Nehemiah 11,12

Father we thank you that though we don’t see it, you are inexorably moving history towards the fulfilment of your promises.

We look forward to the day of complete fulfilment when your people will stand before you as your sons and daughters.

We look forward to the day when the first heaven and the first earth will be distant memories and chaos will be removed.

We look forward to the day when we will dwell with you as your people; to the day when you will be our God totally and completely not partially and superficially as we are so often guilty of today.

We long for that day when you will wipe our tears; and when death and pain will be no more.

May we live straining forward, longing for that day, full of mercy, sharing Christ.

We say with all of creation, “Come Lord Jesus come!”

Amen

Double Think

Father,

Forgive me that I compartmentalise my life.

That there are areas where I will let you in and there are areas that I shut you out.

Show me more areas where I haven’t let you in. Open up all of my heart to you.

Make my love for you complete.

Turn my wayward heart totally towards you.

Give me total dedication.

Total submission.

Total joy in being loved by you.

Total peace in your grace to me.

A single minded heart solely devoted to you.

Easter - Resurrection - John 20

Father, 

Thank you that it is true.

And that it changes everything forever.

Thank you that we can live by believing that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God.

Please may today be the watershed moment where the cross and resurrection become embedded in our souls; 

And our hearts turned from fence-sitting mediocrity to radical love for you.

Amen

Deuteronomy 10:12-11:1 and Revelation 3:14-22

The Fence Sitter's Prayer

Father it is true,

I am neither hot nor cold.

My heart is tepid;

Positively disposed to you;

Even a little in love with you;

But reticent to sacrifice;

Cautious to trust;

Slow to remember;

And unwilling to commit.

I am wretched, pitiful, poor, naked and blind.

Cover my nakedness;

Refine my heart;

Open my eyes;

Wash me clean;

Rebuke me;

Discipline me;

And rescue me.

I repent and I open the door for you to come in!

Amen

Deuteronomy 7:1-26

Father

My heart is restless;

Quick to drift;

Slow to remember;

Radically committed to my own agenda;

Utterly self-seeking!

Keep my heart;

Change my heart;

Retrain my heart.

Give me an earnestness of commitment;

A wariness of people and things that will entice me away from you.

Burn in my soul that I am holy, chosen and treasured; loved, blessed and redeemed.

Remind me that you are a God who is faithful and steadfast;

Who keeps his promises

And destroys those that hate you.

Thank you for the promise of your presence in the midst of my fears and trials.

Be with me today and always.

Amen

Known by God

Father, I pray for desire.

The desire to love and serve you.

The desire to sacrifice for your glory.

The desire to give and to be used up for your kingdom.

The desire to serve and love people.

May I grow in maturity,

Seeking holiness,

dispensing with sin,

pressing on towards the day when I will see you face to face

May I be willing to share

Share Christ with a lost and dying world

Share what I have with those who have little

May your Spirit change me this year

so that in the future I will not be what I am but what you desire

Saved by your Son

Salt and light to the world

A loved member of your precious bride

Known by You

Amen