August 2021

Tuesday 31st August 

Hymn: You still reign and you are God

Prayer:

As we think about the chaotic happenings around the world, with people fleeing their homelands, with others facing persecution and oppression; as we hear of the devastating effects wrought by natural disasters and by climate change, it’s so hard, Lord, to hold onto hope.  But deep down we believe that you do still reign and you are God, the God who brought order out of chaos and light out of darkness; the God who in Jesus brought life out of death, and whose very nature is love.  So while everything around us may appear to be out of control, falling apart, we put our trust in you, Lord, for the big issues in the world, and for the smaller ones in our own lives, for you are faithful, and your goodness and your promises never fail. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Monday 30th August 

Hymn: All praise   

Prayer:

At the beginning of a new day, Lord, we lift up our hearts and voices in praise to you because of all you have done for us in Jesus Christ.  Without him, without the sacrifice Jesus made for us in coming to earth to live among us, in dying on the cross and rising again to new life, we would know of you but we would not be able to approach you as our loving Father, and realise how much you want to be part of our lives.  We thank you for the new life we have received, for your promise that you are with us in every circumstance of our lives, and for the assurance of eternal life with you, and the foretaste of this which we have already received through your Holy Spirit.  We ask only that you strengthen our faith and trust in you, that we may live our lives to your glory. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Sunday 29th August 

Hymn: Speak, O Lord, as we come to you  (StF 161/SofF 2032)

Prayer:

As we come to worship you today, Lord God, we ask you to speak into our lives in new ways.  As we read and listen to your Word in Scripture and song, help it to become real to us so that we understand what it means for us to really be your people.  As we come to you in prayer, may we have that certainty that you are listening to us, and keep us in tune with your heart, Lord, so that what we ask for, and what we lay before you, is in accordance with your will for ourselves and your world.  And in it all, may we hear your voice, revealing your plans for our lives, but, especially, assuring us of your love surrounding us at all times, for it is this which enables us to face whatever lies ahead with confidence and hope. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Saturday 28th August 

Hymn: In the garden

Prayer:

Our lives are so full of noise, Lord.  The noise outside us, which sometimes becomes such a background to our lives that we scarcely hear it, but, perhaps almost more than this, the noise inside us of whirring thoughts, plans, worries, all wanting our attention and wearing us down.  How much we need to find stillness, Lord, to have that ‘rest for our souls’ that Jesus talks about, but so often seems to be such an elusive quality in the busyness of everyday life.  And yet we know that if we really want to hear you speaking to us we need to make space for you, to slow down our heartbeat, calm our minds and breathe in your peace.  As we near the end of the week, please help us to do this, Lord, and find the refreshment you alone can give us. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Friday 27th August 

Hymn: Through it all 

Prayer:

What a week it’s been, Lord Jesus!  The news from around the world is frightening, heart-breaking and we feel at a loss to know how to respond, how to help, even how to pray.  And there have been times in our own lives when we have felt similar anxieties and emotions, perhaps particularly over the last 18 months in the grip of pandemic, when we have been wondered what the future will hold.  But through it all you have been there, and you are still present in your world, Lord, in your Holy Spirit.  We don’t know what the outcome of so many things will be, but we have discovered that when we put our trust in you somehow we become stronger, more able to cope, and more confident about the future.  So as we pray for our world, Lord, with all its current problems, and we entrust all to your loving care, knowing that your plans and purposes never fail. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Thursday 26th August 

Hymn: The King of love is my delight    (SofF 1025/CMP 1009)

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, we have received so much from you!  Through your life on earth we have learned of your heart of compassion, in the suffering and sacrifice of your death on the Cross we see the depth of your love, and the lengths you were willing to go to so that we might be freed from the power of sin and death, and, through the victory of your Resurrection, receive the gift of new and eternal Life.  But these are not just deeds from the past, Lord, for, amazingly, you are a present reality in our lives, reaching out to us through your Holy Spirit, filling us with joy and delight as we experience your love, your peace and your guidance.  Help us, Lord, to show our thanksgiving by the way we live, that all we say and do and are may give you praise and glory. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Wednesday 25th August 

Hymn:  How long?  (SofF 1092 /CMP1014)

Prayer:

We hear the news, Lord, and we are filled with horror and dismay at all that is going on across the world!  Thousands trying to escape from terrorist regimes, places where natural disaster has claimed lives, and countries where climate change is causing fear and destruction on a massive scale – and we are left with the question, ‘how long?’  How long before we come to our senses and learn to live peaceably, to give sufficient aid, to work together to seek to reverse the damage we have done to your creation?  Yet at the same time, we know, Lord God, that you still have ultimate control, that your heart is aching for those who are suffering, and that you will in time act to restore your world.   Until then, Lord, keep our faith strong, we pray, as we seek to do what we can to show your love and compassion to those in distress. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Tuesday 24th August 

Hymn: There is none like you  (SofF 1035/CMP 943)

Prayer:

Sometimes, Lord God, we can be tempted to find the things we crave, such as fulfilment, achievement, satisfaction, affirmation and happiness in the things of this world.  But sooner or later we discover that they are not all they are made out to be, and that only you can satisfy the real longings of our heart.  Only you can give us the peace, the hope and the lasting joy that our souls are searching for.  Indeed, that there is no-one like you, for you gently hold us and lead us in those times when we need guidance and support, and it is in your love and faithfulness that we find not only the resources to cope with the demands of daily living, but the contentment and security of knowing that you are always with us.  For when we put our trust in you, you never let us down!

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Monday 23rd August 

Hymn: Christ in me 

Prayer:

The more we grow in our faith, Lord God, the more we realise our dependence on you.  Through Jesus you have done so much for us; you have freed us from our sin and enabled us to put the past, with all its shadows and hurts, behind us.  You have given us life that is full of purpose and promise, and when we have struggled to make sense of what we are experiencing, and when the challenges of daily life have seemed more than we can bear, you have been there, surrounding us with your love and upholding us through your Holy Spirit.  It is through your goodness and your grace, Lord, through your life in us, that we can face the future with confidence, knowing that you will always be with us giving us the strength we need.  Thank you, Lord! 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Sunday 22nd August 

Hymn: Jesus calls us here to meet him   (StF 28)

Prayer:

As we come to worship you this day, Lord God, we are full of wonder at the different ways you reach out to us to fill our lives with your beauty, your goodness and your love.  We hear your voice through your creation, calling out to us of your provision for our daily needs.  As we read your word we learn of your faithfulness stretching back into history, and know it to be true in our own lives.  And we experience your love, made real in Jesus, and now poured out into our hearts through your Holy Spirit.  All this, Lord, and so much more as we put our trust in you.  So may our praise today come now only from our lips but from deep within us, as we celebrate your presence among us, and offer ourselves afresh to you. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Saturday 21st August 

Hymn:  Would I have answered when you called?  (StF 674)

Prayer:

As we reflect on the week that is ending we know, Lord Jesus, that there have been times when we have not really listened to you.  Sometimes we have just been too busy, and we have promised to set aside time later but it just hasn’t happened.  Other times, when we have felt the nudging of your Holy Spirit to speak up, we have lacked the courage and kept silent, or changed the subject.  And we know there have been occasions when we could and should have acted differently, if we hadn’t been so caught up with our own agendas.  We thank you, Lord, that because we are sorry you forgive us and free us to start again.  Help us as we prepare to meet for worship tomorrow, to do so with a new resolve to put you first, because that is where we need you to be if we are to be truly your people. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Friday 20th August 

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

Prayer:

How different we all are, Lord God!  Different characters, personalities and pasts; different gifts and abilities, and bringing with us so many different experiences of life, hopes, dreams and fears, and yet you love us all equally and unconditionally, and just as we are. But even more than this, Lord, you see in each one of us such potential, more than we ever see in ourselves!  And you not only see it, you seek it out, Lord, – you create in us the desire to become the person you created us to be, developing those gifts and graces that will not only give meaning and purpose to our own lives, but will enhance the lives of other people, and will build your kingdom.  So thank you, Lord, and please use us in ways which will give you glory. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Thursday 19th August 

Hymn: Sing of the Lord’s goodness   (StF 65)

Prayer:

When we think about ‘goodness’, Lord God, we are apt to measure it in human terms – the way people behave, of trying to live in a way that is helpful to others and so on.  But your goodness, Lord, is intrinsic to your very nature and character.  We see it in Creation, for you ensured that everything you made was good.  We discover it in Jesus, through the healing and wholeness he brought to so many, and supremely in his death and Resurrection, with the triumph of love and life over the power of evil and death.  But even more so, we experience it through your Holy Spirit, for you promise that in all situations you are always working for our good, and we thank you for the reassurance this gives us that whatever happens in our lives we will always be upheld by your love and care. 

Amen

Liz Stuart

 

Wednesday 18th August 

Hymn: Listen to our hearts

Prayer:

Often, Lord God, we find ourselves lost for words as we try to praise and thank you for all you are to us, all you have done for us in Jesus, and continue to be through your Holy Spirit.  For you have reached out to us and made your love known to us in countless ways, breathing life and strength and hope into our lives and assuring us that you will always be with us.  But when we want to express our love for you, Lord, not only do the words we use seem so inadequate, we’re also conscious that so often they are contradicted by the way we live our lives.  So, Lord, please forgive us, and listen to our hearts, for that is where our love for you beats strongly, and will always be truly found. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Tuesday 17th August 

Hymn: There is a Hope  (SofF 2558)

Prayer:

With all the troubles and unrest in the world, Lord God, it is so good to know that you have ultimate authority, and nothing is beyond your power to change for good.  As we pray for people living in places of conflict, those reeling from the aftermath of natural disaster and from the surge in Covid infections, we thank you for the hope you give us that transcends the limits of time and space.  For it is this hope that keeps us going in times of distress and despair, and which gives us the strength and the courage we need to face each new day, confident that we, and indeed all people everywhere, are held in your arms of everlasting love. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Monday 16th August 

Hymn: Men of faith   (Shout to the North)  SofF 921

Prayer:

How can we keep silent, Lord Jesus, when you have done so much for us, and yet how often we have kept the truth of all you are, and all you mean to us to ourselves.  It’s time to remember, to affirm and to celebrate that you are indeed ‘Lord of heaven and on earth’, and to proclaim this not only with our lips and by our lives, but to shout it from the housetops!  As we and our churches begin to reawaken from the restrictions of Covid 19, we ask for the help and guidance of your Holy Spirit in seeking to discover new ways of proclaiming our faith, ways that will be relevant to this generation and resonate with those around us, so that there will be a mighty chorus of love and praise, and all of it to your glory. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Sunday 15th August 

Hymn:  Worship God with the morning sunrise   (StF 68/SofF 2154)

Prayer:

Lord God, however much we know about you, whatever words we use to try to describe you, whenever we try to imagine how wonderful and glorious you are, we are aware that we can never even begin to grasp your greatness, your beauty or your holiness!  You are so much more than our minds can take in, so far beyond our understanding, that were it not for Jesus we would stand in awe of you but never feel we could approach you.  It is through Jesus, because of all you sent him to be and to do, through his life, death and Resurrection, that we know how much you love us and want to be part of our lives, and indeed make this possible through your Holy and Life-giving Spirit.  So today and every day, come rain or sunshine, we bring you our worship, our praise, our love and our thanksgiving. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Saturday 14th August

Hymn: There was Jesus 

Prayer:

As we look back over our lives, for most if not all of us there have been times when we didn’t know how we would cope with the situation we found ourselves in, or how we would be able to move forward, and for many, as we have gone through the pandemic, as we have struggled with grief, with loneliness, with anxiety or fear, that need for support and reassurance has been all the more acute.  But, Lord Jesus, all the time you have been there, helping us to pick up the pieces of our lives, comforting us in our pain and, through your Holy Spirit, giving us the strength to carry on.  Thank you that, in your great love and compassion, you promise you will never leave us, for it is this which enables us to face the future with confidence, and with hope in our hearts. 

Amen

Liz Stuart

 

Friday 13th August 

Hymn: Who am I?   

Prayer:

When we look at your greatness and glory, when we remember that you are Creator and Lord of the universe, of all that exists, how amazing it is that you should consider and care for each one of us!  Yet, in spite of all our weaknesses and the ways we let you down,  you love us and watch over us with a passionate, unconditional and never-failing love, reaching out to us when we are in trouble, comforting us in times of distress, and all of it out of your grace and generosity.  This is so much more than we deserve, Lord, and there is only one way we can respond, and that is to keep you at the centre of our lives and put our whole trust in you. 

Amen

Liz Stuart

 

Thursday 12th August 

Hymn: In heavenly love abiding (StF 736/H&P 678/SofF 238/MP 331)

Prayer:

In a changing and challenging world, Lord God, it’s so comforting to know that we have nothing to fear.  For you are with us all the time, in every situation we find ourselves in, surrounding us and upholding us with your never-changing and never-ending love.  We know this doesn’t mean that our lives will be plain sailing and trouble-free, for those difficult times are all part and parcel of living a human life, and, in fact, are often times when we grow in our faith.  But we also know that whatever we go through you will be there to guide us, watching over us, and giving us all the resources we need to see us through.  And so, Lord, we gladly put our trust in you for today, for tomorrow and for all that lies ahead. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Wednesday 11th August 

Hymn: Upon him 

Prayer:

It’s all down to you, Jesus – our forgiveness, our freedom, our new relationship with God, and the promise of eternal life!  You took everything upon yourself in your suffering and death on the Cross to make this possible, and all of it out of love, love for the world, love for us.  And the new life you offer us through the victory of your Resurrection is not only a future promise, but for us to receive and experience now, as we invite you to reign in our hearts and lives through your Holy Spirit.  All this for us, Lord, more than we can ever earn or deserve, more amazing than we can ever begin to imagine or to grasp. We praise and thank you, Lord! 

Amen

Liz Stuart

 

Tuesday 10th August

Hymn: Fill your hearts with joy and gladness   (SofF 717/MP 147)

Prayer:

Lord God, so often we take for granted all the ways you provide for us. You have created a world of so much beauty, and where the pattern of the seasons, of day and night, of seedtime and harvest give rhythm and security to our daily lives, and in this we see your ongoing faithfulness and care.  But it also reminds us of our responsibility to look after your creation, and as we see the ravages of climate change, and the way in which our carelessness has spoilt its beauty and wrought so much destruction of animal and plant life, we are ashamed of our part in this.  We ask your forgiveness, Lord, and pray for there to be a real will among those in positions of power, and indeed for us all, to urgently seek to repair the damage we have caused, so that our hearts, and your heart, Lord, may truly be filled with joy and gladness. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Monday 9th August 

Hymn: I need thee every hour  (StF467 H&P 524//MP 288)

Prayer:

Dear Lord God, as we travel through our daily lives we meet with all sorts of challenges and different situations, some which fill us with joy and anticipation, but others that we face with anxiety and sometimes with fear in our hearts.  How good it is to know that in them all you are present with us, your love surrounding us and upholding us, and your Holy Spirit giving us the strength and the guidance we need.   As we look at the week before us there are some things on our calendar that we aware of, but much that we do not know.  But what we can be sure of is that when we turn to you, Lord, acknowledging our dependence on you, we will receive your peace and the courage to cope with whatever lies ahead. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Sunday 8th August 

Hymn: House of the Lord

Prayer:

Loving God, how great it is to be able to sing again, albeit behind masks, and to shout out our praise as we worship you today.  This gives us so much joy, Lord, because we have been silenced for so long, and often it is in the music and poetry of hymns and songs that we find we can best express all you mean to us.  So we ask, Lord, that the words we sing may not only be on our lips but come from hearts on fire with love for you, as we remember all you have done for us in Jesus Christ, and continue to do through your Holy and Life-giving Spirit.  And then let us go out into the world still singing of your goodness and glory, as we seek to live out our faith in the nitty gritty of daily life! 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Saturday 7th August 

Hymn: Write them on my heart

Prayer:

Lord God, you always want the best for us, but we know how often we either ignore or unwittingly stray away from your will for our lives.  We get distracted by all the demands on our time, our energy, by our commitments – we fill up our days, and somehow, often without our realising it, you get left out or side-lined.  We want you to be at the centre of our lives and in all things to be guided by your Holy Spirit, because only then will we find true purpose and fulfilment, only then will our lives reflect your love. So today, Lord, we ask you to speak into our hearts, so that we may grow into the people you created us to be, in Jesus’ lovely name we pray. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Friday 6th August 

Hymn:  Still   SofF 1837

 Prayer:

Because you are God, because you brought order out of chaos, light out of darkness and because you are the one who has power over wind and waves, we know you can deal with the tumult going on in our lives, and still the fears and anxieties of our hearts.  Because you sent Jesus who reached out to the sinner and the stranger with care and compassion, we know that there is nothing that can separate us from your love.  Because you have promised that you will be with us in your Holy Spirit, we know that in all the perplexities of life you will always be there to guide and strengthen us.  And so, dear Lord, we put our trust in you, and we are still. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Thursday 5th August 

Hymn: Pour over me   (SofF 1674)

Prayer:

There are times, Lord, when we simply need to be still and let you to minister to us, to open ourselves wholly and completely to you, and let your love and peace pour into us.  For you know our needs, Lord, often better than we know them ourselves, the wounds we bear, the things that trouble us, the anxieties that keep us awake at night, and you want not only to share these with us but to free us from them.  To give us that complete healing of heart and mind and soul which we receive when we put our trust in you, and allow your Holy and life-giving Spirit to direct our lives.  So please flood our thirsty souls today, Lord, and fill us with your joy and peace! 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Wednesday 4th August 

Hymn: You do not walk alone

Prayer:

When we go through difficult times, Lord God, it seems as though they will never come to an end.  But as you walk with us, not only do we not have to face them on our own, but we can be certain that you will bring us through the darkness out into the light, so that we are able to begin to look ahead with hope in our hearts.  We have this confidence, Lord, because Jesus has walked this path before us, through suffering and pain and death, and those Resurrection promises of new life, life lived in eternal fellowship with you, that he won through the Cross, are for us too.  Thank you, Lord, for all those you put alongside us to support us in our times of need, and for the guidance and strength you give us through your Holy Spirit as we put our trust in you. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Tuesday 3rd August 

Hymn: O love that will not let me go   (StF 636/H&P 685/SofF 434/MP 515)

Prayer:

Held in your arms of love, Lord, we have all we need.  For in the security of your presence we are able to find a new peace, one which enfolds us and calms our fears, and a rest and sense of relief which comes from casting our worries and our uncertainties upon you. And when we do this we discover that we can begin to face the future with hope, for you promise not only that you are with us always, but also the strength and the guidance of your Holy Spirit to see us through the dark times, giving us the anchor that we are lacking.  Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness, and for your great love which never lets us go. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Monday 2nd August 

Hymn: Be still my soul  

Prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, whatever we face this week, whatever sadness, or fear or anxiety we are going through, we can be certain that you will be with us to still our souls, surrounding us with your love and infilling us with your peace.  We can be sure of this because it was at your darkest hour that you breathed your peace upon your fretful and frightened disciples, and your promise still stands for us, for today and for always.  So we wait upon you now, Lord, asking you to quieten the racing of our minds and the turmoil of our hearts, so that your tranquillity may calm us, and your quiet Spirit enter our whole being. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Sunday 1st August

Hymn: Indescribable   (StF 48/SofF 1775)

Prayer:

Lord God, how amazing you are!  When we think of the wonder of your Creation, the majestic and the minute, the awe-inspiring mountains and the intricate detail of the smallest insect, the dazzling glory of a sunset, the different greens of trees, the colours on a butterfly’s wings and the infinite variety and beauty of all you have made, it takes our breath away.  It’s all too big, too awe-inspiring, too mind-blowing for us to understand or to grasp.  But the most amazing part of it, Lord, is that you know us individually, not just as another part of your creation, but personally, intimately, and with a deep and unconditional love.  As we worship you today, may our praise not only be on our lips but come from our hearts, and be seen in lives lived to your glory. 

Amen

Liz Stuart