“I will exalt you. My God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever” (Psalm 145) The conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer brings great peace. Having earnestly brought forward our requests, we now reaffirm that our Heavenly Father is all powerful and in control of all things. When saying these final words, in my mind I picture handing over and entrusting all my worries and burdens to our Almighty God. As we place our petitions into his holy hands and surrender ourselves to his kingdom, let’s experience the peace we reach by letting God work. Our “Amen” joins us together, wherever we are and whatever our situation, in the harmony of agreement. If you have time today or over the weekend, perhaps you could read the whole of Psalm 145. It is a wonderful psalm of praise . A Prayer - Heavenly Father. Thank you that through your son Jesus Christ you taught us to pray. Help us keep the meaning of this precious prayer fresh in our minds every time we say it. Grant us your peace and keep us

“My sheep listen to my voice: I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no-one can snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:27) I’m sure that everyone would love to avoid temptation because resisting it is so difficult! We all have our weaknesses - the list of possibilities is endless, but we shouldn’t give in to our temptations because they could lead to us doing evil. Resisting temptation can feel like a constant and exhausting war where battles can be lost. Jesus knows that we can’t fight that war on our own, so he teaches us to pray to God to lead us away from temptation. It’s not actually wrong to be tempted. Jesus himself endured temptations in the wilderness. But he rejected those temptations using the promises of scripture. Let’s make sure we do the same. In John 10:27 Jesus tells us that his people listen to his voice and follow him, as sheep with their shepherd. Now a sheep needs to stay pretty close to the shepherd to be able to hear

‘First go and be reconciled to them’ (Matthew 5:24) I find it deeply encouraging that the “Your Kingdom Come” initiative is happening during this pandemic. Even though we are separated and distanced, God has made a way for Christians all over the globe to be brought together to raise his prayer to him. Our togetherness matters to God. The very first word of the Lord’s Prayer is “Our”, not “My”, and the plurals continue throughout, “we”, “us”. Even when we say this prayer alone, we are uniting with our Christian family throughout the world and, I believe, throughout the ages. We join as one voice, praying the prayer that Jesus taught us 2000 years ago. “so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others” (Romans 12:5) Being one in Christ leaves no room for lingering disharmony or upset between us, forgiveness is the key to our togetherness. God knows that our independent and self-justifying nature makes forgiving others difficult for all of us. Amazing

‘I will rain down bread from heaven’ (Exodus 16:4) I am taken by the realisation that we are half way through the Lord’s Prayer before we encounter any appeal to God to help us with our own needs. This has really made me think about my prayers, which often start with a list of my requests! If this is God’s model for prayer, then I need to make some changes… I’m also struck by the simplicity and immediacy of this request. What is asked for? Bread - delicious, filling and energy-giving yes, but basic too. Certainly, no frills. And when? Today. Now, not looking to the future. In six straightforward and very direct words, Jesus teaches us to ask our Heavenly Father to provide our essential needs for today, and not to worry about tomorrow, or the next day.  The Jews hearing this prayer would have recalled the story in Exodus when the Israelites were wandering in the desert and God provided manna from heaven. This delivered them from hunger but, just as important, it helped them to renew th

‘Yet not as I will, but as you will’ (Matthew 26:39) On the eve of his crucifixion Jesus asks his Heavenly Father that the horrific task ahead be averted - “may this cup be taken from me” . Jesus doesn’t just ask, but appears to plead - Matthew describes him as having fallen with his face to the ground. But would God have changed his plan? No. The divine plan is what allows us to be united with our heavenly Father, which is God’s will for us. In following God’s will, and going to the cross, Jesus shows us the obedience that comes from total trust in our Father. We know that in human relationships, trust is built through knowing someone really well – through spending time with them, observing their actions, and listening to them. God revealed himself to us in the human form of Jesus so that we can know his character and learn to trust in him and in his will for us. In the bible we can watch Jesus healing the sick, feeding the hungry, spending time with the outcasts. We can watch him now

‘your kingdom come’ (Matthew 6:10) As we walk together through the Lord’s Prayer we now pause to think about God’s kingdom and what it means for each of us. By its definition a kingdom is a territory that has a monarch who reigns and has authority over it. So, who has God placed as king over his kingdom? In Revelation 19:16 we learn clearly that God has made Jesus king of the Kingdom of Heaven: “On his robe and on his thigh, he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” In the Lord’s Prayer Jesus teaches us to ask and expect God’s kingdom to spread and expand. Not just at the second coming of Christ, when God’s new heaven and earth will be created, but today in our everyday living on this earth. As we pray the words, “your kingdom come”, can we think of ways that we can extend the rule of King Jesus in our lives? Are there parts of ourselves where Jesus is not yet king? Maybe in our thoughts? Perhaps in our attitudes? It is wonderful to know that our loving Heavenly Fathe

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” (Psalm 8:1) We are taking some time in our daily encouragements to look at the Lord’s Prayer, and today we come to the line “hallowed be your name.” ‘Hallowed be your name’ is a strange and unusual thing to pray. It’s something we pray to God and not toward other people. That’s right, since there is something special about God’s name. That’s really what the prayer is all about. ‘Hallowed’ means to make or acknowledge something as holy. To set something apart for special use and honour. Praying ‘hallowed be your name’ is saying to God, your name is special. Your name is different. It is powerful and important. It should be treated differently to other names. Psalm 8 begins ‘how majestic is your name in all the earth’. God’s name is not just a label we use to speak to God. It describes his character, his nature, his person. To hallow his name means to recognise who he is. To hallow his name means to recognise that

This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven…’ (Matthew 6:9) As part of the Thy Kingdom Come initiative, we are going to spend some time over the coming days looking at the Lord’s Prayer in our daily encouragements. The Lord’s Prayer is both a prayer to pray, and an instruction for prayer. Jesus tells his disciples in the Sermon on the Mount, “This, then, is how you should pray…” He then goes on to tell them the Lord’s Prayer, which begins with how we should address God. Jesus could have begun in lots of different ways. There are so many attributes of God and ways in which he can be addressed. Jesus could have begun his prayer remembering that God is creator, “O God our Creator, you made heaven and earth…” He could have started by addressing God as King, “Sovereign Lord, who reigns over every kingdom…” Jesus could have kicked off the Lord’s prayer by addressing God as holy, or awesome, or beautiful, or majestic. He could have prayed to God as judge, provider, sust

“I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” (John 20:17) Today is Ascension Day, a day where we focus on Jesus’ return to the Father before the giving of the Spirit at Pentecost. Ascension Day doesn’t quite get top billing in the church calendar like Christmas or Easter, but it is an important part of the story of God’s purposes. When Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene on Easter Sunday, he tells her not to hold on to him (John 20:17). That’s not because he was a ghost – she could certainly have touched him – but because she wanted to hold on to him and not let him go. Jesus knew it was necessary for him to return to the Father. And he tells her to let the other disciples know “I am returning to my Father and your Father…” Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension allows his  Father to be our  Father. Jesus has made it possible for our relationship with the Father to be the same as his. That’s a mind-blowing and amazing truth to contemplate. If you have s

“But stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49) ‘Stay at home’ is a message we have heard a great deal lately. It’s been an important and life-saving message during the coronavirus pandemic. But it hasn’t felt like a positive way forward, has it? ‘Stay’ does not sound like progress. It sounds like pausing, stalling, waiting, and waiting never feels pleasant. But for the disciples after Jesus’ ascension, and for us too, ‘stay’ was a vital way forward. They needed to stay until the Spirit had been given. They needed to stay until they had been given supernatural power from on high. They needed to stay until they had what they needed to go. We like to get on and get moving most of the time. But sometimes we can move so quickly that we aren’t prepared for what God is calling us to do. We need to stay until God has clothed us with the power we need. Otherwise we will rush into what’s ahead without the power and presence we need to pursue God

“I am going to send you what my Father has promised…” (Luke 24:49) As Jesus prepares for his ascension, he tells his disciples what is coming. Jesus will send what the Father has promised. He is talking about the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells us that the Holy Spirit, among other things, is both a gift  and a promise . I am going to send you the Holy Spirit, says Jesus. The Spirit is not something we can earn or achieve or deserve. He is a gift, given by a loving Father at the request of the Son. Do you ever wish you could have more of the Spirit’s presence and power in your life? If so, that’s a very good desire! But we can think that and then try and do things to gain more of the Spirit. If only I were holier, or busier, or preached more, or sang more, then the Spirit would be more present. But the Spirit can’t be earned, only given. He is a gift. Just ask your Father for more of the Spirit and then wait on him to answer. The Spirit is also a promise . Do you ever find yourself

“Repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24:47, 48) At the end of Luke’s gospel, we have recorded for us Jesus’ instructions to his disciples before his ascension. Soon he would be returning to the Father and he would no longer be with them in physical form, but rather present by the Spirit. Before he leaves, however, he tells them they are to be witnesses . ‘Witness’ probably makes you think of rather negative things: picture a courtroom with a witness being cross-examined, or a crime show on TV where the police track down an eyewitness. Being a witness doesn’t sound like an encouraging thing when you think of it in those terms! But what Jesus means is simply this: you’ve seen it, so tell it! You’ve seen who I am and that I have risen from the dead. You’ve experienced the freedom and forgiveness I offer. Don’t keep it to yourself: tell others! Have you ever had such goo

All glory to him who alone is God, our Saviour through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen Jude 1:25 Giving all the glory to God is not always easy to do when we live in a culture where we prove our self-worth through our success and thrive on our achievements and accomplishments. In defeat we can sink low, hang our heads in shame and beat ourselves up leaving us to the mercy of the inevitable highs and lows of life. The beauty of living the Christian life in relationship with our Saviour, God of all Creation and Majestic King, is that we have the opportunity to do everything for His Glory, not our own. As we serve Him and turn our gifts and talents for the purposes of His glory, we can live in liberty under the rule and reign of a merciful King, and not at the mercy of our own selfish desires or harsh inner criticisms. The more we give the glory to God, the freer we are to beco

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see…By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Hebrews 11:1-3 I love the above picture because our faith can often feel like we are in that little boat in that big storm. We are in circumstances that threaten to overwhelm us yet there is always hope - the light on the boat, the clouds beginning to part with the light coming through and despite the storm, a small flock of birds are soaring in the sky above. Faith is a gift of the spirit (listed in 1 Corinthians 12) and I find it very reassuring that we can ask for faith and the spirit will give it to us. We can increase this gift and I find even just by reading today’s verses from Hebrews 11 helps to increase my faith. Reading on through the chapter, gives us a powerful list of testimonies of faithful acts within the stories of the bible to be encouraged by. Jesus

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 We need to be continually reminded to pray - to talk to God, to tell Him about what’s going on, ask for His help and remember to thank Him. It’s amazing how we so regularly get caught up in our own thoughts and conversations and forget to just stop and say those two simple words ‘let’s pray’. I am learning how important it is to pray about everything and getting into good habits of prayer has become a priority in my life. I have not always found it easy to pray. There were times in my life when hurts turned to bitterness and became a huge barrier in my conversations with God. I also stopped reading the bible which I now depend on to give me words to pray in line with His will. Many times, I struggle to open my mouth and pray out loud in a group, yet I find it very uplifting to listen to other people pray and I have never listened an

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding Proverbs 3:5 This Proverb is so full of rich wisdom and instruction and I’d recommend reading all of it! I chose this verse today, because I think even if we read it every day, we would still struggle to fully put it into practise. Being told to trust, saying you trust or knowing you should trust are all very different from actually trusting. I had a wonderful moment recently whilst brushing my teeth which may encourage you! My mind was battling with worries and concerns. My thoughts were whirling, my shoulders were tense, and I was beginning to hold my breath when the words ‘trust me’ dropped straight into my spirit. I immediately relaxed into a powerful and timely knowing that I can absolutely trust in Jesus. I realise I can’t control everything or bring about all the desires of my heart, but He can. Instead of leaning on my own understandings I need to actually trust Him. I am rarely confident to

“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? Matthew 18:12 How could we trust a God that just hung out with the pack and ignored those around the edges? We would always live in fear of the day that it might be us on the edge, un-noticed, forgotten and overlooked. If we were in the pack, we would mistakenly think that we were only loved and a part of things because we’d earnt it and what kind of certainty of His love would that give us? I love this verse, I was blessed to have discovered a Heavenly Father from a young age who came looking for me and as an adult I have experienced Him finding me when I was lost. I am fully assured of his love whether I feel alone, or I am surrounded by like-minded people. Our God loves us so fully and he always goes after the one, no-one is beyond reach, including you! One of the best ways to really know this love for

“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3 This verse reveals one of the many unexpected instructions about being a disciple of Jesus. Like so many of Jesus’ teachings, He shows us that the way to live our lives is not the way we might naturally think. I expect at the moment, amidst serious situations and under various stressful conditions, the last thing you’d expect to aspire to be would be childlike. In fact, you are probably trying to hold it together and be as grown up as possible! However, in this verse, Jesus tells us to become like little children - to be trusting, with needs and fully dependant. Jesus knew what it was to be a child, He was close with both of his earthly parents and His Heavenly Father and He was also the big brother to many younger siblings. He constantly demonstrated to us that He could do nothing apart from His Heavenly Father. He continuously drew aside to spend

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy   because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,   being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:4-6 (NIV) Looking at this photo reminds me just how much our church family means to me, and how much I miss it! Yes, from time to time we fall out, or hurt each other, or let each other down, but the encouragement we receive from journeying together in our faith makes such a huge difference. That’s the way God intends it. Many times and in many ways the Bible speaks of the strength that comes from standing together with others. I flourish through their help and support, their prayers and teaching, their wisdom and challenge. But they also flourish if I have a heart to serve and am ready to look to their needs. St Paul reminded the Corinthian church that everyone is important and special in the Body of Christ,

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 (NIV) I never tire of watching - and photographing! - sunsets. The one here came on the final evening of a particularly wet and chilly summer holiday. There’s a copy of it on my dining room wall, for me a compelling visual reminder that God is a God of peace. Today’s verse contains both a promise and a command. God longs for us to know His peace. And it’s a remarkable peace, something that St Paul said transcends all understanding. It’s a peace that can come irrespective of circumstances and even in the darkest of days. But to know it we are told not to let our hearts be troubled. So how do we do this? I think it has a lot to do with what, or who, we focus on. However difficult life feels, we have a God who loves us deeply, who has gone to huge lengths to show this by sacrificing His only Son so that we can be friends with

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) All of us have had so many of our plans turned upside down in recent weeks. Things that we were anticipating eagerly - holidays, outings, celebrations - have had to be cancelled. Work schedules, the school year and the church calendar have all had to change. And we try to imagine what life will be like in the months ahead - when will life return to normal, and what will ‘normal’ look like anyhow? The prophet Jeremiah wrote today’s verse to a people in exile, but he also told them that it would be seventy years before the exile would end, beyond the lifetime of most of those who heard his words. God doesn’t always take our sufferings away, but gives us hope in them, continuing to shape and enrich us, and to use us for good in the lives of others, even when times are tough. Each of us is a special, a unique part of God’s cr

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20b (NIV) In a 2018 BBC survey a third of respondents said they often felt lonely. The current time of self-isolation and social distancing will only strengthen this feeling for some and create it for others. And despite so many people discovering the joys of video calls to friends and family, so many of us - even the introverts like me! - miss and long for face to face contact with family and friends again. Today’s verse records the final words of Jesus that Matthew wrote in His Gospel. Perhaps this says something about their importance. Having lived with His disciples for three years, Jesus knew their weaknesses very well. He also knew what future life and ministry would involve for them. And He was about to return to heaven. His words of reassurance - which particularly came to life a short time later when the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost - were so important for them as they embarked on an uncertain futu

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 (NIV) Back in March toilet rolls made headline news as supermarket shelves were stripped bare by shoppers, despite reassurances from suppliers and retailers that there were plenty to go round. Dr Dimitrios Tsivrikos of University College London said "If we had an international sign for panic it would be a traffic warning sign with a toilet paper roll in the middle." However irrational this behaviour was, consumer experts saw it as a common reaction in a time of crisis, when people feel a need for control and security. Paul told the church in Philippi that he had learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. He faced more than his fair share of physical hardship, but through it all had become convinced that God would look after Him. Jesus told His disciples that God knows what we need before we ask Him. It would make no sense for a God who loved

God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfil? Numbers 23:19 (NIV) Someone has worked out that the Bible includes the phrase “Fear not” or “Do not be afraid” 365 times, a reminder for each and every day of the year of the importance of hearing this message. We can receive it in two ways. The first is as a command - don’t allow your thinking and actions to be governed by fear. But the second is as a promise - you don’t need to be afraid because … So often the Bible encourages us not to fear because of what God will do or because of what He’s like. God always keeps His promises. If He didn’t, it would undermine the whole of His character. Just one failed promise would leave us not knowing when we could or couldn’t trust Him. But He is true to His word in every way. Many promises have already been fulfilled, while others have yet to come to be. But so many can be real for us to

Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. Ephesians 5:18-19 (NLT) "Fall afresh on me" Spirit Of The Living God There’s only two of us in our home, but there has been much discussion around meals and what to eat, including the rationing of cakes and biscuits! But, how much thought are we giving to nourishing ourselves spiritually? We know what we ‘feed’ ourselves spiritually is of vital importance. I had an elderly friend who used to say “we must feed our soul’. All that’s been provided electronically is helping to do that, but just as we play our part in securing daily nourishment physically, we have a part to play in nourishing our inner life. Often when we are deeply lonely, restless, feeling unloved, resentful or just generally out of sorts, it comes from a barrenness, dryness, deep within. I want

But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works. Psalm 77:11-12 (NLT) "Trace the rainbow through the rain" O Love That Will Not Let Me Go Like most of you I have had good days and bad days, missing my grandchildren so very much, not being able to be with my work colleagues, sharing cake and coffee with others. I am a people person and not a ‘virtual people’ person! Then just when it feels like a day that is cold, dark and gloomy, even if it isn’t actually pouring with rain, I see the glimmer of a rainbow. Easter Sunday was one of those rainbow moments, so was an unexpected letter from a friend and witnessing my garden beginning to bloom with rainbow colours! If you know me well you know I love a list! I want to record all those ‘rainbows in my rain‘ moments and especially remember those I would love to repay a kindness to. God has sent a rainbo