Prayer Booklet 75
Dear Reader, (Adapted from September 2020)
Welcome to Booklet 75 of reflection and thoughts for prayer from the Presbytery Prayer Promoters’ Group. As usual, let me graciously remind you that we understand that for some of you, you will have your own prayer guides and ways of approaching God, but we hope that many readers will enjoy these reflections and use them to help guide their thoughts in prayer. Please share these notes as widely as possible, especially where you know someone who has expressed that they struggle with knowing how to pray.
Let’s continue this week looking at words spoken by Jesus, or about Jesus. I have chosen to continue looking at the theme of Light because of a comment I heard twice during this week, that God has 20/20 vision. The hidden enemy of Covid-19 is not hidden to Jesus. When things seem dark to us, we should always remember that one of the characteristics of God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – is that he is omniscient. He sees everything; nothing is hidden from him. I would suggest his vision is supernaturally way beyond 20/20 because even in the dark things are visible to him. Let us keep trusting Him.
As usual, Monday’s reflection will be a time to reflect and praise God for who he is and all he has done, is doing and will do, in Jesus’ name and for his sake. I hope you can find something new and wonderful each week to praise God for.
If you would like to comment or have a story you would like to share then feel free to contact me: christistewart@btinternet.com Amen
Monday 20th September, 2021
I promised in the first booklet that we would begin each new one offering this reflection and prayer of praise and hope (and remind you of the importance of this in the introduction to this week’s reflections) from Paula Lennox, a member of both the Mission Committee and the Prayer Promoters’ Group:
As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more (Psalm 71:14)
In this time of anxiety and uncertainty, let us remember there is always someone we can rely on. May we start each day thanking him for all he has done for us and holding this gratitude before us as a beacon of hope.
Prayer
Father, we thank you for your promise to always be with us no matter our circumstances and we hold on to that promise now, as we feel anxious and uncertain as each day goes by. May we remember that through you all things were created, that you have supremacy over everything and nothing is impossible for you. You are our hope and we praise you. Amen
Prayer points are all about praising God:
Praise Him for the little things, we previously took for granted
Praise Him for nature that continues to flourish
Praise Him for more time to spend in His Word
Praise Him that whatever happens he is our hope
Praise Him for…
Now just talk to God about whatever is on your heart…he wants to bless you and give you peace as you trust in him. Amen
Tuesday 21st September, 2021
“The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” Matthew 4:16
Reflection: These words were written about Jesus by the prophet Isaiah who lived 8 centuries before Jesus was born. Isaiah foretold that when Jesus was born, his life and teaching, his death and resurrection, would bring light to a world darkened by sin – especially the sin of ignoring God. They are quoted in Matthew’s gospel just as Jesus began his teaching. How prophetic they are for us today. My prayer is that all our readers have the light of Jesus, guiding and lighting our paths wherever they make take us
Let us pray:
- Lord God, we ask you to help us to keep our lives focused on you so that your light shines brighter in us.
- Father we know there are many who only feel darkness and despair – especially in these days when Covid-19 seems to still be with us. Help us to stay confident and at peace as we trust you, and help us to help others in the love of Jesus.
- Today, Lord, we think of the terrible tragedy of the number of refugees roaming homeless in our world. Shine your light on governments everywhere to take action for their people. May their weapons be turned into pruning hooks and ploughs.
- We pray especially for all those in Afghanistan and Haiti with both man-made tragedies and natural disasters. Send them loving care in Jesus’ name.
Wednesday 22nd September, 2021
“Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.” Micah 7:8
Reflect and pray:
Covid-19 is often described as our enemy, albeit our hidden enemy…an enemy that lurks in the darkness. The word of God teaches us that all good things come from God; that all our blessings come from God; the joy that we possess in knowing him is what gives us strength. (Nehemiah 8:10.) Centuries ago, the people of God suffered greatly, usually as a result of their own behaviour going against all that God taught them about what was good for them. Sadly, I fear we are guilty of the same mistakes today…But the Lord himself sheds his light for us and over us. How we need him now to lighten the darkness. He is our hope.
Prayers:
- Lord God, we thank you that we know you love us – because Christ dies for us to open up our relationship with the Father by forgiving us all our sins. Yet we still live in a fallen world where many are blind to your truths. Shine your light, we pray, in all corners of the world to show your love.
- Today we pray with sadness for a world where people have largely chosen to ignore you. May our lives show the beauty of knowing you through Jesus, our Lord. Amen
- Waken our church leaders to see that Mission needs to be strengthened at this time, that we have a call to serve those who do not yet know Jesus, and to show His love to all.
Thursday 23rd September, 2021
“ Through him (Jesus) all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:3-5
Reflect and pray: In these words we find our hope. How good it is to have hope. These words were written at the beginning of the gospel of John as he announced Jesus and his ministry to the world. What insight he was granted. Even the wickedness of men taking Jesus and crucifying him could not put out the light. Praise God for resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead. Nothing in this world has victory over us – not even Covid-19 at its worst – when it takes loved ones from us, or damages our own health or causes us to be separated from our loved ones. We live in the resurrection power of Jesus and in his light…we are eternal beings and our hope and future with Him is secure.
Prayers:
- Thank you, Lord, that when we share the love of Jesus in word and deed, we bring his light to the darkness.
- Open our eyes, Lord, to see and understand how we can be part of the work of your church in our communities especially as our church doors open again. Help us to keep asking your guidance as to how we can best reach out to others to share the love of Christ and to hold out His light and hope.
- Keep us faithful in prayer, Lord, as we ask you to work a miracle of healing across our nation – spiritually, and physically in relation to Corona virus . Every prayer is a light.
Friday 24th September, 2021
“‘You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14,16
Reflect and Pray: So as followers of Jesus in the 21st Century we are his light in the world. We need to keep that light powered up by prayer, reading his word, worshipping him and singing his praise ( see the hymn, ‘Longing for light’ printed at the end of the booklet.) Then our love for him will naturally flow into serving others in Jesus’ name. When those around us see lives that are lived for the good of others it is God who is glorified. People do not actually need to see what we do, but they will know the effects of living near someone who lives as God desires. The light of peace and tranquillity is evident to all.
Let us pray:
- Loving God, who through Jesus would inspire us to really live out his teaching – his teaching that would radically change our world for the better – help us to be faithful and true that others might be drawn to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
- Father God, you have promised to be with us in all things; may we know the light of your presence even now in our land, as the Coronavirus seems to be affecting more and more of our people, damaging our resources, and creating great loss in so many ways. We have learned that by our correct behaviour we can work to reduce its effect. Inspire us all to do what is right. Help us to be faithful in prayer and fill us with hope.
- Lord, we ask for a miracle of healing, protection, cure. Amen
Saturday 25th September, 2021
The following is adapted from publications from the Barnabus Fund, which is a mission that reaches out to the persecuted church across the world. As we think about it, it gives deeper meaning to the words of the hymn that follows:
“Jeremiah prophesied in a time of national disaster. But he brought to those who were exiled a message of hope: ‘For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ Jeremiah 29:11
We pray to the Lord Jesus who said, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
We pray for all who are struggling and worn down by this long pandemic. Strengthen them – especially where it is exacerbated by deep poverty – and help them to find ret in You. We pray for all those who have become weary in trying to support others by giving and caring over this long period of time. Refresh all who care and work tirelessly in support of those in need. Grant them new joy in taking every opportunity to do good to all people, and especially to those they see being persecuted for believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen
Paul, writing to Christians of Rome in a time of persecution…focused on how Christians should respond to afflictions affecting themselves or their fellow believers (Romans 12:9-21). He urged them to ‘weep with those who weep’ (or mourn with those who mourn).”
He also reminds us that as the children of God in Christ Jesus we should rejoice in hope. Let hope be the theme of our prayers.
He goes on to challenge us to take time to stop, think and pray for our family across the world who are suffering only because they have come to faith in Christ Jesus as the way, the truth and the life. (John 14:6).
Read, pray, worship… and really believe!
Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to You.
Make us Your own, Your holy people,
light for the world to see.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light! Shine in Your Church gathered today.
Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has power to save us.
Make us Your living voice.
Longing for food, many are hungry.
Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us Your bread, broken for others,
shared until all are fed.
Longing for shelter, many are homeless.
Longing for warmth, many are cold.
Make us Your building, sheltering others,
walls made of living stone.
Many the gifts, many the people,
many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another,
Making Your Kingdom come.