Daily Devotions for Friday 20th January, 2023

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Morning
Look Upward and Pray to hear and receive from Jesus

Reading : MATTHEW chapter 5 verses 13-16

Meditation : take time and consider all that is said here about our God’s Kingdom ways
Salt and Light.
What images or words stay with you?
What is God teaching/reminding you?

And then Pray with your own words to this God of ours in response

And so we bring our evening prayers to you, our God Most High.
Amen – we pray together.

Midday
Pray God’s blessing on Jacqui, Edna and Sunny as they serve us
Father God, hear our prayers and bless them real good we ask

Evening
Reading : read this passage again from MATTHEW chapter 5 verses 13-16
Reflect on the words written here and pray in response to the LORD our King.

Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD, my soul
I will praise him as long as I live;
I will sing to my God all my life.

Thy Kingdom come
Thy will be done
On earth
As it is in heaven
In Jesus’ name, Amen

Daily Devotions for Thursday 19th January, 2023

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

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

Reading : read MATTHEW chapter 5 verses 11 and 12 again– in another version?
Reflect on the words…. and then Pray….to the LORD our God

Meditation : take time and consider these words this morning.
Insulted. Persecuted.
Reward in Heaven.

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

Then pause to pray in response to this faithful and merciful God

And so we bring our sacrifice of praise to you, our God
Naming others in a hard place before you
Forgive us our sins
As we forgive those who sin against us
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Midday
Pray God’s blessing on Judy Weston and our Finance Team
God of grace…hear our prayers and pour a blessing we ask

Evening
Reading : read MATTHEW chapter 5 verses 11 and 12 again

Reflect on the words and images – at the end of your day
and Pray with honest words in response to this God – our God

People will speak of your mighty deeds,
and I will proclaim your greatness.
They will tell about all your goodness
and sing about your kindness.
The LORD is loving and merciful,
slow to become angry and full of constant love.
He is good to everyone
and has compassion on all he made.

O LORD, hear our evening prayers
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 18th January, 2023

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity starts

Morning
Look Upward and Pray to hear and receive from God

Reading : MATTHEW chapter 5 verse 10

Meditation : take time to consider what these words teach us.
Those who are persecuted.
What are you challenged and encouraged by this morning?
Who are you praying for in a place of persecution?

Then take the time to Pray to this God, our God who helps.
Praying for people suffering injustice in our world
Praying for those who are persecuted for being believers in Jesus

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!

O LORD our God
Hear our cry for others
Give help and strength
Grace and mercy
Comfort and peace
In Jesus’ Name
Amen!

Midday
Pray God’s blessing on Chris and Margaret Brandie and their family
O LORD God, give blessing and hear our prayers this day we ask.

Evening
Reading : read MATTHEW chapter 5 verse 10 again– in another version?
Reflect on the words…. and then Pray….to the LORD our God

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!

Hear our evening prayers, O God, as this day ends.
We believe and trust in You and name others before You.
Give strength and comfort
Peace and wisdom
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Midday Tuesday Prayers with Others

On this Tuesday in January 2023 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 church family, our nation and our world at this time
Y-ield to His Kingdom ways

Daily Devotions for Tuesday 17th January, 2023

Upper Room day

Morning
Look Upward and Pray to hear and receive from Jesus, Saviour and Lord

Reading : MATTHEW chapter 5 verse 9

Meditation : take time and consider this verse this morning.
Peacemakers.
What is God saying to you today about His Kingdom ways?

Pray in response to what you have read
Naming people of peace and places in need of peacemakers.

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 MATTHEW chapter 5 verse 9 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.

Time-Out Tuesday

As we journey through these early days of 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 once again 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 safe 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…..or you can arrange to pray with the Prayer Team at some point suitable for you….

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.

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 January we begin to focus on Telling Others the Good News from Matthew’s Gospel. 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 11 days period

May we each and all experience time-out with the Living and True God – whenever – wherever – as we journey through this January 2023.