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.”
“Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, 29 “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. 30 I have seen your salvation, 31which you have prepared for all people. 32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” 33 Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him.”
Luke 2:28-33 NLT
“Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. 37 Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. 38 She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to every- one who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.” Luke 2:36-38
“Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. 47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.” 49 “But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they didn’t understand what he meant. 51 Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart. 52 Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favour with God and all the people.” Luke 2:46-52 NLT
Father in heaven,
Again I turn to Luke as he records the few details of your Son’s childhood. He was just like one of us but those who were close to You recognised Him. Anna and Simeon. And You loved not just learning but understanding even when You were young. And You grew in wisdom and favour. with God and all people.
Help us to be able to recognise where You are working and what You are doing. And we ask that we might join in and help. Help us not just to learn about You facts and text addresses but have understanding. As no two situations are the same and we too need Your wisdom to do good and no harm. Help us to win favour with people so we can share the gospel. Even if they have rough edges or are prickly. And may You look upon us with favour through Your Son.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Sunday 19th October 2025
I need to speed through the gospels to reach Revelation by December 31st but can always find time to reread and remember His life. This may be a dated hymn now but I love it.
Tell me the story of Jesus,
write on my heart ev’ry word;
tell me the story most precious,
sweetest that ever was heard.
Tell how the angels in chorus
sang as they welcomed His birth,
“Glory to God in the highest!
Peace and good tidings to earth.”
Tell me the story of Jesus,
write on my heart ev’ry word;
tell me the story most precious,
sweetest that ever was heard.
Fasting alone in the desert,
tell of the days that are past,
how for our sins He was tempted,
yet was triumphant at last.
Tell of the years of His labour,
tell of the sorrow He bore,
He was despised and afflicted,
homeless, rejected, and poor.
Chorus
Tell of the cross where they nailed Him,
writhing in anguish and pain;
tell of the grave where they laid Him,
tell how He liveth again.
Love in that story so tender,
clearer than ever I see.
Stay, let me weep while you whisper,
love paid the ransom for me.
Chorus
Lyrics: Fanny Crosby
“Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favour with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” 35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. ” Luke 1:29-35 NLT
“At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He travelled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.” Luke 2:1-7 NLT
Most High God,
400 years fly past and so much is not being said – but happening! Luke gives us the human story’s. The young virgin, the engaged expectant couple. Their journeys, their troubles and the miracle of life. Jesus enters the world. Fragile, vulnerable, and soon to be in danger. Herod.
But this part of the good news is not just a celebration with sparkly cards, Christmas trees and crib scenes. It is the good news that You, God love us. Not just a bit. Not so much that you send us a teacher and a miracle worker. But You, God love us beyond the depth of our understanding. You know what we will do to Jesus, the evil mankind is capable of. That we would kill him and You God cannot stop His pain and suffering or fight the battle with death for Him. And You still sent Him and He agreed to come.
We all long to be loved and not all of us find reliable love even in our own families. Let alone conditional love. And You God fill that void completely. If we can accept and allow it to change us. It cleanses us, strengthens us, reassures us and makes us feel complete. Your love. Help us to accept and dwell in Your love for us. The beginning of the good news is the heart of the good news.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 19th October 2025.
From ‘The Gift’ a Christmas musical. Who says some songs are only for December?
Good news, good news to you we bring,
hallelujah!
News of great joy that angels sing,
hallelujah!
Tender mercy he has shown us,
joy to all the world;
for us God sends his only Son,
hallelujah!
2. Let earth’s dark shadows fly away,
hallelujah!
In Christ has dawned an endless day,
hallelujah!
3. Now God with us on earth resides,
hallelujah!
And heaven’s door is open wide,
hallelujah!
Lyrics|: Graham Kendrick
“My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.” Psalm 62:5
“At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock.” Matthew 27:45 NLT
“When the Lamb broke the seventh seal on the scroll, there was silence throughout heaven for about half an hour.” Revelation 8:1 NLT
Father God,
When ever there is a pause sent by You it is herald to a great event. Like before Jesus conquered death. Or before the prayers of all Your people ascended to You in heaven. It is only right that we pause at the end of the Old Testament. For there was a long 400 years pause of Your Word. But much happened humanly speaking. The Greeks invaded bringing with them a totally new pagan culture. Then the Romans appeared on the scene and took over military style. Oh and there was a split in Your people, the leadership were corrupt and those who still supported them were known as the Pharisees and those who were against them were known as the Sadducees. But of course they would unite against anyone who threatened their power.
If You have ever sat in silence, You know how you notice so much more any tiny sounds that creep in. The ticking of a clock, the squeaking of a chair, breathing . . . So after 400 odd years of Your silence – and You even silenced John the Baptist’s dad, Zachariah, the Word is spoken. What an event that was! It changed the world. It changed me. A powerful Word that brought divinity to earth, angels proclaiming to Shepherds and a babies cry. Sometimes we need to stop and shut out the noise of the world and listen. For your quiet creativity. Help us to silence the noise that demands attention and diverts us from You. And not be afraid of silence before You speak.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 17th October 2025
Sounds contemporary and yet was written in 1864
Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly minded,
for, with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
our full homage to demand.
King of kings, yet born of Mary,
as of old on earth He stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
in the body and the blood.
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heav’nly food.
Rank on rank the host of heaven
spreads its vanguard on the way,
as the Light of light descendeth
from the realms of endless day,
that the pow’rs of hell may vanish
as the darkness clears away.
At His feet the six-winged seraph,
cherubim with sleepless eye,
veil their faces to the Presence,
as with ceaseless voice they cry,
“Alleluia, alleluia,
alleluia, Lord Most High!”
Lyrics: Gerard Moultrie 1864