Tag: Prayer for Today

Thursday 24th July 2025

“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. 2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. 3 Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Interlude

4 A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High. 5 God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it. 6 The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts! 7 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude

8 Come, see the glorious works of the Lord: See how he brings destruction upon the world. 9 He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” 11 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude” Psalm 46

God our refuge,

We are not sure when some of the Psalms were written, like this one written by one of the sons of Korah. Korah. He and those of his family stood by him got swallowed up in the ground for his sin of rebellion against Moses! (Numbers 16). But 1 Chronicles9:19 tells us some must have survived and continued to serve you as gatekeepers of the Tabernacle. So would have continued in future generations to serve at the Temple.

In the King James version the word Selah is used rather than interlude. But they both intend to make us stop, pause and consider what we have just read. I wonder if this was written in a time of trouble perhaps just before Hezekiah came to the throne and restored the Temple and brought a time of peace?

Part one speaks to putting our trust in You, God even in troubled times. The earth melting a reminder of Korah the writers forefather getting his just rewards? Part two speaks to putting our faith in You, God who is present with us, and more importantly fully able. Part three reminds us who You are and therefore what You, Lord can do. And whose Father has the largest army! Help us to take time to digest our daily bread. To allow it to feed our thinking, our understanding and outflow into our actions. For You are trustworthy, more than able and are here among us Your people wherever we are in the world..

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 24th July 2025

God is our strength and refuge,
our present help in trouble,
and we therefore will not fear,
though the earth should change!
Though mountains shake and tremble,
though swirling floods are raging,
God the Lord of hosts is with us evermore!

There is a flowing river
within God’s holy city;
God is in the midst of her-
she shall not be moved!
God’s help is swiftly given,
thrones vanish at his presence-
God the Lord of hosts is with us evermore!

Come, see the works of our maker,
learn of his deeds all-powerful:
wars will cease across the world
when he shatters the spear!
Be still and know your creator,
uplift him in the nations-
God the Lord of hosts is with us evermore!

Lyrics: Richard Thomas Bewes

Wednesday 23rd July 2025

“Hezekiah was twenty-five years old when he became the king of Judah, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah. 2 He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight, just as his ancestor David had done.” 2 Chronicles 29:1-2 NLT

“In the very first month of the first year of his reign, Hezekiah reopened the doors of the Temple of the Lord and repaired them. 4 He summoned the priests and Levites to meet him at the courtyard east of the Temple. 5 He said to them, “Listen to me, you Levites! Purify yourselves, and purify the Temple of the Lord, the God of your ancestors. Remove all the defiled things from the sanctuary. 6 Our ancestors were unfaithful and did what was evil in the sight of the Lord our God. They abandoned the Lord and his dwelling place; they turned their backs on him. 7 They also shut the doors to the Temple’s entry room, and they snuffed out the lamps. They stopped burning incense and presenting burnt offerings at the sanctuary of the God of Israel.” 2 Chronicles 29: 3-7 NLT

“Then these Levites got right to work :From the clan of Kohath:
Mahath son of Amasai and Joel son of Azariah.
From the clan of Merari: Kish son of Abdi and Azariah son of Jehallelel.
From the clan of Gershon: Joah son of Zimmah and Eden son of Joah.
13 From the family of Elizaphan: Shimri and Jeiel.
From the family of Asaph: Zechariah and Mattaniah.
14 From the family of Heman: Jehiel and Shimei.
From the family of Jeduthun: Shemaiah and Uzziel.” 2 Chronicles 29:12-14 NLT

Lord God,

Meanwhile in the Kingdom of Judah King Hezekiah’s reign meant a return to worshipping You, Lord God and restoring those things which reminded the people of Judah you are a God who deserves worship all day every day. So they reopened the Temple and restored the lamps (Menorah) the burning of the incense (holy to the Lord) and the offerings. I read through these chronicles and my heart lifted as I saw that one man, who was also a King, could have such an effect on all those around him.

One man who was also the King of Kings had an effect on those around Him. He did not have the support of his people. Actually he had only 12 men and a handful of women supporting him. But at the outset king Hezekiah had only 14 Levites (Priests) but they got right to work. How encouraging. You always choose to start with those who are willing to answer the call. We know from Old testament history and New Testament history the glorious outcome when faith and works meet.

Thank You for Your faithfulness to Your people through history and for Your faithfulness to us, in sending Jesus. Thank You for the faithfulness of those Levites turning back to You and the faithfulness of the disciples. It sometimes seems awesome and overwhelming to realise we have been called to serve too. Will we be like the Levites and get right to work? Be our help and our guide and our encourager so we will not falter by the way.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 23rd July 2025

I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.

But “I know Whom I have believed
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.”

I know not how this saving faith
To me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His word
Wrought peace within my heart.

Chorus

I know not how the Spirit moves,
convincing men of sin,
Revealing Jesus through the Word,
Creating faith in Him.

Chorus

I know not when my Lord may come,
At night or noon-day fair,
Nor if I’ll walk the vale with Him,
Or “meet Him in the air.”

Chorus

Lyrics: Daniel Webster Whittle

Verse not included:
I know not what of good or ill
May be reserved for me,
Of weary ways or golden days,
Before His face I see.

Tuesday 22nd July 2025

“Then the king of Assyria invaded the entire land, and for three years he besieged the city of Samaria.” 2 Kings 17:5

“Three years later, during the sixth year of King Hezekiah’s reign (Judah) and the ninth year of King Hoshea’s reign in Israel, Samaria fell. 11 At that time the king of Assyria exiled the Israelites to Assyria and placed them in colonies in Halah, along the banks of the Habor River in Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.” 2 Kings 18:11-12

“Finally, in the ninth year of King Hoshea’s reign, Samaria fell, and the people of Israel were exiled to Assyria. They were settled in colonies in Halah, along the banks of the Habor River in Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes. 7 This disaster came upon the people of Israel because they worshiped other gods. ” 2 Kings 17:6-7

“The king of Assyria transported groups of people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim and resettled them in the towns of Samaria, replacing the people of Israel. They took possession of Samaria and lived in its towns. 25 But since these foreign settlers did not worship the Lord when they first arrived, the Lord sent lions among them, which killed some of them. 26 So a message was sent to the king of Assyria: “The people you have sent to live in the towns of Samaria do not know the religious customs of the God of the land. He has sent lions among them to destroy them because they have not worshiped him correctly.” 27 The king of Assyria then commanded, “Send one of the exiled priests back to Samaria. Let him live there and teach the new residents the religious customs of the God of the land.” 28 So one of the priests who had been exiled from Samaria returned to Bethel and taught the new residents how to worship the Lord. 29But these various groups of foreigners also continued to worship their own gods. In town after town where they lived, they placed their idols at the pagan shrines that the people of Samaria had built.” 2 Kings 17:24-29 NLT

God of Judgement and Mercy,

Your people in the Kingdom of Israel continued to ignore You and Your covenant and Laws. Their sin led them to be defeated and dissipated among their enemies. And their enemy taking up the spaces left behind by them.

Those left behind had to adjust to the influx of Babylonians who no doubt acted like victors over them. But then there are lions! They immediately took them as a sign from You! I wonder how the priests felt returning to teach the new residents, their overlords, the Law of the Lord? But it was a front. They worshipped You, God while they placed their idols where Your people had pagan shrines. That says it all. You send lions as judgement and not a disaster or a plague?

One day the Lion of Judah will come to judge. Not the gentle Jesus we sometimes sing of but the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, who triumphed. Who is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.(Revelation 5:5). And judge all of mankind. You remind us that heaven is not a fluffy, woolly place with all the things we like and desire. To be honest I wonder why anyone would want to go there unless they wanted to be with You, knew You and loved You.

The incomers to Samaria and Israel took heed of the lions but underneath still did their own thing. Faced with the Lion of Judah, fearful and yet welcoming, do we embrace His judgement and accept His total forgiveness and retain no selfishness? Ah but then none of us are ever perfect and we are drawn back to the cross where all is forgiven once again. Thank You for Your indescribable gift (2 Corinthians 9:15).

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 22nd July 2025

You’re the Lion of Judah, the Lamb that was slain
You ascended to heaven and ever more will reign
At the end of the age when the earth You reclaim
You will gather the nations before You

And the eyes of all men will be fixed on the Lamb
Who was crucified
With wisdom and mercy and justice You’ll reign
At Your Father’s side

And the angels will cry: “Hail the Lamb
Who was slain for the world, Rule in power”
And the earth will reply: “You shall reign
As the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords”

There’s a shield in our hand and a sword at our side
There’s a fire in our spirits that cannot be denied
As the Father has told us for these You have died
For the nations that gather before You

And the ears of all men need to hear of the Lamb
Who was crucified
Who descended to hell yet was raised up to reign
At the Father’s side

Lyrics|: Robin Mark