September Prayers

Wednesday 30th September 

Hymn:  Sovereign over us   (SofF2566)

Prayer:

Almighty God, it’s when we come to you as we are, turning all the way we are feeling over to you, that we experience your power and your healing grace in our lives.  For you are indeed sovereign, sovereign over all things and sovereign over our lives, bringing good out of the most unlikely and impossible circumstances, and shedding your light and love into the darkness of aloneness, anxiety and despair.  And through this, Lord, gently leading us to a place of hope and peace. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Tuesday 29th September 

Hymn:  He will carry you

Prayer:

So often, Lord, we make you too small.  We imagine that our problems are too big, our hurting too deep, our circumstances too difficult that they are beyond anyone’s help, even yours.  But this is so untrue!  For, Lord Jesus, you lived our life, and you understand what we’re going through.  And it is in our weakness and vulnerability that your strength is released; it is in our anxiety and our need that your love is able to reach out to calm our fears and give us hope.  So help us, Lord, to let go, to trust your promises, and allow you to carry us today – and always. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Monday 28th September 

Hymn:  Beautiful One  (SofF 1632)

Prayer:

As we gaze in wonder at the world around us, Lord God, we are captivated by the loveliness of your Creation, and the way it displays your glory, your faithfulness and your goodness.  But we are led to wonder even more, Lord, as we look at Jesus, for in him you have allowed us to glimpse all that you are encapsulated in a human life, a life which tells us of your love and compassion, and your desire to be part of our lives.  All this beauty is like a rainbow, its myriad colours filling our souls, and so we lift our hearts to you in songs of thanksgiving, love and praise. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Sunday 27th September

Hymn:  Light of the world   (StF 175/SofF 1419)

Prayer:

Amazing God, we come to worship you because in your great love you have reached out to us, and continue to reach out to us, in so many wonderful ways – in your Creation, in Jesus, and through your Holy Spirit.  And it is as we recognise our helplessness and our need, when we truly open our hearts and lives to you, that we begin to receive in increasing measure your gifts of grace, of forgiveness and new life, gifts which fill us with joy and hope and peace.  So we bring you our praise, our thanksgiving and ourselves, asking only that your light and love may be made visible in our lives. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Saturday 26th September

Hymn:  The same love  

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, it’s so amazing to realise that you reach out to us with the same power, the same love, and the same understanding and compassion as when you were on earth.  Lord, we need your forgiveness, we need your healing, we need your strength and guidance in our lives right now.  Whatever our past, whatever our situation, whatever we are facing, help us to open our hearts and minds to you, and be filled afresh with your Holy and Life-giving Spirit. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Friday 25th September

Hymn:  Waiting here for you  (SofF 2343)

Prayer:

We don’t like waiting, Lord, but it’s something that’s become part and parcel of everyday life, especially in these days of ‘social distancing’.  And that’s why it’s so good, Lord, that we can draw close to you anywhere and at any time, coming with confidence because you know us so well, and just love us to open our hearts to you!  And so, Lord, in our waiting for you, whether it’s to answer our prayers, or to reveal your will, or for your guidance in our lives, we never need to doubt your promises to us, for we can be certain that your faithfulness and your love for us will never fail. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Thursday 24th September 

Hymn:  Be it unto me 

Prayer:

Eternal God, when it seems as though the world is closing in on us, your word is indeed a ‘lamp to our feet and a light for our path’.  For it is as we learn of your love, your faithfulness, and the reliability of your promises that we find true freedom – freedom from anxiety, from fear and from all that would stifle our hope.  And because of this, Lord, we can be absolutely certain that whatever restrictions we face at the moment, nothing and no-one has the power to take away the peace and the security we find in you. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Wednesday 23rd September 

Hymn:  Kindness   (SoF 1492)

Prayer:

Loving God, you are always reaching out to us in so many different ways.  Through glimpses of your glory in the world around us, through your written and spoken Word, through your Holy Spirit, and through the people you put in our path you make yourself known and present in our lives.  We do not deserve and cannot earn this, Lord; it is solely through your mercy, your generosity and your grace. All we can do is to offer ourselves, our thanks and our praise, for only you can give us life that is full and free, life lived in every part with you, new life in Jesus,  both now and always. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Tuesday 22nd September 

Hymn:  Great is you faithfulness   (Martin Smith)  

Prayer:

Faithful God, your love and your care for us never has and never will change.  You are always on the lookout for us, always listening and responding to our prayers.  In the unchartered waters of this pandemic, where so much is unknown and insecure, we take hold of your promise that you will never leave us or allow us to be overwhelmed by the waves of panic or fear, for we put out hope and our trust in you. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Monday 21st September 

Hymn:  Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us   (StF 238/H&P 68)

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, as anxiety increases over the resurgence of Coronavirus, and the number of cases rises, we pray for your wisdom and guidance for those having to make decisions that affect the lives and livelihoods of so many.  May we who know your goodness, your grace and your generosity, reach out in love to support those living in renewed fear and isolation, and bring to them your words of comfort, of hope and of peace. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Sunday 20th September 

Hymn:  Hosanna (Praise is rising)  (StF 64/SofF2007)

Prayer:

Almighty, ever-living and ever-loving God, in whatever way we worship you today, we come with full and grateful hearts for all the ways you have supported us and made yourself known to us in the past week.  You are indeed worthy of all our praises, and we gladly bring our whole selves to you, asking that through your Holy Spirit living in us and working through us we may bring glory to you.  So send us out into your world, Lord, to share with others the love, the hope and the joy of Jesus.

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Saturday 19th September 

Hymn: Still  (SofF  1837)

Prayer:

Loving God, as we draw to the end of another week, we come to you in quietness and trust.  Whatever this week has held, whatever its ups and downs, we thank you that you have been with us, giving us your assurance when we have felt overwhelmed, and your guidance in times of uncertainty.  It is your strength alone , Lord, which enables us to ‘be still’ – to not only cope with our present situation, but to face the future with confidence and hope, knowing that we are safe in your care. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Friday 18th September 

Hymn:  Break thou the bread of life  (StF 153/H&P 467)

Prayer:

Lord God, we want and we need to get to know you better, and how else can we do this than by immersing ourselves in your Holy Word.  For there we discover your promises and your faithfulness over generations; there we receive strength and guidance for daily living.  And there we meet Jesus, your Word in human form, and learn of your love, your compassion and your forgiveness, and find new life through him.  We ask, Lord, that through your Holy Spirit you will so unlock the Scriptures for us that we will meet you in new ways, and grow in our love, our faith and our trust. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Thursday 17th September

Hymn:  Trust in you     

 

Prayer:

Loving God, it’s easy to feel disappointed, let down even, when things haven’t worked out as we had hoped, when obstacles appear in our path, and when we think our prayers have not been answered.  In times like these, help us to remember that the plans you have for us they are always for our good, and that you alone know what the future holds. Strengthen our trust in you, Lord, for you are always faithful and never let us down, and give us the patience to wait for your perfect timing. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Wednesday 16th September 

Hymn:  You give rest to the weary  (StF 657/SofF 2171)

Prayer:

Lord God, there is nothing that can separate us from you, but often your voice seems to be drowned out by the noise of the world and the clamour of our own thoughts and cares and feelings.  You promise us rest for our souls, calm for our minds, and peace in our hearts, and we long for that.  So, Lord, help us to seek you above all else, and to wait in stillness for your love and strength to enfold us and bring us to a place of peace.

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Tuesday 15th September

Hymn:  Battle belongs    

Prayer:

Sometimes, Lord Jesus, it feels as if we are fighting our fears, our insecurities, our losses and our anxieties on our own, and all of it using up our energy and emotional resources just to get through the day.  But, Lord, this is not what you want, or what you intend for us, for when we get round to listening to you, you tell us to ‘be still’ – that these battles belong to you, and to hand over our burdens, whatever they are, to you.  We do so gladly, Lord, and rest in your love and peace. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Monday 14th September 

Hymn Monday:  Only you  (SofF 402/CMP 899)

Prayer:

If we’re honest about the things we long for, Lord, we know in our heart of hearts that they are only transitory, and that they will never satisfy our real needs.  Only you can do that, Jesus, because you offer us so much more – a love that never fails, a presence that never leaves us, a relationship that is ever-faithful, and a life that never ends.  Help us to draw ever closer to you, and to put our trust ever more deeply in your promises. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Sunday 13th September 

Hymn:  Guide me O thou great Jehovah  (StF 465/H&P 437)

Prayer:

Life can seem a lot like a ‘barren land’ at the moment, Lord.  A lot of those things that give meaning and joy in our lives are, for the most part, absent, and it’s not easy to negotiate our way through the changing landscape of rules and advice.  We would like a clear map to follow, with our route and our destination clearly marked, but life isn’t like that – it’s confusing and disorientating.  And so we turn to you, our loving and faithful God, for you alone can calm our fears, give us the security we seek, and guide us through. So hold us gently, but hold us firmly, Lord, as we put our trust in you. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Saturday 12th September 

Hymn:  He never sleeps 

Prayer:

Loving God, you are attentive to our every need.  You hear us when we call out to you, and our cares, our fears and our petitions are always on your heart.  Forgive us, Lord, that so often our trust in you is shaken by all that is going on around us, and we forget just how faithful you are, and that we can totally rely on you.  Deepen our faith, we pray, and remind us that your promises never fail, and that it is as we acknowledge our dependence on you that we will begin to fully grasp your strength. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Friday 11th September

Hymn:  In a world where people walk in darkness     

(Scroll down to below the comments, and on ‘show more’ you will find the words to this beautiful hymn)

Prayer:

Lord God, we live in a world where the lives of many are shadowed by darkness – the darkness of suffering, of conflict, of hopelessness, of fear – and yet darkness was never your plan for us.  Right in the beginning you created light, and then, in the fullness of time, you sent Jesus to be a light that nothing can extinguish.  As we put our trust in you, Lord, through your Holy Spirit you pour your light of love and hope into each of us, and send us out to shed that light into the lives of others.   In your strength, may we shine ever more brightly for you, Lord, to your praise and glory. 

Amen

Liz Stuart

 

Thursday 10th September

Hymn:  Turn your eyes upon Jesus  (MP 712) 

Prayer:

Dear Lord, many of us are weary and troubled today – weary of the restrictions on our lives along with the changing advice, and troubled about what the future may hold.  The uncertainty and the insecurity can so easily overwhelm us and begin to colour every aspect of our lives, and that’s why we need to turn our eyes upon you, Jesus, for then everything takes on a new perspective.  It doesn’t alter the way things are, but we are able to see them in the light of your eternal promise that nothing can ever separate us from your love.  And in that we find assurance and peace and hope. 

Amen

Liz Stuart

 

Wednesday 9th September

Hymn:  His mercy is more   

Prayer:

Lord God, we can never plumb the depths of your love, your grace and your mercy, for however deep we go there is still more awaiting us.  You have reached out to us in ways we could never have conceived or expected, and when we have been at our lowest you have lifted us up out of darkness and despair, and brought us into the light of your presence and a place of peace.  Thank you, Lord, that you never let us down and you never let us go.  Help us each day to take hold of your promises  and discover afresh your gifts of new life, of hope and of joy. 

Amen

Liz Stuart

 

Tuesday 8th September 

Hymn:  These are the days of Elijah  (SofF 1047/CMP 1012)

Prayer:

Lord God, right through history you have guided your people, often through difficult and dangerous times, and we believe that you are with us in all the confusion and challenge of today.  So, as you led those prophets of old, Lord, lead us, we pray.  Breathe new life into us, through your Holy Spirit, that we may be voices of hope and encouragement to our generation, both speaking and showing by our lives your love and faithfulness. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Monday 7th September 

Hymn:  I just want to be where you are 

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, we want you to be in every part of our lives, because only in your presence do we find true peace and joy and fulfilment.  Help us to draw closer to you each day, relying on your Holy Spirit to guide us, so that we may grow stronger in our faith and more deeply rooted in your love. 

Amen

Liz Stuart

 

Sunday 6th September

Hymn:  Here we are 

Prayer:

So here we are, Lord, gathered to worship you today, though not in the ways we would want to.  Some of us are in our church building but masked, distanced from one another and sitting in silence, unable to sing.  Others of us are in our homes, able to lift our voices in song but on our own, or perhaps looking at faces in boxes, able to see, to hear, to chat, but not to touch.  Nevertheless, here we are, Lord, your people, bringing you the praise and thanksgiving that rises from our hearts, for all that you are, all you have been in our lives, all that you have done for us in Jesus, and all you promise to be for us through your Holy and Life-giving Spirit.  Thank you for your love that surrounds us, your strength that supports us and your peace that enfolds us as we go from wherever we are, and seek to live our lives to your glory. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Saturday 5th September

Hymn:  Sometimes a light surprises  (MHB 527/H&P 571)

Prayer:

There are times, Lord, when, like a shaft of sunlight piercing through dark clouds, you shed light on our path, and we know of a certainty that whatever we are going through you are with us.  Sometimes it happens unexpectedly, at others after a period of searching and prayer, but always we receive the encouragement we need, and the assurance that in your strength we can face whatever comes our way, knowing it will be woven in love into the tapestry of our lives.  Thank you, Jesus, for these moments of comfort, of joy and of hope, and the way they remind us of your faithfulness. 

Amen

Liz Stuart

 

Friday 4th September

Hymn:  Above all  SofF 1151 

Prayer:

Who are the people we look up to, Lord?  In our ‘celebrity driven’ culture so often it is those who have wealth or influence, or have an ‘image’ that we would aspire to.  But all of these pale into insignificance beside you, Lord Jesus, for you are above all in wisdom, power and authority, above anything we can measure or imagine.  But what is even more mind-blowing, Lord, is the worth you place on us, for you gave up everything, even life itself, when you thought of us – and that’s surely the most amazing thing of all! 

Amen

Liz Stuart

 

Thursday 3rd September 

Hymn:  I need thee every hour  (StF 467/H&P 524)

Prayer:

It’s when we depend on you, Lord Jesus, that everything comes together, that life makes sense.  For you are there in every moment of our lives, beside us in times of joy and sadness, there in the times when we feel helpless or without hope.  You know us so well, and when we cry out to you your heart echoes our pain, and your peace heals our brokenness.  For your strength that supports us in our weakness, for your tenderness and your love, and for the new life and hope we find in you, we praise and thank you, Lord. 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Wednesday 2nd September

Hymn:  My soul longs for Jesus 

What would we do without you, Lord Jesus?  For so many these last six months have been a dry and weary land, some because they have worked tirelessly to support other people in various ways; some because it has been a time of loneliness and loss.  And yet, Lord, in all of it you have been there, in the dark times, the shadowed places, the confusion and the fear, there as our light, our hope and our guide.  Help us to keep ourselves centred on you, for whatever the future holds, you are and always will be ‘the Way, the Truth, and the Life’, and in you, you alone, we find peace and certainty and belonging.  Thank you, Jesus! 

Amen

Liz Stuart 

 

Tuesday 1st September: 

Hymn:  Love Incarnate  (SofF 1627) 

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, we know that prayer was so much a part of your life on earth, and that it’s through prayer that we can receive the strength and the resources we need for our everyday lives if we are going to be faithful witnesses for you.  We know too that often we are not consistent in our prayer life, but as we begin a new church year, Lord, help us to make prayer a priority, so that it revitalises our relationship with you, and allows your Holy Spirit to breathe into us, to shape us, and to guide us in the paths you would have us go, and into the people you would have us be –  and all of it to your praise and glory! 

Amen

Liz Stuart