Daily Devotions for APRIL 2023

…Jesus said to them, “Go throughout the whole world and preach the gospel to all mankind.”
Mark 16 verse 15

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 are 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 April we journey with MARK after Easter.

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

A Prayer for the Month of APRIL

Dear Lord,
After Your humiliation, You walked steadfastly on
to a certain painful and brutal death.
You were afraid for You sweated blood with anguish,
but You still went on so that all those of us who truly believe
may rise to be with You at the end of our mortal journey.
We praise You and joyously give thanks to You for Your steadfastness.
Amen.

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

Daily Devotions for Thursday 30th March, 2023

Morning
Look Upward and Pray to hear and receive from Father God

Reading : MATTHEW 27 verses 45-66
Meditation : take time and consider these words this morning.
The Death of Jesus.
The Burial of Jesus.

Which words stay with you?
What is your response to God’s Word today?

Then pause to pray to this God we believe and trust in

And so we bring our sacrifice of praise to you, our God
As we pause at the Cross
Forgive us our sins
As we forgive those who sin against us
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Midday
Pray God’s blessing on those missing the presence of a loved one
God of grace…hear our prayers and pour a blessing we ask on each and all

Evening
Reading : read these verses again from MATTHEW 27 verses 45-66
Reflect on the words and events – at the end of your day
and Pray with humble words in response to this God – our God

O LORD, hear our evening prayers
As we pause at the Cross
Forgive us our sins of this day
As we forgive those who have sinned against us – even today
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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.