Advent – Page 9

Daily Devotions for DECEMBER 2023

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9 verse 6

During 2022 we were looking daily at the theme of GOOD NEWS as we journeyed with Paul through his letter to the ROMANS.
In 2023, we have been looking at TELLING OTHERS THE GOOD NEWS with Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and pausing at our times of Midday Devotion to pray for others in our church family, our city and our world.

In December we journey through ADVENT together.

We are all invited to listen for God’s voice and make our response as we journey together in our ‘rhythm of devotion’ in 2023.

These Devotions are but one way to feed on God’s Word in the morning, at midday, in the evening… to pray with Him continually through the day and even to share with others the treasures or hurdles you discover.
The Church website and Facebook page (even on a handy mobile) provide a fuller daily devotional page. However it all follows the pattern below which the information provided fits into, based on the Kirk’s origins of the Celtic and Northumbrian traditions which we started as a church family in 2015.

Morning
Reading and Meditation on the content and Prayer of response
Midday
Prayer – mostly for others
Evening
Verse(s) from the morning reading
Reflection and Prayer at the end of the day

Prayer for the Month of DECEMBER

Wonderful Counsellor
Prince of Peace
Son of God
Son of Man

Be born afresh in us
Live in us
Live through us
Living Lord Jesus

Amen and Amen we pray.

The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your kingdom come
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our sins
As we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory.
Now and for ever
Amen

Evening Prayer with Others

As we prepare to step into Advent…….

Tuesday Tuesday

As we journey onwards through these closing days of November 2023….

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 this Tuesday and you are encouraged to take time-out with God…..to find a quiet place with space…..7.30am-7.00pm……with opportunities to pray with John and others at 8am… Midday and 7pm.

* A space for you to be still in your busy needy 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

You are invited to join with others in our wider SEESCOS church family as we gather for prayer – on Zoom – 7.30-8.30pm. We will give thanks…wait and listen….pray for others in need…..and each other. Alastair or John can provide the Zoom meeting info.

You are encouraged to visit the Offering House – beside the gates – 8am-5pm each day – where you can find more information 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. Have you walked the Word for Today yet?

You are also encouraged to use the bench at the top left of the Kirkyard (under the large tree – weather permitting!) to pause and pray – to be still with God – to ask, seek, knock, wait and receive.

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 November our focus continues on the words and events from THE GOSPEL OF JOHN as we continue on the theme of Telling Others the Good News . 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 the Thy Kingdom Come global prayer venture daily reflections on our YouTube channel….from members of our Church Family providing a reflection over the 11 days period. This year the venture ran 18-28 May. Will you still be praying for 5??

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

Sunday Evening Prayer with Others

As we step into a new week….. with God – together – you may want to revisit today’s Daily Devotions from JOHN 10 verses 1-21 – as we consider TELLING OTHERS THE GOOD NEWS about Jesus through 2023.

We PAUSE with the Lord in prayer as the day closes….and reflect on all that has happened

We REJOICE in the help and blessings He has given this particular Sunday – to us and to others

We ASK for His presence, peace and strength – for ourselves and for others in our church family and our nation and in our world at this time – especially prayerfully supporting the people of Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, Somalia and other parts of our world in deep need at this time

We YIELD – say Yes – to His Kingdom ways for tomorrow

Bible Verse for the Week and Sunday Morning Reflection

Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

John 21 verse 25

Do you follow our Sunday morning reflection on the Bible Verse for the Week?

It is found on our YouTube channel…and our Facebook page……..8am each Sunday morning.
The link to this morning’s – from John – is below…. Words to trust….

Tuesday Evening Prayer with Others

As we journey through this week….. with God – together – you may want to revisit today’s Daily Devotions from JOHN 20 verses 15-24 – as we consider TELLING OTHERS THE GOOD NEWS about Jesus through 2023.

We PAUSE with the Lord in prayer as the day closes

We REJOICE in the help and blessings He has given this particular Tuesday – to us and to others

We YIELD – say Yes – to His Kingdom ways for tomorrow