2026 will again be through the Bible chronologically selecting verses which attract my attention or questions or encourage me on the day. I pray it blesses whoever reads . . . My theological background is Salvation Army College and now Church of England. I love all Christian denominations.
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.”
“And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I had done; I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, or the others who did the work. 17 Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.” 18 And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to this good work. 19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they laughed at us and despised us, and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?” 20 So I answered them, and said to them, “The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no heritage or right or memorial in Jerusalem.”” Nehemiah 2:16-20 NKJV
God of heaven and earth,
Nehemiah checked out the situation for himself. He did not want to misunderstand the situation trying to see it through others eyes. He just needed to know what had happened and where things were at present. How wise because we al see things slightly differently. Then we see how he deals with the same opposition that has stopped them in the past. He speaks with clarity, authority and not threateningly. He has placed his trust in Your call to rebuild. This was not the idea of man.
How good it is when we hear Your call to pray, to stand up for our faith or to rebuild or build something new. The difference between a good idea and a God idea. It gives Nehemiah all the confidence to encourage every one else. And they hear it in him and respond. Chapter 3 begins immediately with the sheep gate being built and the doors hung.
Help us to pray and hear as Nehemiah did so we can learn where to go, what to do, who to involve and how to do it. We are building the Kingdom, Your Kingdom together.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Worship Saturday 19th September 2026 I had this at the end of August but I kept just remembering the first line of the chorus and no more. So here it is again reminding me to stop and listen in those precious moments I need clarity.
I’m finding myself at a loss for words And the funny thing is it’s okay The last thing I need is to be heard But to hear what You would say
Word of God speak Would you pour down like rain Washing my eyes to see, Your majesty To be still and know, that you’re in this place Please let me stay and rest in your holiness Word of God speak
I’m finding myself in the midst of You Beyond the music, beyond the noise All that I need is to be with You And in the quiet hear Your voice
Chorus
Would you pour down like rain Washing my eyes to see, Your majesty To be still and know, that you’re in this place Please let me stay and rest in your holiness
I’m finding myself at a loss for words And the funny thing is it’s okay
Lyrics: Bart Millard, Pete Kipley, Peter C. Kipley (Mercy Me)
“O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” For I was the king’s cupbearer.” Nehemiah 1:11 NKJV
“And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, that I took the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had never been sad in his presence before. 2 Therefore the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart.” So I became dreadfully afraid, 3 and said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire?” 4 Then the king said to me, “What do you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven.” Nehemiah 2:1-4NKJV
Lord God and Father,
Nehemiah, we learn in these opening chapters, is a man of prayer and emotions. A man who held his people in his heart and his prayers. He must have shown that same care as cupbearer to the king to receive such a generous reply from the King. And I suspect his knees were knocking a little at the time!
I am also sure that he had to be prepared to serve the king whenever. He would not have done regular days with weekends off and holidays! He would not have been able to meet with others for an afternoon prayer meeting. And his prayers that we have, in the Bible, read like a conversation with You. Respectful not flowery, honest and showing an understanding of Your Word and Covenant. He prays as things come up, as a result of conversations and when he needs Your help. On the go prayers. And the real encouragement to me? Even impromptu prayers on the go work.
I believe in prayer teams and prayer meetings but they will never take the place of that prayer conversation I snatch in real time as it were. As needs arrive, in the moment. We don’t always have time to draw aside and meditate and to talk to You, especially when we need to pray help – before we speak.Thank You Holy Spirit You hear the unspoken thoughts and desires of our hearts.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 18th September 2026 This has grown on me. One of those songs where the chorus sticks in your brain. A good reminder – don’t stop praying.
What’s your impossible? Your “I need a miracle” What’s got you barely hanging by a single thread? What looks so hopeless now? What weighs down your heart with doubt? You beg for a breakthrough, but no sign of breakthrough yet
When you’ve cried, and you’ve cried ’til your tears run dry The answer won’t come, and you don’t know why And you wonder if you can bow your head even one more time
Don’t stop praying Don’t stop calling on Jesus’ name Keep on pounding on Heaven’s door And let your knees wear out the floor Don’t stop believing ‘Cause mountains move with just a little faith And your Father’s heard every single word you’re saying So, don’t stop praying
He’s close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit The Alpha and Omega knows how your story ends
When you’ve cried, and you’ve cried ’til your tears run dry The answer won’t come, and you don’t know why And you wonder if you can bow your head even one more time Oh, do it one more time
And don’t stop praying Don’t stop calling on Jesus’ name Keep on pounding on Heaven’s door And let your knees wear out the floor Don’t stop believing ‘Cause mountains move with just a little faith And your Father’s heard every single word you’re saying So, don’t stop praying
Don’t stop praying for the prodigal Don’t stop praying for the miracle Hallelujah, hallelujah, and amen Don’t stop praying that addictions end Don’t stop praying for deliverance Hallelujah, hallelujah, and amen
Oh, don’t stop praying for the sickness healed Don’t stop praying for His power revealed Hallelujah, hallelujah, and amen No, don’t stop praying for the Kingdom come Don’t stop praying that His will be done Hallelujah, hallelujah, and amen
Don’t stop praying Don’t stop calling on Jesus’ name Keep on pounding on Heaven’s door Let your knees wear out the floor Don’t stop believing ‘Cause mountains move with just a little faith And your Father’s heard every single word you’re sayin’ So, don’t stop praying
“The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi. 2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord. “Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?’” Malachi 1:1-2 NKJV
“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My reverence? Says the Lord of hosts to you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’ 7 “You offer defiled food on My altar, but say, ‘In what way have we defiled You?’ By saying, ‘The table of the Lord is contemptible.’” Malachi 1:6-7 NKJV
Lord and Saviour,
Malachi begins by stating that You Lord love all Your people, those who had remained in and around Jerusalem, those in Babylon and those who returned to rebuild the Temple. Even if they do not believe it. And they seem to be struggling with the age old question of Your love towards us when bad things happen. They constantly forget that their relationship with You is based on loving obedience and continues through all situations (Psalm 46).
Malachi reminds them how they have harmed themselves and offended You. The Priests, who should have known better. Corrupt and disrespectful (Malachi 1:6-2:9) Then the general populous behaviour. Their unfaithfulness in marriage relationships (Malachi 10:2-16). Their dishonesty in tithes and offerings due to You Lord (Malachi 3:6-12). And before we judge, we need to repent of our own weaknesses.
The end of Malachi promises judgement but also glorious hope The wicked will burn up but Elijah will come before that day and turn the hearts of the fathers to the children And the hearts of the children to their fathers (Malachi 4:6). The messenger who will precede Your coming Lord (Malachi 3:1). Speaking of the day when John the Baptist would precede Jesus and bring Salvation and hope for both Jew and gentile. Turning our hearts to You, Father, through Your Son.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 17th September 2026 I have never heard this Graham Kendrick worship before. Perhaps it was not as popular but it seems to fit well here.
Turn our hearts, turn our hearts.
Turn our hearts to one another, let your kindness show: where our words or deeds have wounded, let forgiveness flow.
Turn our hearts, turn our hearts.
Turn our hearts from pride and anger to your ways of peace, for you died and shed your blood that enmity may cease.
Turn our hearts, turn our hearts.
Turn the hearts of generations that we may be one: make us partners in the kingdom till your work is done.
Turn our hearts, turn our hearts.
As we all have been forgiven, so must we forgive; as we all have found acceptance, so let us receive.
