Rhythm of Time-Out

As a Church 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, and COVID-19 guidelines are carefully followed.

This Tuesday the Upper Room will be open 7.30am-7.30pm – and perhaps this will be a place for you to visit – for the first time?

* To find space to be still in a busy world
** To pause and pray with God – for yourself and for others
* To listen to God – Father Son and Holy Spirit – in these slower days and moments

There will be opportunities to pause and pray with others – at 8am – 12 noon – 7pm – and John and others will be glad to share these with you.

You are also invited to take a meaningful walk…around the Pathway of Peace that has been available during July and August around the Kirk building….starting at the Offering House.
We would invite you to take a walk around the Kirkyard and consider what God is saying to you at this time from the words displayed at various locations from the Bible.
You are invited to use the bench at the top left of the Kirkyard (under the large tree) to pause and pray – to be still with God – to ask, seek, knock, wait and receive.

You are also 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.

The Daily Devotions have been taking us to the Psalms in July and August – and you may want to pray a psalm each day. 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…

Above all – make the most of a regular time-out – for body, mind and spirit!

The pattern used by 24-7 Prayer/Lectio365 has been a blessing to many of us….
P-ause
R-ejoice
A-sk
Y-ield/say Yes to God’s ways!

Daily Devotions for Monday 23rd August, 2021

Morning
Look Upward and Pray to hear and receive from God, the Holy Spirit

Reading : PSALM 141

Meditation : take time to consider these words in prayer as your day starts.
An Evening Prayer.
What is your prayer to God today?

Then Pause to Pray in response to the LORD our God

Pray your own words at the start of this day
Of praise and thanksgiving
Of confession and trust
For our nation
For our world

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Midday

Pray God’s blessing on the Bible Society of El Salvador
God of grace and mercy and rich blessing, hear our prayers we ask.

Evening
Reading : read these verses again from PSALM 141 – in another version?
Reflect prayerfully on what you read and then pray to our God in response

Eternal and Faithful One, hear my evening prayer
As I lay myself and this world before you at the end of today
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Pause to Pray for Others

On this Sunday in August…as the nation continues to journey forward with new guidelines and the world wrestles with new cases and vaccine supplies.. you are invited to pause and continue to pray with others in our city and across the nation…to the LORD our God, our Father God.

You are encouraged to pray for all those affected by the coronavirus – in our community, in our nation and in our world

For family and friends and neighbours

For Church leaders around the world

For NHS and Care Home staff across the nation

For our country and our national leaders at this time of decision making

Daily Devotions for Sunday 22nd August, 2021

Morning
Look Upward and Pray to hear and receive from the Living God

Reading : PSALM 140

Meditation : take time and consider this psalm this particular Sunday morning.
A Prayer for Protection.
What does it mean for you today?
What is God teaching/reminding you about Himself?

And then pray in response – using verses 6 and 7 as you turn to prayer

God of amazing grace
We bow before you
We believe in you
We trust in you
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Midday
Pray the Prayer for the Month as your own midday prayer

How good it is to give thanks to you, O LORD.
We sing and dance with joy!
How great are your ways, O LORD.
We sing and dance with joy!

You forgive my sin and cleanse me within
I sing and dance with joy!
You help me and guide me
I sing and dance with joy!

Praise the LORD all His people
We sing and dance with joy!
Praise the LORD all His creatures
We sing and dance with joy!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Amen and Amen!

Evening
Reading : read these particular verses again from PSALM 140
Reflect on the words and images and then Pray in response to this God

I say to the LORD, “You are my God.”
Hear my cry for help, LORD!
My Sovereign LORD, my strong defender,
you have protected me in battle.

O LORD, hear our evening prayers we ask
As we thank you for the blessings of this Sunday
As we believe and trust in you
As we pilgrimage on into this new week
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Devotions for Saturday 21st August, 2021

Morning
Look Upward and Pray to hear and receive from God, the Holy Spirit

Reading : PSALM 139

Meditation : take the time to consider these words of prayer this Saturday morning.
God’s Complete Care.
What are you encouraged and challenged by from God’s written Word?
Which words stay with you as your day starts?

And then take time to Pray in response to this God
Make these words your own
Looking again at verses 23 and 24 as you turn to prayer

Amen we pray in praise together this new day.

Midday
Pray the Lord’s Prayer as your midday 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
Reading : read the verses again from PSALM 139
Reflect on the words…. and then Pray in response to what you have read

Examine me, O God, and know my mind;
test me, and discover my thoughts.
Find out if there is any evil in me
and guide me in the everlasting way

In Jesus’ name, Amen.