Prayer Diary Thursday 26th November 2015

Prayer diary: Thursday 26th November 2015

Pray_Love_Walk_Praise

Today’s Bible reading: James 2: 14-17
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Word and Deed

We have many opportunities to help others,sometimes it is a challenge, as it takes up our time and effort, giving selflessly is something that comes from God. The most important thing is that souls are saved for Christ.

Heavenly Father, We reflect upon the words of James and thank You for Your Word passed down over 2000 years, as relevant to us today as it was then.
Father, we pray for Your help, through Your Spirit to help us to recognise times when we can help others. That help may be through a kind word of encouragement, a word of scripture, or some practical help in providing something that someone really needs.
We look to You for our strength as we live our daily lives, seeking to serve Jesus Christ. We know that selflessness is a difficult thing for our flesh so we ask for Your help as we crucify our old self at the cross and seek to follow You wherever You are leading us.
Give us a heart that comes from Christ, full of love, compassion and care for each other. May our faith be reflected in all that we do or say. May we be light to this world. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Israel

Israel is currently under attack – recently from stabbings, shootings and car ramming, we pray for the Peace of Jerusalem, both for the present and for the future.

Heavenly Father, we pray for the true Peace of Jerusalem – we know that Jesus Christ is going to return one day and then there will be real peace. We know that this can only come from You and so we pray for the Prince of Peace to restore peace on the earth and to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Until that time, Lord, we pray for these attacks to be stopped and for people to live alongside one another, despite their differences. In our Lord and Saviour’s name, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Prayer diary Wednesday 11th November 2015

Prayer diary: Wednesday 11th November 2015

Pray_Love_Walk_Praise

Today’s Bible reading: 2 Corinthians 13:11
Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

 

Remembrance

We are publishing a day early this week which means we are writing on Armistice Day.

Heavenly Father, our
 God of truth and justice, we hold before you those men and women who have died in active service in two world wars, also in Iraq, in Afghanistan and elsewhere.
As we honour their courage and cherish their memory, may we put our faith in Your future; for You are the source of eternal life and hope, now and for ever. Amen.

U.K. / Europe

David Cameron has published a letter which sets out four areas of reform which he believes need to be considered and actioned if the British people want to stay in the European Union. Economic Governance, Competitiveness, Sovereignty and Immigration.

Heavenly Father, as the United Kingdom enters negotiations for its future, either within or outside of the European Union we pray for wisdom for our politicians. Lord, we have seen a coming together of nations which has seen peace in Europe for 70 years and economic co-operation. However the political union and lawmaking from Brussels is not seen as desirable by many people. Lord, we want to see what is best for all people and we know that can be difficult to measure. We pray that the leaders will be able to meet in harmony, whilst still being able to resolve difficult issues.
Father we pray that You will be the guiding hand in these negotiations which will bring fruitful outcomes for not only the UK, but for other states within the EU. Lord, we pray that Your Spirit will guide the minds of the negotiators, as they seek to lay plans, that those will be in accordance with Your will for our future. During these complicated discussions we ask “not our will, but Yours be done”. Through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, Amen.

Prayer diary Thursday 5th November 2015

Prayer diary: Thursday 5th November 2015

Pray_Love_Walk_Praise

Today’s Bible reading:
1 Corinthians 10: 23-24
‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say – but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’ – but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

A selfish culture?

The migrant crisis continues, many thousands of foreigners arriving into Europe, from North Africa into Southern Mediterranean countries, through Turkey into Eastern Europe. Reactions of the nations and of individuals vary enormously. We pray for those involved.

Heavenly Father, it is plain to us that there are many very needy people in the world, trying to escape from wars and persecution, economic collapse, or simply searching for work and a better life. Your Word teaches us to look to the good of others, before ourselves. Lord, we are sorry that we have been affected by a culture of selfishness which can harden our hearts to other people’s need. Lord, we thank You for all that You have provided us with and we ask that You soften the hearts of us as individuals, and our governments as leaders of nations, that we might give of our money, resources and time.

We pray for those caught up in the conflicts and ask that You will care for them, knowing that practical and financial help has to be given.

Lord, we pray for the organisations that are providing assistance, especially those Christian ones that seek to feed both body and soul. We pray for the migrants, that they may find shelter, work and dignity, whilst also finding Jesus Christ as their Saviour. We pray against the sin of selfishness, forgive us Lord. In Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

Russia

The recent air crash in the Sinai desert of a plane carrying tourists from Sharm-el-Sheikh airport to St Petersburg shows signs of having been a terrorist act. 224 people lost their lives on Saturday 31st October.

Heavenly Father, once again we suspect the inhumanity of man to man to be responsible for so many deaths and the pain and suffering of thousands of friends and relatives. Father, we pray for the bereaved, that You will comfort them and be with them in their time of sorrow.
Lord, we are sorry that there is so much hatred, war and killing which comes from the hearts of man. We pray that men will repent and turn away from killing and replace darkness with the love of Jesus Christ in their hearts. We pray for an end to the war in Syria, and wisdom amongst world powers to restore peace there. Lord, our hearts cry out to You, saddened by what we read in the news. Lord, in Your power, we ask You to show mercy on this region. Through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

Kenya:

We received a prayer request for a small Christian School in Eldoret, Kenya:

  • The pupils/staff and their families for protection physical, emotional, spiritual
  • Repairs of the buildings from rain damage
  • The toilets need to be repaired
  • The new chicken project – they are building the chicken house at the moment.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the work of this school in Kenya which educates and feeds youngsters from deprived backgrounds. We pray that You will provide for their physical and spiritual needs, inspire the teachers and all to glorify Your name, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Prayer Diary Thursday 22nd October 2015

Prayer diary: Thursday 22nd October 2015

Pray_Love_Walk_Praise

Today’s Bible reading: 1 John 1: vv 5-7
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

China

There is currently a state visit to the UK by the Chinese leader Xi Jinping. An opportune time for us to pray for China.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the pioneering Christians, like James Hudson-Taylor, in the 19th century, who took the bible to China. We thank You for the work of people inspired by Your Spirit in building Your church in that huge country. We pray for that church, that they may be blessed, encouraged and sustained, despite any persecution or harassment, from wherever it may come.
Father, we pray for freedom for all people, and especially Christians in China, that they may share their faith, worship openly, joyfully spreading the gospel and working for Your purposes. We pray for unity of the church, unity of purpose, directed by Your hand and the Holy Spirit.
We pray for the pastors, that they are good shepherds of their flocks, feeding and sustaining them, especially as they nurture new believers.
We pray that the bible will be easily available to all, that the bible societies will have the funding necessary to deliver the Word of God to all who need it.
We pray for the love of Christ to hold together all those believers, that they may love one another, look after and protect one another, also showing that love to unbelievers, that they may recognise the love of God and believe.
We pray for sound doctrine to be preached in the churches and houses where they meet, that they may be empowered by Your Spirit and that China becomes known as a Christian nation. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Prayer diary Thursday 15th October 2015

Prayer diary: Thursday 15th October 2015

Pray_Love_Walk_Praise

Today’s Bible reading:
1 Thessalonians 5: 14-18
And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

The good news!

The shops here are already filling up with Christmas goods. The commercial arm of Christmas is already swinging into action. We thank God that more than 2000 years after Jesus Christ was born his birth will never be forgotten.
To read and understand “What life is all about” – click here

Heavenly Father,  we thank You for the gift of Jesus Christ, our Saviour and our Lord. We thank You that He came into the world, God made flesh, grew up as a man, and crucified in His innocence of any sin, in our place.
Father, what a wonder is the author and method of our Salvation, that we can attain eternal life through faith in Your holy Son. Thank You Lord, for the provision You made for us, to be saved from our sin.
We acknowledge You, Lord God, and faith in Jesus Christ as our only way to Salvation, confessing our sins and being renewed daily by Your Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

U.K.

In the news today are reports that crime is rising in England and Wales, and whilst much of this is Internet crime, there has been a 16% rise in violent crimes causing injuries. Report We need to pray for our country.

Heavenly Father, we thank You that You are a great and powerful God, unseen, yet majestic in all that You do. We trust in You as we pray through Your Son, raising up our praise and admiration to You. We thank You that Your ears are bent to listen to our prayers and answer them in Your perfect timing.
Father we raise up to You the matter of violence in our country. We pray that our churches will be a leading light to others, being relevant in our communities, showing that love that comes from Jesus Christ. Father, we pray that families, schools, churches, youth groups, will teach our young people how to interact in social groups, learning how to respect others and live in peace. We pray for all Christians in these areas of work, that they may speak out for Christian values, loving one another, even our enemies.
Lord we thank You for the police who keep order in our society and pray that law and order will prevail. We pray for the victims of violence, for recovery and for peace of mind.
We pray for positive action to be taken amongst local community groups to educate people, that they may respect and love others, living together in harmony for the benefit of all. We pray that the Word of God will go out from the churches, that people will seek and find Jesus Christ as their Saviour, putting aside their old lives, and taking up a new life in Your Son, a life full of love for others and hope for the future. Through Jesus Christ we ask it, Amen.

Israel

In this last week there have been terror attacks on Israelis, using cars, meat cleavers, guns, large rocks, fire bombs, anything that will cause death and injury.

Heavenly Father, we cry out to You for peace in Jerusalem. We know that You are watching events and are all powerful, so we ask You, Lord, to act to protect both Israelis and Palestinian people from attacks and restore order. Not our will, but Yours be done, Father, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.