Reading

Hebrews 11;13-16 “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland . And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”

(Philippians 3:20-21). The father has delivered us from the power of darkness and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear son. Strangers and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lust which war against us all.

Thankful (Olive)

Dear heavenly father, we thank you for the mercies of a new day. We thank you for a measure of health and strength. We thank you for daily food. We thank you for warmth, clothing, shelter and all your daily mercies to us which so easily we take for granted. Please forgive us and help us to pray for the many people who are in so much need in this world at this present time. For those Lord who are in conflict and surrounded by danger, for those Lord who do not have enough to eat and for the many people who are suffering and not receiving the care that they need. We would be thankful for all that you give us day by day and mindful for the needs of so many people in this world at this time. We pray for the rulers and leaders of the world that they may have compassion, wisdom and guidance even if they are not seeking it from you. Lord,, lead them right for the good of needy people.

Heavenly father we thank you for the needs which you meet through the lord Jesus Christ, you care for his faithfulness for us. Christ does not change even though we do. We thank you for his faithfulness to his promises that he is able and willing to save us. We can come to him for all the forgiveness and protection that we need . As we come we pray that this day, you will be our guide and you will be our help. That you will show us the right way, increase our faith and trust in you. You know the end from the beginning and you know what is right for us. Help our friends who need you. We thank you for health and that your will be maintained. Encourage, guide and give us wisdom.

Lord we pray for our Ministers; that you continue to help them. Use them to bring glory to you. We thank you that we can come to you. Thank you that you can accept us with all our failings and unbelief. Thank you that you can renew, restore and strengthen our faith as we look to you in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ and for his sake.

Reflections

Our minds just can not encompass the actual need. We can only be thankful that we are so blessed. We are so fortunate not through of any goodness on our parts but simply that we happen to be born in the right place at the right time and that we have been cared for and blessed all these years. We pray that you do something in this world to lighten it a little. We thank you that we are so fortunate to be born where we were. It is so easy to take it all for granted. We remember those in refugee camps of which there are so many in the world today. Children are born into those conditions we can only wonder what the future holds for them and if God’s word will reach them, to be given that chance because it seems so remotely impossible at times. You are a just and righteous God and we commit all these people to you Lord. We believe and depend on you. It seems an unjust world when one looks at it through a human perspective. But Lord you are faithful The more one ponders it the more one gets lost in a maze of speculation. We trust and believe in you Lord because without that trust and belief in you we are nothing.

We are grateful and thankful always.