Friday 4th August 2023

“Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:15-18 NIV

Lord of Glory,

We thank you and worship You because when Jesus died, the curtain of the Temple was torn in two literally opening up the way into the Holy of Holies in the Temple in Jerusalem (Mark 15:38). And showing that we can directly approach You God without fear and death, sin forgiven, inheritance sure. There is no veil between You and me.

It is like a curtain, or a veil taken away from our eyes when we truly meet Jesus. And we see Him in faith. And it is hard sometimes when we share our faith and other just cannot see as clearly. Give them sight of You.

Father, help us to be transformed to Your image, and ever increasing Glory. Even if we can only do it slowly one step at a time! So we can display more of You. Help us to rid ourselves of anything that would veil us from seeing you clearly. Like thinking, I am not good enough, I am nobody special, I have to worry, I make mistakes, I cannot do anything. In You we can and You love us unconditionally.

Help us to remove negative attitudes, criticizing ourselves, comparing ourselves with others, seeing an empty cup never mind a half empty one! Help us just to look to You and see we are being changed from glory to glory each day. You never tire of gently reminding us what is best for us. You never tire of repeating lessons to help us grow in faith. You never tire of reminding us how much You love us. We worship You today because You are our God.

In the glorious name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

God of glory,

You make You face to shine upon us (Numbers 6:25), and are gracious to us. We bring our prayer lists of all those we love and care for, and ask that You might be gracious (merciful, compassionate, kind, loving) towards them today. Provide for their needs and shine hope on their paths. And on ours. Open their eyes to see Jesus in all His glory.

Today we ask for Your help for all those who are undergoing change in their lives. The children and young people who have left junior schools and will have new classmates and new high schools in September. Take any worry from them so they can enjoy their holidays. We bring to You all those who have been bereaved of a spouse, partner, parent, child friend. Stand in the space left behind and comfort them from when they awake, during their day and even during their sleep. Those whose lives have been changed by illness or accident, heal and give them all they need.

We continue to seek peace and an end to war in Ukraine, however You can bring that to pass. Please God start it now.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Meditation – Thursday 8th October 2020
First time I heard this I liked it. But now I love it. The words are my prayer.

I caught a glimpse of Your splendour
In the corner of my eye
The most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen
And it was like a flash of lightning
Reflected off the sky
And I know I’ll never be the same

Show me Your Glory
Send down Your presence
I want to see Your face
Show me Your Glory
Majesty shines about You
I can’t go on without You, Lord

When I climb down the mountain
And get back to my life
I won’t settle for ordinary things
I’m gonna follow You forever
And for all of my days
I won’t rest ’til I see You again

Show me Your Glory
Send down Your presence
I want to see Your face
Show me Your Glory
Majesty shines about You
I can’t go on without You, Lord
No, no

Third Day
CD: Third Day, Offerings ll, Essential Records.


Thursday 3rd August 2023

“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.

Wednesday 2nd August 2023

“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22 NKJV

Jesus King of Kings and Lord of all,

You came to earth as a man but ascended to Heaven as the King of Kings, Defeating sin and death on the cross. No one, no-one else has that power! We come to You and bow the knee and confess You are Lord of all. We are given the choice of becoming Your subjects in the Kingdom of Heaven. A Kingdom of love. And a Kingdom we are called to live in as citizens. Choosing to obey the King. Help me live as a good citizen.

We are fellow citizens if we, together with all the members of God’s household, keep You as the cornerstone holding the Kingdom together. No-one else, nothing else, can be the cornerstone. Not ability, not wealth, not influence, not beautiful buildings, not some idol made by human hands. Just Jesus. Help the church keep the main thing the main thing. The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus, the cornerstone. In every generation there have been those that wanted to oppose or challenge the church.

Paul wrote letters to the early church to keep them focused. Today is no different. The truth is, God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

Amidst all the questions and oppositions the church has to face in todays society, which I do not have answer to, this one thing I know. God in great mercy pardoned me, forgave my sin and set me free. I know that Jesus lives as really and truly as the reality that I love the taste of chocolate! (Psalm 34:8). Be in the choices the church leaders are being forced to make. Keep us firm on the foundation of Christ, centred and laying the don’t knows at Your feet. One day all these questions will be answered and we will see the whole picture. Till then keep us in the heart of Your heart.

In Jesus name we pray and give thanks, Amen.

Jesus King of my Heart,

Hear we are again with all those people we love, those people we worship with, those people we rely on and rely on us, those people we support serving God, those people we work with, know through hobbies or study. We bring them all to you. Some You know have special needs at this time, some are in dire need of Your help. Some we just want You to hold and love. With all the different requests we come to You – because You are the source of al that is good, kind and true. You can heal, still storms, provide bread, lead, reassure, restore, forgive . . . Thank you Lord.

Today we pray for all those citizens captive in the Kingdom of darkness. Those enslaved by pornography, drugs, lust for money, who scam, steal and embezzle. Those who are violent towards their family, physically or mentally. Those who steal and burgle. Those who belong to territorial, controlling gangs who intimidate and bully. Break into their darkness and provide a way out. Give them the choice and the help they need. And where they cannot walk away, confound them so they cannot harm.

We pray for our King, our Government and our nation, for healing, good decisions and that wrong would be uncovered and right be recognised. We pray for leaders around the world. May they all have a desire to see the end of war in Ukraine. Move God to bring about a change from war into peace.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Meditation – Tuesday 6th October 2020
My foundation and in harmony!

In Christ alone, my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand