On this last Tuesday in August you are invited to pause and pray 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 world at this time – especially in Ukraine, Russia and Afghanistan
Y-ield to His Kingdom ways
Look, I place in Zion a stone that will make people stumble,
a rock that will make them fall.
But whoever believes in him will not be disappointed.
Romans 9 verse 33
During 2022 we have been looking daily at the theme of GOOD NEWS as we journey with Paul through his letter to the ROMANS – and pausing at our times of Midday Devotion to pray for others in our church family, our city and our world.
In September, as we move on from summer, we look at the truths behind the words of CHAPTERS 9-12
We are all encouraged to listen for God’s voice and make our response as we journey together in our ‘rhythm of devotion’
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 SEPTEMBER
O God of Israel
O God of Good News
Our God
How great are your riches!
How deep is your wisdom!
How marvellous are your ways!
O God of Israel
O God of Good News
Our God
How much we do not know
How much we do not understand
How much we need to trust you
O God of Israel
O God of Good News
Our God
In Jesus’ name
Amen and 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
Upper Room day and evening Gathering for Prayer
Morning
Look Upward and Pray to hear and receive from Jesus, Saviour and Lord
Reading : ISAIAH chapter 65
Meditation : take time and consider this psalm this morning.
Judgement and Salvation.
What words or images stay with you?
What is your prayer 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 ISAIAH chapter 65 again – in another version?
Reflect on the words…. and then Pray….to the LORD our God
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 and Amen.
As August draws to a close…and life and work get a tad busier…
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 once again be open this Tuesday…and it’s had a new make-over during the summer…..you are invited to take time-out with God at some point…7.30am – 7.15pm
This is a quiet place…..a place for you and God to take time-out together
* A space for yourself to be still in a busy world
** To pause and pray with God – 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…..
This Tuesday evening we come together as a Church Family for our monthly Gathering for Prayer…in the Kirk 7.30-8.30pm. You are invited to join us as we take time to give thanks to our God for blessings received….to wait with Him….to bring Him our prayers together as we step into the season’s life and work….and to pray for others/each other around the Cross.
You are also invited to visit the Peace Pathway as you walk the grounds around the Kirk building whatever day of the week you choose before it ends this week – 8am-8pm – there are several helpful reflections and prayers – starting at the Offering House.
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.
You are reminded of the Prayer Wall available on the Kirk website under the Prayer tab – a place you can bring your prayers – and ask for prayer from the Prayer Team if appropriate. At this time of war in Ukraine you may want to add your own prayer for our world at this time.
The Daily Devotions are taking us to a daily time of considering God’s Good News with God’s written Word in the book of ROMANS during 2022 – 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 ISAIAH for the summer weeks of July and August. 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 recent 11 days
May we each and all experience time-out with the Living and True God – whenever – wherever – as we journey through these refreshing closing days of Summer 2022.
Morning
Look Upward and Pray to hear and receive from God, the Holy Spirit
Reading : ISAIAH chapter 63 v15 – ch.64 v 12
Meditation : take time and consider this psalm of praise this particular Sunday morning.
Praise and Prayer.
What words stay with you?
What is your song of prayer and praise to God today?
Then Pray with words and songs of praise in response to the LORD our God
Praise the LORD!
Sing a new song to the LORD;
praise him in the assembly of his faithful people!
Be glad, Israel, because of your Creator;
rejoice, people of Zion, because of your king!
Praise his name with dancing;
play drums and harps in praise of him.
In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Midday
Pray God’s blessing on children and families in China
God of grace and mercy and rich blessing, hear our prayers we ask.
Evening
Reading : read these verses again from ISAIAH chapter 63 v15 – ch.64 v 12
Reflect on what you read and then give praise to our God in response
Praise the LORD!
The LORD takes pleasure in his people;
he honours the humble with victory.
Let God’s people rejoice in their triumph
and sing joyfully all night long.
And so to you, O God, we bring our evening words of prayer
In Jesus’ name, Amen!
As we step into this new week – with God – together – you may want to revisit today’s Daily Devotions from ISAIAH chapter 63 verses 7-14– as we continue to consider the GOOD NEWS about Jesus through 2022
We PAUSE with the Lord in prayer as the day closes
We REJOICE in the blessings He has given this Sunday – to us and to others
We ASK for His presence, peace and strength – for ourselves and for others in our world at this time
We YIELD – say Yes – to His Kingdom ways for tomorrow
