‘I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers…’ (Philemon 1:4)
Who are we remembering in our prayers today?
‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people…’ (Acts 2:17)
As we continue through this time of Pentecost and celebrate the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit upon us, pray that this same Spirit will guide you in all you think, say and do, that at all times you may bear witness to our Lord and glorify His name.
‘I am with you always, even till the end of the world…’ (Matt. 28:20)
As we go about our busy day, take comfort and strength in the knowledge that by His Spirit, the Lord is with us at all times.
‘When they prayed, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…’ (Acts 4:31
As we approach Pentecost and celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on God’s people, pray for a fresh outpouring of that Spirit in our own lives and on our Church today, that we might bear witness to the Lord in all we say and do, to the glory and honour of His name.
‘Let the whole earth be filled with His glory…’ (Psalm 72:19)
How often, I wonder, do we just pause and take time out to look at the glory of the Lord around us in His creation. Or as we hear birds sing and feel the wind or sun on our faces and watch people go about their everyday business, how often do we consider that all of this is held in place by our Lord and bears witness to His glory and majesty. Pray today for all God’s creation and that we might play our part in taking better care of it.
There will be a service this Sunday, the 16th, in both churches at the usual times of 10.00am and 11.15am. Next Sunday, the 23rd, there will be no service in Bendochy Church.
You will have heard on the news this week that from Monday the 17th of May we are moving into level 2 and various restrictions are now being eased. However, in terms of our Sunday worship there is no change and the restrictions currently in place remain so – the need to socially distance, wear face coverings, use hand sanitiser, record details of attendance and no singing. We hope and pray that this will change soon, however, for the time being these restrictions remain in place.
‘In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice…’ (Psalm 5:3)
The Psalmist reminds us that when we waken up each day, the Lord is already there by our side, ready to listen to us as we come before Him. So let’s start each day by coming to the Lord – giving thanks for each that day and asking for His strength, guidance and help as we navigate our way through it, at all times, as best we can, living out our lives of faith.
‘If you love me, keep my commands…’ (John 14:15)
Through His Son, Jesus, God has revealed just how great his love for us is and during one of His final discourses with His Disciples, our Lord makes this simple request of them, ‘if you love me, keep my commands…’ Yet we all know that keeping these commands isn’t always that easy. So in your prayers ask the Spirit to help you, to help you keep those commands of Jesus, focussing on the two great commands He gave to us – to love the Lord our God with all our heart, strength, soul and mind, and to love our neighbour as ourselves. If we can begin to do this, that’s a good way to start.
‘The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God…’ (Romans 8:16)
Just pause for a few seconds to allow the words of this verse to reach into your heart and soul, and then give thanks to God that He should call us as His own.