Seek Ye first the Kingdom of God

Wednesday 16th October 2024

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. ³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:33-34 NKJV

Lord God,

Middle of the week ish Wednesday. And the best way to start today – is with You. Whatever we are in the middle of today, every day is a gift from You. We are washed by Jesus blood, filled by Your Holy Spirit and loved beyond compare. Help us enjoy the now moments.

Your Word says seek the Kingdom of God first. So here we are seeking You. Our Almighty God, terrifying in power and untouchable in Holiness but . . . knowing You are also our friend and provider in Jesus.

It is not an option, Your Word says that we must seek You, Your Kingdom first. Then all these things will be ours. What things? We only find out by seeking You and finding what You have for our now. You know better than we do what we have need of.

Not that we should give up work, family, friends and all the mundane things we need to do. And be of no earthly use. But we should seek You as we can and as we go. Worrying wastes time and energy and changes nothing. But its hard not to some times. So help us to seek You first and put Your perspective into our day and bless us.

In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Lord God,

For our close family. .
For our extended family, friends, neighbours, those we promised to pray for..
For our fellowship, ministers and congregations. Mid week prayer meetings.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For our Government. Lords and commons. Civil Servants.
For Ukraine and Russia. You are our hope.
For Israel, Lebanon, all around the Middle East.
For Sudan and Myanmar.
For America and their political future.
For the NHS. For long waiting lists and appointment times. For its future development.
For those young people seeking answers to what they should do next, what to choose to study or work for.
For those working in our local community shops, dentist, doctors to be touched by Your love.
For ourselves when we feel too busy or stressed to seek Your help. And when we have time on out hands to be grateful.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 16th October 2024

Seek ye first the kingdom of God
And His righteousness;
And all these things shall be added unto you.
Allelu, Alleluia

First verse again sang with Alleluia’s.

Man does not live by bread alone,
But by every word
That proceeds from the mouth of God.
Allelu, Alleluia

Ask, and it shall be given unto you;
Seek, and ye shall find.
Knock, and the door shall be opened unto you.
Allelu, Alleluia

Lyrics: Karen Lafferty
It was written in 1971 by Karen Lafferty after a Bible study on Matthew 6:33 at Calvary Chapel, California.

Tuesday 23rd April 2024

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 NIV

God who rules over all,

In Your Word we read about Jesus going about his life as usual. Not complaining, not overwhelmed with fear or self sympathy. He is focused and expecting You, His heavenly Father to plan, purpose and provide for Him. You remind us that people who love and desire things other than, and over You, do not do well eternally to say the least. Rich men (lovers of money more than You God) cannot pass through eye of a needle. If something else is loved, relied on more, it pushes You out.

Jesus spent HIs life serving and He loved and treasured people. Regardless of their sickness, confusion and sin. Preparing everything for the disciples future. For the birth of the church and the pouring out of Your Spirit. Even seeing forward to our future, to now. So that we could have life through Him.

If we seek a relationship with You first, as King and our Lord, You add all the things of Your Kingdom to us. Grace, peace, love a sure future . . . Help us not to let the love of anything else take Your place so we can live in Your Kingdom.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God who rules over all,

For our family and friends. Each one with their own need and concerns. Send joy today too.
For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, members. Unity and enthusiasm for faith and worship.
For the royal family. For continued healing and family unity.
For our Parliament. We pray You will take out and bring in the right people for this time in history.
For Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, all places of conflict. Bring them to the end to war. Speak peace to hard hearts. Bless peacemakers with power.
For our emergency services. Local charities. Food banks.
For farmers trying to plant amidst wet fields and mud.
For our needs today, take our worries and concerns and bless us with all we need.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 23rd April 2024
This was written in 1971 by Karen Lafferty, inspired by a Bible study on the verse “Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33) at Calvary Chapel. It become one of the most well-known praise chorus’s and entered in many recent hymnals. The original version only included a single verse with a refrain of alleluias, which was sometimes sung as a round. The other verses, of anonymous authorship, were added based on Matthew 7:7 and Matthew 4:4.

Seek ye first the kingdom of God
And His righteousness;
And all these things shall be added unto you.
Hallelu, Hallelujah!

Ask, and it shall be given unto you;
Seek, and you shall find.
Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Hallelu, Hallelujah!

You shall not live by bread alone,
But by every word
That proceeds out from the mouth of God.
Hallelu, Hallelujah!

And if the Son shall set you free
Ye shall be free indeed
Ye shall know the truth, and it shall set you free
Hallelu, Hallelujah!

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart
He shall direct thy paths
In all thy ways acknowledge Him
Hallelu, Hallelujah!

Lyrics and music by Karen Lafferty.

Tuesday 26th March 2024

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 NIV

God who rules over all,

Holy Week is what we now call this week in the church calendar. I wonder what You call it Father? Does it need a name? We are drawing near to celebrating Jesus death. That really is an oxymoron (like saying bittersweet). Jesus is going about his life as usual. Not complaining, not overwhelmed with fear or self sympathy. He is focused and expecting You, His heavenly Father to plan, purpose and provide. Knowing His death draws nearer.

You remind us that people who love, desire and worship things more than You, will not do well eternally to say the least! Rich men (lovers of money) cannot pass through eye of a needle and enter the Kingdom of God.

Jesus went through death in order that we might be rich in the things that matter. He came to give us Your life. If we seek a relationship with You first, as King and our Lord, You add all the things of Your Kingdom to us. Grace, peace, faith hope and love. And the greatest of these is love . . . thank You Lord. Keep us seeking and receiving.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .

God who rules over all,

For our family, friends and neighbours. Each one personally, with their own needs and hopes.
For our Ministers, church leadership and those who come to our church Sundays or mid week.
For our young people to find Your purpose for their life and the opportunity to follow it.
For the Royal family. Charles and Kate to be well during treatment. For those covering for them.
For our government. The Lords and Commons. Respect, service and unity for our nations best.
For our nearest towns and cities and city centres. For employment, development and growth.
For an end to the war in Ukraine.
For a solution for Gaza and peace and healing and a way to rebuild relationships and homes.
For countries where there is conflict, oppression or famine – provision, safety and support.
For a move of Your Spirit to fill hearts this Easter with Your Son and Your gift of life.
For us to have a cheerful day blessed with Your provision, joy and desire to do good. And the promise of a good nights sleep.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 26th March 2024
This was written in 1971 by Karen Lafferty, inspired by a Bible study on the verse “Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33) at Calvary Chapel. It become one of the most well-known praise chorus’s and entered in many recent hymnals. The original version only included a single verse with a refrain of alleluias, which can also be sung as a round. The other verses, of anonymous authorship, were added based on Matthew 7:7 and Matthew 4:4.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart
He shall direct thy paths
In all thy ways acknowledge Him
Hallelu, Hallelujah!

Lyrics and music by Karen Lafferty and anonymous.