Daily Prayer & Hymn Suggestion
Tuesday 20th January
Hymn: One human family God has made (StF 687)
Prayer:
Wars around the world, conflicts within individual nations, unrest in communities, disagreements within neighbourhoods, broken relationships within families! Why is it, Lord, that we find it so difficult to live together globally, locally in peace and harmony? For you made us to be one family, to care for one anther, and to share the wonderful resources you have so generously given us so that everyone has enough and no-one should live in poverty. But we confess with shame that what we see in the world around us has in the past and, sadly, still is sometimes replicated within your church. Lord, in this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, help us to own the things that divide us and to find ways to work together, so that our witness may be stronger and speak of your uniting love.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Monday 19th January
Hymn: Where cross the crowded ways of life (H&P 431)
Prayer:
Lord God, there are so many people and places needing support, so much suffering, poverty and homelessness across the world, but in fact we don’t have to travel far to find it because it is also on our own doorsteps. Sometimes we are tempted to ignore the needs of those around us because we are afraid of getting involved, until we recognise that you are there in every situation, calling us to share your love and hope with those who often have nowhere else to go. May we not turn aside, Lord, but do our best to support those organisations that are working to help those in need, and to show our concern and your love through thoughtful and prayerful giving.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Sunday 18th January
Hymn: Summoned by the God who made us (StF 689)
Prayer:
We are all different, Lord, in our opinions, in our thoughts, in our ways of speaking and acting – in fact, you made us to be unique human beings, with different skills and abilities, all to be used to build up your people and for your glory. Why is it then, Lord God, that instead of valuing and celebrating the insights and gifts we have received, and using them to work together more effectively, so often we allow these things to divide us, and weaken our Christian witness in our communities. Lord, forgive us, and in our worship today, and in this week of prayer for Christian unity, help us to seek those ways to bring us together as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Saturday 17th January
Hymn: We trust the mighty love of God (StF 742)
Prayer:
As we come to the end of another week, and allow minds and bodies to relax from the routine that has kept us busy and active, we may find our thoughts drifting back to the past, to those we miss, regrets over opportunities we didn’t take up, or friendships that we have let lapse, and to feel a bit lost and alone. And if or when this happens, Lord God, we need to turn to you, the One who has been with us through all the experiences of our lives even when we didn’t realise it, or perhaps acknowledge you. For your love has wrapped us round from before our birth, seeking to guide and protect us, and even now is reaching out to give us the comfort and the assurance we need. Help us, Lord, in those low times that come to us all, to know that you are with us and to put our trust more firmly in you.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Friday 16th January
Hymn: As the deer pants (StF 544/SofF 27/MP 37)
Prayer:
Lord God, whatever happiness we experience, whatever satisfaction the world offers us, whatever fulfilment we receive through our work, our friendships or our interests, there is always that sense that something is missing, that empty space in our inner selves, until we put our trust in you. For you are the only One who can offer us real life, real hope and real joy, those things that cannot be evaluated or earned by human means, but which come when we make you the centre of our lives and Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. So, Lord, fill us afresh today with your Holy Spirit, we pray, and satisfy that longing in our souls!
Amen
Liz Stuart
Thursday 15th January
Hymn: Safe in the shadow of the Lord (StF 509/SofF 991/MP 583)
Prayer:
The news is full of it, Lord God, scams, fake news, cyber-crime etc etc, and whether it’s on-line, or even in our own homes, we can become anxious about our security, and wondering who and what we can trust! But thankfully we can have no such doubts about you, Lord, for we know that not only are you always working for our good, but that we are held safely in your loving care. When the world around us is giving us reason to be fearful and to be constantly ‘looking over our shoulder’, we can have complete faith in you, for your promises have stood the test of time and are bound by your love. So we put our trust firmly in you today, Lord, in the sure knowledge that you will never let us down – and we thank you!
Amen
Liz Stuart
Wednesday 14th January
Hymn: Help somebody cry
Prayer:
We all go through difficult times, Lord God, and it is often in those times that we feel you most near us, and know your comfort and your love surrounding us. And because we have discovered this ourselves, you call us to be there for other people going through times of grief, of anxiety, of loss, of heartache. To hold them as you hold us, to speak into their hurting, and through this to bring them to an awareness of your healing love, and of your presence with them. So, Lord, we ask you to open our eyes to notice those who need our help and support today, and open our hearts, that we may have the sensitivity to meet them where they are.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Tuesday 13th January
Hymn: Yes, God is good (H&P 363/MP 786)
Prayer:
Lord God, in a world where there is so much darkness, so much conflict, oppression and injustice it’s sometimes hard to find anything positive, anything that gives us hope. Until, Lord, we look at your Creation, the way in which, in spite of our mis-management, our carelessness and greed, the seasons still come around, reassuring us of your faithfulness, your goodness and your generosity. So, if we are feeling a bit down today, Lord, disappointed or despairing and needing something to brighten our day, help us to see that ‘rainbow through the rain’, the first signs of spring, to listen for the cheerful song of birds, and may this lift our spirits and put joy into our hearts.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Monday 12th January
Hymn: 10,000 reasons (Bless the Lord, O my soul) SofF 2231/web
Prayer:
When we start the day by counting our blessings, Lord God, not only are we rightly focussing our attention on you, on all the ways you have guided us, provided for us and been faithful to us, but we also find our own spirits being lifted too, in the assurance this gives us. For just as you have kept your promises to us in the past, we know that whatever we are facing today, and whatever challenges the future may bring, you will always be with us, giving us the comfort, the hope and the strength we need. So, Lord, let us begin this working week together with a song on our lips, a spring in our step and joy in our hearts, as we discover many more reasons to give you our thanks and praise!
Amen
Liz Stuart
Sunday 11th January
Hymn: When Jesus came to Jordan (StF 233/H&P 132)
Prayer:
As we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus today, Lord God, we remember that this marked the beginning of His ministry on earth, and maybe this reminds us of our own beginnings in our faith. That moment when we were aware of you stepping into our lives, the time we acknowledged Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, and the difference this made to our whole outlook both then and for our future. At this time of year when many of us will be renewing our covenant promises, we give thanks for the way you have guided us through the course of our lives, for the assurance of your love surrounding us, and for the strength we have received when we needed it most. May our praise and worship today both reaffirm our trust in you and the love of our hearts.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Saturday 10th January
Hymn: The Potter’s hand (SofF 1184)
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when we give our lives to you we know we are putting ourselves into safe hands, loving hands, hands that only long to mould and make us into the best form of ourselves, more alive, more aware, more kind, more like our maker. We remember too, Lord, that yours are scarred hands, wounds that speak of love and sacrifice, and all on our behalf. And so, Lord, as we look back over the past week, we ask you to forgive those actions, words and thoughts that have been unloving and unlovely, and to reshape us into the people you created us to be. Draw us closer to you, Lord, so that, through your Holy Spirit alive in us, our lives may reflect more of your likeness, to your praise and glory.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Friday 9th January
Hymn: In loving kindness Jesus came (MHB 336/MP 333)
Prayer:
In this season of Epiphany, Lord Jesus, as we recall how you were visited and recognised by those whom others would have regarded as outsiders, we cannot help but reflect on your goodness to us. That when you came to earth it was not in judgement but in love, not in a show of strength but in humility, and not to exercise power in terms of force but only in love – and through all of this to show how we too, in all our unworthiness, can approach you and know you not only as Lord and Saviour but as Friend. We thank you, Lord, for your promise that you will always be there for us, and for the hope and peace which this brings. May we recognise those opportunities you give us to reach out to those who need to know this too.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Thursday 8th January
Hymn: When circumstances make my life (StF 641)
Prayer:
A week into the new year, and hopefully we have been able to put behind us any hurts or disappointments we experienced last year, and are still full of optimism for what the weeks and months ahead will hold! But we know, Lord God, that in reality this year isn’t going to be any different from previous ones! There will be new challenges we have to face, and maybe some that take us so far out of our comfort zone that we feel they are beyond us to cope with or to manage. How good it is to know, Lord, that nothing is beyond your love and care, and that, whatever situation we find ourselves in, you will give us the strength, the comfort and the resilience we need. Thank you for the hope and the reassurance this gives us!
Amen
Liz Stuart
Wednesday 7th January
Hymn: Wise men seeking Jesus (H&P 128)
Prayer:
It’s great to know, Lord Jesus, that unlike the wise men, we don’t have to travel to find you, because you are with us wherever and however we are today. Sometimes we forget this, Lord, and only look for you in expected places, when we are in church, or in our devotional time, or in a beautiful setting that feels ‘holy’. But, just as you were involved in the nitty gritty of daily life when you were on earth, so now you have promised to with us in the ordinary routine of our daily lives. Help us to look out for you today, Lord, and discover examples of your love and glimpses of your glory in the seemingly insignificant and the mundane.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Tuesday 6th January
Hymn: Brightest and best of the sons of the morning (StF 227/H&P 123 /MP 65)
Prayer:
Where do we look for guidance? A good question to ask at the beginning of a new year! What ‘star’ shall we follow? The world of advertising, of entertainment, with all the different philosophies and ideologies on offer, gives us plenty of choice, but experience tells us that these ‘stars’ won’t lead us to real life, real fulfilment or real peace. The only guidance that can guarantee these is yours, Lord God, and the only illumination to help us find our way is that which shone from the face of the child in the manger – the One who came to be our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He is the only ‘star’ worth following, the only One who can guide us home. May we set our compass pointing to Jesus today!
Amen
Liz Stuart
Monday 5th January
Hymn: This, this is the God we adore (StF 67/H&P 277)
Prayer:
A new week, a week full of opportunities, Lord God, maybe with some unwelcome challenges to face, but always full of the promise that you are with us and that nothing can separate us from your love. Help us to remember this when we find things not going the way we hoped, or when unexpected difficulties crop up, but help us also to remember to praise you for every glimpse of joy and hope that lightens our days and gladdens our hearts. So may you guide us and go ahead of us in all we say and do, to your glory.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Sunday 4th January
Hymn: Sing to the great Jehovah’s praise (StF 127/H&P 360)
Prayer:
Singing is a powerful way of expressing our faith and trust in you, Lord God, and in the marriage of music and words our hearts are lifted as our voices soar. But for others praise and worship are expressed in other ways, in prayer, in quiet meditation, in the repeating of Psalms and in the reading and expounding of Scripture. Whichever it is for us today, and wherever we are, in church or in our homes, may our minds be quickened, our hearts set on fire and our lives be changed as we meet with you today, Lord, and allow your Holy Spirit to awaken us in new ways to your love and grace.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Saturday 3rd January
Hymn: Still, my soul, be still (SofF 2530/web)
Prayer:
After all the whirlwind and excitement of the Christmas festivities and events, and the celebrations surrounding a new year, it’s good, Lord God, to take a moment and to set aside time to be still. And in quietness to reflect on where we are now, how we are feeling – and that could be relief that life is getting back to ‘normal’, or a sense of emptiness, a lack of motivation as the month, the year stretches out before us. Lord, you accept us as we are, in our weariness and uncertainties and insecurities. In the stillness we ask that you stir us into life, filling us with the promise that your plans for us and for our future are for good, and most important, are in your hands, and in this may we find assurance and peace.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Friday 2nd January
Hymn: All my hope on God is founded (StF 455/H&P 63/MP 16)
Prayer:
At the beginning of a new year, with conflict and uncertainty in so many parts of the world, in whom do we place our trust, where do we look for real hope? Only to you, Lord God, for you are unchanging in your love and in your promises, which have stood the test of time and yet, for each and every one of us, are new every morning. And so we step out in confidence, for you, Lord, will never fail us, and in your constant presence we will find the hope and strength we need.
Amen
Liz Stuart
Thursday 1st January
Hymn: Standing at the portal of the opening year (MHB 955)
Prayer:
When we look back over the ‘old year’, there are times we want to savour, others we regret – and those that we would rather forget, times of illness, of loss, of confusion, of bereavement – but one thing we know for certain, Lord God, is that you have been with us in them all! And now, at the beginning of a New Year, with all the possibilities and all the uncertainties that lie before us, again we turn to you, Lord, knowing that in your love and care we will not be facing any of it on our own, and that, through your Holy Spirit, you will there to guide us, to comfort us, to uphold and to strengthen us. And so, Lord, we put our trust in you for today and whatever tomorrow will bring, knowing that in all things you are, indeed, will be ‘all-sufficient for the coming year’, and we thank you!
Amen
Liz Stuart