Tag: Pray for Today

Saturday 21st September 2024

“When David was close to death, he told Solomon his son: “I am about to die. Be strong and become a man! Do the job the Lord your God has assigned you by following his instructions and obeying his rules, commandments, regulations, and laws as written in the law of Moses.” 1 Kings 2:1-3 NET

Father of all,

I wonder what advice Queen Elizabeth gave Charles as she knew she was getting older? Or was the witness of her life of service enough? Here David is here talking to his son Solomon, as David knows he is near to dying, and his advice is – to become a man! Be a man! I have heard that quoted as a sort of mantra to pull yourself together and be strong and show no weakness!

But David was not speaking in a worldly context. He was talking about choosing to stand up and be a man of God, Your man. So Solomon would do the assignments You gave, follow Your instructions and obey Your Law. Not bow to pressure or the loudest advisor. David had learned how to be a King from You. You kept him safe when Saul was trying to kill Him. He let You deal with Saul in Your time. He learned to humble himself, repent and deal with the consequences when He sinned and committed adultery and then murder. He learned of Your great mercy (Psalm 51). He learned even family can turn against You, when Absalom one of his many sons betrayed him. But he trusted You. He did not rejoice over the death of his son who became His enemy but prayed with remorse (2 Samuel 18:33).

We, in Jesus, are now Your children and Heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). Help us to be the sort of men and women David was talking about. Lovers of Your Word and truth. Desiring to trust and follow Your instructions. Living and learning from You. Thank You for Your presence with us to guide and to cheer.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Father of all,

For our close family. Todays needs and blessings.
For our extended family, friends, neighbours.
For our fellowship, ministers and congregations. Clear preaching and teaching..
For our king and all those in authority and Parliament (1 Timothy 2:2).
For Ukraine. For Gaza, all the Middle East. Solutions leading to peace an end of war.
For those who live in Afghanistan and countries where the law is cruel and without mercy..
For teachers, mentors, trainers and parents to have patience and display good lives.
For those who prey on young people to be outed, uncovered and removed from contact.
For those families affected by violence and murder we have read and heard about in the news.
For us to live according to Your leading and be able to hear and follow paths of peace and reconciliation..

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 21st September 2024

After learning that his young nephew was killed in a car accident, Don Moen searched for some way to help bring comfort to his grieving family even as he struggled with his own sorrow. While reading Isaiah 43, he asked God to give him something that would bring hope to the family in the middle of a hopeless situation. As he prayed, the words for “God Will Make A Way,” came to mind and the following song was born.

God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way

Oh, God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way

By a roadway in the wilderness, He’ll lead me
Rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade but His Word will still remain
And He will do something new today

Oh, God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way

Lyrics: Don Moen

Thursday 29th August 2024

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavour, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” Matthew 5:13 NKJV

Our Father,

Jesus said they (his followers) were the salt of the earth. Chaucer borrowed the phrase from the Latin version of the Bible in 1386 and used it in one of his tales. It is used today but I wonder how many know it came from the Bible – words said by Jesus? Most know its meaning – a person highly regarded for their kindness, honesty or reliability.

But there are many good people on the earth, nice people. But Jesus was not just saying they should be good nice people. The most important aspect of salt is the flavour it adds and preservative properties it has. And that flavour Jesus is talking about can only come from You, Lord. Being good does not win up brownie points with You, God. We are called to share the flavour of the gospel, the taste of Your goodness God and not grow stale.

There are many good causes to support and many good things to be involved in. Things considered as worthy, kind and good. But Jesus is talking about being His salt. To have all our flavour and drive and motivation from You Lord. So what is seen on the outside runs all the way through our thinking, doing and believing.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Our Father,

For our close family.
For our extended family, friends, neighbours.
For any relationships we need to ask You to help us with.
For our church fellowship, ministers and congregations.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). Parliament resitting in September.
For Ukraine. An end to end war, soon.
For Gaza, all the Middle East. Solutions for a reconciliation and lasting peace. Keep them talking.
For the Christian voice to be heard and relevant.
For those who need Your forgiveness to be able to forgive themselves.
For those dependent on drugs to find freedom in You, those with anxiety and fear, peace.
For the internet. That the tasteless side would be cleaned up, censored and made accountable.
For us to taste the flavour of having You in our life. So we can witness in whatever we do.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 29th August 2024
They’ll Know We Are Christians by our love” is a Christian hymn written in the 1960s by the late Fr. Peter Scholtes. Inspired by John 13:35. The title of the hymn originates from the phrase that non believers used to describe Christians believers of the early church: “Behold, how they love one another.” In both Protestant and Catholic hymnals today it has become an important hymn in the church’s efforts to sing a theology of active participation and discipleship in and for the world.


We are one in the Spirit,
We are one in the Lord,
We are one in the Spirit,
We are one in the Lord,
And we pray that all unity
may one day be restored:

And they’ll know we are Christians
by our love, by our love.
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians
by our love.

We will walk with each other,
We will walk hand in hand,
We will walk with each other,
We will walk hand in hand,
And together we’ll spread the news
That God is in our land.

And they’ll know we are Christians
by our love, by our love.
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians
by our love.

We will work with each other,
We will work side by side,
We will work with each other,
We will work side by side,
And we’ll guard each one’s dignity
And save each one’s pride:

And they’ll know we are Christians
by our love, by our love.
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians
by our love.

All praise to the Father,
from who all things come,
And all praise to Christ Jesus,
His one and only Son,
And all praise to the Spirit
Who makes us all as one:

And they’ll know we are Christians
by our love, by our love.
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians
by our love

They will know we are Christians by our love.

Lyrics: Fr. Peter Scholtes




Sunday 11th August 2024

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” John 1:1-3 NKJV

“And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.” John 21:25 NKJV

God,

Our creator, the Word and Spirit, One God.

John’s gospel starts very similar to Genesis, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth). But John takes us much further in our understanding. John allows us to see that You speak and things happen. Your Word is all powerful and creative. The Word was always with You. You, Your Word became flesh. Jesus was always there. Your plan for Jesus birth and death on the cross was always there. It was not a whim, a last minute solution, one of several possible outcomes. You knew what You would have to do, and what to sacrifice and cost to Yourself would be to save us.

Free will for us, at the cost of Your Son. To become vulnerable, subject to human frailty, be totally rejected and die horrifically. Knowing many would still reject Your priceless gift of salvation. But some, some like us would choose life.

John’s gospel ends with the reminder that we have Your Word and the stories of Jesus. Thank You for Your Word, Jesus and Your written Word, the Bible.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

O God,

For our close family, todays and future needs. Practical and spiritual needs.
For our extended family, friends, neighbours.
For our church fellowship to grow and prosper.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). World rulers and governments.
For the NHS and successful plan for its future. Those being called to study and work in medicine.
For Ukraine. An to end war.
For Gaza, all the Middle East. Solutions for peace.
For Myanmar Your church people. Other areas where church is persecuted.
For the ongoing Olympic games. All those taking part, organising and attending.
For those translating the Bible. Those taking them to persecuted churches and where needed.
For those who teach the stories of Jesus to young people.
For us today to enjoy reading Your Word. Remember how we first heard stories of Jesus and give thanks.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 11th August 2024
It is said that as a child, Fanny Crosby, who was blind, learned the Bible from her grandmother who read to her. Fanny could repeat from memory the Pentateuch, the book of Ruth, many of the Psalms, the books of Proverbs, Song of Solomon, and much of the New Testament! She knew the stories of Jesus. She used the medium of her day and her gift in poetry, specifically hymn-writing, to tell the story of Jesus.

Fanny Crosby at age 90: “My love for the Holy Bible and its sacred truth is stronger and more precious to me at ninety than at nineteen.”


Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every 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 every 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.

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.”

Tell how He’s gone back to heaven,
Up to the right hand of God:
How He is there interceding
While on this earth we must trod.
Tell of the sweet Holy Spirit
He has poured out from above;
Tell how He’s coming in glory
For all the saints of His love.

Lyrics: Fanny Crosby