“Praise the Lord, O my soul! 2 While I live I will praise the Lord; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. 3 Do not put your trust in princes, nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help. 4 His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; in that very day his plans perish.
5Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the Lord his God,”
Psalm 146:1-5
Lord, God of Jacob,
I shouldn’t be amazed that Sunday seems to have come around so fast this week. Time is measured and yet sometimes it really seems different lengths?! Today, I turn to the Psalms for comfort, rest and joy in Your presence. I cream off the top half of this Psalm of praise and it reminds me Lord how the cream used to rise to the top of a bottle of milk!
It reminds us that we have an invitation to move to live on Praise Avenue and if we do we have a promise of happiness and hope. It is always possible to find something to praise You for because of Jesus. We have no excuse to want to dwell in Pity Parade, Complaining Court, Doubting Drive . . . Petulant Place . . . Not that everything is rosy all the time, but in You we are never going it alone and we can seek You to find the resources we need in Christ.
It is You that makes the difference in our lives. However we got to know You. Whether as a child, at some evangelical event, through bereavement, a difficult time or through a friends invitation . . . You have turned our world upside down for good. Or rather the right way up. We have no condemnation for sin (Romans 8:1). We can know the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:6). Our shame is removed, crushed under Your feet at the cross (Hebrews 12:2) We are loved with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). We have a future in heaven for sure (John 14:1).
Happy, blessed are we who have You, the God of Jacob, as our Saviour. We have a sure and certain hope because of You.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen,
Lord, God of Jacob,
We pray,
For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family.
For ministers, pastors, congregations and all that is done by those belonging to churches to support, help and bless their local communities.
For our Government, that You would be the God of our democracy and enable truth and care.
For our King and Queen and their family and all those who work in positions where they can be a force for good..
For Gaza and the Middle East, Lord a miracle of Your peace and reconciliation is needed.
For Putin and Ukraine. A full stop, an end to war and conflict and bloodshed.
For those in the midst of conflict, that they would hear of Your love.
For all those who suffer depression, have lost sight of hope and who need others to carry them at this time. Or who suffer medical depression and need medical help and support and understanding.
For all those in the news who have had a member of their family murdered. Comfort them. Send Your Spirit to turn the hearts and hands of those with evil intent so they turn away before harm is done.
For ourselves that we would experience Your love, and hope would spring eternal and keep us looking to You.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen,
Worship Sunday 19th November 2023
Who breaks the power of sin and darkness?
Whose love is mighty and so much stronger?
The King of glory, the King above all kings
Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder?
And leaves us breathless in awe and wonder?
The King of glory, the King above all kings
This is amazing grace
This is unfailing love
That You would take my place
That You would bear my cross
You laid down Your life
That I would be set free
Oh, Jesus, I sing for
All that You’ve done for me
Who brings our chaos back into order?
Who makes the orphans a son and daughter?
The King of glory, the King of glory
Who rules the nations with truth and justice
Shines like the sun in all of its brilliance
The King of glory, the King above all kings
This is amazing grace
This is unfailing love
That You would take my place
That You would bear my cross
You laid down Your life
That I would be set free
Oh, Jesus, I sing for
All that You’ve done for me
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy, worthy, worthy
This is amazing grace
This is unfailing love
That You would take my place
That You would bear my cross
You laid down Your life
That I would be set free
Oh, Jesus, I sing for
All that You’ve done for meAll that You’ve done for me