Liturgical prayers for Sunday 25 August 2013

Greeting.

Good morning.

May the Lord bless you and grant you his peace and his grace as you worship and praise God and listen to his Word today.

The Call to Worship comes from Jude:  24 and 15.

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Saviour,  be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!  

Glory to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen.

Prayer of Praise. .

Holy God, almighty and omnipresent, worshiped in heaven and earth through all ages!  As we know that we are in your glorious presence, grant us a sense of your majesty and your grace! This morning guide your people who came to worship you, by the work of the Holy Spirit.

By the power and authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, help us to praise, to worship, to listen and to bring glory to your Name.  Receive us whom you have called to you, dear Lord, and in your mercy listen to our prayers.  Because Jesus has died, Christ has risen – yes, our Lord comes again.  Amen.

Prayer for the forgiveness of sins.

Heavenly Father, keep us from all temptation, deliver us from evil and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us.

Assure us once more of your grace and forgiveness on the grounds of the imputed righteousness of our Saviour, your only begotten Son, we pray,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Intercession

Gracious God and heavenly Father,

It is our greatest joy to praise you, to thank you, and to worship you, for great is the majesty of your name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, ever-living and ever-merciful God.

It is not by the spirit of the world, but by your Spirit alone that we may know all the gifts and blessings you so generously grant us. For your Spirit explores everything, even the depths of your own being, and knows what is truly yours and also knows all our needs.

Therefore grant to us that we may be enabled to hear what you say to us, that we will not live according to the foolishness of a godless society, but according to your holy will and divine wisdom.

Lord our God, you are holy and most holy!  Now give us a spirit of adoration, of love, of obedience and complete surrender to you and your will, to your Son, your holy Word and to your Holy Spirit.

Almighty God, for the unity of the Church of Christ, the salvation of all people and the peace of the whole world, we pray.

For our city, and for the faithful who live here and strive to serve you in all humility and obedience, we pray.  Help us now to commit ourselves and one another and our lives and all its challenges and opportunities to you, o Lord, whose power is beyond compare, whose glory we can never understand nor fathom, whose mercy is never-ending, and whose love for us is divine and immeasurable.   

Lord, look upon us and this church with compassion. Give us and those who pray with us, your abundant mercy and show us your love in Jesus Christ, our Lord.

We pray for those who travel long distances, 

for the sick,

the suffering,

those in prison, and for their salvation.  

We pray for deliverance from hardship, danger, distress and despondency.

We pray for healing, restoration, joy, gladness and deliverance

and that this church and all her members will be set free from any form of evil, for the sake of your kingdom and glory.

Hear, Father God, our prayers today for.....   

Almighty God, remember us and listen to our prayers.

Speak to us through the reading of the Holy Scriptures and through the preaching of your Word. May we listen your eternal Word, even Jesus Christ your Son, and our Lord.

For yours is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever.

Amen.

There is a judgment day!

Music remains one of the most moving ways in which to express love. Isaiah 5:1-7 plays on the genre of a love song, using the marriage theme to describe the relationship between God and God’s people. Yet the irony is clear and sharp!  In this passage, the prophet recomposes the love song into a lament over the nation’s betrayal of God’s principles.

The prophet uses the metaphor of the constant care of the vinedresser for the vineyard as the primary image in this passage. Despite even the Divine Vinedresser’s best efforts, the vineyard yielded grapes that are not only unusable, but release a sour odor.

God asks his people to judge for themselves what they think should be done with the stench of such an offensive, unproductive vineyard: “What more was there to do for my vineyard that I have not done in it? When I expected it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes?” (verse 4).

There is a judgment day! Instead of keeping his vineyard, God will remove its protective hedge, allowing it to be ravaged. Instead of planting choice vines, God will allow briars and thorns to overtake the vineyard. God will neither till the soil nor prune the vines or give life giving rain, because his vineyard, his people, did not respond in faithful love to his tender care and his offer to be their God.

We are privileged.  God invested his Word, his Son and his cross and resurrection and the outpouring of his Spirit in us. Are we using our privilege to produce the sweet wine of the works of God’s Kingdom?  Or will our disobedience ultimately repulse God? Are our actions representing the Church’s and God’s work in such a way that it is creating more harm than good?

Through humble repentance we can still return to seeking God’s purpose – as long as the time of grace and mercy remains! 

“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool” (Isaiah 1:18). 

Liturgical Prayers for Sunday 18 August 2013.

Call to Worship:  Psalm 29: 1 -  3

Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his Name; worship the Lord in the splendour of his holiness.

The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.

Glory to the Father,

and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning

it is now

and will be forevermore!

Amen.

Prayer of praise and for the forgiveness of sin!

Glorious Lord, Father of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!

We thank you that you kept and blessed us in all circumstances, and helped us, accepting us as your own, and that you spared and supported us, and led us during the past week, and through our lives.  

Father God, your people accept the grace that you bring, and commit their lives to the guidance of the Holy Spirit who empowers your children and your Church to fulfil your commission to preach the gospel to everyone. Now bring justice wherever we serve you and bring hope and light where darkness still hides your glorious reign and redemption.

Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us, for it is through your forgiveness, Father, that your Name is glorified and through our reconciliation with you in Christ, that your Kingdom comes on earth, in our lives and wherever we serve you.

As we have been washed with the blood of the Lamb, have mercy on us and make us new, imitating your holiness and following Christ with all our mind, our heart and our strength.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Amen.

Prayers of Intercession

Father, Son and Holy Spirit! Almighty, eternal and gracious Lord, our God.

May your Name be glorified in all the earth.

Bless us today with peaceful fellowship with you, our God, and our brothers and sisters.

Bless all the children and young people and touch their hearts and be a Father to us all, we pray. 

Heavenly Father, we give thanks for the gracious privilege to come to you today, because the meeting of your people in your Name, is none other than the house of God.  Thank you for your love and for your mercy. 

Holy God, Father in haven, listen to our prayer –

for marriages and families;

for rulers, those who govern and their officials;

for the church of Christ, our Session and Presbytery;

for the Bible Society of South Africa;

for all who are commissioned to spread your Word across the globe.

Gracious Father, in your mercy, remember the sick, the frail and the home bound and all who care for them, we pray!

During this month of August, which is Women’s Month in our country, remember Lord, women everywhere. We pray especially for all those mothers, grandmothers and sisters who work to care for family members in need while forging their own paths in life. May their loving hearts and nurturing spirits be blessed with strength and joy.

For those most vulnerable to oppression or neglect, especially women and children, we pray.

For all those who go hungry while others feast in plenty, and for those who struggle to support families in the midst of economic injustice and as a result of the greed and corruption of others, we pray

For all who struggle for the basic necessities of life - nourishing food, pure water, fresh air, and adequate housing, we pray!

Loving God, you have heard the cries of your suffering people. Open our eyes to see the immensity of your love for us and the wonder of what you have done for us in Christ Jesus, our Redeemer.

Give us the courage to be your hands and heart for those who are in pain. Give us the wisdom to speak out for justice and righteousness. May your will be done in us and through us, today and always.

We thank you for the Ladies Ministry (Women’s Associations) and the difference they make to your work, and we thank you for all the work that could be done through our mothers and sisters during past years. Bless your daughters today, Lord, have mercy on them and grant us, both your sons and daughters, your peace and your grace.

And we pray for ourselves, Father God, for this congregation that became both our spiritual home and our Christian family, when we listen to your Word today.  Grant us faith through your Spirit, and perseverance, to seek your will and do your bidding!

Comfort us through your holy Gospel, dear Lord, we pray!

In the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord, 

Amen.

It is a matter of choice!

Yes, it is a matter of choice!

Col 3:1-2) ... set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Note that the Bible tells us that we do have a choice. We may choose whether we in our lives set our hearts on things above, or on earthly things.

There's always an alternative. The choice is yours.  Every time you have the opportunity to rid yourself of sin, to receive God's forgiveness and to find strength and renewal in Christ, there is also the choice to remain in sin and the misery it causes.

It’s a matter of choice, of focus, of priority and most of all, a matter of love – do I love God with all my heart and mind.  For whatever love dictates or negates, will influence our choice.

We can set our minds on earthly things or on heavenly things. We can pursue treasure on earth or treasure in heaven. We can first seek the things of this world - or we can first of all seek the Kingdom of God and its righteousness and all we need will be added unto us.

We have to make a choice between living for God and living to satisfy our sinful nature.

If I am saved, I live for Jesus.

Then we set our hearts and minds “on things above, not on earthly things."

God wants to do something new...

Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?" - Isaiah 43:18-19

The Lord asks in this verse that, when we in faith accepts that he “will do a new thing” in our lives, our families and our churches, we would be ready to open ourselves to his new direction, his open door and his response to our needs and concerns.

Are we willing to, within the parameters of the personal relationship God wants to have with us, embrace his plan for us and our lives, our futures and our calling?

The Lord is saying, "I am going to do a new thing. Will you embrace it? Will you receive it into your life?"

May our hearts respond with joy and thanksgiving to our God who knows our need for him to do a “new thing” for us.

May we all say wholeheartedly: “Yes, Lord. I want to be open to whatever you do. I want to be available to your time to do this for me. There is every reason for me to believe that you are preparing me for something new, even something significant.”

We are not to sit back and become spectators of God’s interventions and plans. No, as the Lord plants the “seed” of the “new thing” he is doing in our lives, we will be full partners of God in taking care of the seed he planted in our lives and in faith expects the seed to sprout.

We will be practically involved and asked to work with the Lord, within our relationship with him, to bring his new plan, his open door and his purpose for us, to fruition.

Remember that Jesus said: Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive. (John 7: 38 – 39)

Updated Classical lyrics on Psalm 116 in English and Afrikaans.

Psalm. 116   - 
(Melody:  J’aime mon Dieu, 1562 – Genevan.)

Adapted, updated English lyrics by Andries.

I love the Lord, He listens to my prayer.

He cares about my humble plea, He listens.

In darkest night his grace so brightly glistens: -

“Lord save me now, your love I shall declare.”

Most kind and virtuous is God, my Lord.

Our God is merciful indeed, and righteous;

Delighting always to impart me justice:

to me in time of need his help affords.

Be still my soul, to rest in God agree,

the Lord has richly blessed and healed, befriending.

Delivered me, from death and grave ascending!

From loss and sorrow God has set me free.

Since God released my eyes from tears and haze,

enthused my heart: to bring him thanks, to love Him!

Redeemed from life’s distressing fears: adore Him!

with God I walk, to him my song shall raise!

My Afrikaanse verdigting van Psalm 116.  Geneefse melodie

Ja, God is liefde,  want Hy hoor my stem.

God hoor my smeking, luister na gebede.

Omdat Hy luister, wag ek op sy vrede,

as ek nog daagliks vaster aan Hom klem.

Ek vrees nie meer die donker doodsvallei,

geen kommer of benoudheid sal oorwin nie.

Het God nie uit ontferming oor begin nie,

Hy skink die beker waar ek lewe kry.

Ek sal my offers dankbaar vir U bring,

en hartlik uitroep: God se Naam bied lewe!

Geloftes aan U hou, Heer hoog verhewe,

en in u diens u heerlikheid besing.

O my Verlosser, neem my danklied aan,

wie U ontvang, kry liefde as ’n gawe!

U trou, genade is die veil’ge hawe,

waar u gemeente ewig sal bestaan.

Reject nothing that is received with thanksgiving!

God wants us to receive every good thing he gives us with thanksgiving.

The way to recognize whether something is “good” or “bad” is to ask ourselves if we are comfortable to thank the Lord for it. Those things on offer in the world which it is unthinkable to thank the Lord for, should be rejected. The thief cannot thank the Lord for what he stole, and should not steal. The corrupt cannot thank the Lord for what he swindled and should seek integrity.

But more importantly, nothing that God gives to us, because he loves us, should be rejected. And here is the exciting and surprising Word of God found in 1 Tim 4: 4 – 5:

Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

Consecration refers to both persons and things being set apart for God, to belong to him and to serve his purpose.   Everything received from the Lord with thanksgiving, continue to belong to God.

And what have been consecrated, are sacred.

All Christian believers are consecrated by Word and prayer to serve our Lord as royal priests every day of their lives. Food, marriage and family life, work and play, responsibility, money and fun, should all be received with thanksgiving and set apart, be given back to God, to serve his purpose in our lives and as such serve his Kingdom.

Everything we receive from God with thanksgiving is consecrated.

It is holy. We are to use every good blessing in our service of God.

Christ, the Redeemer of the bruised and the burnt out

"A bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish." (Isaiah 42:3)

The Hebrew children would often go down by the riverside to play where the reeds grew. The reeds were useful for making flutes. The children would cut them down, hollow them out and make the flutes to play their little songs.

The riverbank would be full of these reeds, and many of them were less than perfect. If they came across one that was cracked or bruised, they would break it in half and toss it away. After all, they needed reeds of quality in order to make a flute that would play well. Cracked or bruised reeds were worthless.

Bruised reeds are symbols of people. The word "bruised" is used to refer to suffering, discouraged and less than perfect people.  

We are all bruised reeds. We all experienced disappointment in ourselves, as being hurt and almost broken.

Why won't the Messiah break the bruised reeds? The children would break them and toss them away because there were thousands more along the river. One broken one wasn't important and they weren't good for anything anyway.

Why wouldn't Christ do the same thing with "bruised reed" people?

"A bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish." (42:3)

He will also not extinguish a dimly burning and smoking wick.

The Hebrews had to light their homes with oil lamps. These lamps looked a lot like gravy dispensers, with an open top. The bowls were filled with oil and contained a wick, made of flax or linen. As long as the wick would stay moist with the oil, it would burn and give light. But when the oil burned out, the wick would smoulder and give off smoke. The thing to do was to extinguish the damaged wick and toss it away. There was plenty of flax where the first wick came from.

But the Messiah would not extinguish such a dimly burning wick. Again, these wicks can be compared to people. They represent people who are exhausted, or even "burnt-out", in their Christian lives.

We all burn but dimly and our light is smoky.

God says that we will recognise the true Messiah in that he would not break the bruised reed or extinguish the dimly burning wick. 

When you think about these imageries in terms of God’s people, you realize what is said.  

We are not perfect. We often feel down-trodden failures and at best, not the flutes that are able to make the heavenly music of Christ heard or let his eternal light shine in a dark and desperate world.

We often feel that we do not have our lives together and do not live up to expectation as witnesses of Christ.

Some, who may think they are providing perfectly bright light and harmonious music, may be quick to dispense with imperfect people, but Jesus does not.

To the contrary, we know that Jesus is the true Messiah – the anointed One of God - because it is his character to play the glorious music of his Kingdom through bruised reeds, and make his gracious light shine even through smoky, smouldering wicks!

This is how we know that he truly is the Redeemer of the bruised and the burnt out and the lost.

And that he wants to works through us!

Liturgical Prayers for Sunday 4 August 2013.

Liturgical Prayers for Sunday (4 August 2013).

Call to Worship -    From Psalm 130

As soldiers guarding a fortress,

wait for the sun to rise,

for countless, endless hours,

through nights with darkest skies:

So I wait on the LORD God,

I’m waiting long, it’s hard!

But God in grace and mercy,

will not my plea discard. 

Have hope, have faith, God’s people,

and trust in God who saves.

With sunrise comes his mercy!

God rescues from the grave.

His love, his grace, his pity

bring light, create the day.

Absolve my sins, forgive me,

LORD, while I wait, and pray.

Glory to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

Amen.

Prayer of Praise and for the forgiveness of sin

We give thanks, honour and glory to our merciful God who is our Helper and our Father, in and through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God:  who is God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, and the eternal Word of the Father!   

We give thanks, honour and glory to our Saviour, for you, Lord, have sheltered and helped us, protected and spared and carried us until this hour.

May your peace and your grace be with us and guide us, o Holy Spirit, as you reveal to us the glory of our Lord, Jesus Christ! May we find peace in his imputed righteousness and courage because he lives and lives forevermore!

Have mercy on us, O God, have mercy on us!  We know, Lord, that you love the righteous and that you have mercy on sinners. You do not wish the death of the sinner but rather that he returns and lives and you call us to repentance and salvation today,  to believe in the promise of your forgiveness which will come to us for the sake of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

Guide us to fulfil your commandments.

Forgive our sins.

Sanctify our hearts.

Guard and lead our thoughts.

Purify our intentions.

Deliver us from every distress, sadness and feeling of guilt,

o gracious Lord.

Grant us faith, that we may accept your love, your forgiveness and your grace.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Amen. 

Prayers of Intercession:

Almighty God, our Father who is in heaven, you are holy, and most holy! You, Father, and your Son, and your Holy Spirit are holy and most holy!

We worship you, we praise you and we declare our love for you anew.

Have mercy, and listen to our prayers, because without you, Lord Jesus, we can do nothing. When we are one with you, as you are one with the Father, we can fulfil your purposes for our lives, our faith and our love for you. 

For our congregation:

Heavenly Father, today hear our prayer for the preaching of your Word amongst us. Bless the preacher with humility, wisdom and insight in your Word that we may hear the gospel and discover your teaching with grateful and receptive hearts. Grant us the willingness to change according to your Word to receive the true blessings which come from obedience and faith.

Bless our Session with wisdom and diligence in your work, we pray.  Grant each elder the gifts according to your wisdom and pleasure, that together, as they seek your guidance and your will as our Session, they will see the light in the light of your Word and rule and reign amongst us as servants of Christ, our Lord and the Head of the Church.  Bless the Moderator and Clerk of Session with wisdom, patience and love to lead the elders in all humility and righteousness.

Bless and refresh every ministry (or association) of this congregation and enthuse them to minister and work for you, Lord Jesus, with passion and efficiency, that your Kingdom which is near may come where we work, your will may be done through our service and your Name be glorified through our enthusiasm and originality.

For the UPCSA.

God of love and of grace, have mercy on the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.

Guide all who lead and govern within our denomination and who serve you by becoming our servants in Christ.

Grant good health, the joy of the Lord and your wisdom to the Moderator and Clerk of General Assembly and show them the way and the means to fulfil our calling in this country and in Southern Africa that they may lead us in righteousness and wisdom to glorify you in all we do as a denomination.

Grant your love, your peace and strength to the Moderator and Clerk of our Presbytery that we will benefit from their spiritual formation in Christ and their lives being filled with your Holy Spirit. Carry them and grant them good health and much joy in your work, o God.

Dear Lord, unite your people in faith and in passion for your gospel, and help us to love one another even as you love us, we pray.

For those in distress.

Remember today, our Father who is in heaven, all who are in distress, in pain, caught up in sadness and depression and in despondency and hopelessness.

Grant your fellowship to the lonely, your strength to all who are afraid, your mercy to those who are ill and heal them through the might and power of the risen Lord, Jesus Christ.

Provide food for the hungry and shelter for the destitute and show us how to make a difference as your children and as a church that minister in your Name.

Be you our comfort, o Lord. Guide, help and protect us against all evil.

Restore our joy!

Replenish our energy and strength.

Refill our hearts and lives with your love

and deliver us from every form of discouragement, stress and depression.

Listen to our prayers, almighty Saviour, who is always with us, for.....

May your grace and mercy be our guide, may your love be our inspiration and your Word the light for our feet and the lamp on our way.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord, we pray.

Amen. 

Authentic faith remains standing as the fruit of true love!

Faith is our response to God’s Word.  It is our trust that the Good News about Jesus is the Truth. The authenticity of this faith is proven by the way we love one another.

Colossians 1:4 says:  …we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints (fellow Christians) …

Love is indispensable for every true believer. Jesus said: 

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35)

John says: “If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.” (1 John 4:20)

You certainly can’t read any of these passages of Scripture and come to any other conclusion that if we truly believe our lives will show true love.

God is love.

Those who confess faith in him, and follow him as his disciples will learn from the Lord to love.  Following God in faith and walking in love are one and the same thing. You can’t have one without the other.

Are you walking in love?

We stand in faith, walk in love, and rest in hope.

Look at Colossians 1:5. “…the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven…”

Hope in God is not a vague expectation.  It is a faithful anticipation that God will fulfil all his promises – even those that now seem unlikely and improbable.

This hope in God, this expectation that he will fulfil all he said and give us everything he promised in Christ, makes us willing to endure, even sacrifice, for the sake of our faith, true love and the future glory. Hope allows us to rest in God’s promises. The glorious eternal destination we look forward to inspires our faith in God and our love for our brothers and sisters!

Is your faith still standing?

Liturgical Prayers for Sunday 28 July 2013.

Liturgical Prayers for Sunday. (28 July 2013.)

Call to Worship:

Psalm 34:1- 3, 8

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

With all my heart I will praise the Lord;

Let all who are helpless, listen and be glad.

Honour the Lord with me!   Celebrate his great name.

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the person who takes refuge in him!

Glory to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Prayer of Praise and for the forgiveness of our sins.

Gracious God our Father, creator of light and source of life, who made us in your image, and called us to new life in Jesus Christ our Lord, we worship you!

Lord Jesus Christ, who on the first day of the week overcame death and the grave, and by your glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life, we worship you!

Holy Spirit, our Lord and Guide, who by water and the Word made us a new people in Jesus Christ our Lord, we worship you!

Almighty God, source of all wisdom, who knows our needs and our concerns even before we ask and who knows our ignorance - even when we pray earnestly:   Have compassion, because we are weak and heavy laden. We know that we are unworthy and dare not demand anything from you, yet we beseech you to have compassion on our blindness and unwillingness to listen to your commandments, yes to your Word. Forgive us our trespasses for the sake of the imputed worthiness of your Son Jesus Christ.

[The house of my soul, yes my heart, is too small, now, enlarge it that you may enter in.

It is harmful, O repair it, dear Lord!

But who shall cleanse my heart and to whom shall I cry but to you? Cleanse me from my secret iniquities, O Lord, and spare your servant from strange and damaging sins, dear Lord I pray.  St Augustine]

Father, listen to our prayers, for the sake of  our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you, Father, and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.    Amen.

Prayers of Intercession:

Adoration

O heavenly Father, who filled our world with beauty:  Open our eyes to be able to see your gracious hand in all your works; that, as we find great joy in all of your creation, we may learn to serve you, our Lord, with delight and thanksgiving, for the sake of him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ, our Saviour.

For humanity

Gracious Lord, look with compassion on the whole human family across the globe; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in holy love to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races and peoples may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne.

For Africa

Eternal God of all creation, of all the earth and every continent, and as such also the Lord of Africa!

We add our prayers to those of all your children who are concerned about the needs of this large continent with so much potential, which also suffers so much because of poverty, decease, war and all the consequences of centuries of the vices of those who lorded over us, who oppressed and abused us and our resources:

Hear our prayer that Africa may find rest – for your love, dear God, covers and heals our wounds and restores your joy in our lives!

Bring lasting and sustainable peace to Africa and its entire people, guide all her leaders and bless her children.  Let your Spirit fill us all who live in this, our Motherland, with the Saviour’s love and all the benefits of his gospel!

For my country

Almighty God, who has given us our beloved country as our heritage:   We humbly pray that we may always prove ourselves to be a people who seek your favour and humble ourselves before your Throne of mercy.

Bless our land with honourable industry and jobs, sound learning, and pure conduct, dear Lord, we pray.

Save us from violence, crime, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.    In days of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in trouble, help us to trust in you, our Lord and King.

For the nations of the world

Eternal God, in whose perfect Kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, your Word of life, and no strength is known but the strength of love:  Now fill your people in every city and every country with your Holy Spirit, revive in us the pure life that comes from the faith we received by your grace and mercy, that all peoples may be united under the precious Name of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father.

For the Church

Gracious Father, we pray for your holy, universal church.  Fill her with the truth who is Jesus Christ, who is the Word of God, and fill her with peace and love. Where your Church do what is right, make it strong and courageous; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is persecuted, keep, spare, sustain and unite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son, our Saviour.

Dear Lord, in your mercy listen to our prayers, when we ask you to be with.....     and when we pray for...

Enlightenment

And now we pray and humbly ask, almighty Father, that the words which we will hear this Lord’s Day with our outward ears, may, by your grace and the work of your Spirit, be implanted inwardly in our hearts, that your Word may bear the fruit of good living and holiness, to the honour and praise of your Name;

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Growing together!

The common goal in the Body of Christ is the growth of the body. As each member does his individual part, it causes the growth of the body as a whole. The Body is responsible for the building up of itself in love as it ministers to each member.

Ephesians 4: 16: From Christ, the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

God has decided that our growth in the Lord occurs as a result of living in community. He makes us a spiritual body of believers where we learn to be more like him every day. He has given teachers, servants of the Head, to equip us for God’s work. He has called us to work together in community in order to be his Body.

Do you understand the implication of living and worshiping in the Body? We are a community of God's people who have been brought into a living union with God and with one another. We need one another in order to grow and to help the Body to grow.

Watchman Nee said, “Yet just what kind of a man is he who perceives the Body? He is a person who seeks for fellowship, who fears that he himself may be wrong, and who dare not work independently. Such is the person who has discerned the Body.”

We work and worship together in order to grow together, to show our love for Jesus and bear the fruit of the Spirit for every one’s benefit. That is what Body Life is all about. Have you started to live the Body Life yet?

Prayer: O Lord, through your grace and mercy I see not only the Body – but that I am part of this divine plan to do your work. Make me a diligent, loving, serving and giving member as I experience the Body Life, depending only on you. Amen.

The choice between convention and urgency in God’s work.

Luke 10: 38 – 42...

The brief Martha and Mary story in Luke 10 disturbs our understanding of propriety.   Our expectations for the upkeep of tradition, custom, culture and social convention are challenged here, in order that we may hear the Gospel of Christ.  

If these things slow us down in God’s work, we need to rethink our priorities.

Jesus and the twelve disciples come to their home for lunch.

Martha is concerned about all the details to prepare them a wonderful meal that would meet all the standards of hospitality. She expresses her love for Jesus by doing this hard work diligently. She goes out of her way to be the hostess that custom and culture require of her.  

But she misses the best part of the visit of the Guest – his gospel teaching about the Kingdom of God that is near. She misses the  "main course” of the most special day of their lives, for the sake of propriety.

Mary risks contempt by sitting at the feet of Jesus and by not “being in the kitchen” as convention requires,  to help her sister, in order not to miss one word of his divine teaching. She sensed the “kingdom urgency” that was part of the journey of Jesus to Jerusalem to redeem us. She expressed her love for Jesus by becoming the best learner she could be, a committed student of the great Teacher!

Jesus said Mary made a better choice.

Both Martha and Mary loved Jesus passionately. Both are his disciples and both do their absolute best to honour and please him.

But the two of them represent the choices many who love the Lord have to make to show their respect and their love:  We often have to choose between propriety and urgency.

And urgency always trumps propriety in the context of the Kingdom of God and expressing our love for the Lord!

The Apostle Paul says it in these words:

“Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.  He is the one we proclaim, giving a warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.  To this end I energetically run with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.”

(Col 1: 24 and 28)

Paul indeed ran the race for Christ’s Kingdom with appropriate urgency!

Pray for Africa - for rest and peace through God's love!

Christ calls us to come to rest in his divine love,

to rest from the things that are troubling us,

to learn what Christ can teach of life and life's challenges,

to commit to what we can offer others,

and to return to the world to serve his love for the sake of a lost world in pain!
Come, let us all find rest in God.

Shall we not unite in prayer for the world to find rest in God's love, in Christ Jesus?
Pray across the globe!
In every church that believes in the living Lord, begin to pray?
Shall we not unite in prayer in church and use this internet to share the prayers that the world need and pray them earnestly together?

Pray for Africa!
Pray for peace, for rest, for the love of God to cover and heal the wounds, and restore joy, because -
God is love!

That the Lord will guide her leaders and bless her children.
That his Spirit will fill us all with the Saviours love and with all the benefits of his gospel!
Tonight, and in church tomorrow, listen to this plea for Africa, and pray!

Pray for Africa!
God bless you all!

Liturgical Prayers for Sunday (21 July 2013)

Call to worship:    Psalm 113

Praise the Lord, you his servants;   praise the name of the Lord.

² Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore.

³ From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.

⁴ The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens.

Glory to the Father,

and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning

it is now

and will be forevermore!

Prayer of praise and for the forgiveness of sin!

Glorious Lord, God the Almighty, the Father of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!

We thank you that you kept and blessed us in all circumstances, in every hour,  and helped us, guarded us, accepted us as your own, spared us, supported us, and  led us until this hour. 

Therefore, we ask and beseech you to show your love to all your children and take away from us, and deliver us, from all envy, all temptation, all the works of evil, the counsel of wicked men, and the uprising of your enemies!  Set us and all your people free who gathered in this holy place that is yours.

Gracious Father, provide for us all things that are good and profitable, even eternally beneficial, for it is you, our Lord, who gave us the authority to conquer the power of the enemy and bring glory to your Name.

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your great mercy; and according to the multitude of your compassions; blot out my wickedness. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I am conscious of my sin; and my wrongdoing is at all times before me, until you have granted me forgiveness and grace.

And Father, may we not be lead into temptation but deliver us from evil, by the grace, compassion and love of your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, through whom glory, honour, all dominion, and adoration are due to you!

Bless us through him who gives us life, even the Holy Spirit, now and at all times, and till the end of time!  Amen.

Prayer of adoration and intercession:

Have mercy on us, O God, have mercy on us, who at all times and in every hour, in heaven and on earth, is worshipped and glorified!

Have mercy on us Christ Jesus, our eternal Saviour who is perfectly good, our patient Lord and God who loves the righteous and has mercy on sinners!  You, Redeemer, call all to salvation and today promise to us your blessings that are yet to come.

Lord, receive from us our prayers in this hour and in every hour of our lives:

Simplify our lives and guide us to fulfil your commandments.

Sanctify our spirits and cleanse our minds, our attitudes and the works of our hands.

Guard our thoughts.

Purify our intentions.

Heal our diseases.

Deliver us from every grief and distress of the heart.

Surround us by your love and mercy that we may be guarded and guided, that we may attain the unity of faith, and the knowledge of your invisible, yet infinite glory.

For you, our Lord and our God, are blessed forever.

Our Father in heaven, today, in Jesus Name, we pray for.....

Remember Lord every child in distress, every exploited mother and wife in pain, every father and husband who feels helpless and weak and every man and woman who calls upon you because they are afraid or depressed or under stress!  Restore our hope and through faith, restore our joy!

Lord Jesus who worked hard and honestly as a carpenter to provide for your mother and your siblings, now bless and guide every worker and grant them your strength and keep them healthy to provide for their families and loved ones. 

Kind Father in heaven who provides for all, bless every employer with wisdom, mercy and righteousness that we may both work and live in peace and harmony with those who have authority over us and those that we are responsible for!

Merciful Lord, provide work for everyone who seeks to labour for their daily needs and the needs of those dependent on them.

Holy Spirit, open your Word to our hearts and open our hearts to your Word that we may gain wisdom, even faith and peace, and let your mercy touch the core of our existence as we seek to follow your will and search for the gain of the Gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

God have mercy!

Jesus have mercy!

Father have mercy!

Listen to our prayer and deliver us from our weakness, from evil influence and from this wicked world and its unfaithfulness and greed.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

God is present where his people worship him.

The Bible makes dramatic statements about the importance to worship God in fellowship with the Body of Christ. It never is about – I’ll go if I feel like it...   Or, I’ll go if I have nothing better to do...

The Word says in Hebrews 10:25:  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another (to attend)—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

This looks pretty much like a command from God to me, as well!

Seven hundred fifty years before Christ the prophet Isaiah went to the temple to worship and pray. The Lord opened his spiritual eyes and he became aware of God’s presence in that place of worship. He saw how the glory of God filled the temple. Above the glorious presence of the Lord, seraphim (angels) were hovering. With two wings they fly, and with the remaining wings they cover their faces and feet in humble admiration of our God of perfect holiness. Isaiah heard in stunned silence, that they chanted to one another, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts. The whole earth is full of his glory." (Isaiah 6:3)

Isaiah fell to his knees and in true humility cried out, "My eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts." (Isaiah 6:5) Isaiah was shocked and petrified by the glorious presence of the holy God in the place where his people meet to worship him.

Our awesome God was there. This is the kind of place the temple was.   This is also what any place of true worship becomes when believers meet to worship our God!

Jesus said:  Where two or three are together in the name of Christ, our God is present – just as he was in the temple in the days of Isaiah.

God desires for his children to fellowship with him. He longs for us to be awe-struck by him, to love him, to honour and glorify him. “Doing church” is so much more than going through the motions of our tradition.   It is coming into a divine encounter with the living God, an encounter that changes our lives.

Is there more than just an appearance of Christianity about us? Or is there substance?   

Is your worship real? By God's grace it can be. It will be if you are part of the Body of Christ who worship God on Sunday!

May God reveal his holiness, love, grace and mercy to you through fellowship with Jesus Christ our Lord as you live and worship in the Body of our Lord.

The Lord's Supper: the most memorable meal you will ever eat!

What was the most memorable meal you ever ate?

Everybody has one, or a few, where everything just came together perfectly—the food, the setting and the company.  These meals created memories that we treasure for the rest of our lives!

What do you think the disciples of Jesus would say, looking back at the end of their lives, was their most memorable meal?

In the months and years of their lives that followed Christ’s ascension to heaven, they would think back in wonder at the meal on the night of his arrest!  That was a Passover meal, a special celebration, and probably on the menu that night they dined on lamb and bread and wine and herbs, maybe some cheese and fruit and nuts.

But it was the bread and wine that the disciples would remember. They would remember Jesus blessing the bread and breaking it and then walking to each friend in the room, saying gently, “Take and eat, this is my body, which will be broken for you.”

He knew the events that would follow; he could see that he truly would be broken for those he loved. And so he also passed the cup and said “drink of the blood of the new covenant,” assuring them of his covenantal love, whatever may happen in the future.

And the disciples would remember what Jesus added, “As often as you repeat this meal, do it in memory of me!”  As if they could ever forget.

Jesus needed to satisfy the hunger of the disciples to believe in him and be prepared for what followed during the dark days, and challenging years ahead, through giving them the assurance of their faith - in him.

Jesus feeds us what we need to be fed. He sees our needs, and compassionately meets them.

Jesus sees our needs. He knows that we are weak and spiritually malnourished.

And he feeds us with himself, the living almighty Lord and Saviour.

(1 Corinthians 11: 17 – 32.)