Daily Devotions for Wednesday 29th March, 2023

Morning
Look Upward and Pray to hear and receive from God

Reading : MATTHEW 27 verses 11-44
Meditation : take time to consider what these verses teach us about fasting.
Pilate.
Jesus is sentenced.
Jesus is mocked.
Jesus is crucified.

Then take the time to Pray to this Jesus
Look again at verses 22 and 23 as you turn to prayer
Giving thanks for Jesus – come from heaven to earth
Praying for people suffering injustice in our world
Praying for those working for truth and justice

I go to you for protection, LORD;
rescue me from my enemies.
You are my God;
teach me to do your will.
Be good to me, and guide me on a safe path.
Rescue me, LORD, as you have promised;
in your goodness save me from my troubles!

In Jesus’ Name
Amen

Midday
Pray God’s blessing on those who have heard bad news recently
O LORD God, have mercy and hear our prayers this day we ask.

Evening

Reading : read these verses again from MATTHEW 27 verses 11-44
Reflect on the words…and all that happens….. And then pray to the LORD our God

Hear our evening prayers, O God, as this day ends.
We believe and trust in You and lay ourselves before You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Midday Prayer with Others

On this last Tuesday in March – in this Season of Lent – you are invited to pause and pray where you are with those gathered in the Upper Room today

P-ause with God
R-ejoice in His blessings given
A-sk for the needs of our church family, the SEECofS churches, our nation and our world at this time – especially the people and leaders of Ukraine, Turkey and Syria
Y-ield to His Kingdom ways

Daily devotions for Tuesday 28th March, 2023

Upper Room day and evening Gathering for Prayer

Morning
Look Upward and Pray to hear and receive from Jesus, Saviour and Lord

Reading : MATTHEW 26 verses 69-75
Meditation : take time and consider this part of the chapter this morning.
Peter denies Jesus.
What words or images stay with you?
What is your response to God’s Word today?

Pray in response to what you have read
Taking time to pause and listen for God’s answer to you

I call to the LORD for help;
I plead with him.
I bring him all my complaints;
I tell him all my troubles.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

Midday
Take time to listen for God to speak with you at this time of day
Ask, seek, knock….hear!
Father God…thank you.

Evening
Reading : read MATTHEW 26 verses 69-75 again – in another version?
Reflect on the words spoken here…. and then Pray….to the LORD our God
With honest and humble words

In Jesus’ name.
Amen and Amen
.

Time-Out Tuesday in Lent

As we journey through these closing days of March 2023…in this season of Lent…

At Liberton Kirk we usually set aside a Tuesday each week and provide a place with space – the UPPER ROOM – a place for time-out in our busy days above the Kirkgate Cafe. This is a safe place for you to be.

The Upper Room will be open once again this Tuesday…..and you are invited to take time-out with God at some point…7.30am – 7.30pm….and to pause with Him….reflecting…praying….

This is a quiet place…..a safe place for you and God to take time-out together

* A space for you to be still in a busy world
** To pause and pray with God at this time – the God of all comfort, wisdom, mercy and hope
* To listen to God – Father Son and Holy Spirit – in these times

There are opportunities to pause and pray with others at 8am, 12 noon and 7pm….and John and others gathered then will be happy to see you at any of these times…..or you can arrange to pray with the Prayer Team at some point suitable for you….

In the evening….we gather on Zoom for our monthly church family Gathering for Prayer – 7.30-8.30pm…..when we take time to give thanks for blessings received….wait and listen with God….focus on the Church in need in our world….and pray for each other. All are invited!

You are also invited to walk round the Kirk, pondering some of the words laid out at the various stations…from PSALM 139….or to visit the Offering House – beside the gates – 8am-5pm each day – there are several helpful reflections and prayers – and helpful leaflets and booklets about our faith and our Kirk. There is also a Prayer Request Box situated here for you to leave your own personal requests – our Prayer Team will prayerfully support those you name.

The Daily Devotions have been taking us to a daily time of considering God’s Good News with God’s written Word – and you may want to pause to pray with others at the start of each day as we consider the truths behind the words of this part of the Bible. During March our focus continues on the theme of Telling Others the Good News from Matthew’s Gospel and dipping into Psalms at the weekends. This is available on the Kirk website blog and our social media pages on Facebook and Twitter from 7am- and in the church magazine.

And – don’t forget the brief Sunday morning Reflection at 8am…….and you can still revisit Thy Kingdom Come global prayer venture daily reflections on our YouTube channel…..from our Prayer Ministry Team providing a reflection over the 11 days period

May we each and all experience time-out with the Living and True God – whenever – wherever – as we step into the month of April 2023.