As I enter prayer now;
I pause to be still;
to breathe slowly;
to re-centre my scattered senses upon the presence of God
“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last.
Job 19:25
Then Hannah prayed:
“My heart rejoices in the Lord! The Lord has made me strong. Now I have an answer for my enemies; I rejoice because you rescued me.
1 Samuel 2:1
But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:57
Jesus Christ, our Chief Elder, head of the church, and head of our faith, help us to be strong in faith as we remember that you are head of every authority and governing body. Give us vision, guidance, and grace to carry out your plan. Amen.
In your name Papa, Jesus and Spirit. Amen
The one thing I ask of the Lord — the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord ’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.
Psalm 27:4
And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
Mark 12:30-1
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:19
Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God. ”
John 6:68-69
Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me. Make your way plain for me to follow.
My enemies cannot speak a truthful word. Their deepest desire is to destroy others. Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with flattery. O God, declare them guilty. Let them be caught in their own traps. Drive them away because of their many sins, for they have rebelled against you.
Psalm 5:8-10
“When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, be very careful not to imitate the detestable customs of the nations living there. For example, never sacrifice your son or daughter as a burnt offering. And do not let your people practice fortune-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord. It is because the other nations have done these detestable things that the Lord your God will drive them out ahead of you. But you must be blameless before the Lord your God. The nations you are about to displace consult sorcerers and fortune-tellers, but the Lord your God forbids you to do such things.”
Moses continued, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.
“Then the Lord said to me, ‘What they have said is right. I will raise up a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites. I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell the people everything I command him.
Deuteronomy 18:9-15, 17-18
Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-22
Capture a city:
let us prove God there.
Give me a field,
though dry, unpromising and bare.
Sink me a well
to water all this land:
let me draw deep.
And feed me from your hand.
Show me a cave,
remind me of the past:
embrace my exile.
Tell me I’m loved at last.
Safe in the deepening darkness,
uncover a heart that sings.
Feet planted firmly in the ground,
release the nether springs!
Andy Raine, based loosely on Judges 1:12-15
Dear God, we pray for our brothers and sisters in Iraq. They risk so much and experience so much discrimination and pressure all because they follow You. We ask that Your healing Spirit remain in the midst of Your people, particularly as they continue to heal from the trauma inflicted by so-called Islamic State. Please God, bring refreshment and hope to our family in Iraq and rebuild Christians’ churches, lives and communities. Amen.
Jesus, as my light, illuminate and guide me.
As my shield, protect me.
Jesus lift me up; direct me;
Come alongside me, on my left and on my right.
Today be my core and aroma, gently powerfully
In the heart of those I speak to; and speak to me through them.
Today be my center and encircle me with Your powerful love.
You are my light, my shield.
You are on my left and on my right.
Your peace go with me, wherever You take me.
Guide me when I am lost. Protect me when I am scared.
Bring me home rejoicing at the wonders You have shown me.
Bring me home rejoicing once again into my flat.
In your name Papa, Jesus and Spirit. Amen
Father, help me to live this day to the full, being true to You, in every way.
Jesus, help me to give myself away to others, being kind to everyone I meet.
Spirit, help me to love the lost, proclaiming Christ in all I do and say.
Amen.