Prayerfully
In 2025 I aim to pray my way chronologically (as it happened) through the Bible and listen for God.
Lord Jesus, I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. Forgive me and help me turn from everything I know is wrong. Thank you for dying on the cross to pay the price and set me free from my sin. Please come into my life, fill me with your Holy Spirit and be with me forever. Thank you Lord Jesus. Amen.”
“The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions. 2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. 6 Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8 A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”” 1 Samuel 3:1-10 NIV
Lord who calls,
A young boy given to serve in the Temple by his mother with the agreement of his father . . . awoken in the night . . . runs to the one he serves and obediently says, “Here I am.” waiting for instructions. Would I have done that? Or would I have groaned and muttered under my breath about needing sleep! And when I was small, I was a little afraid of the dark.
But there have been times when I have wanted to really hear You speak as Samuel did. And wished You would write directions down so I could be sure of following properly. Samuel learned to be open to hearing You. Eli told him how to respond. When we need to hear You God, we need to let You know we are listening. Not for Your sake – because even before a word is on our tongue you already know it. (Psalm 139:4). But for ourselves to turn ourselves to listening mode and give You time and opportunity to get through to us.
The other morning I awoke and said out loud, ‘do not worry or be afraid’. And later I understood why You reminded me in advance to keep me calm. You seem to delight in finding new ways to speak to us. It is not always after hours of silence or meditation or prayer time. But we do need to have openness to You and open our spiritual senses and rest our mouths. Speak Lord Your servants are listening . . .
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 17th April 2025
A new song to me but I find the prayer in its lyrics just right for today.
When You speak, confusion fades
Just a word and suddenly I’m not afraid
‘Cause You speak and freedom reigns
There is hope in every single word You say
I don’t wanna miss one word You speak
‘Cause everything You say is life to me
I don’t wanna miss one word You speak
Quiet my heart, I’m listening
When sorrows roar and troubles rage
You whisper peace
When I don’t have the words to say
I won’t lose hope
When storms won’t break
You keep Your word
Oh, and Your promises will keep me safe
Chorus . . .
Your ways are higher, You know just what I need
I trust You, Jesus, You see what I cannot see
Your ways are higher, You know just what I need
I trust You, Jesus, You see what I cannot see
Chorus . . . Repeat . . .
Lyrics: Benji Cowart, Chris Mcclarney, Josh Thomas Bronleewe.
“As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.” 15 “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.” 17 Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.” 18 She said, “May your servant find favour in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.” 1 Samuel 1:12-18 NIV
God of life,
The priest thought she was drunk. How embarrassing. But she did receive the answer to her prayer, though she did not have the experience of family life with him. Help us understand that answers to prayer are not always what we expect. Anna (Luke 2:36) was a widow in the Temple. I wonder how many times, when he was alive she prayed for a child? Yet she used her life to good and was rewarded with seeing Mary and Joseph with the baby Jesus in the Temple.
Help us to hand over all our desires to You even with tears and then leave them there. Not wear them on our face and in our manner. And leave You to answer in the way that is best. thank you for the many answered prayers. Thank you that one day we will be able to ask You why some deep desires were not granted . . . or perhaps we will know and not need to . . .
Father Your compassion is unending and You do know what it is like to stand in our shoes. Help us with the deep things, the unanswerable things, the questions that have no answers. And help us to look to You and not be downcast but trust.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 16th April 2025
I don’t always understand but I can always sing of the goodness of God.
I love You, Lord
For Your mercy never fails me
All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God
Cos all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God
I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
In the darkest night
You are close like no other
I’ve known You as a Father
I’ve known You as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God (yeah)
Chorus
‘Cause Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
‘Cause Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me (oh)
Repeat
Chorus x 2
Lyrics: Jason David Ingram, Brian Johnson, Edmond Martin Cash, Benjamin David Fielding and Jenn Johnson
“There was a man named Elkanah who lived in Ramah in the region of Zuph in the hill country of Ephraim. He was the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, of Ephraim. 2 Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not. 3 Each year Elkanah would travel to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of Heaven’s Armies at the Tabernacle. The priests of the Lord at that time were the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas. 4 On the days Elkanah presented his sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to Peninnah and each of her children. 5 And though he loved Hannah, he would give her only one choice portion because the Lord had given her no children. 6 So Peninnah would taunt Hannah and make fun of her because the Lord had kept her from having children. 7 Year after year it was the same, Peninnah would taunt Hannah as they went to the Tabernacle. Each time, Hannah would be reduced to tears and would not even eat. 8 “Why are you crying, Hannah?” Elkanah would ask. “Why aren’t you eating? Why be downhearted just because you have no children? You have me isn’t that better than having ten sons?”” 1 Samuel 1:1-8 NLT
God of the barren years,
I think many of us have years when we pray and nothing happens or we have areas of our life than just seem disappointing. Or maybe others seem to lead more exciting lives. Hannah knew many years of weeping. And she took her weeping into Your presence when they went on annual pilgrimage to the Tabernacle. She had a husband who loved her. But sometimes counting our blessings doesn’t make us feel better.
Hannah went to the best place. To Your heart and poured out her heart. You will have Your way in Your time and in Your way. She got and answer to prayer but then gave up the child to serve You. She did not cling to him, keep him close or gloat about having a son. She gave what she most treasured back to You. Literally. And watched. She would have seen the important roll he grew into. Mothing was wasted. Her tears and yearnings. Her sacrifice as a mother. Her genericity in providing what he needed as he grew.
Help us to see when it is hard and dry that nothing is wasted from these times. You are with us in them. The Psalmist says, ” You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” (Psalm 56:8). Nothing is wasted in Your compassion.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 15th April 2025
You know my every need
You see my poverty
You are enough for me, Jesus
You gave the blind their sight
You raised the dead to life
You’ve done the same for me, Jesus
You are loving, You are wise
There is nothing in my life You cannot revive
You are loving, You are wise
There is nothing too hard for our God
Your word inside of me
My strength, my everything
My hope will always be Jesus
Your breath inside my lungs
You’re worthy of my trust
You will forever be, Jesus
Chorus
Nothing is wasted
You work all things for good
And nothing is wasted
Your promise remains
Forever You reign
Lyrics: Jason Ingram, Jason Gray and Douglas Mckelvey.