adored:

I’ll not turn back, whatever it may cost;
I’m called to live to love and save the lost.
I’ll not turn back, whatever it may cost;
I’m called to live to love and save the lost.

If doors should close, then other doors will open;
The Word of God can never be contained.
His love cannot be finally frustrated,
By narrow minds or prison bars restrained.

Chorus

If tears should fall, if I am called to suffer,
If all I love men should deface, defame,
I’ll not deny the One that I have followed,
Nor be ashamed to bear my Master’s name.

Chorus

Lyrics: John Gowans