Outstretched

Posted on Friday, July 16, 2021 by MW

Psalm 77:1-2
“I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me.  When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted.”

Exodus 17:8, 10-13
“The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim…So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill.  As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.  When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it.  Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.  So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.”

2 Corinthians 13:4
“For to be sure, [Christ] was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power.  Likewise we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him to serve you.”

Great Saviour, you welcome us into your presence when we come with empty, pleading hands.

outstretchedYou took our weakness and surrendered your strength.  From a hill you viewed the battle and kept outstretched arms upon a cross.

Show us the way to victory under the beam to which Christ was helplessly bound.  Enable us to draw from his power to lift up those who faithfully defend and serve your children.

Because of his precious name and all for his glory, we lay our requests beneath the wide stretch of his loving arms.

Listen to ‘At the Cross’ by Blake Paul Band

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Cheek

Posted on Thursday, July 15, 2021 by MW

Lamentations 3:30-33
“Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace.  For men are not cast off by the Lord forever.  Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.  For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.”

Luke 6:27-29a
“But I tell you who hear me:  Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.  If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also.”

Mark 15:16, 19a
“The soldiers let Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers…Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him.”

Saviour God, your power is adorned with a mysterious mercy.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAIn Christ you made the face of God vulnerable to a man’s scornful strike.  Though we spitefully ignore your gentle authority, you turn again and again to us.

By the strength of the one we emulate, give us greater concern for the aggressor than for our wounded pride.  Help us trust that our trials are temporary but your compassion is everlasting.

We ask this in the name of the one who courageously and continually offered his cheek to those he came to save, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Listen to ‘May the Mind of Christ my Saviour’ by Ordinary Time

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Fire and Water

Posted on Wednesday, July 14, 2021 by MW

Psalm 66:12b, 19b-20
“…we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance…God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.  Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!”

Mark 9:17, 22-24
“A man in the crowd answered, ‘Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech…It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him.  But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.’  ‘‘If you can’?’ said Jesus.  ‘Everything is possible for him who believes.’  Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’”

Isaiah 43:2-3a
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

Lord of heaven and earth, you have dominion over physical elements and all spiritual forces.

When driven by evil to endure fire and flood, we bring to you our insufficient faith.  The threat subsides only at your command.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERABe near us when the waters rise inside, and when outside we feel the angry flames.  Help us trust in your compassionate presence and the power of the prayer you speak over us.

We believe only in the name of Christ, who was thrown into destruction to overcome death, rising to become our all-powerful healer.

Listen to ‘Help My Unbelief’ by Red Mountain Music

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Courage

Posted on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 by MW

Deuteronomy 31:7-8, 34:9a
“Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, ‘Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their forefathers to give them…The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.’…Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him.”

2 Timothy 1:6-7
“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”

Acts 4:13
“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”

Leader and Lord, you advance your kingdom by generously passing down power.

courageYou strengthen our feeble hearts to continue Christ’s good work through the gift of encouragers.  Veterans of faith draw close to timid recruits and touch them with blessing.

In youth, grant us leaders that instill compassionate courage.  In age, assist us to give away our seasoned confidence.

We pray in Christ’s name, who entrusts the work he received from his Father into our unskilled hands, and says, ‘Be strong.’

Listen to ‘We Rest on Thee’ by Richard Jensen

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Washed

Posted on Monday, July 12, 2021 by MW

Jeremiah 2:22-23a (NLV)
“‘Even when you wash yourself with much strong soap, the mark of your sin is still before Me,’ says the Lord God.  ‘How can you say, ‘I am clean.’?’”

Matthew 27:24
“When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd.  ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood,’ he said.  ‘It is your responsibility!’”

Titus 3:4-6
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.  He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior…”

In you we find infinite purity and holiness, Most High God.

Our hearts are not innocent and we are stained by sin.  Frantic and fearful, we soak in self-justification to deny our guilt.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERACleanse us from the marks of moral compromise by pouring out your Spirit upon us.  Restore bright innocence to the hands we surrender to you.

For the sake of Jesus Christ we ask this, who took our place on a blood-bathed cross to wash us whiter than snow.

Listen to ‘Holy, Holy, Holy‘ by Justice, Kyle and Sam

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Flesh

Posted on Friday, July 9, 2021 by MW

Matthew 14:25-26, 29b-31a
“During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them walking on the lake.  When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified.  ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear…Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.  But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’  Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.”

Luke 24:36b-39, 41-43
“…Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’  They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.  He said to them, ‘Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?  Look at my hands and my feet.  It is I myself!  Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have…Do you have anything here to eat?’  They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.”

John 1:14
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Most High God, you are the infinite, unrivalled master of all the spiritual realms.

fleshYou chose to confine your majesty in man’s humble form.  Here with us, you touched your own image in the hand of a friend and tasted your creation in the flesh of a fish.

Because you exchanged the ethereal for earthly, help us become your body, your feet and your voice in the grace of good works.  May we bring Christ to dwell with those who doubt.

It is in his name we pray; our divine brother and love incarnate.

Listen to ‘Here is Love‘ by the Wiebes

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Abiding

Posted on Thursday, July 8, 2021 by MW

Deuteronomy 30:11-14
“Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.  It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, ‘Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?’  Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, ‘Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so that we may obey it?’  No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.”

John 15:7
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.”

Colossians 3:16
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

God Emmanuel, you put aside immensity when you approach us and speak.

abidingAs we build a permanent home in which we daily invite you to dwell, your Spirit descends.  You reside where Christ is sheltered and loved.

Make our hearts a sanctuary for your word.  May we abide in a place of praise so that our requests are obedient guests in your household.

We ask this by the authority named on the deed to our redeemed souls, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Listen to ‘Abide With Us Our Savior’ by Steve and Danny Thompson

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Shepherd’s Song

Posted on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 by MW

1 Samuel 16:23
“Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play.  Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.”

Mark 14:26-27
“When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.  ‘You will all fall away,’ Jesus told them, ‘for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered.’’”

1 John 3:16a, 19-20a
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us…This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us.”

Lord God, you compose melodies of salvation in heaven that reverberate to the earth below.

harpWhen we were plagued by a sense of our own unworthiness, you sent a Shepherd who took the curse for us.  He began the night of his great battle by singing a hymn with friends.

In despair, help us to remember that his song has been sung over us.  Soothe our anxieties in the knowledge that our imperfect spirits can now find harmony with your perfect Spirit, and let us rejoice with rested hearts.

This we ask in the name of the Good Shepherd, Jesus, who was stricken in body for the redemption of our conscience-stricken souls.

Listen to ‘You Restore My Soul’ by Rob and Rachel Badman

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Egypt

Posted on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 by MW

Genesis 46:2-4a
“And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, ‘Jacob, Jacob!’  ‘Here I am,’ he replied.  ‘I am God, the God of your father,’ he said.  ‘Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.  I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again.’”

Matthew 2:13-14a
“When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.  ‘Get up,’ he said, ‘take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt.  Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.’  So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt…”

Psalm 143:8-10
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.  Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.  Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, for I hide myself in you.  Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”

Faithful Father, you never change and yet we cannot predict your ways.

When we are afraid, our escape lies in obedience to your leading, though you direct us down unfamiliar paths.  We find rescue when we are alone but for you.

egypt2Call us clearly when our settled lives become unsafe.  Even down the strange roads of a foreign place may we trust in the goodness of your will.

Thank you that, through Christ, the Spirit speaks and guides us to a land of safety for our souls.

Listen to ‘Lead Us Back’ by Sojourn

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Gifts of Light

Posted on Monday, July 5, 2021 by MW

Psalm 119:129-130
“Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them.  The unfolding of your word gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”

James 1:17
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

John 1:9
“The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.”

Lord of heaven and earth, you reveal yourself in each sun-drenched day and every star-studded night.

Your gifts reflect the nature of the giver.  When understanding dawns or courage shines, we recognize the illuminating hand of the Spirit.

gifts of lightSpeak your word over us and let us receive rays of your goodness.  Wrap each perfect gift in light, allowing us to feel the warm love of our Father.

In the name of Jesus Christ we ask this, who was the true light given for us when we were bound to pay the darkness.

Listen to ‘Fairest Lord Jesus’ by Songs of Grace

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