Daily Share-a-Prayer w/e 15/12/2024
Derek Mill
Worship Leader, All Saints Church, Belton
Sunday 15th December
Heavenly Father, thank You for this promise which You declared through Jeremiah: "The days are coming when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah... This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time. I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbour, or say to one another, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more". Thank You that this new covenant was brought about by Jesus at His last supper with the disciples
Lord Jesus, the Bible tells us that after supper You took the cup of wine and said: "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you". The old covenant was written on tablets of stone, but the new covenant is to be written on our hearts and in our minds. Just as a codicil to a last will and testament changes that document, so this new covenant changes the old one, not the content but how it is to operate
Lord, You do this now, when we submit to You. No longer do we make sacrifices of bulls, our sacrifice is to give our lives and our love to You. There will come a day when You will complete the work You have started in Israel and in me
Your Word tells me that I can be confident: "... that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus". You said: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them". You write them on our hearts and minds by Your Spirit. Thank You
Amen
Songs for today:
Change my heart Oh God
Create in me a clean heart
Change this heart
Even if
Who You say I am
Saturday 14th December
Heavenly Father, yesterday I was praying about how You lead us and afterwards I was thinking about how You prepare us. I dare say it is different for each of us, how You lead us and how You prepare us
Lord Jesus, when I was first Your disciple I studied the Bible, in three versions, firstly the Good News Bible (GNB), then the New International Version (NIV), and then the King James Version (KJV). As part of my studies I then read the "Bible in a Year" copy, which was also NIV. I also read a lot of Christian books and commentaries
In each of my Bibles I used a multi-coloured pen to underline certain passages: purple - promises; yellow - love of God; red - who Jesus is; green - commands; black - warnings; orange - Holy Spirit; light blue - wonderful words; dark blue - Jesus' words in Matthew. Throughout those years I also prepared and led a Friday night Bible Study at the Rectory and led the music worship every week at church. I think that in leading me to do these things You were preparing me for what I do now: writing this daily prayer. I didn't know at the time of course, but it seems clear to me now
Lord, we only know a little of the first thirty years of Your life on earth, but it seems You were being prepared for Your ministry. In those thirty years You observed human beings and shared in every experience, from birth to death. For three years You prepared Your disciples for the ministry they would have after You were crucified, resurrected and then ascended to Heaven. And You asked Your Father to send the Holy Spirit to help and guide us
Thank You that although sometimes it appears we don't know what we are doing, or why, You do know! Help me, guide me and prepare for whatever is coming next. Thank You
Amen
Songs for today:
Guide me O Thou Great Redeemer
I have a destiny
Gifts from God
He is the Gift
Somewhere in your silent night
Friday 13th December
Heavenly Father, thank You for leading me. When I put my hand up to say I wanted to learn the violin, I didn't know where it would lead me; but You did. When I told the careers teacher at school I wanted to be a music teacher, I didn't know where it would lead me; but You did. When I went to college I didn't know where it would lead me, or that I would meet the girl I would marry; but You did. When we moved to Belton, I didn't know where it would lead us; but You did. When I went to church and then Bible Study, I didn't know where it would lead me, to be a worship leader; but You did
A bit like Abraham, except I didn't have any faith in You, in fact I didn't know You at all, You have lead me all the way to where I am today. Your Word tells me: "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going"
You led me to where I am today, worshipping You now, because You are faithful and You know the plans You have for me, plans to prosper me and not to harm me, to give me hope and a future
The man on the cross, next to Jesus, didn't realise he would be the inspiration for millions of people near the end of their lives, criminals and ordinary folks, to cry out to Jesus. I didn't know I would be praying every day with You and others, and them praying for me and Jane; but You did. We don't always know how or where You will lead us, but You are always faithful to Your promises.
All my life You have been faithful, all my life You have been so, so good. And I know that on the last day You will raise me up. Thank You
Amen
Songs for today:
The goodness of God
I am the bread of Life
Who You say I am
Praise (Let everything that has breath)
You say
Forever reign
Thursday 12th December
Heavenly Father, thank you that today is another opportunity to glorify You. Jesus said: "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven." When I do good things help me never to seek glory for them, but let all the glory go to you. If I can do good things in secret then let that be to your glory
Lord Jesus, you explained this when You said: "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honoured by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you"
I know this may not always be possible, but whenever it is, may it be so. When it isn't possible, help me to give without blowing trumpets! I had a funny thought that that crossed my mind; my hands think? I would think that I think with my brain, but my hands? I could imagine my left hand trying to sneak a peek, wondering what the other hand was up to. Struck me as very funny. You said some funny things!
Thank You that even today I can serve You. Another thing You said was: "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine you did for me". Help me to remember that You are always with me and You see what I do. When I do good things You are there encouraging me, knowing that our Father in Heaven is glorified. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows". Everything is Yours and so I give to You from You. Thank You for every opportunity
Amen
Songs for today:
We plough the fields and scatter
Faith as small as a mustard seed
Wednesday 11th December
Heavenly Father, I know I've mentioned this before, but my mind keeps coming back to the Westminster Catechism, particularly the first two questions and answers: "Q:1 What is the chief end of man? A: Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him for ever. And Q:2 What rule has God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him? A: The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him"
So it seems there is only one rule to measure things by, the Bible. That is a lot to take in! But then I remember... Jesus, 'The Word made flesh'. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him 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 Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and Truth"
My Q and A: Q. How do I go about glorifying You? A. Live like Jesus, the personification of God. If I am like Jesus, as much as I can be, then I am glorifying You. If I am kind, I am glorifying You. If I am peaceful I am glorifying You. If I am patient I am glorifying You. If I am good I am glorifying You. If I am gentle I am glorifying You. If I am faithful I am glorifying You
Father, only Your Spirit in me can bring this about, so Lord, fill me again today with Your Spirit of love and joy. I have searched the Scriptures and so I come to Jesus. Thank You
Amen
Songs for today:
Change my heart Oh God - playlist
Tuesday 10th December
Heavenly Father, another thing we can't buy is time. I'm not very good with time. I don't mean I can't tell the time or work out how long something might take. I have to admit I use the timer on the cooker or my phone to remind me about things. What I mean is I can't remember how long ago it is since something happened. I might refer to something as a couple of months ago when it turns out it was two years ago! Perhaps it is more my memory than time that is the problem?
We say a lot about time: "Time is of the essence. Time and tide wait for no man. Time is a great healer. Take your time. I haven't got time. I haven't had time. I'll do it when I get time. Have you seen the time? Time flies. What time do you call this? No problem, any time. Time is money. Time is precious. I haven't got time to worry about that. I don't know where the time went! Time after time. Time is limited. Time is running out". And so on
Lord Jesus, you said: "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?" Certainly, worry never changes anything. You know me, and You know how much time I have. "Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be". Help me to look to You for guidance so my life is not a waste of time
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance..." Help me to spend my time wisely. Your will be done
Amen
Songs for today:
Now is the time (This hope this love)
Lord I lift Your name on high
I love You Lord and I lift my voice
Time after time
Monday 9th December
Heavenly Father, about 60 years ago the Beatles sang: "Money can't buy me love". If anything, money can be very deceptive when it comes to love! 'Gold-diggers' is the phrase which is often used
Another thing we can't buy is peace. I can't imagine anyone going into a shop and saying: "Er, I'd like some peace please". And the shop assistant replies, certainly sir. How much would you like?" I wonder how we would measure it? By the bag? By the pound? In cupsful? And what about hope? Where can anyone buy hope?
Another thing we can't buy is life. No matter how much money we have, money can't buy health. No matter how much health insurance we have eventually death gets us all. Wealth and health do not necessarily go together!
Thank You Jesus. When You came You brought with You four things from Your Father that money can't buy, Love, peace, hope, and life. I dare say there are other things You brought too. "For 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". Love and life in one Bible verse!
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid". I can't pay for this; it is a gift from You. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit". Peace and joy! "
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace." The list goes on! Thank You Jesus for all that money can't buy
Amen
Songs for today:
I'm accepted I'm forgiven
Amazing grace (My chains are gone)
The heavens they preach
Can't buy me love
all songs (usually with lyrics) and talks courtesy of YouTube
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