Daily Devotions for Wednesday 16th August, 2023

Morning
Look Upward and Pray to hear and receive from God

Reading : PSALM 55
Meditation : take time to consider what these verses teach us about fasting.
The Prayer of a man betrayed.

What are you challenged and encouraged by this morning?

Then take the time to Pray to this God, our God who helps.
Look again at verses 1 and 2, and 23 as you turn to prayer
Praying for people suffering injustice in our world
Praying for those working for truth and justice

Hear my prayer, O God!

In Jesus’ Name
Amen!

Midday
Pray God’s blessing on the Bible Society in the South Pacific
O LORD God, have mercy on this work and hear our prayers this day we ask.

Evening
Reading : read these verses again from PSALM 55
Reflect on the words and images…. 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 lay ourselves and this world before You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
.

Daily Devotions for Tuesday 15th August, 2023

Time-Out – Upper Room day

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

Reading : PSALM 53
Meditation : take time and consider this psalm this morning.
The Wickedness of men and women.

What words or images stay with you?
What is God saying to you 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 PSALM 53 – 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 Upper Room Pathway

As we journey through August 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 this Tuesday and you are encouraged to take time-out with God…..to find a quiet place with space…..7.30am-7.30pm……with opportunities to pray with Hazel, John and others at 8am…Midday and 7pm

* A space for you to be still in a busy world
** To pause and pray with God at this time – the God of all comfort, wisdom, mercy and hope.
* To listen to God – Father Son and Holy Spirit – in these times

You are also invited to walk round the Kirk, pondering some of the words laid out at the various stations from the Bible on our Pathway of Peace……or to visit the Offering House – beside the gates – 8am-5pm each day – 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.

Our Prayer Team also invite you to Prayer for Healing – a safe place with a small trained team. If you wish someone to pray with/for you about anything over the summer weeks please do contact Alastair, Hazel or Susan.

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 – 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 August our focus will be on words and prayers from THE PSALMS as we continue on the theme of Telling Others the Good News . 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 the Thy Kingdom Come global prayer venture daily reflections on our YouTube channel….from members of our Church Family providing a reflection over the 11 days period. This year the venture ran 18-28 May. Will you still be praying for 5??

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

Daily Devotions for Monday 14th August, 2023

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

Reading : PSALM 51
Meditation : take time to consider these honest words as your day starts.
A Prayer for mercy, forgiveness and renewal.

What words stay with you today?

Then Pause to Pray in response to the LORD our God
As you re-read the psalm, make the words your own this new morning

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Midday

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

Evening
Reading : read these verses again from PSALM 51 – in another version?
Reflect prayerfully on what you read and then pray to our God in response

Be merciful to me, O God.

Create a pure heart in me, O God.

O God be kind to…….

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Bible Verse for the Week and Sunday Morning Reflection

Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
and justified when you judge.

Psalm 51 verse 4

Do you follow our Sunday morning reflection on the Bible Verse for the Week?
It is found on our YouTube channel…and our Facebook page……..8am each Sunday morning.
The link to this morning’s – from John – is below…..

Daily Devotions for Sunday 13th August, 2023

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

Reading : PSALM 39
Meditation : take time and consider this chapter this particular Sunday morning.
The Confession of a Suffering Man

What do the words mean for you today?
Is there a prayer of confession on your lips?

And then pray in response – using verses 7 and 8 as you turn to prayer
Come to Him with open arms
Naming others known to you in need at this time

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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 these particular verses again from PSALM 39
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
For we believe and trust in you
As we name others seeking you
As we pilgrimage on into this new week
In Jesus’ name, Amen.