Monday 11 March 2024

 

Prayer when I just don't want to: Nehemiah 13

Father Almighty

We long that our hearts might be changed

That our wills might desire you

That our thoughts might be pure

That our actions be godly.

O change us we pray!

Thank you that Christ did not come to change the externals alone but also to change our hearts.

Holy Spirit accelerate your work in us that we might truly love you even as we long for that day of culmination.

Amen

Thursday 7 March 2024

 

John 18:33-19:16


Our Father,

We have crucified the king;

But we do not feel the weight of our offence.

We have not recognised his majesty.

We have not expected his return.

Father have mercy on us.

Christ have mercy on us.

Spirit have mercy on us.

We declare that Jesus is our king.

May he be truth to us.

Take our thoughts captive under your rule.

May our speech be seasoned by his authority.

May our hearts be submissive to him alone.

Amen.

 

Thursday 15 February 2024

Nehemiah 11,12

Father we thank you that though we don’t see it, you are inexorably moving history towards the fulfilment of your promises.

We look forward to the day of complete fulfilment when your people will stand before you as your sons and daughters.

We look forward to the day when the first heaven and the first earth will be distant memories and chaos will be removed.

We look forward to the day when we will dwell with you as your people; to the day when you will be our God totally and completely not partially and superficially as we are so often guilty of today.

We long for that day when you will wipe our tears; and when death and pain will be no more.

May we live straining forward, longing for that day, full of mercy, sharing Christ.

We say with all of creation, “Come Lord Jesus come!”

Amen

Tuesday 29 September 2020

Abigail and the man named ‘Fool’ - 1 Samuel 25

Father we are filled with folly, filled with desires.
Please forgive our trespasses and sins.
You are the God of the living,
Who judges the wicked and the foolish.
You have raised your king
You have given us a mediator.

Remember us we pray.
Thank you that you have sent Jesus
To grant us peace,
To take our guilt.
In the face of your victory
Thank you that you are a God who brings justice…we need only wait and trust
Amen

Tuesday 8 September 2020

The most important thing about your heart is where it is headed - 1 Samuel 18-21

Father may we love your messiah king. May Jonathan be our model and our guide. May we do what he did and be as he was; unaffected by power and personal desire but content with the advancement of your king and his kingdom. Put this love in our hearts we pray. Amen

Thursday 3 September 2020

David and Goliath - 1 Samuel 17

 

Father so many defy the living God.
They hurl their contempt at this people
And scorn the name of the king.
But your king takes this reproach in weakness and humility.
He goes to death.
He brings us life.
In weakness and in scorn he saves his people.
May we worship the king.

Wednesday 26 August 2020

1 Samuel 15,16

Father, you are a God who speaks

You have spoken your precious Son

And you desire that we listen to him and obey him

But we listen to every other voice rather than yours.

Forgive us.

Give us hearts that

·     Discern your voice

·     Know it

·     Love it

·     Seek it

·     Desire it

And most especially hear it, not rejecting it.

In Christ’s name we pray

Amen