Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain
Psalm 127 (NIVUK)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7 (NIVUK)
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
Relationship with the Father, through Jesus
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will remain secure and rest in the shadow of the Almighty [whose power no enemy can withstand].
For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you.
Don't be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.
I urge, then, that petitions and prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
We will be using The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) to structure our prayers and intercessions tonight. Here are three translations to read. Reflect on each phrase.
The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth Psalm 145:18
for what he has done by placing us in his son - that nothing can be added to what Jesus has accomplished for us as we are changed into his likeness - and that our names are written in heaven
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I'll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Isaiah 46:10 - I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I purpose'.
Romans 12:4-9 - For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Matthew 25:37-40 - "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me'".
2 Cor. 1:20 - NIV
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen is spoken by us to the glory of God".
Denzil and Jemima - that their move to us will go smoothly as they settle into their new home and take charge of a new congregation as a senior Pastor.
Forthcoming election of a new PM. Guidance on the handling of the cost of living crisis and the spiralling costs of energy for businesses and householders. The Police and other agencies of law enforcement responsible for handling of crime on our streets and in our neighbourhoods. Negotiations with the Unions - for an amicable outcome of all these discussions in order to avoid a winter of discontent.
Continue to pray for Croydon and knife crime on our streets. The homeless/for shelter this winter. Young people as they prepare to embrace the new academic year with all its different challenges or navigate the world of employment. Relationships with parents.
The effect of the drought here and in Europe on the farming community. The Pakistan Floods; Ukraine/Sri Lanka Also, pray for an African country (or one of your own choosing) that you may have a burden for at this particular time. Finally, let us remember all those who do not enjoy the privilege and peace of the freedom of worship. All persecuted Christians living in places like North Korea, China and Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria. (Also, please remember the Coptic Christians in Egypt)
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayers.