Daily Share-a-Prayer w/e 29/09/2024
Derek Mill
Worship Leader, All Saints Church, Belton
Sunday 29th September
Heavenly Father, when I think of ‘visible and invisible’, I tend to think of Heaven, You, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, angels, and space. In space, things so far away that I can't see them. I know about other nations, which I will never see, and people I will never see, but that doesn't mean they are invisible, I just can't see them
I remember this passage of scripture, "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Him all things were created: things in Heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together"
So I can think of "thrones or powers or rulers or authorities" which I don't really see and may or may not be visible. Thinking of this passage reminds me that I don't see them all: "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms"
However at the other end of the scale I read this recently: "There are an average of 1,356 living creatures in one square foot of soil... 340 different animals under a footprint... a one mile walk... tread on approximately six hundred thousand creatures, none of which I ever see". And when I think of atoms, molecules, electrons protons, neutrons, etc. and what is inside them, my mind is completely overwhelmed. And You made it all through Jesus. I really do need to worship this morning, all day, every day. You are awesome!!
Amen
Songs for today:
Even in the silence
Even when
Hallelujah anyway
Saturday 28th September
Heavenly Father, there are days when I get so low I feel like giving up! What do I do? The words of a classic song remind me: "Someday, when I'm awfully low, when the world is cold, I will get a glow just thinking of You, and the Way You look tonight"
And every morning, noon, evening, and night. What do I do? Where do I turn to remember the Way You look? To Your Word, to You, to Your promises, to Jesus. I know what You have done in the past and I know You will do it again. When I am low, sinking, I know Jesus reaches down to me and pulls me out of the waves of my despair
Lord, is it OK to personalise Your promises? Yes? Thank You. When I am afraid: "I will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at my side, ten thousand at my right hand, but it will not come near me"
When I start seeing the darkness lifting I can begin praise. "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given me 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. This inheritance is kept in Heaven for me"
Thank You for this gift of faith. "For it is by grace I have been saved, through faith - and this is not from myself, it is the gift of God." The reminder of even a few of Your promises lifts me. "Knowing that of the Lord I shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for I serve the Lord Christ." Thank You
Amen
Songs for today:
His Promises
Unconditional Love
No Filter
Masterpiece
Friday 27th September
Heavenly Father, sometimes when a person is given a gift, especially an unexpected gift, a common response is, "I don't know what to say!" And perhaps the giver of the gift might say, "Well, you might try 'Thank You'"
This is often how my day starts. A sudden awareness, again, of the depth of Your love and the precious gift You have given us in Jesus. "I don't know what to say". Because of this lack, You have given us words to say!
"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift"
"Thanks be to God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ"
"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever"
"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful"
"Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name"
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him"
"Always give thanks to God for everything"
Thank You that when I can't think what to say You help me. I know I have so much to be thankful for, but there is nothing greater to give thanks for than the gift of Jesus, Your Son. Through Jesus I know You. Through Jesus I am saved. Through Jesus I am forgiven. Through Jesus my guilt is taken washed away. Through Jesus my shame is removed. Through Jesus a place is prepared for me in Heaven. Through Jesus I need not fear death. Through Jesus I have eternal life. Thank You for giving me something to say!
Amen
Songs for today:
Thanks be to God
Where would I be
Give thanks to the Lord our God and King
Thursday 26th September
Heavenly Father, "You hem me in behind and before, and You lay Your hand upon me... Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast"
Thank You again for being with me no matter what my circumstances, no matter what the situation; Your promises hold true. When I am not the best I should be or could be, even there You are with me. When I say or do the wrong thing, even there Your hand will guide me. When I am abused or criticised Your right hand will hold me fast. You are so many things to me
Thank You for inspiring songwriters with lyrics that touch my heart: "You are good to me. You are Truth for me. You are Life in me, Jesus. You are hope for me. You are Peace in me. You bring joy to me, Jesus ". In the storms of life, in the wilderness, in the desert, in the darkest times, You are still with me. When I am down and out You lift me up and breathe new life into me. When the world around me is telling me lies, You are the Truth. When I am lost, You show me the Way
Another song lyric: "How deep, how wide, the precious love of Jesus is for you, for me, there'll always be enough. No sin, no shame, no storm could ever separate us from the One who gave His life for us". All Glory be to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit; One God. Thank You
Amen
Songs for today:
Song in the Desert
Still Yours
Now to Jesus
Glory Be
Wednsday 25th September
Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus! What an incredible God You are. How can anyone not see the amazing love You have for us? You gave up Heaven to become one of us. Humbled Yourself in order to pay the price for our sins; my sins. You humbled Yourself to live life as a servant, showing us how to live
Your Word tells us: "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross!" How can I humble myself? By having the same mindset as Jesus
Lord Jesus, You said, "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." Thank You for the words of this song that reminds me of my position, my need: "All I can say is I need You. All I can do is fall down on my knees. All I can offer is praise upon praise for the grace upon grace I've received. From a humbled heart to a humble King"
You are the King of glory, but You are also the humble King. "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in Heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Thank You
Amen
Songs for today:
Humbled Heart
Who is this King?
All Glory
Tuesday 24th September
Heavenly Father, sometimes we refer to prayer as being like a telephone call to You. I suppose if a prayer is written down on a mobile phone, like I am now, it may be thought of as a text message. If a person writes a journal that may be seen as a penpal writing to You. I believe anyone can do what I am doing now! Anyone can pray. Anyone can write to You. Anyone can become Your 'penpal’
How does one start writing 'Letters to God'? I believe it is easy. Simply drop You a line or two. When human penpals begin writing they don't really know each other too well. They may start writing as part of an initiative at school. They may have met briefly on holiday or through a friend. The letter may talk about where they live, what they like and don't like, what they do during the day
As the penpals get to know each other better they may start to write about plans they have, what they would like to achieve; their hopes and fears. They may talk about hoping to meet one day
The amazing thing about writing to You is You write back!! When we pray You answer. You may speak to us in our spirit by Your Spirit. The Bible speaks to us, the only book that is alive and active
Thank You for taking the time to write. Over hundreds of years and through many people You have written to us. In Your Word You promise we will meet. Jesus promises that we will meet too. What does Your Word say?
"Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God"
"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face"
"Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we will see Him as He is"
Thank You for writing today
Amen
Songs for today:
My heart believes
You are our Hope
Voice of the Lord
Monday 23rd September
Heavenly Father, I remember when I was a child walking with my Dad. I would hold his hand and know that I was safe with him. When my children were young they would walk with me and hold my hand, and I hope they felt safe too
The promises You made to Israel are now the promises to Your children, all who have put their trust in Jesus. You said, "I AM the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you"
My Dad is dead now. My children have moved away and have their own children. Thank You that I still have a hand to hold, Yours! Thank You that You also hold the hands of my children and grandchildren. I may have let go of my Dad's hand, and I no longer hold my children by the hand, but You never let go
Thank You that You help us, that we do not need to fear. When things go wrong, when people make fun, are scornful and say, "So, where is your God now?" I can say to them, "My God is right here, He is holding my right hand. He will never let go"
When I am sinking in an ocean of despair Your hand holds me, rescues me from the depths. When I feel lost in this hostile world, feeling far from home, You squeeze my hand, and say, "Do not fear. I AM your home". Your unfailing love never lets me go
No matter what the future holds I know the Way home. Jesus has a room waiting for me and He will get me there one day. Until that day comes He holds my hand, a constant companion, with me in every circumstance, in every situation. Thank You
Amen
Songs for today:
Send rescue
A Living Prayer
Unfailing love
all songs (usually with lyrics) and talks courtesy of YouTube
|
Print