Prayer diary: Thursday 21st September 2017

Today’s Bible reading: Philippians 2: vv1-4
Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Listen to this as a podcast: Podcast_21Sept2017

Syria

The very long and deadly civil war in Syria is slowly drawing to a close. According to reports 80% of Raqqa has now been “liberated” from Islamic State forces and the collapse of IS in both Iraq and Syria is welcomed as an answer to many peoples’ prayers.  We hope that six and a half years of conflict will come to a close. People will be able to rebuild their lives, but not those 400,000 souls that have died.

Heavenly Father,  we thank You that, at last, the horrors of the Syrian war might be coming to an end. We have prayed about this since the beginning of hostilities and although it is hard to bear, we know that everything happens in Your timing.
Lord we lift up those in the country, who have been bereaved and afflicted by this awful conflict. Lord, we ask that You help them as they reconstruct their lives, homes and businesses. May those displaced have opportunities to return to their towns and villages and their homes and families and friends.
We pray that You will somehow turn events to Your Glory, not that we glory in war, but that we give glory to the Name of Jesus Christ, that His Name may be lifted up high as Saviour and Lord of all, inside Syria and in all countries and places to which the population have migrated.
In Jesus´ Name we pray, Amen.

U.K.

Last week we were in Cumbria enjoying the beauty of the lakes and mountains, trees and wildlife.

Heavenly Father, We thank You for our time spent in the English Lake District last week, when we had time for rest, relaxation and to enjoy your creation. Father we thank you for opportunities to travel, spend time with family, and to be refreshed physically and spiritually as we journey with Christ.
We pray that our spiritual refreshing will be overflowing that we might spill Your love out upon others, with a new enthusiasm as we meet people in our daily lives. In Jesus’ Name we pray – Amen.

Israel

The water level of Lake Kinneret (Galilee) is at it’s lowest level for years. It would take 5.2 metres of water to fill it up. That’s more than the hight of a double decker bus! It is the largest source of fresh water for Israel, but cannot be used when at this very low level. Israel needs rain.

Heavenly Father, we pray that there will be a large amount of rain over Israel this Autumn to replenish supplies. Send the rain, Lord .
At the same time we pray for a pouring out of Your Holy Spirit over the Land, that many will come to knowledge of Jesus Christ as being the true Messiah, the Son of the living God, through whom we pray, Amen.