15th-31st May

Sunday 31st May: 

Hymn: Holy Spirit, we welcome you (StF 385/SofF 188/MP 241) 

Prayer: 

Holy Spirit of God, you are the One who empowers us, who enables us to do and be more than we could ever imagine or think possible.  In the challenge of these times, so fill us, so fill your church with your life-giving presence that we may rise above every obstacle, and discover new ways and opportunities to reach people with the saving news of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen!

Liz Stuart 

 

Saturday 30th May: 

Hymn: Breathe on me, breath of God  (StF 370/H&P 280)

Prayer (in preparation for Pentecost):

Lord God, although we are told to self-distance from one another, we cannot and we must not stay apart from you, for we need to breathe in the oxygen of your Holy Spirit to keep our faith alive.  Yours is the very breath that revitalises us and will revitalise your church.  So, Holy Spirit of God, as you breathe upon us, may we freely and gladly inhale that life-giving breath, and stay alert to all the new things you would do in us and through us to your glory. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Friday 29th May: 

Hymn: O let the Son of God enfold you (SofF 419/MP 502)

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you that we can give all the things that trouble us into your loving hands, and for the peace and healing you pour into our hearts.  Help us to be more open to your Holy Spirit, and discover even more deeply the joy of new life in you. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Thursday 28th May: 

Hymn:  Take, O take me as I am (StF 781)

Prayer:

If I’m honest, Lord, some days are better than others.  There are the good ones when I wake up and the sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the scent of roses floats in through the open window, and I feel a surge of energy and purpose.  And then there are the other days when I miss my family and friends so much, I can’t seem to get motivated, and there seems no end to it all in sight.  Thank you, Jesus, that you accept me and love me as I am.  Help me to lift my eyes to see the bigger picture, and to put my hope and trust in you. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Wednesday 27th May:

Hymn: The power of the Cross (SofF 1988)

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you suffered so much so that we might have new life, life in all its fullness, and all this because you love us so much.  Keep us strong, Lord, in all the difficulties we are facing, strong in patience, strong in hope, knowing that in and through our faith in you all things are possible. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Tuesday 26th May:

Hymn:  My hope is built on nothing less (MP 473)

Prayer:

Jesus, you are the firm foundation of our lives, the solid rock beneath our feet.  Whatever shakes our confidence, whatever troubles cause us to lie awake at night, whatever unsettles us and makes us worry about the future, we have this security and certainty at the centre of our being that you are greater, stronger and more powerful than anything life puts in our path.  We praise and thank you for your faithfulness, and that enfolded in your arms of love we can find rest for our minds and souls. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Monday 25th May: 

Hymn: I will come to you (You are mine) 

Prayer:

It’s Monday again, Lord, and things don’t seem to be getting a lot better.  There’s still the aloneness, the fear, the feelings of helplessness, the distress over the loss of loved ones to deal with – sometimes it gets overwhelming.  But then, Jesus, we hear you say ‘I am with you – do not be afraid, you are mine’, and just repeating those promises gives us a new sense of hope, of reassurance, of belonging.  And as we put our trust in you, you fill us with your peace, and we find the strength to carry on.  Thank you, Lord! 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Sunday 24th May: 

Hymn:  Love divine, all loves excelling  (StF 503/H&P 267)

Prayer:

Glorious God, all praise and worship belongs to you, because you have lifted us up above the troubles and traumas of this world to your throne of grace, to receive your wonderful blessings, your forgiveness and your love.  And it is through this, Lord, and through the new life you give us, that we are able to live more truly as your people, empowered and strengthened by your Holy Spirit. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Saturday 23rd May: 

Hymn:  My peace I give unto you  (SofF 399/MP477)

Prayer: 

Lord Jesus, thank you for those gifts of peace and love that you plant deep within our hearts, so that whatever is happening in the world, whatever fears and anxieties we face in our own lives, we have the assurance that nothing can take away your presence from us, or spoil our relationship with you. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Friday 22nd May: 

Hymn:  Creation sings the Father’s song  (SofF 2255)

Prayer: 

Wonder-full God, your whole story is full of beauty, wisdom, mercy and grace.  You have reached out to us in ways beyond our imagining or deserving.  You have drawn us to yourself through Jesus and have shown us how much you love us, and through your Holy Spirit we experience your presence, supporting and enfolding us day by day.  How can we thank you enough except by loving and praising you in return, and by entrusting you with our lives. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Thursday 21st May: 

Hymn:  Before the throne of God above  (SofF 1187/CMP 975)

Prayer:

How amazing, Lord, that the King of the universe has our names always before him – that we are forever on his heart.  But more than this, that Jesus has taken all that it means to live a human life to the very throne of grace, where we can go with confidence to find help to meet our every need! 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Wednesday 20th May: 

Hymn:  Jesus, all for Jesus (StF 555/SofF 1376)

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, the future is so unclear at the moment.  We’re used to looking ahead, making plans, mapping out our lives – booking holidays, church events, family celebrations; all those things we look forward to and sometimes even build our lives around.  Now it seems as if we’re living in a kind of vacuum!  But actually that’s not really true, Jesus, because you are here with us, and no longer is it an empty space but filled with your presence, with your love and light and hope, as we trustingly put everything into your hands. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Tuesday 19th May:

Hymn: You raise me up 

Prayer:

Sometimes it’s all to much, Lord!  We listen to the news, so much sadness, so little agreement about the right way forward, and we feel overwhelmed, helpless, out of control.  It’s then we remember what a great God you are – that nothing escapes your attention, that nothing is beyond your power and love, and that you are in this situation with us, pouring your peace into our anxiety and our fear.  And in that assurance we find new courage and hope. 

Amen

Liz Stuart

 

 

Monday 18th May: 

Hymn: Christ be in my waking (SofF 2244)

Prayer: 

Lord Jesus, thank you for your promise that in whatever hard place we find ourselves you are with us.  In these challenging times we ask that you will not only strengthen our faith, but also give us the courage and sensitivity to reach out to those who are struggling, and to share with them the love, hope and peace we find in you. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Sunday 17th May: 

Hymn:  New every morning is the love  (StF 137/H&P 636)

Prayer:

For such a time as this, Lord God, you have given us the beauty of creation, Spring flowers, bird song, the greening of trees and the warmth of sunshine to gladden our senses and lift our spirits.  For such a time as this, Jesus, you died and rose again to express your great love for us and to give us hope for the future.  For such a time as this, Holy Spirit, you came to stand beside us, to give us new life, and the strength and courage to face each new day.  For all your gifts, Lord are ‘new every morning’, and for this we give you thanks and praise. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Saturday 16th May 

Hymn: Lord, I come to you  (StF 471/CMP 880)

Prayer:

Lord, perhaps the thing we’re missing most in these strange, unnatural times is the human contact with people we love – the handclasp, the hug, the touch on the arm that means so much.  So hold us close. Lord, help us to know you beside us in whatever we’re going through, and give us a real sense of your loving and uplifting presence. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Friday 15th May 

Hymn: Let your living water flow over my soul  (SofF 334)

Prayer: 

Loving Lord God, you want to enter into those places I prefer to try to keep hidden, where I hold onto secret fears, old wounds, and guilt I would rather lay buried, all of it spoiling my relationship with you.  Help me, Lord, to keep nothing back from you, but to allow your Holy Spirit to fill the whole of my being, and so receive your peace, your healing, and true freedom. 

Amen

Liz Stuart