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Friday 29th Sept 2023

“So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. 11 As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. 12 Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. 13 As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.” Exodus 17:10-13 NLT

Father God,

The victory was only achieved because Moses, Aaron and Hur sought Your help and did not waver or give up. Holding our hands up is still symbolic to seeking You today. It reminds me of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-7). Not giving up till she had justice and success. I know today we do not want to kill and defeat, we want to win souls to make peace with You!

Its not easy to share our faith, ask people to church services and events, tell people about how to know Jesus. And it does some times seem as if we are loosing the war against sin and the devil. So we need to be the Moses, Aaron and Hur set of today constantly asking Your help! Perhaps the battle will only be won if we pray, and not give up, till we see souls won. All the revivals, great and small, have started with prayer and it has not been after a week. Sometimes they have been praying a lifetime.

Help us to recognise that prayer is not an add on, but the essential ingredient for success. Joining in with Your will, rather than trying to do it on our own. And help us to realise we need each other to be supported and encouraged to keep going when there is yet little sight of victory. Thank You that it is all not down to us, we are just helping. Grow Your Kingdom here on earth.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Father God,

We pray for all those who we know and those who have asked us for specific prayers for health or employment or smooth journeys. Take care of those we love who are struggling. Bring those we love, who are not interested or anti Christianity to You and lead them into Your Kingdom.

We continue to ask for the end of war for Ukraine,. For help for those still reeling from natural disasters and still needing much help before winter comes.

Help our Government to do the right thing so the cost of living does not rise and the cost of heating drops. And help those who are in difficulties financially. Thank You for the food banks.

We pray for those who are struggling with Covid as it still seems to be about and quite unpleasant. We pray that the latest round of booster vaccinations will be good prevention and protection.

Thank You for umbrellas and waterproof boots, and waterproof skin, and the spells of sunshine. No complaining!

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 29th September 2023

People hurting, people broken
Beaten down and feeling hopeless
Wonder if it’s gonna always be this way
Who will speak up for the captive
Show some love and heal a past that
Binds the wounds we think will never go away

But what if we could be a people on our knees
As one before the King
‘Cause we believe hey
All the world starts changing
When the church starts praying
Strongholds start to break
Oh, when we pray
Prison walls start shaking
At the sound of praising
Nothing stays the same
Oh, when we pray
Oh, when we pray, oh

I see revival rising
I see hope on the horizon
As a generation stepping out in faith

Because we will be a people on our knees
As one before the King
‘Cause we believe, hey!
All the world starts changing
When the church starts praying
Strongholds start to break
Oh, when we pray
Prison walls start shaking
At the sound of praising
Nothing stays the same
Oh, when we pray
Oh, when we pray, oh

Let Your kingdom come, Lord
Let Your will be done (hey!)

All the world starts changing
When the church starts praying
Strongholds start to break
Oh, when we pray

All the world starts changing
When the church starts praying
Strongholds start to break
Oh, when we pray
Prison walls start shaking
At the sound of praising
Nothing stays the same
Oh, when we pray, oh
When we pray, oh

In Jesus’ name (when we pray)
In Jesus’ name (when we pray)
When we pray, oh
When we pray

Lyrics: Tauren Wells

Thursday 28th Sept 2023

“But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” Matthew 6:6 NLT

 “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God.” Luke 18:13,14 NLT

“One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night.”
Luke 6:12 NLT

Omniscient (all knowing) God,

Prayer. There are as many opinions as there are books about prayer. I have friends who can get up early and can pray for an hour. I have friends who when they wake up in the night spent hours in prayer. I have friends who pray out loud, who quote scripture in their prayers and some who prefer to pray silently. I feel inadequate after speaking to them. Perhaps I am not disciplined enough or am too busy or lack concentration! And Jesus prayed all night when he had decisions to make!

Is it best to have a set time? I usually pray I will get back to sleep if I wake in the night. If I am up very early I am yawning all day. Why does the phone always ring or the diary show I need to be somewhere when I have set aside time to pray. Or I just need a cuppa . . .

Do You mind that sometimes I literally pray on the go, snatching moments before I do something? Or do you think, O last minute again! Should we have a set time behind closed doors to pray? I am always blessed after times with my prayer partner but we both have busy lives.

Help me find a comfortable way to fit my life round praying rather than trying to fit prayer into my busy life. Help me not to worry about how others pray but find my best.

In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Omniscient God,

Hear and answer the prayers we have for those we love and care for whether family by birth or faith. Or friends who are a blessing. Hear and answer their prayers. Help our church to become a people of prayer. Draw us together or pray, or at the same time wherever we are, to make the prayer meeting the power house that fuels all we do..

We ask You to speak peace and an end to war into the heart of Putin and all his military and financial leaders. We pray for all those working to bring aid and relief to Libya and Morocco where there is so much ongoing need. Bless my friends as they take a small experienced team to take help to one small village who they know and who need winter provisions.

We pray for our Government, those in authority and Royalty, as You said we should (1 Timothy 2:1-2).Guide them to make decisions for the best for all, so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by Godliness and dignity.

Thank You for all we have that blesses us.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 28th September 2023
I know spending time in prayer is always worth it. But there always seem to be distractions and my mind is full of other things I need to do . . . this is a beautiful reminder of the value of time spent in prayer. Whether an hour – or 10 minutes!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
May I thy consolation share,
Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height,
I view my home and take my flight:
This robe of flesh I’ll drop and rise
To seize the everlasting prize;
And shout, while passing through the air,
“Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!”

Lyrics: William Walford

Wednesday 27th Sept 2023

“Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. 14 Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 15 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:13-16 NIV

Father God,

Jesus constantly shook off any glory from Himself and directed people to go to Your Priests and say thank You to You, God. He did not want to steal the limelight or become a celebrity. He must have known that when His time came it would be centre stage but not in any celebrity way they expected. It would cost him everything.

So Your word tells us He often got away from everyday distractions and talked to You. Prayer was Your idea God. You know we need it. Thank You for such a wonderful gift. But sometimes we just don’t know where to start. Should we worship first? Should we thank You first? Should we remind ourselves of Your promises to hear us? Should we explain what we want or presume You know?

I am in awe of You because You are bigger than the Universe, more powerful than I can imagine an awesome God. And yet, I love Your Son as my Saviour and friend, because He first loved me. He came to show us You. I am grateful for the indwelling of Your Holy Spirit though sometimes I wonder how He can put up with me.

Help me just to learn to ignore the everyday distractions and talk to You. To find time, to make time, to take time. For it to be a healthy conversation with You, my mighty God, Lord and my friend.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Father God,

It does seem sometimes that prayer is a list of people we are asking You to bless, heal, provide for and touch with Your love. But Your invitation to bring all our cares to You was real (1 Peter 5:6-7). So we do. With thanksgiving that You care too. And there are those who need You in a special way this week because they are in a battle with sickness or have decisions to make or are just having to face the challenges of life. Speak life and hope and healing and direction and joy throughout their day.

O God bring an end to the war in Ukraine. We do not need to remind You of the many families bereaved or the many injured in both Armies. Change the desires of those causing war. Miraculously cause a ceasefire and end to the desire of oppression and control.

We pray for our world so often ravaged by men and women’s desires and greed. We pray You would melt hearts before actions cause grief. We pray too for our world and the natural signs of trauma in earthquakes, floods and droughts. The earth too has been crying out for peace since the entry of sin in the garden of Eden. Help and comfort those devastated by natural disasters.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 27th September 2023
You may not have heard this hymn before but it talks about the place where prayer starts. Knowing that God loves us and we can come just as we are . . .

The same God who makes the planets spin
Tells the tide when it should rise
Put the colour in my eyes

The same God who makes the seasons change
Knows the number of the stars
Every secret in my heart

All my doubts, all my questions
In every fear I have about what might happen

You’re the same God
You’re with me in the middle of it all, God
You’re catching every tear as it falls
I know You’ll never change
Even when I’m feeling far away
You love me the same, God
You love me the same, God
You love me the same, God
You love me the same

You’re a God of grace and empathy
You know how it feels to cry
’cause You lived a human life

You’re not afraid of anything
Even darkness is a light
There’s no reason I should hide

All my doubts, all my questions
In every fear I have about what might happen

You’re the same God
You’re with me in the middle of it all, God
You’re catching every tear as it falls
I know You’ll never change
Even when I’m feeling far away
You love me the same, God
You love me the same, God
You love me the same, God
You love me the same

Even when I’m running
When I feel ashamed
Even when I’m breaking
Still, You love me

Even when I’m lonely
When I lose my way
When I don’t believe it
Still, You love me
the same, God

You’re with me in the middle of it all, God
You’re catching every tear as it falls
I know You’ll never change
Even when I’m feeling far away
You love me the same, God
You love me the same, God
You love me the same, God
You love me the same
You love me the same

Lyrics: Hunter Leath, Emma Klein, Hannah Kerr Earley