But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Mathhew 1 verse 20 and 21
This very day in David’s town your Saviour was born – Christ the Lord!
Luke 2 verse 11
During 2022 we have been looking daily at the theme of GOOD NEWS as we journeyed 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 December, as the year closes, we focus on ADVENT and CHRISTMAS with the Prophets and Matthew and Luke.
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 DECEMBER
Dear Lord, help us to remember at this time of
Presents and Puddings,
Cards and Chocolates,
Paper hats and Limericks
With all the Glitz of Christmas celebration
That the King of Glory came Humbly into our world.
In Jesus’ name
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
As we journey through the season of ADVENT……
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 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 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 significant 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…..
In the evening we gather over Zoom for our monthly Church Family Gathering for Prayer – 7.30-8.30pm – when we take time to give thanks, to wait and listen to Father God and focus on the needs of our Church Family and elsewhere in our prayer time.
You are invited to visit the Offering House – beside the gates – 8am-5pm – 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. There is a focus in the Offering House for you to visit and ponder on the theme of ADVENT.
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 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 this part of the Bible. During December we focus on Advent and Christmas with the Prophets and Matthew and Luke. 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 this season of Advent 2022.
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 for you to be.
As we journey further into 2022, the Upper Room will be open this Tuesday 7.30am-7.30pm – and perhaps this will be a place for you to visit – as a place to pause and pray in particular this week for the Kingdom of God to come on earth as it is in heaven. Ukraine and Yemen and many other parts of our world are indeed in need at this time.
You may therefore find the Upper Room a help…..
* To find a quiet 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 will be opportunities to pause and pray with others – at 8am – 12 noon – 7.30pm – and John and those who gather will be glad to share these with you as we turn in prayer with others.
You are invited to visit the Word for Today as you walk the grounds around the Kirk building whatever day of the week you choose – the focus these days is on the theme of ‘Sinking in the Storm’ – the story of Jesus and Peter from Matthew 14 and there are helpful reflections and prayers – starting at the Offering House.
You are also invited 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 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. 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 chapter 8. 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 closing days of May 2022.
Morning
Look Upward and Pray to hear and receive from Jesus
Reading : MATTHEW 2 verses 1-12
Meditation : take time to consider these familiar verses this morning.
What are you encouraged and challenged by today?
What words stay with you?
Then take time to Pray to this God of ours
In Jesus’ name.
Amen and Amen – we pray together.
Midday
Pray with thanksgiving for all NHS staff in our city
Father God, hear our prayers, have mercy and pour out blessings we ask
Evening
Reading : read these verses again from MATTHEW 2
Reflect on the way God has blessed you in your life
and pray in response to Him
and for others known to you in need at this time
LORD God, the God of help and protection,
Our God,
Hear our evening prayers
As we return our sacrifice of praise for who you are
And your help even this day
As we bring ourselves to you at the end of this day.
As we name others before You.
Amen.
Daily Devotions for Advent
Morning
Look Upward and Pray to hear and receive from Father God
Reading : MATTHEW 1 verses 18-25
Meditation : as we pause with God this morning we consider what is said here afresh.
What is God teaching/reminding you today?
And then pray in response as your day starts
Pray your own words to the LORD God
Immanuel
God with us
O LORD our God
These are our morning prayers
As we journey further into Advent
in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Midday
Pray God’s blessing on all midwives in our community and city and nation
O LORD, hear our prayers and pour out a blessing we ask on each and all
Evening
Reading : read the set verses again from MATTHEW 1
Reflect on these words again at the end of your day
and Pray in response to this God of ours with confidence
O LORD God, hear our evening prayers
As we thank You for Your help in our lives.
O have mercy we ask
On others
In our families
In our world
In Jesus’ name, Amen.