Daily Share-a-Prayer w/e 12/01/2025
Derek Mill
Worship Leader, All Saints Church, Belton
Wednesday 8th January
Heavenly Father, for many of us regular routines will be kicking into action after the Christmas and New Year holidays. Most people have a pattern of daily, weekly, or even monthly events that have been put on hold during the Festive season
I noted as I walked round the village yesterday that there were some people up ladders removing lights from the eaves of their houses. As I was driving in the evening there were hardly any lights or lit up Santas, elves, and reindeer to be seen. In our house all the decorations are now packed back into boxes and put away in the cupboard ready for next year. That feeling of not being sure what day of the week it is, is gradually disappearing! Things are getting back to normal
Having measured the weeks by the numbers of days to Christmas, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve and Day, we now get back to the number of days to the weekend or the day the bins are due out! All rather mundane, but in some ways quite nice; there is some security in a regular pattern. And yet, we all know that things can change in a moment
The only thing that is unchanging, constant, totally reliable is You. You tell us: "I, the Lord, do not change". Jesus said, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away". The Bible tells us: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever"
Thank You for the security we find in knowing You through Jesus. As the Psalmist writes: "The Lord will keep you from all harm - He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore". Whatever comes, I know I am safe with You
Amen
Songs for today:
Whatever comes
One Day (When we all get to Heaven)
Holy overshadowing
Tuesday 7th January
Heavenly Father, I went to bed earlier last night, but found I couldn't sleep. I was awake even later than I had been on previous nights! I would guess that it is a case of 'old habits die hard'. Thinking about sleep, trying to get to sleep, worrying about not getting to sleep was probably one of the things that kept me awake. Eventually I did drop off, so thank You for the sleep I had
For me, this is a short term problem; usually I fall asleep quite quickly. For others it is a constant source of worry; worry being one of the reasons some people can't sleep, a kind of vicious circle
Lord, help me to sleep well. I pray for all those who find sleep a constant source of anxiety. We are designed for a cycle of being awake and resting, so insomnia is not a good thing. Sometimes it seems there is no reason why a person can't sleep, so it is hard to make any changes to encourage sleep to occur
Knowing we are safe with You doesn't seem to make any difference. There may be things in the subconscious that are troubling us, but how can we know what is subconscious? How can we deal with it? Your Word tells us: "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you"
Sometimes scripture can be so frustrating, because even though we know the Truth, we know You care for us, it doesn't seem to make any difference! Knowing it in our head is one thing; believing it in the heart is another. Taking action, or probably more importantly, allowing You to work, is yet another. Sometimes You ask "Why do you doubt?" I suppose there are some things we simply can't explain, but we can start by giving them to You and wait for You to deal with them. Thank You
Amen
Songs for today:
10,000 reasons (Bless the Lord)
Cast your burdens
I cast all my cares upon You
Monday 6th January
Heavenly Father, I am late meeting with You again this morning. Too many late nights are catching up with me! As we sometimes hear said: "You can't burn the candle at both ends!" Lots of late nights recently have been very enjoyable but they need to be balanced with enough sleep. As with a lot of things, balance is important
We talk about a balanced diet, the work-life balance, balancing the books. I read a quote, I don't know who said it but it rings true: "Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life". I prayed about time a while ago and quoted Ecclesiastes: "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..." There is also a time to sleep
Your Word tells me: "It is useless to work so hard for a living, getting up early and going to bed late. For the Lord provides for those He loves, while they are asleep". Well, I don't work anymore, but I still believe in the principle. It does me no good to not get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation can have many negative effects on the body and mind including impaired brain function, weakened immune system, weight gain, mental health issues, increased risk of injury, daytime drowsiness, irritability, and low motivation
This is NHS info, and sounds about right if I look at myself! Lord help me to be sensible about sleep. Thank You
Amen
Songs for today:
Firm foundation
O my soul arise, bless your maker
Rescue
all songs (usually with lyrics) and talks courtesy of YouTube
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