Tag: Speak O Lord as we come to You

Monday 7th April 2025

“Soon afterward the armies of Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east formed an alliance against Israel and crossed the Jordan, camping in the valley of Jezreel. 34 Then the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon with power. He blew a ram’s horn as a call to arms, and the men of the clan of Abiezer came to him. 35 He also sent messengers throughout Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, summoning their warriors, and all of them responded. 36 Then Gideon said to God, “If you are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as you promised, 37 prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning but the ground is dry, then I will know that you are going to help me rescue Israel as you promised.” 38 And that is just what happened. When Gideon got up early the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out a whole bowlful of water. 39 Then Gideon said to God, “Please don’t be angry with me, but let me make one more request. Let me use the fleece for one more test. This time let the fleece remain dry while the ground around it is wet with dew.” 40 So that night God did as Gideon asked. The fleece was dry in the morning, but the ground was covered with dew.” Judges 6:33-40 NLT

God of reassurance,

Your Word here says You clothed Gideon with power. But he was not super human he still had doubts about himself getting it wrong. So he asked for another two assurances, putting out fleeces. I like Gideon. He still has his weakness amidst his obedience. It encourages me. I have not laid out sheep fleeces but I have been unsure and You have told me the same thing, often three times, at different occasions to raise my faith and encourage me. Sometimes using someone else to say why don’t you do this or through a Bible verse, an inner prompt or even something I see which speaks to me.

Thank You that You know our weaknesses and instead of punishing us You encourage us, so we can grow in faith and trust. Help us to persevere and open our spiritual ears even when You have to repeat Yourself. And thank you for Your patience.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 7th April 2025

Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
To receive the food of your holy word.
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us;
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness,
That the light of Christ might be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith.
Speak, O Lord, and fulfil in us
All Your purposes, for Your glory.

Teach us Lord full obedience,
Holy reverence, true humility.
Test our thoughts and our attitudes
In the radiance of Your purity.
Cause our faith to rise
Cause our eyes to see,
Your majestic love and authority.
Words of power that can never fail;
Let their truth prevail over unbelief.

Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds;
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us.
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time,
That will echo down through eternity.
And by grace we’ll stand on Your promises;
And by faith we’ll walk as You walk with us.
Speak, O Lord, ’til your church is built
And the earth is filled with Your glory.

And by grace we’ll stand on Your promises;
And by faith we’ll walk as You walk with us.
Speak, O Lord, ’til your church is built
And the earth is filled with Your glory.

Lyrics: Stuart Townend

Thursday 2nd January 2025

“And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”” Genesis 3:8-10 NKJV
“Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.” Genesis 3:21 NKJV

Giver of Life, Father God,

When I do something wrong and know it – it usually gives birth to two things, regret and shame. And I am not talking life changing sin just the stuff we trip into. You covered Adam and Eve’s sin and shame by covering their nakedness with skin. Blood was shed because of them! It points to jesus who You sent, not to cover our sin and shame but to pay for it. There was no other good enough. Your Word starts with Your provision and we start the year rejoicing in it.

So let us lay aside the sin which so easily ensnares us, and run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus took away our guilt and our shame once and for all on the cross. It cost You not us. Keep us worshipping and seeking Your voice in the cool of the evening, at the start of the day . . .

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 2nd January 2025
Read out loud it is a powerful prayer for the new year. We are only one day in after all . . .

Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
To receive the food of Your holy Word
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness
That the light of Christ might be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us
All Your purposes for Your glory

Teach us, Lord, full obedience
Holy reverence, true humility
Test our thoughts and our attitudes
In the radiance of Your purity
Cause our faith to rise, cause our eyes to see
Your majestic love and authority
Words of pow’r that can never fail
Let their truth prevail over unbelief

Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time
That will echo down through eternity
And by grace, we’ll stand on Your promises
And by faith, we’ll walk as You walk with us
Speak, O Lord, ’til Your church is built
And the earth is filled with Your glory

Lyrics:  Keith Getty / Stuart Townend

Pray for our world, your world and yourself. We need it.

Friday 1st November 2024

“But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours. 13 These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.” 2 Corinthians 11:12-14 NKJV

Father of light,

I will continue doing what I have done. Throughout history people have continued to hear, be found by You and continued to share Your gospel. Sometimes like Paul ay the cost of their life. Things may have changed. how and where some do church but not why -the gospel of Jesus Christ is changeless. There has been civil wars, plagues (pandemics), world wars, cold wars, worst winters, hottest summers, financial depressions . . . And during all the ups and downs always the ongoing very real war against sin, morality and selfishness. These days pornography, gambling, lust for things, scamming and bullying has been enhanced by the use of technology. And some is even portrayed as fun and not harmful.

Satan still wants to separate us from our Saviour and even disguises himself as an angel of light. We need to remember appearances are often deceptive. But he is not God and if something is too good to be true it is often not true! We can walk away and leave it.

Every time someone does something kind and it restores my faith in human nature. I believe, our Father Of Light that there are more good deeds done today than bad. Help those of us who know You to keep on doing what Christians do: share the gospel and love our neighbours as ourself.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Father of Light,

For our family, friends, neighbours, those we promised to pray for.
For our fellowship, ministers and our and neighbouring congregations.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For our Government. Lords and commons. Civil Servants. Local councillors.
For Ukraine and Russia. For Israel, Lebanon, the Middle East. A time to end war.
For those who plan to deceive and scam to be uncovered recognised and caught.
For those who are addicted to gambling, alcohol or drugs opportunity to be free.
For organisations and faith groups who work with addiction, Your power to save.
For those who run choirs and walking groups and social events that bring joy and friendship.
For us to share Your lovelook up and give those we meet a word of encouragement today.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 1st November 2024
Getty and Townend wrote “Speak, O Lord” to open, precede or follow the sermon. Getty said that he envisioned the hymn as a “prayer of illumination,” similar to what was spoken in numerous liturgies of old. Townend wanted the song to stir believers to heed the word just spoken and when departing from worship. Aspects of the text make it very suitable to sing both in preparation or as a response after the sermon.
Does me for now.

Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
To receive the food of Your Holy Word
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness

That the light of Christ might be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us
All Your purposes for Your glory

Teach us Lord, full obedience
Holy reverence, true humility
Test our thoughts and our attitudes
In the radiance of Your purity

Cause our faith to rise, cause our eyes to see
Your majestic love and authority
Words of pow’r that can never fail
Let their truth prevail over unbelief

Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time
That will echo down through eternity

And by grace we’ll stand on Your promises
And by faith we’ll walk as You walk with us
Speak, O Lord, till Your church is built
And the earth is filled with Your glory

Lyrics: Keith Getty / Stuart Townend