Daily Share-a-Prayer w/e 03/11/2024
Derek Mill
Worship Leader, All Saints Church, Belton
Sunday 3rd November
Heavenly Father, today I am thinking about Your work as director of our lives. A director gives instructions to the actors, perhaps explaining the character's role, giving advice on how to deliver the script, encouraging as well as criticizing, taking responsibility for the outcome, although the actors must share in that too as they play their part in what the world sees
Our lives are directed by You. You give us instructions as to how to live, Your main guidance being given in the Bible. "Love others as you love yourself," being one direction. Your commandments another. "Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else," is another. Our role is to glorify You and to enjoy You forever
Your Word to us is exemplified by Jesus: "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God". You explain how we should speak to one another: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen"
You tell us how to treat one another: "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you"
Lord Jesus, thank for demonstrating all this by living Your life perfectly. You are and drank with us sinners, to the glory of God. You spoke in a Way that encouraged and built us up. There was no bitterness in You, brawling or slander. Your anger was controlled and was only to help others. Like Your Father You were kind and compassionate. You spoke forgiveness from the cross
Lord, be the director of my life that I may glorify You
Amen
Songs for today:
Now to Jesus
I know the plans I have for you
Give me Lord a dream from Heaven
God of all my days
Saturday 2nd November
Heavenly Father, when I watch a film, at the end the credits roll while music plays. The list of people involved in making the film is often huge, generally far longer than the cast list. In amongst them will be the screenwriter and the original author
When a play is on stage the list will be much shorter. Among those listed will be the stage crew, the scene shifter. The curtains close and silently and unseen the scene shifter and the crew, if there is one, change things. It may be a few minor alterations to the set, or it may be that the whole stage is transformed. Props will be provided on stage and backstage. All of this is prepared beforehand and it is a vital part of the production.Timing is very important so everything happens as it should
Our lives are rather like this. Lord, You are the author, producer, and director. You are also the scene shifter, working silently behind the scenes, making alterations to the set, our day to day lives. You cue in old and new characters who change the plot and introduce new ideas and themes. You are the author of salvation
This is theme of our lives, from beginning to end, and You are there throughout, guiding the whole thing. One thing is needed, we need to turn up to play our part. You have prepared everything for us, for a glorious life, with the glory going to You. There will far too many people to list in the production of our lives, many unseen, from angels to bit parts, with only one line, and even more who are never seen, but are affecting what is going on
Help me to remember there is an adversary! He is already defeated, but we need to stand firm. "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him standing firm in the faith because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.... Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you"
Lord Jesus, help me to trust You throughout my life. My days are written in Your book
Amen
Songs for today:
The awesome God You are
Holding us
Let hope arise
Friday 1st November
Heavenly Father, thank You that I can come to You in any state of mind. I can come thankfully, I can come angrily, I can come exuberant and joyful, I can come weary and worn, I can come confidently and I can come full of doubt. I can come to You in tears and I can come with a big smile on my face. I can come in need and asking, and I can come offering, although You do not need anything
However I come to You I know You accept me and understand me. You know where I have been. You know what I have done. You know what I have said. You know what I have thought. You know what has been done to me. You know what has been said to me and about me. You know what people think about me. And no matter how I come to You, no matter what has happened, I know You love me
I know You cannot not love me! Your very nature is love. You may hate what I do, but You love me. You may hate what I say, but You love me. You may hate what people do to me, say about me or think about me, but You love them too. I know this because You came to earth, because of what You did, because of what You said, because of how You died; and why. Everything You did, and everything You do, is because of Your love for us; because of Your love for me
"In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Every one of us is called, but not everyone answers; but even then You keep calling. Thank You for taking me as I am. For calling me as I am. For loving me as I am
Amen
Songs for today:
Jesus take me as I am
Me on Your mind
From Everlasting (Psalm 90)
Yesterday today and forever
Hold to God's unchanging hand
Thursday 31st October
Heavenly Father, I have so much to be thankful for, and yet sometimes I must seem like an ungrateful wretch. St Paul felt something like this when he wrote: "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
Lord Jesus, You have already won the battle. The last enemy of us all has been defeated. Your resurrection shows that death has been defeated. Your Word tells me this: "Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law. But thanks be to God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ". If I have nothing else to be grateful for I can be grateful for this!
But I know I have even more to be grateful for. I know that I am on Your mind; You are thinking about me. Why even now You are watching me as I write to You. This verse in my devotional today reminds me: "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is mankind that You are mindful of them, human beings that You care for them?"
Even now, through Your Word, You are speaking to me, reminding me of Your love for me. "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness". Your unending love is worthy of unbroken praise. Thank You
Amen
Songs for today:
Unending love
Unbroken praise
Wednesday 30th October
Heavenly Father, I think I need You to tell me a secret: how to be content. I know this is a secret because St Paul writes: "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Christ who gives me strength"
Sometimes it seems that contentment only comes when some goal is achieved, but that contentment is fleeting. There seems to be a list that appears and perhaps the next thing will bring contentment; and then the next; and then the next. And so it goes on
How do I stop this feeling of being dissatisfied? How do I stop this search for contentment? I am not in need. I have more than enough 'stuff'. I am well fed and watered. I am truly loved by my friends and family. And yet there is still the feeling that there is more; more to be had. I should be content! I know You love me. I know Jesus died for my sins and that I am safe forever
Lord, help me to be content, like Paul. He said he could do this through Christ who gives him strength. Perhaps that is the secret? Relying on Jesus!
Lord Jesus, strengthen me so I am content. Fill me again with Your Spirit so I see everything through Your eyes. Help me to pursue those things You deem worthwhile: "pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness". Quite a list. Other things pale into insignificance in the light of this list. The pursuit of excellence in these things should keep me busy for the rest of my days, and also keep me content. Thank You
Amen
Songs for today:
All my days (Beautiful Saviour)
All my days - Psalm 23
All of my heart all of my soul
Tuesday 29th October
Heavenly Father, my mind ran on yesterday thinking about people who do tasks that are often thankless. They may be paid for their work, and may get a lot of job satisfaction, but it is still nice to be thanked. Some work can be quite soul destroying when people are unappreciated
I know You see what people do Lord and You do appreciate the work they do and the services they provide. There are so many people to thank, so I made a list, as they say, "In no particular order" and apologies to the many I am sure to miss!
I would like to thank: school teachers, especially music teachers,(my old job); Special Educational Needs support staff; shop keepers; bus drivers and conductors; train drivers and conductors: taxi drivers; doctors and nurses, ancillary staff; pharmacists; colleagues at work; bosses; kind strangers; repair men; builders; brick layers; electricians; plumbers; architects; surveyors; servicemen: army, navy, air force; merchant seamen; lifeboat men and women; deliverymen and women; opticians; receptionists; refuse collectors; gardeners; road workers; telephone engineers politicians; bankers; vicars; bishops; scientists; charity workers; volunteers; singers and musicians; entertainers; actors; friends; mums and dads; grandparents; aunts and uncles. And Jesus
Bless them all, Lord. May they receive thanks today from someone, and a great sense of peace and wellbeing from You. Saying thank You is a small price to pay, but it can lift a person's Spirit. You tell us: "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesu."
Help me to remember that everyone has a hard life. No one is exempt from problems and troubles, worries and anxieties. Thank You for Your loving kindness to us all
Amen
Songs and motivational speech for today:
Thank You Lord
Thank You for giving me the morning
Say "Thank you" motivational speech - Denzel Washington
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Monday 28th October
Heavenly Father, yesterday I ended my prayer by saying: "Thank You Jesus for Your sacrifice on my behalf". Then asking myself a question: "My sacrifice? Worship!". Your Word tells us: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship". My sacrifice is in response to Yours. You deserve my thanks and praise, my worship and adoration, for who You are and what You have done
In view of Your mercy I offer my sacrifice. There is nothing I can give You! You are the creator of Heaven and Earth. There is a phrase in our liturgy, “...of Your own do we give You..." This echoes a verse in Your Word: "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from Your hand"
Sometimes I do things without any recompense, a 'thankless task’. Lord Jesus, I don't want Your sacrifice to be a thankless task. Therefore, I urge myself, in view of Your mercy, Your sacrifice, to offer myself as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing You and our Father
This my true and proper worship. And so I will continue to share the Truth about who You are and what You have done for us. Even if it is a thankless task, I know that You see what I am doing and You are pleased
Lord, I can only do this in Your strength! Help me to worship in Spirit and in Truth. We are, I am, the reason for Your sacrifice
Amen
Songs for today:
Thanks and praise
You are the reason that I worship
We are the reason
all songs (usually with lyrics) and talks courtesy of YouTube
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