Saturday 31st July
Hymn: Dear Lord and Father of mankind (StF 495/H&P 673/SofF 79/MP111)
Prayer:
We come to the end of another week, Lord God, indeed of another month, and we look back over the experiences we have had, the ways we have reacted, the challenges we have faced, the victories won, the battles lost! It’s been the usual mixture, Lord, and as we relive some of those moments, some of them make us feel uncomfortable, because we know that we have let you and ourselves down. But there have also been times when we have listened to the guidance of your Holy Spirit and have learned to rely on you more, and feel we have grown in our faith. So thank you, Lord, for all we have learned, but most of all that through it all you have been our faithful and loving Father, on whom we can totally rely.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Friday 30th July
Hymn: Jesus, what a beautiful Name (SofF877/CMP 998)
Prayer:
Just saying your Name, Jesus, brings a smile to our faces, makes our hearts beat a little faster, and fills us with wonder as we try to take in how much you love us, all you are to us and all you have done for us through your Cross and Resurrection. There is much going on in the world, and in our own lives too, that causes us fear and anxiety, and often robs us of our peace, but just remembering that you are with us, Jesus, gives us that sense of security, of hope, of freedom, and restores our perspective on life, knowing that, whatever happens, we are safely held in your love and care. Indeed, what a beautiful Name!
Amen
Liz Stuart
Thursday 29th July
Hymn: The King of love my shepherd is (StF 479/H&P 69/SofF 533/MP 649)
Prayer:
You have been with us throughout our lives, Lord, watching over us even before we came to know you as our Lord and Saviour, and when we have taken you for granted or even turned our backs on you and gone our own way, you have remained faithful to us. Through the good times, and especially through the dark and difficult times in our lives, you have never let us down or abandoned us. You have been our mainstay, and it is through your love, and the strength we have received through your Holy Spirit, that we have found the courage to carry on. For all of this and so much more we thank you, Lord. Help us to grow in our faith as we learn to entrust every part of our lives to your loving care.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Wednesday 28th July
Hymn: Try a little kindness
Prayer:
We don’t always find it easy to talk about our faith, Lord Jesus, to start those conversations or find the words to express all you mean to us, but we know deep down that without you, without your love upholding us and the power of your Holy Spirit infilling us, our lives would be so very different, and so much the poorer. What we can do though, Lord, is to show this by the way we allow those ‘fruits of the Spirit’ to shine out of us through what we say and do, by reaching out and supporting those around us in their times of difficulty or distress. Then, Lord, our actions will not only show your love, but may well lead to opportunities to speak of you in words that ring true and encourage others to find faith in you. May this be so!
Amen
Liz Stuart
Tuesday 27th July
Hymn: As the deer pants for the water (StF 544/SofF 27/MP 37)
Prayer:
It’s when we put you first in our lives, Lord God, that everything else falls into place. For then we no longer crave for achievement, success or material possessions, not that there is anything wrong with these in themselves, but we realise that they can never satisfy the true longings of our heart, or give us the sense of satisfaction that we desire. Only in you, only through Jesus, only when your Holy Spirit guides and empowers our living can we really experience life as you intend it to be, free and full of hope and purpose, life in fellowship with you. So fill us with this new life today, Lord, so that our love for you may overflow into the lives of those around us, to your praise and glory.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Monday 26th July
Hymn: Soul’s desire
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you told the story of the ‘Lost Sheep’, and in that we can see a picture of ourselves and the times when we have wandered away from your loving care, wanting to make our own decisions, carve out our own path, maybe imagining that the ‘grass is greener’ when we follow the values, the ways of the world, especially when we see our non-Christian friends being successful, and perhaps achieving the things we wish for. But at what cost, Lord, for we know, or we soon discover, that only in and through you can we find true peace and fulfilment, and a hope and joy that transcends all that earthly treasure can bring. So thank you for bringing us back to where we belong, Lord, into that living, loving relationship with you where we find the answer to all our longings, and the wholeness and contentment that you alone can give.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Sunday 25th July
Hymn: When I was lost (StF367/SofF 1607)
Prayer:
Lord God, our worship has been silent for so long and we can’t wait to get back to singing out loud, to raising our voices to praise you for your greatness, your goodness, and the forgiveness and grace we have received through Jesus Christ. But Lord, let it not be the same as before, let us not fall back into a comfortable rut that has perhaps taken some of the sparkle out of our singing, and maybe some of the expectation and excitement of meeting with you. We want to find new ways, Lord, which both reverence the past and help us to be relevant to people today, new songs, new expressions of our joy, new ways of being church in our communities. So inspire us by your Holy Spirit, Lord, answer that ‘deep cry’ in each of our hearts, and then send us out to serve you in the world, our ever-living, ever-loving, ever-faithful and constantly renewing Lord.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Saturday 24th July
Hymn: Count your blessings
Prayer:
As we look back on this week, Lord God, it has been the usual mixture of ups and downs, but how often it is the negative things that stick in our minds rather than the good times, and the many blessings that frequently go unnoticed, or taken for granted. So Lord, help us today to celebrate the commonplace – the opportunity of a new day, the chatter of children and birds, the wonder of the world around us, the rhythm of our bodies, the breaths we take. All the ordinary things that make up our lives, and then those special gifts – of laughter and life, of conversations and meetings, of sights and sounds, of touch and taste, and so much more. For when we add them all up, Lord, we cannot help but be overwhelmed by your goodness and generosity!
Amen
Liz Stuart
Friday 23rd July
Hymn: For this I have Jesus (SofF 721/CMP 829)
Prayer:
Loving Lord Jesus, you are everything we need. You are with us in the good and the bad times, watching over us and giving us your peace. You are the One who can help us deal with our past, the hurts and disappointments that can come back to haunt us, particularly when we are feeling low. You are here for us in our lives right now, through your Holy Spirit giving us the energy and the encouragement to face each day with a smile on our faces, in spite of how we are feeling inside. And you have taken care of our future, through your Resurrection assuring us of eternal life, life of a new dimension and fullness, your gift to us now as we put our trust in you. For all you have done and continue to do in our lives, we thank you, Lord!
Amen
Liz Stuart
Thursday 22nd July
Hymn: Take my life and let it be (StF 566/H&P 705/SofF 519/MP 624)
Prayer:
Lord God, we want to totally commit ourselves and our lives to you, to allow you to have the first say in the way we use our time, our gifts and our abilities, and to let you direct the path we should take, but we have to confess that often we find this so difficult. We tend to make our plans and then ask your blessing on what we have already decided to be or to do, and yet we know in our heads and in our hearts that this is the wrong way round. For you always know what is best for us, what will enable us to become the people you created us to be and thus discover the true sense of fulfilment which is your intention for each one of us. So today, Lord, please step into our lives in a new way, and help and strengthen us to keep the promises we have made to you.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Wednesday 21st July
Hymn: Holy overshadowing
Prayer:
Whatever happens in our lives, through the good and the difficult times, we thank you, Lord, that we can know your presence with us and find peace. You never promised us an easy life, or that believing and trusting in you would somehow protect us from the normal pressures and pains of everyday living. But what you have promised is that in and through it all we are surrounded and overshadowed by your love, the victorious love we see in Jesus; that we will be strengthened by your Holy Spirit, and that, often in mysterious and unseen ways, you are always working for our good. And so we put our trust in you, Lord, for now and whatever the future holds.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Tuesday 20th July
Hymn: All things bright and beautiful (StF 100/H&P 330/SofF14/MP 23)
Prayer:
Lord God, we are amazed at the beauty and variety of your creation, from the tiniest seed growing into a vibrant flower, from the smallest insect to the giants of the animal world, from little streams giving rise to vast oceans, from the quiet stillness of the night sky to the enveloping warmth of the sun. All of it, Lord, speaks to us of your goodness and glory, your wisdom and power; of a mind and an imagination that is so far beyond our understanding that we can only gaze and wonder. Forgive us, Lord, for taking so much for granted, for the way we have misused this most precious gift, and help us to do our part in restoring what you have made in whatever way we can.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Monday 19th July
Hymn: What a friend we have in Jesus (StF 531/H&P 559/SofF 593/MP 746)
Prayer:
Sometimes, Lord, we under-estimate the power of prayer. It’s not that we think you aren’t listening, or that you don’t care about us – just that the things that are going on in our lives seem so small and insignificant when placed alongside all else that is going on in the world, and maybe we even feel guilty that we are ‘bending your ear’ in the face of the great need of other people. But that’s not how it is with you, Lord God, is it? Your love is so great and so all-encompassing that all our longings, all our sadnesses, all our fears are important to you, and you always have time for us and want to be part of our lives. So thank you, Lord, for this privilege of prayer, and for the assurance that as we reach out to you, you will surely reach out to us with your peace, your compassion and your strength.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Sunday 18th July
Hymn: Way Maker
Prayer:
As we worship you today, wherever and however we are, and in whatever way we come to you, we know you are here alongside us, for you promised that in and through your Holy Spirit you would never leave us or forsake us. Moreover, Lord, that if we open our hearts and lives to you, you will continue that work of Jesus of making us whole, of healing our brokenness, of taking away all that separates us from you, and filling us with your peace. And so we come today, Lord, waiting upon you for your gentle touch of love, for the assurance of your forgiveness, and for the moving of your life-giving Spirit to challenge, to re-energise and to change us into the people you created us to be.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Saturday 17th July
Hymn: It’s always been you
Prayer:
Lord God, you are such an amazing God, faithful and true in all you are, in all you have done, and throughout the whole of our lives. Even when we haven’t recognised it, you have been there as an unseen anchor, holding us securely, loving us to the uttermost through Jesus, guiding and encouraging us through your Holy Spirit, and always working to bring out the best in us and out of every situation. So please open our minds to a greater understanding of your ways, our ears to hear you speaking more clearly into our lives, our hearts to experience a deeper awareness of your presence, and our eyes to see and to appreciate your goodness and your glory.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Friday 16th July
Hymn: Jesus strong and kind
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you have promised always to be there for us. You are our faithful friend, someone we can always turn to when we are going through difficult times, when we feel weary or discouraged, or when we are struggling to make sense of all that is going on around us. And what is more, we know you understand because you have lived on earth and through your own suffering and death, and especially through your Resurrection, have shown us that it is possible for us to find peace in the midst of it all, as we put our trust in you. So today, Lord, lift us up into the joy and fullness of the new life that you came to bring, for in you we place our confidence and our hope.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Thursday 15th July
Hymn: Christ is mine forevermore
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, the things of this world are, in reality, so transient, though when we are going through times of trouble, of heartache, of pain or difficulty it seems as though they are going to go on forever. But you, Lord, see everything from a different perspective; you see the beginning from the end and the end from the beginning, for all eternity is in your hands – and that includes the whole of our lives. And so today, Jesus, wherever we find ourselves, we will hold fast to that word ‘forevermore’, and remember that those gifts that you promise us, of hope, of peace, of new life, are ones that will never pass away, because they are love-gifts from you.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Wednesday 14th July
Hymn: Your grace is enough (SofF 1812)
Prayer:
Lord God, you have reached out to us in so many ways. We see your glory and your goodness in the beauty and wonder of your creation. We learn of your unconditional and abiding love for us through Jesus, in his life on earth and in all he went through on the Cross to free us from our sin and open the way to eternal life. And through the gift of the Holy Spirit we experience that new life coursing through our lives right now, giving us the strength to live each day in your presence and power. All this, Lord, together with a joy and a peace that, whatever we are experiencing, dwells deep within us, and which nothing and no-one can take away. Yes, Lord, your grace is surely enough, so help us to rely on you more, and to put our trust more firmly in your promises.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Tuesday 13th July
Hymn: You raise me up
Prayer:
There are times when we get a bit down, Lord. Perhaps things haven’t worked out the way we hoped or expected they would. Or maybe life seems to be slipping away, and looking back we seem to have achieved so little, and now, looking ahead we wonder what the future holds. And so it’s good to remind ourselves that you hold us and everything about us in your loving hands; that you have plans for our lives and they are always for our good, always to build us up, and for us to become more than we would ever have thought possible. It may not be mountain-climbing, but with you there is so much to look forward to, to hope for and to discover. Thank you, Lord!
Amen
Liz Stuart
Monday 12th July
Hymn: Goodness of God
Prayer:
You are, and always have been and always will be, a good and faithful God, with us in every circumstance of our lives, giving us the security, the assurance and the hope to live life to the full. And, moreover, you promise that you will never leave us, or allow us to drift beyond your loving care, and that in all things we can rely on you. But how often, Lord, we keep this to ourselves, not because we don’t want other people to know, but because somehow we lack the courage to put into words what we believe and know in our hearts and experience in our lives. Lord God, we ask that you will take away our shyness and our fear, and give us the confidence to know that in every conversation you have gone ahead of us and prepared the way. In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Sunday 11th July
Hymn: Father of everlasting grace (StF 378/H&P 300)
Prayer:
Almighty and eternal God, as we worship you today, we realise that were it not for Jesus we would find it difficult to really understand how much you care for us and love us, for we would be totally overwhelmed by your greatness. Yet in your goodness you have come near to us, in his human life showing how much you desire an intimate relationship with us, and making that possible by sending your Holy Spirit to live within us, assuring us of you presence with us always and for ever. Help us to have an ever-growing awareness of this, Lord, so that we may come to rely on your guidance and strength even more, and become deeper in our knowledge and love of you.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Saturday 10th July
Hymn: Beloved and blessed (SofF 1191)
Prayer:
Sometimes, Lord, we don’t realise how very much you love us. I guess that’s because, while we know at the back of our minds that you are always there, we tend to just get on with our lives, busy with everyday things, and maybe don’t stop long enough, or indeed often enough, to make time for you and to really build our relationship with you. It’s only when we do think about it, and if we’re honest often that’s when things are not going so well, that we remember all you have done for us, and all you continue to be for us through your Holy Spirit. As we look towards the beginning of a new week, please help us, Lord Jesus, to build time with you into our daily routine, and discover a new richness and joy in our living.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Friday 9th July
Hymn: The anchor holds
Prayer:
Lord God, there are times in our lives when everything seems to be falling apart. It may be due to family circumstances, bereavement or a broken relationship; it may be problems at work and the loss of a job. Or perhaps the dreams we had when we were planning our future have, for whatever reason, not been fulfilled, and we are hurt, baffled and disappointed, maybe with ourselves or those who have let us down, and sometimes we even blame you. But when life is hard and when we’re up against it, in reality we know we are not alone, for you are always there, though sometimes hidden to us by all we are going through. And though we may feel we are ‘all at sea’, your love is the anchor that holds us, and will always hold us, firm and secure. Thank you, Lord!
Amen
Liz Stuart
Thursday 8th July
Hymn: All over the world (StF 71/SofF 1752)
Prayer:
It’s easy to get despondent about the small numbers attending our churches, Lord, and we look back longingly to days in the past when our congregations were large, our Sunday Schools full, and people’s lives were centred around our activities. Things are so different now, the world has changed, there is so much more to choose from, and we sometimes feel we are fighting a losing battle! But you have not changed, Lord – your power and your glory are as great as they ever were, and you still reach out in your love and your faithfulness to a world that needs to hear a message of hope and healing and new life in Jesus. So help us, Lord, to find ways of singing your song and telling your story that are relevant to this generation, so that your praise may truly resound, and not only all over the world but in our own neighbourhoods too!
Amen
Liz Stuart
Wednesday 7th July
Hymn: By grace alone
Prayer:
Whatever we are, whatever we do, whatever we hope for, Lord, is all down to your love, your goodness and your grace. For you are the One who makes everything worthwhile, who has given us so much, most of all the gift of your Son Jesus through whom we receive life that is full and free, that has meaning and purpose, life lived in fellowship with you and in the power of your Holy Spirit. Forgive us, Lord, for the times we forget our dependence on you and, in our pride, take the credit for what we have achieved for ourselves, instead of giving all the glory to you. Give us the courage to acknowledge you as the source of our hope and strength, and so bear witness that it is all ‘by grace alone’.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Tuesday 6th July
Hymn: Scars in heaven
Prayer:
Lord God, as we have celebrated the anniversary of the NHS and given thanks for all the care received over many years, we cannot help but remember those in the health service who have lost their own lives, particularly due to Covid, as they have sought to save the lives of others. We pray for their families, for the loved ones of all who have suffered loss, and for all who are grieving at this time. Surround them with your loving arms and uphold them in the pain of their loss; may they know your healing presence and peace, and find hope in your promise of eternal life. And as we seek to support those who are going through difficult times, we ask, Lord, for wisdom and sensitivity, that our words and our actions may speak of your love and compassion.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Monday 5th July
Hymn: Here is love, vast as the ocean (SofF 168/CMP 987)
Prayer:
As we begin another working week, Lord God, how thankful we are that we don’t do this on our own but strengthened, enabled and guided by your Holy Spirit. The days stretch before us, and we may be aware of what some of them hold – things we are dreading, challenges we would rather not face, choices that are going to be hard to make, or maybe celebrations we are looking forward to. But a lot of it is unknown, Lord, bringing with it a mixture of joys or disappointments, and much for which we can’t prepare ourselves. But we know, Lord, that whatever happens you will be holding us in your arms of love, alongside us, sustaining us and pouring your peace into our hearts. So we put this week and ourselves into your hands, Lord, knowing we can trust you in all things.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Sunday 4th July
Hymn: Give me the faith (StF 661/H&P 767/MP 168)
Prayer:
Here we are again, Lord, still coming together to worship you in different ways, but beginning to see ahead to that time when we will be able to sing out loud your praises and enjoy the fellowship we once had. But we know, Lord, that we cannot really go back to how we were before, and pretend that the last months never happened. For many have suffered so much, lives have to be rebuilt, and your church has to move forward in order to be relevant to a changed and changing world. So we ask, Lord, for you to rebuild and strengthen our faith as we seek to respond to the challenges before us – that you will unlock the gifts you have given your people, and empower us by your Holy Spirit, so that together we may reach out to a broken world with your message of love and new life.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Saturday 3rd July
Hymn: Change my heart O God (SofF 58/MP 69)
Prayer:
It’s not always easy to be a Christian, and you never made any bones about this, Lord! You told us how hard it could be to follow you, to make the right choices, to stand up for what we believe to be right, to have to put up with misunderstanding, humiliation, suffering even – after all you went through all of this and more, and you promised us no less. Yet you also promised us a peace, a joy and a sense of fulfilment that is quite unlike anything we can find elsewhere, along with the assurance of being held and sustained by a love that never lets us go. So help us, Lord, to live faithfully, to allow you to fashion us and our lives, so that we become all you plan for us, to your praise and glory.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Friday 2nd July
Hymn: How sweet the name of Jesus sounds (StF 322/H&P 257SofF 782/MP 251)
Prayer:
Your name, Lord Jesus, means so much to us because when we think of it, we are reminded of all you are, and all you came to earth to be and do for us. We think of your ministry among us, how you reached out in love and compassion to those who needed healing and help; how you cared for those who were marginalised and showed them they mattered. We remember how you stood up for justice and truth in the face of opposition and conflict, and all you went through to make us right with God and open the way to eternal life. And so we know that whatever we are facing you have not only been there before us but are with us in your Holy Spirit right now, and just saying your name, Jesus, gives us the courage and the reassurance we need. We thank you, Lord.
Liz Stuart
Thursday 1st July
Hymn: We trust the mighty love of God (StF 742)
Prayer:
We thank you, Lord God, that whatever we are going through, be it grief or illness, anxiety or the deep darkness of despair and loss of hope, we can know that you are alongside us, sharing and shouldering our pain. We can be sure of this because you brought Jesus through the Cross, raising him from death to new life, and you promise that when we put our trust in you nothing, not even death itself, will ever be able to separate us from your love. It is this confidence, Lord, even when all seems lost, that gives us the courage to face the future, knowing that somehow, in your good time, all will be well, and we will experience that wholeness of life that Jesus came to bring.
Amen
Liz Stuart
