Daily Share-a-Prayer w/e 09/11/2025
Derek Mill
Worship Leader, All Saints Church, Belton
Friday 7th November
Heavenly Father, it seems to me that suffering is the price we pay for love. When we see our loved ones in any kind of pain or distress then we suffer with them and for them. Love and suffering go hand in hand!
Of course the opposite is true also; we share in the joy and successes of our loved ones too; but it seems that it is in suffering that the connection is most intense. Never more so than when Jesus loved us so much that He suffered on the cross because of His, and Your, love for us. When our children hurt their knees as they fall, the grazes stinging and filled with grit and dirt, we cry with them, hold them close and bathe their wounds. When they suffer rejection in their youth, feeling the first pangs of unrequited love, we feel their agony. And when our loved ones are close to death we suffer the sense of loss, torn between praying they will pass quickly and that they may be spared
Would it be better never to have loved? But, as Alfred Lord Tennyson wrote: "'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all." And as Your Word tells us: "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." Thank You Lord, for blessing us with the greatest of these three; whether we know it or not, whether we deserve it or not, You have given us all the gift of love
Thank You for joining in our suffering, weeping with Mary and Martha at Lazarus' grave. Thank You for being aware of our distress: "Record my misery; list my tears on Your scroll - are they not in Your record?" Your love for us resulted in Jesus’ suffering. As He said: "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." Which is what He did
Thank You that we can suffer in loving, as You did for us. And thank You, that as well as love we have faith and hope: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade." It is better to love
Amen
Songs for today:
My song is love unknown
Your love is better
Thursday 6th November
Heavenly Father, I often hear that Your timing is perfect and I have to say I often wonder if it is! As I wait for one of the most significant moments in my life I'm wondering why am I waiting? I can see no reason. I may think that I am an island, alone in the universe, but I am not. We are not independent we are all interdependent
There are billions of things and lives all interconnected and You are involved in them all. What I do today can have an effect miles away, and even years away. I have read books written by people who were alive before I was born which have had a significant effect on me. Perhaps I may affect the life of someone today, or perhaps one person a hundred years from now. I doubt if John, Paul, George, or Ringo thought their music would have the impact it has
And of course You Word, written, living and active, and in the flesh, Jesus, have an impact on lives all over the world every day. I don't suppose Matthew, Mark, Luke, John or Paul thought their writings would later form the New Testament and be the basis of my faith today
Lord Jesus, You knew, of course, the impact Your life would on people in generations to come. You said: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away." Your Word tells us: "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." I know that Your thoughts are not my thoughts and Your ways are not my ways: “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts"
Perhaps the reasons for my waiting are simply beyond my understanding? Abraham and Sarah waited years for the promise of a son to be fulfilled. Moses, David, and Joseph waited a long time before their true purpose was revealed. Waiting for us is not always convenient, but as I just read, Your ways are higher than my ways. Perhaps You have something planned before my waiting is over?
Perhaps You are testing my character or faith? Waiting can feel like agony! But Your Word teaches me: "we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." And I must never forget: "With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance"
My hope is in You and I know my waiting will be over when the time is right. I still have so much to learn! Thank You
Amen
Songs for today:
There is a hope
Your kindness
Wednesday 5th November
Heavenly Father, I had a bit of a pantomime thought as I was thinking about Jesus today. You know when people say, "Where is your God now?" Like when Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were going to be put in the fiery furnace. Like when somebody is facing any death threat? I heard the answer, "He's behind you!". Thank You that we can be confident that Jesus is there waiting for us
Death has lost its sting and once we are with Jesus, nothing can harm us. Sorry I'm late today, Lord. Sometimes we are unavoidably detained. Today has been such a day. Waiting for You Lord to come soon. Jesus is waiting
Amen
Song for today:
Waiting here for You
Tuesday 4th November
Lord Jesus, on difficult days, and on easy days, help us to keep our eyes on You for in You we find hope. On difficult days, and on easy days, help us to put our trust in You our Good Shepherd. When days are hard and we struggle to cope with life, You are always there to help and guide us
Help us to slow down and not to panic, to listen for Your voice speaking to us. You have assured us: "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand"
Thank You for Your Word. It is a great comfort to know that "no one" can steal us from You, we cannot be snatched. There is no greater assurance than this. "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." This promise is for all who trust in You
Thank You that: "All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant." Your demands are not a heavy burden, in fact quite the opposite, as You say: "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." There is no better way than Your Way. Thank You for showing us the right path
Amen
Songs for today:
Shepherd
Psalm 25 (Show me your ways)
Here I am Lord
Monday 3rd November
Heavenly Father, thank You for the strength that comes from Your Spirit. The Psalmists knew this very well, declaring: "I love You, Lord, my strength... God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble... The Lord is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation"
The prophet Isaiah knew this too: "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint"
And You said to St Paul: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I am certainly aware of my weakness and I am so grateful for Your strength. I couldn't say that at the moment I am soaring "on wings like eagles," but I know that will happen in Your own good time
At present I am resting in Your presence, as You told Moses: "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." And David again: "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety... when I awake, I am still with You.. I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord"
Thank You, Lord, for the gift of rest and sleep. As I sleep You will strengthen me so I am ready to face the challenges of the day
Amen
Songs for today:
Your strength in me
O my soul arise and bless your Maker
Higher than the Heavens
By Your side
all songs (usually with lyrics) and talks courtesy of YouTube
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