Lord I thank you for the very comfortable life I lead. Unlike David I do not expereience enemies attacking me day and night. Yet I ask that I might have the same confidence, the same trust in you.
"in God I trust: I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Psalm 56: 11.

IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE of life
You are with me, glorious Father.
And I have put my trust in You,
That I may know the glorious hope
To which I’m called.
And by the power that works in me,
You’ve raised me up and set me free;
And now in every circumstance
I’ll prove Your love without a doubt,
Your joy shall be my strength,
Your joy shall be my strength.

Father who knows all, thank you that there is nothing that is troubling me that I can't bring to you. Would you help me follow David's example, that in the midst of trouble he turned firstly to you. I know myself that I have a tendancy to try and sort it out, help me always to make you my first port of call for help.

Lord, I have let many people down and I have been let down by many. I praise you because I have never been let down by you. Your faithful commitmant to David is evident as I read Psalm 54. Thank you that your commitment to me is equallky as strong.

FAITHFUL ONE, so unchanging,
Ageless One, You’re my Rock of peace.
Lord of all, I depend on You,
I call out to You again and again.
I call out to You again and again.
You are my rock in times of trouble.
You lift me up when I fall down.
All through the storm Your love is the anchor,
My hope is in You alone.

Father God I pray for Christian people in Afganistan, Pakistan and Iraq. Thank you that you know all about them and their situations as you watch over them. Lord give them confidence in your security that will enable them to lead bold, courageous effective lives.

God of justice, thank you that you will deal with people according to their actions. I pray Lord that you would deepen my roots in you that I would not be uprooted by temptation or events that could turn me from you.

Lord thank you for Psalm 51, the story of David's honesty with you after he really messed up. Lord I've messed up so many times, and feel guilt and sorrow because of it. I ask that you would give me confidence, as you did with David to trust in your forgiveness and make ne whole once more. You turned Davod's sorrow into an expression of love - please do the same with me as you cleanse and restore me. Thank you , Praise you.

Father, worship is great but my study today helped me realise you don't actually need it to survive. On the other hand I do. Worship focuses my attention on you, it draws me close to you and gives you the opportunity to speak to me whilst I am completely focused. Father it is also clear from Psalm 50 that you expect our words and actions to give the same message, help me to practice what I preach.

Father I am reminded today about 'richness'. I was moved on sunday whilst watching the tearfund harvest video. The line - we are far apart now but in heaven we wont be far apart strikes a chord. This again came to mind this morning whilst reading psalm 49. I am very aware that as a UK citizen I am amongst the richest people in the world. Father your richness is in love and not money and I ask that you would make me as rich in love as I am in money.

Lord I can't say that I have enjoyed the recent studies in Isaiah, but I do thank you for today's reading, one that speaks of your rescue mission through Jesus Christ. Help me I pray learn from these studies and follow you more closely.

Day by day
Day by day
Oh Dear Lord
Three things I pray
To see thee more clearly
Love thee more dearly
Follow thee more nearly
Day by day

From everlasting to everlasting you are God. The alpha and omega, begining and end. You were there before creation, at the fall, during the birth, trial, crucifixion, death, burial and ressurection of Jesus your precious only son. You are alive now, waiting for the right time for Jesus to return. I praise you!!

Fear indeed is a crushing feeling. Lord there are many uncertainties in my life, yet one thing for certain is your love for me. Help me today to share my confidence in yoiu with those I meet.

Lord we all need encouragement. Some need it to keep going, others to get started. I ask that you would use my gifts of encouragement that I may be of use within your kingdom.

Thank you that your love does not go away and always wants the best for us. Lord I ask that this love would today give me strength to be your disciple.

Your love is amazing, steady and unchanging
Your love is a mountain, firm beneath my feet
Your love is a mystery, how You gently lift me
When I am surrounded, Your love carries me

Chorus
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Your love makes me sing
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Your love makes me sing

v2
Your love is surprising, I can feel it rising
All the joy that's growing deep inside of me
Every time I see You, all Your goodness shines through
And I can feel this God song, rising up in me

Bridge
Yes, You make me sing
Lord, You make me sing, sing, sing
How You make me sing

"made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in His quiver" Isaiah 49: 2b.
Lord God you have indeed set us apart to be your chosen people, a holy natation that belongs to you. Yet Father I am also very aware that your heart is for all people. As a global disciple I ask that you would keep me focused on prayer and action for the lost.

Father, you ask us to be honest and real with you. I am struggling with understanding some of the Isaiah passages. The overall message I am getting is that you are...
... a creator God
... a God who speaks
... a God who will not tolerate sin
... a God who has a plan
Lord please speak clearly and in detail to me so I may change my life to be more pleaseing to you.

Father I proclaim that all authority in heaven and on earth is yours. Thank you that you enable us to have relationship with you and invite us to be completely open. I ask that you would deepen my trust in you so that even though I may not always underdstand, I will always trust you.

Father you are the alpha and omega. You use people and create circumstance to accomplish your plans for your world. Father I cannot even see the begining and end of my own life, yet I am grateful and feel priviledged to be part of your plans. Help me to live faithfully that you might use me as a tiny piece in your huge jigsaw.

Thank you Father that my future with you is certain. I ask that the confidence that this brings will transform the way I live today.

BLESSÈD ASSURANCE, Jesus is mine:
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God;
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Saviour am happy and blessed;
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love

I am looking forward to my future, a future planned by you and touched by your grace.

It has been interesting to see the varied responses to the scientific experiment that allegedly would bring an end to the world. As I reflect upon my response to such an event, I thank you that because of Jesus I have a certain future. Help me therefore to be bold in my faith and wise in sharing it.

Thank you Father for all you have done in my life, would you help me recognise your hand upon my life and give you praise by telling others.

God is good all the time
He put a song of praise in this heart of mine
God is good all the time
Through the darkest night, His light will shine
God is good, God is good all the time

If you're walking through the valley
And there are shadows all around
Do not fear, He will guide you
He will keep you safe and sound
'Cause He's promised to never leave you
Nor forsake you and His Word is true

We were sinners - so unworthy
Still for us He chose to die
Filled us with His Holy Spirit
Now we can stand and testify
That His love is everlasting
And His mercies - they will never end

Thank you Father that you call me to relational servanthood. I ask that within me you would develop abililities to lead, forgive, have gfaith and serve. Through this development Father I ask that you would continue to mould me into who you have created me to be.

Father, even in the midst of a global credit crunch I acknowledge that I am exceptionally wealthy. I am aware and humbled that I am amongst the richest 8% in the world.

1 Timothy 6: 17-19
17Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Lord, during our series on creation, I pray you would show me ways to contribute some of my wealth to those in need.

Thank you Jesus that you brought in a new covenant that totally changed everything. Help me enjoy this relationship with God that you have brought me and embrace the law of the old testament as a response to your love not as a duty to earn it. I thank you Father for the recent changes made to my life, I ask that you would continue to develop me.

Father, because of your great love I can claim citizenship of heaven. Lord remind me I pray of my temporary dwelling here against my eternal dwelling with you in heaven. Thank you for my new identity, Lord help me to serve you and you alone this week.

Jesus, You alone shall be my first love, my first love.
The secret place and highest praise shall be Yours,
Shall be Yours.

To your throne I’ll bring devotion,
May it be the sweetest sound:
Lord, this heart is reaching for
You now.

So I’ll set my sights upon You,
Set my life upon Your praise;
Never looking to another way.
You alone will be my passion
Jesus, You will be my song:
You will find me longing after You.

Thank you that you are a relational Father God. Lord I love the account of the prodigal son. I thank you that at the moment I can identify with the older son. Thank you that I am always with you. I do pray for those returning to you Lord. Help me celebrate and welcome them back, prevent me from feeling resentment or being overlooked.

Father thank you for the many acquaintences I have, Lord I ask that you would develop the passion I have for my lost friends - Lord I ask that you would speak clearly to me about ways in which I can demonstrate and share my faith in you with them.

Father this morning I have been reflecting on the cost of following you. It is as I stop and consider the cost of following you I am challenged about my priorities. I am prepared to pay the cost but I ask you would help me with my priorities.

Father thank you for your invitation to the banquet in heaven. I accept and ask that you would enable me to make preparations for the greatest feast ever. Lord I want so much to invest in your kingdom, keep me focused and use me I pray to help others become aware of the invitation you give.

Thank you Father God that in you my inheritance is secure. I ask that this truth may effect the way I react with and treat others. It is your aproval of my life that really counts. I committ to living a life worthy of you that brings you glory.

Thank you for the story and example of Abigail, a true peacemaker. Lord I ask that you would use me to bring peace.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
...where there is injury, pardon;
...where there is doubt, faith;
...where there is despair, hope;
...where there is darkness, light;
...where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
...to be consoled as to console;
...to be understood as to understand;
...to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
...it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
...and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Francis of Assisi
Italy
1182 – 1226