This week I went for my second jab and discovered how two different people injecting you can give you a hugely different experience. When I received my first jab, I hardly noticed the needle going into my arm. It was done so gently and easily. The second one was really sore! I could tell the way she approached me with the needle that this was going to be different to the first one, although I never anticipated it being so painful. She really jabbed it into my arm with some force and for the first time ever I felt pain in receiving an injection. I am guessing although two people were doing the same job, one was experienced and the other wasn’t perhaps? I really don’t know why it was a different experience, but I really would not want another injection administered by the one who gave me my second Covid-19 vaccination. I’m sure however that she never meant it to be sore at all. It got me thinking how in life two people’s view of the same thing can be so different.
When I was in my 20’s my husband and I were leading our full-time ministry team/band called Heartbeat. I have always been a very truthful person and I could not understand how one person’s truth was not the same as another person’s truth. I thought, truth is truth – it is black and white – it’s very clear what happened and therefore only one person can be telling the truth. A friend of ours had preached about truth being multi-faceted and I couldn’t understand that at all.
A few weeks later, Ray and I flew to the beautiful island of Majorca to have a holiday. Whilst there I went out early every morning to walk and pray. One morning as I got to one side of the beach, the Lord said to me, “Nancy what do you see?” I said, “I see a beautiful beach. The sand is glorious and the cliffs at the other side of the bay are amazing.” The Lord then told me to go to the other side of the bay. When I got there, the Lord then said to me, “Nancy what do you see?” I said, “Oh Lord the view is incredible. I still see a gorgeous beach, the sand is still glorious, but I no longer see the cliffs as they are behind me, but I see what I could not see when I stood on the other side of the bay. I see beautiful boats, and the water lapping against the rocks on the other side.” The Lord told me to then go to the middle of the beach and sit down on the sand. When I arrived there, he then asked me again, “Nancy what do you see?” I said, “Well Lord the scene is still amazing; the sea is beautiful and I am able from this viewpoint to see both sides of the bay, however I am not able to see as much of the sandy beach as I did before. The Lord then spoke and shared something with me that impacted my life and changed my viewpoint forever. The Lord said, “The same is true about truth. It depends where people are standing as to how they perceive the truth. If they are standing on different sides of the bay then what they see will be different. Even if people are in the middle and say, “I can see both points of view”, they will not see it exactly as the other person sees it.” I learned a great lesson that morning from my Heavenly Dad.
I went home at the end of that holiday to apologise to those in Heartbeat for being dogmatic about truth and the way I saw it. So, let’s make sure we don’t get annoyed with someone who sees things/life differently to us. Your experience of life may not be exactly the same and therefore you may not see it in the same way. Let’s be kind, considerate and generous with our words rather than insisting we are right and everyone else is wrong. Let’s keep that in mind as we pray for others who may be experiencing life so differently from us.
PRAYER POINTS FOR FRIDAY 14th May 2021
- What a joy to see that the Covid statistics continue to come down. Let’s praise God that there were no deaths recorded last Monday in Scotland, England and Northern Ireland and let’s keep praying that we begin to see those kinds of results every day and also in Wales too. On Monday 17th we are seeing the next layer of restrictions released. We can hug each other again and we can have a meal inside – this is so good! We are in a very good place in the UK, but many other nations are struggling. In particular let’s continue to pray for India. There are so many who are dying and it has been awful to see the devastation they are facing. Do pray that wisdom will be given to the leaders of that wonderful nation. Pray against the spirit of death and also pray against the fear that this virus brings. Pray that many will turn to God in India as well as many in our own nation. We praise God that the vaccination process in the UK is going well. Two thirds of all adults have had their first injection. Many millions have had their second jab too. Praise God for the protection this vaccination brings.
- Let’s continue to pray for our Prime Minister – whether we agree with his leadership style or his politics. God has called us to pray for our leaders and so let’s pray with good and joyful hearts rather than with a critical spirit. Praise God for what God is doing in Boris Johnson. There are signs that God is working in this man – so let’s keep praying that he will see and know the living God. Pray too for every MP in the government. Pray for men and women who are filled with the wisdom of Heaven. Pray for unity in parliament and pray also for unity between the four nations in the UK. Pray too for a united effort against the Covid-19 virus. Pray that they will continue to lead us safely through this pandemic. Pray that they will seek God and hear his advice and wisdom before making decisions. We have been told this week that the UK’s four chief medical officers have said that the UK’s Covid alert level should be lowered from level four to level three. This too is such good news. We have much to praise God for as we look to move forward into the future. Let’s remember to continue to praise God for our Queen and ask for God to bless her with continued long life. Let’s continue to pray that the whole Royal Family will experience the love of God in their hearts and lives.
- We continue to praise God for our NHS and for all who work in health care. They have worked so tirelessly during this pandemic. Let’s continue to pray for them as they continue to deal with situations that can sometimes feel so hard and difficult. The Prime Minister told us this week that the latest data shows the lowest death and hospitalisations rates since last July. Let’s praise God that our hospitals are no longer overrun. This is good news indeed. Pray for all the staff at the hospitals in India where the situation is so vastly different. Pray for health and strength for them to cope with the pandemic in that nation.
- One area that has not changed so much is the mental health of our nation and in particular our young people. There are so many suffering from poor mental health – this was happening before the pandemic, but since the start of lockdown the rate of those suffering from depression, anxiety etc., has been rising at a great level. Let’s intensify our prayers for those suffering in this way and pray that the churches up and down our land will devise ways of helping and reaching out to those affected. Let’s cry out to God to heal our nation and for many to find peace, joy and life in Jesus. Let’s continue to ask him to visit people in their dreams, and for God to show himself to many in the night. Let’s continue to be on the watch for those in our friendship groupings who are anxious, worried and show signs of depression. Look for practical things you can do to express God’s love to them.
- Let’s continue to pray for those who live under the poverty line – there are so many hurting people in our nation at this time. So many are struggling to survive. Praise God for food banks and for many churches who are helping to run these. Pray for generous hearts from those with jobs towards these food banks. Pray that the government will continue to help those who are struggling in our society. Pray too about the violence and sex attacks we often hear about on our streets. Pray for protection for those who are vulnerable and pray for a spiritual awakening in our land.
- We praise God that the hospitality sector (hotels, restaurants and pubs) can open up fully from Monday 17th. Pray for those who still cannot open up fully like the entertainment industry and also airlines whose business has been deeply affected by the pandemic. Pray for our economy as a whole that it would not take as long to bounce back. Pray also for those who have struggled work wise – those who are unemployed as well as those who have taken any job just to bring in money. Many have struggled in a job they don’t like but on the other hand they realise they are grateful to have any job. Pray for many who are unemployed that they will get a good job soon.
- Now that we are coming out of lockdown, pray that the people of our land will still have an eagerness to know about spiritual things. Pray for those who have lost a loved one. Pray that their grief will turn them towards God. Praise God that he is always close to the broken-hearted. We so want to see our nation discover our God who is kind and good. Pray for churches that each leader/leadership team will have a heart for revival and will continue to pray for many to turn towards God. Pray for wisdom for each church to know how to reach their society. Pray for a release of salvation and knowledge of God in our land.
Do you need prayer? What a joy it has been to pray for those who have asked for prayer in recent months. We are seeing many answers to our prayers. Remember if you or others need prayer do drop us an email and we will pray. Don’t forget our prayer line if you or others need prayer – prayer@ngm.org.uk
I have discovered more and more recently how people on the internet and on social media platforms vent their anger and release strong critical words to those they know and those they don’t know. Many have been devastated by other people’s hatred and angry words. People used to say, ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me’, but words do hurt and damage people hugely. Let’s make sure that our words are not damaging others. Let’s make sure that when we speak, we release words of affirmation and kindness. Let’s show our world that Christians are different not necessary because we look different but because we sound different. Let us be the ones who release kindness, goodness and generosity. Let’s show who our God really is – a good, kind and loving God. We can reveal so much of our loving Heavenly Father through what we say and what we don’t say. Let’s be the kind of friend to others that we would like to have ourselves. Sending you much love and huge encouragement – your friend – NANCY
For those who are reading these prayer points for the first time: do read below:
Setting the scene
On 20th March I called for a National Day of Prayer, not only for the UK, but also for others who live further afield. A few days after it was over two friends contacted me and asked if I would do a National Prayer Day every Friday, and asked if I would continue to give some pointers each week for prayer. After prayer, I took up the challenge of doing just that. Thank you for joining us. To read previous prayer points and encouragements – go to www.nancygoudie.com/blog/
Helpful instructions/suggestions:
- Set your phone, your watch, your alarm clock or whatever to remind you to pray throughout the day. I would suggest praying every hour for a few minutes or for as long as you wish, but make a time that is suitable for yourself.
- Maybe pray for one of the above pointers every hour – or take one for each day of the week.
- Every time you wash your hands, which should be often – then pray a ‘Heal Our
Nation’ prayer – sing or speak the lyrics of ‘Heal our Nation’ and ask God to pour out his Spirit on this land. ‘Heal our Nation, Heal our Nation, Heal our Nation, pour out your Spirit on this land.’ Sing or speak that twice. And finish with the first line from the verse ‘Lord we long for you to move in power’ – and ask God to move in the UK but also move in our world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoZwje7Ogkg
- Keep reading Psalm 91, Psalm 121 and Psalm 46 to encourage yourself and your family with the truth of the word of God. Perhaps try meditating on Psalm 62:5-6 – Find rest, O my Soul in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress; I will not be shaken.
- Use the UK Blessing – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUtll3mNj5U Play it in your home – make this as a wonderful blessing on you and your family, your children and their children. When you go a walk pray it over your neighbourhood. The song was written in Elevation church, USA. You can watch here and discover how the song came together in the presence of the Lord – no wonder this song is being used at this time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp6aygmvzM4&feature=emb_rel_end
