Daily Share-a-Prayer w/e 14/04/2024
Derek Mill
Worship Leader, All Saints Church, Belton
Sunday 14th April
Heavenly Father, all across the world Jesus will be praised and worshipped this Sunday morning, as I know He is every morning. This will take place in churches, in homes, in the outdoors. Some will worship openly, while others will worship in secret because of persecution
The focus of our worship will be Jesus, Your Son, who gave His life for us. It is incredible that the shedding of this One man's blood should be central to our worship. I guess if He had just died then He would be forgotten along with millions of others who have been killed, but He was different! Why? Because He didn't stay dead! Just as He said of Himself, three days after His crucifixion He was raised from the dead to eternal life and glory!
In Jesus’ own words: "We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day He will be raised to life!"
Lord Jesus, Your prophecy was the Truth in every detail. But Your death and resurrection was not senseless, it had a purpose: "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life". This is why we will celebrate today! Because, like You, we will be raised to new life, eternal life. Without You we would perish; but with You, resurrection!
Thank You for all You have done for us
Amen
Songs for today:
John 3:16 in six languages
Alas! And Did My Saviour Bleed in 3 languages
Way Maker
Saturday 13th April
Lord Jesus, You asked the disciples, "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter replied, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God"
I have books here about "Praying the Names of Jesus" and "Praying the Names of God." You both have lots of names and titles, but if You were to ask me, who do I think You are, what would I say? It should be so easy, but it is quite a toughie!! I know lots of names from books and previous prayers and songs, but if I had a name or title I wanted to call You by, what would it be?
I know You are my Lord and God, so I could do that, but when we are close, just us, I don't think You want me to be so formal. You said, "I no longer call you servants... Instead, I have called you friends..." My friends when I was younger all had nicknames, we rarely used our actual names. So what would I call You?
You said, "To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name on it, known only to the one who receives it". Perhaps I am trying to think of what my 'white stone' name would be for You? Often names are an abbreviation, so that is a possibility
Perhaps a name based on Your character? You are the exact likeness of God, so 'Immy' perhaps, also an abbreviation of Immanuel? You are my Saviour and Redeemer, so perhaps, 'Savvy' also implying 'I know'? Or 'Deemer' implying chosen, because You are deemed worthy?
I think, 'Ev' because You are everything to me, for ever. Just between You and me, Ev
Amen
Songs for today:
1,000 Names
I Will Set My Face
Heart Won't Stop/Stand By Me
To You Lord
Friday 12th April
Heavenly Father, the Bible tells us that when Jesus was crucified Pilate had a sign put up above His head which read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews" and he had it written in three languages, "Aramaic, Latin, and Greek"
I guess that most of the people present spoke at least one of those languages. The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews', but that this man claimed to be King of the Jews". But Pilate stuck to his guns, refusing to change his words and said, "What I have written, I have written"
On the day of Pentecost, when Peter spoke to the crowd we are told, "Aren't all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs - we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!"
What language do You speak in today? Every language, and in every one You speak the language of love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness. Your words are universal, and what You have written, You have written. Your Word does not change
Help me to speak Your language today. You do not speak hate or malice; You speak Redemption and Salvation. May my words be pleasing in Your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer
Amen
Songs for today:
Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me - 3 languages
King of My Heart
The Cross has Spoken
Thursday 11th April
Heavenly Father, thank You that I can come into Your presence this morning. Thank You that I can read Your Word. Thank You that I am able to understand what I read
According to that most reliable source, 'Google', there are 3658 translations of the Bible or parts of the Bible today. There are 2070 translations available on my Bible App, although 70 of them are English versions. Thank You for those people, over many years who have studied languages, including Hebrew and Greek, who have gone back to the original texts and translated them into the numerous languages we have available today
I do not speak any other languages, though I know a few words in French, German, and Italian from my musical studies and school days. I rely on others to translate Your Word into words I can understand. I also rely on Your Spirit to open my eyes to understand what those words mean
I only know that, "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" because someone translated these words at some point in the past. I only have an understanding of the depths of these words because Your Spirit has shown me how much You love me! I can only write this prayer today because I am in Your presence and You guide me
Thank You for Matthew, Mark Luke, John, and Paul, and all who wrote the Bible, Old and New Testaments. I am forever grateful to them and the translators. And most of all, to You
Amen
Songs for today:
In the Presence
Saved and Healed
Hide Me Away O Lord - in five languages
Wednesday 10th April
Heavenly Father, when something is bound to happen, and nothing can stop it, we sometimes use the phrase, "The writing is on the wall". This is not some reference to graffiti. Nor is it talking about the answer to every question which begins, "Which street artist..." (to which the answer is always "Banksy")
The writing on the wall was about the future of King Belshazzar, who "gave a great banquet for a thousand of his nobles and drank wine with them...using the gold and silver goblets that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem". Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote in the plaster of the wall, "Mene, mene, tekel, parsin".
This terrified the king, and only Daniel could explain the words, which he said meant, "Mene, mene, tekel, parsin...Mene: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end. Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting. Peres: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians"
This could be said of any one of us, "You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting". But in Your great love and mercy You balanced the scales for us! By placing us on one side of the scales and Jesus on the other, justice was done; the scales were balanced because Jesus took the punishment and paid the price. For us, the writing was on the wall, but Jesus scrubbed it out so we were set free
Thank You. Help me to use my freedom to glorify You
Amen
Songs for today:
O Praise the Name
Lion of Judah
My Weapon
Tuesday 9th April
Lord Jesus, many, if not most, of the things You said give us food for thought. Sometimes it is hard to digest. Sometimes it is hard to swallow. I wonder if the disciples found some of what You said unbelievable? Perhaps there are times when I say to myself, (try to convince myself?) "This doesn't apply to me", or, "This doesn't apply in this situation"
I wonder if Simon Peter wished he'd never asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?" Perhaps he thought he was being very generous, even magnanimous! Your reply must have shocked him. It certainly shocks me! You answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times". Some translations have seventy times seven! You expect me to forgive someone who hurts me a huge number like this?
I suppose it fits in with other things You said, but really? Seventy-seven times; seventy times seven? Perhaps this is another one of those hyperboles? But somehow I think not. You said, "Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured in your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you"
In the prayer You taught You thought it important enough to include, "Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us". So, it may be hard to swallow, difficult to digest, over the top, but it does apply to me and my situation! I just need to listen to You, from the cross!
Amen
Songs for today:
Forgiveness
I'm Accepted, I'm Forgiven
At the Foot of the Cross I Can Hardly Take It In
Monday 8th April
Heavenly Father, I read the following a couple of days ago: "I'd rather stand with God and be condemned by the world than stand with the world and be condemned by God". I suspect this is much easier to say than it is to do!
I know how hard the disciples found it. When Peter was challenged by two servant girls and a group standing near him that he knew Jesus, his responses were: "I don't know what you are talking about... I swear I don't know that man... I swear that I am telling you the truth! May God punish me if I am not! I do not know that man!" Peter had boldly claimed, "Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will"
And Lord Jesus, You told him, "Truly I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times". Peter, a burly fisherman? Frightened by two servant girls! After Pentecost, and having been filled with the Holy Spirit, the same Peter stood up, raised his voice and addressed the crowd, "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say"
Quite a transformation had taken place. Having denied You previously Peter now declared to the same people who had asked for Your crucifixion, "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah"
His courage came from You. I know I can only declare You Lord and Messiah by the power of Your Spirit in me. Lord, help me
Amen
Songs for today:
Empowered
Power of Your Name
Your Spirit
all songs (usually with lyrics) and talks courtesy of YouTube
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