Monday 31st August:
Hymn: How long? (SofF 1092/CMP 1014)
Prayer:
As human beings we have this tendency to be ‘time conscious’, Lord, and we find it hard to wait, never mind to do so patiently! We forget that you do not measure time as we do, in years, months, days, hours, but in the spectrum of eternity, and you wait for the ‘right’ time to carry you your plans. Teach us, Lord, to see the future more from your perspective and help us to trust you for our tomorrows and for all they hold. For then we will become less anxious, as we learn to let go of those things over which we have no control, and to wait for you to fulfil your purposes in your perfect timing.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Sunday 30th August:
Hymn: When morning gilds the skies (StF 368/H&P 276)
Prayer:
Not everyone is a ‘morning person’, Lord, and sometimes it takes a while to get going! And yet if we can get into the habit of starting each new day with you, reading your Word, laying the day before you and sharing our concerns with you, what a difference it makes. For then it becomes second nature to turn to you in the everyday things of life and not only in moments of crisis, and, through this, build up our relationship with you. Prompt us to spend more time in conversation with you, Jesus, so that we not only learn more about your love for us, but also more about ourselves and our need of you.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Saturday 29th August:
Hymn: Love like this the world has never known
Prayer:
We use the word ‘love’ so lightly – in fact it sometimes trips off our tongue without our giving it a second thought. But when, Lord God, you ‘loved the world so much that you sent Jesus’, it was a very different kind of love that was on your heart, and a very different kind of love that Jesus showed us. For your love, Jesus, involved suffering, submission and sacrifice, three words that sit uncomfortably with the culture of today. Help us not to take your love for granted, Lord, but to cherish and value it, and seek to show some small part of this unique kind of loving in our own lives, that ‘the world’ might come to know and put their trust in you.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Friday 28th August:
Hymn: I am not alone
Prayer:
So many have suffered over the last five months, Lord, and indeed many are still suffering. There has been so much loss – of loved ones, of employment, of education, of freedoms, of hope and much more. And there are so many questions to which there are no certain answers or seemingly even long-term solutions. So we thank you, Lord Jesus, for your promise that you will never leave us, and that however we may be feeling, whatever we are facing, however dark the future appears, we are never alone. Guide us and uphold us by your Holy Spirit, Lord, so that though the way ahead is unclear, our faith in you may remain not waver, and in our times of weakness or insecurity we may know your strength.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Thursday 27th August:
Hymn: Have thine own way, Lord (SofF 156/MP 212)
Prayer:
We have seen power and control operating in so many negative ways, Lord, taking away people’s freedom and dignity, so it’s not easy to allow you to have complete power and authority in our own lives. Except, Lord, that your power is the power of love, and your authority is that of the Master Craftsman, whose one desire is to shape us into the people you created us to be. So mould us, Lord, into vessels of blessing, from which your hope and peace and love and healing are poured out into a fractured world.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Wednesday 26th August:
Hymn: Your love is amazing (StF 98/SofF1656)
Prayer:
There are times, Lord, when we don’t know which way to turn. We’re thrown off-balance by the changes in the world around us, by the lack of stability in daily life, by the fear that coronavirus instils in us, by anxiety over our future prospects. Except, Lord Jesus, when we remember that we are encircled and upheld and undergirded by your amazing love, which not only gives us a firm foundation for everyday life, but strength and guidance through your Holy Spirit, and an overwhelming sense of hope and reassurance. Thank you, Jesus, for those surprises of joy with which you sprinkle our lives!
Amen
Liz Stuart
Tuesday 25th August:
Hymn: I will offer up my life (StF 446/SofF 851/CMP 990)
Prayer:
You have done so much for us, Lord Jesus, more than we can ever thank you for, more than we could ever deserve. Words are not enough to describe all that is in our hearts, and all the gifts and abilities we possess are gifts from you, so we are left with a question, ‘what can we give’ to express our love and our gratitude? So, Lord, we simply offer our whole selves, asking that you will work in and through us by your Holy Spirit, that we may live to your praise and glory.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Monday 24th August:
Hymn: When I look into your holiness (SofF 595/MP 754)
Prayer:
How can we begin to imagine, much less describe, your holiness, Lord God? Perhaps it is a little like gazing into the heart of a rose, seeing the petals curling round one another in a perfect spiral, deepening in shade as they approach the centre, disappearing into a suffusion of colour. And so it is with you, Lord, that the more we gaze on you, the more we become aware of your beauty, your loveliness, your purity, and your heart of love, that we are drawn deeper in awe and wonder and worship. And the more we begin to reflect your loveliness in our own lives.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Sunday 23rd August:
Hymn: How can I keep from singing
Prayer:
It’s great, Lord, that soon we will be able to meet together for worship, to have that real sense of togetherness with one another and with you that we have missed so much. And yet, Lord, it won’t be the same, for we long to lift our voices in song, to express our praise in music and poetry and harmony, opening up our whole selves to you ‘making a joyful noise’ to our God! But if our lips are silenced our worship is no less real, so please, Lord, accept the singing that comes from our hearts, for it is offered in sincerity and love.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Saturday 22nd August:
Hymn: O for a closer walk with God (MHB 461/SofF 951/MP 494)
Prayer:
Sometimes, Lord, you seem so far away, but when we experience this we know it is not you who has moved away, but we ourselves. Whatever it is that has got in the way, we are aware of that loss of closeness, and long to restore our relationship with you. Help us not to allow shame or guilt or pride to prevent us turning back to you, but to honestly and whole-heartedly seek your forgiveness, for when we do we find your loving arms open wide, Lord Jesus, waiting to welcome us home.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Friday 21st August:
Hymn: Praise my soul, the King of heaven (StF 83/H&P 13)
Prayer:
Loving God, when we bring you our praise and worship we are taking our place in the long line of our forebears, over countless generations, adding our voice to their voices, and rejoicing with them in your great goodness. And yet, for all that, our song is unique, because we have each experienced your presence in our lives in a different way. And so we thank you, Lord, for the special blessings we have received, and commit ourselves to passing on the good news of Jesus Christ to generations yet to come.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Thursday 20th August:
Hymn: We’ll walk the land (SofF 583)
Prayer:
What will the ‘new normal’ be like, Lord, and what changes, what opportunities will it bring? Is it something we should fear – or maybe something to take hold of with both hands and shape it to your glory. We could aim to be bolder in sharing the gospel, more fervent in our praying, more ready to show your compassion and forgiveness in our relationships, more consistent in living out what we believe. Then the flame of faith would certainly burn brighter as more people would learn of your love. Help us, Lord Jesus, to be brave enough to take that first step!
Amen
Liz Stuart
Wednesday 19th August:
Hymn: I heard the voice of Jesus (StF 248/H&P 136)
Prayer:
It’s been a long time, Lord, this living restricted lives, remembering the rules, adapting to change, longing for the freedoms we used to take for granted – and wondering when, or even whether we will get them back. And we’ve grown weary of it all, anxious and often distressed and frustrated. It’s so good to know, Lord Jesus, that we can turn to you, for you alone can offer us true rest – a rest for our souls that frees us from the stresses of everyday life, which takes away our weariness and replaces it with a sense of well-being, of peace and of hope. And so refreshed and renewed we are given the strength to face what each new day brings – thank you, Lord!
Amen
Liz Stuart
Tuesday 18th August:
Hymn: There is a higher throne (StF 337/SofF1541)
Prayer:
Loving and faithful God, whatever we suffer now, whatever the hardship we have to bear, we know our future is secure in eternal life with you, in a place where you reign supreme. We thank you for the certainty of this promise, but even more than this, Lord, that with your Holy Spirit living within us, we can know the joy of fellowship with you right now, and experience life in all its fullness day by day, with all the strength and comfort this brings. Help us, Lord, to take hold of these promises, for in them we will find hope and peace.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Monday 17th August:
Hymn: Great God of countless wonders
Prayer:
Lord God, we find ourselves silenced by the countless wonders of your creation, for we cannot find the words to describe its awesome majesty and mystery. Yet more amazing still, Lord, is your care and concern and commitment to each one of us, as you pour your love into our hearts and faithfully watch over us day by day. May we, as part of your creation, respond by seeking to live to your praise and glory, so that others may see reflected in us something of your grace and beauty.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Sunday 16th August:
Hymn: O for a heart to praise my God (StF 507/H&P 536)
Prayer:
I guess it happens to us all, Lord, there are times when our praise comes more from our lips than from our hearts. We don’t want it to be like this, but things get in the way. Sometimes it’s an awareness that things we’ve said or done have spoilt our relationship with you – we’ve paid lip-service to our faith but not let it really change us from the inside-out. Or just that we’ve been too tired, too busy, too pre-occupied, too anxious, too everything to give our all to you. Thank you, Jesus, that you understand us so well, that you forgive us so freely, that you restore us so graciously, and that you love us so abundantly!
Amen
Liz Stuart
Saturday 15th August:
Hymn: Forever Jesus
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, it’s only when we look back that we realise the amazing variety of people who have been part of our lives, who have guided us, influenced and made us the people we are, many for our good, though others, sadly, who have let us down. But you, Jesus, are the one who has moulded and changed us most, and all you do in our lives is for our good. You promise us a relationship that will never fail us, and your love and your faithfulness are and will forever remain constant, in a life with you that goes even beyond death. You are our one true ‘forever Jesus’ – thank you, Lord!
Amen
Liz Stuart
