“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:33-34 NKJV
Lord God,
Awake, my soul, and with the sun
thy daily stage of duty run;
shake off dull sloth, and early rise
to pay thy morning sacrifice.
An old hymn and dated words? I still know the dull sloth that hangs around sometimes when the alarm goes off. So awake our souls Lord, to worship, praise, and give thanks for this new day and for being washed by Jesus blood, embraced by Your love, and filled with Your Holy Spirit.
Your Word says we are to seek Your Kingdom first. So we come with respect to worship You as King. Almighty, terrifying in power and unapproachable in Holiness. But also with delight as You are our Saviour and friend.
Not an option, to seek or not seek Your Kingdom? Your Word says that we must seek it and first. Then all these things will be ours. What things? Its like we have read the end of a book first and we have to back track to learn what we have missed. “All these things” are in Matthew 6:25-32, the things we need to live. Food, drink, clothes. God will provide . . . Ah, if we put the Kingdom first and are not to be obsessed, preoccupied with food, drink and clothes.
Not that we can give up work and shopping – and things will miraculously appear. (Though I have found things left on my doorstep at times). But how sad would it be if focus of our life was things that wear out, get broken become dated. Some times we have to learn that worrying about them takes up time and energy and takes from the life giving peace and freedom in You. And worry does not change any situation. Pray changes things and gives You the opportunity to meet our need.
Help us today not to obsess about or be preoccupied with anything else. Not worry constantly so we cannot be at rest with You. Help us to seek You first and put perspective into our day. Thank you that You will then add all these things unto us. God our provider.
In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
Lord God,
We seek You first to thank you for all you have provided and answered prayers. We seek you also to ask for those we love and know and care about. For the things they are worrying about, need help with and for their health and well-being. We seek You for the things we need at this present time.
Today we pray for those who even if they seek You first -have very real concerns about food and water, clothes and shelter. We bring to You those people and areas where there are poor harvests, war, poverty floods or drought. We come to You first to ask You to send seeds, rain or sun or fresh grass, whatever is needed for a good harvest. We also ask that where there is still need You would send help through agencies. Those who dig wells and provide clean water. Those who provide food, those who help with agriculture and livestock. Those who feed orphaned children.
Send the beginnings of a peace settlement to the Ukraine and change the intentions of Russia.
We thank you for all You have provided us.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 3rd August 2023
Seek ye first the kingdom of God
And His righteousness;
And all these things shall be added unto you.
Allelu, Alleluia
Ask, and it shall be given unto you;
Seek, and ye shall find.
Knock, and the door shall be opened unto you.
Allelu, Alleluia
You shall not live by bread alone,
But by every word
That proceeds from the mouth of God.
Allelu, Alleluia
And if the Son shall set You free
You shall be free indeed
You shall know the Truth and the truth shall set you free.
Allelu, Alleluia
Trust in the Lord with all Your heart
And he shall direct your paths
In all your ways acknowledge Him
Allelu, Alleluia
Karen Lafferty
CD Maranatha Singers, Holy Ground, Songs 4 Worship.