Many of us over the last year or so have had to deal with loss of health or even loss of life of a family member or friend.  When I heard that the Queen had lost her husband of 73 years, my heart went out to her and I am sure many of you felt the same.  Any loss is hard, but losing your beloved husband who has been a strong support through the years and certainly was her best friend is so sad – especially when she is 94 years old.  I lost my own husband in 2016 and so I know how hard it can be.  We had been married for 43 years and loved each other immensely.  Through this week of mourning, let’s remember every day to pray for the Queen who has said that her husband’s absence will cause a huge void in her life.  I know when I lost my husband, I could not have gone through it without my relationship with my Heavenly Father.  He loved me through it and continues to do so every day since.  Let’s pray that the Queen will sense a deep awareness of the presence of a wonderful God who keeps close to the broken hearted.  According to Prince Andrew the Queen described his passing as a miracle.  Sophie, the Countess of Wessex said that his death was so peaceful “it was like someone took him by the hand and off he went.”  Let’s remember the Queen, but also look out for others in our society right now who are suffering loss too.  Death is never easy to navigate, but when you have a close relationship with the Lord, that really helps.  Today and every day, let’s thank God for his constant care for each of us.  And let’s introduce others to the one who has loved us and cared for us like no other.

PRAYER POINTS FOR FRIDAY 16^th April 2021

1. What a joy to know that the statistics are still coming down.  We have been praying for this for a long time, so make sure we all tell the Lord we are so grateful.  It’s so wonderful to know that the death statistics, the hospital admissions and the cases continue to fall despite the schools being back etc.  Let’s pray that even as lockdown continues to be relaxed, that the statistics would continue to fall.  Praise God too for the vaccinations – we now have over 32 million people with the first jab and over 8 million with both jabs.  Do pray that the jabs will not produce any dangerous side effects whether in this country or abroad.  Let’s continue to pray for mainland Europe – so many countries are struggling to control this virus. Continue to pray that they are able to get supplies of the vaccine out to their people and that soon they will be able to get Covid-19 under control in each individual country.

2. This week lets pray for our Queen and for the whole of the Royal family.  Prince Philip’s funeral will be held tomorrow (Saturday) so let’s remember our precious Queen in particular.  I know how difficult a funeral can be and of course at the age of 94 it is even more difficult.  Pray for the presence of God to surround her at this time.  As I said in my blog, her children have mentioned her strong Christian faith and in particular how miraculous Prince Philip’s home call was.  Do pray for the Lord to be close to the Queen at this time.  She is broken-hearted and I know again from experience how much the Lord is close to the broken-hearted.  Let’s also pray for the turmoil in the family at this time with the interview of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.  Pray that family rifts will be healed and that the Queen would be comforted by having her family around her.  According to what we have seen and heard in the newspapers and from experts she is particularly fond of Prince Harry.  May his presence there be a comfort to her at this time.  Let’s continue to pray for our Prime Minister too.  Pray for all MP’s and for unity and support to be shown through trying to walk forward out of this pandemic.  Pray for wisdom for all.

3. We continue to pray for our NHS and for all who work within its walls.  Pray for health and strength for them all and pray that compassion and kindness remain a top priority at all times.  Praise God that the hospital admissions continue to go down.  Also pray for those who work in Care Homes or work as a carer for those who need help at home.  Praise God for kind and good carers who through their wonderful generosity and kindness bring healing to many.

4. Mental health remains a top priority for prayer at this time.  So many have been deeply affected by the lockdowns etc., and doctors are finding that more and more people approaching them for help.  Do pray for the mental health of our nation.  Pray that as lockdown happens, many will find the return to some sort of normality comforting, but also that they will find Jesus at this time.  Pray for people who know and love God to come alongside them and point them in the right direction.  Pray for counsellors to give good and wise advice that will lead to healing and wholeness.  Pray for supernatural dreams that will lead many to know and love the Lord

5. There are still riots and demonstrations happening – so let’s continue to pray for peace in our nation particularly in Northern Ireland.  Pray for our police force and pray for protection for them all.  Pray too against violence and racism.  Pray for the riots in Minnesota too.  Pray for peace and joy in our world.  Pray for wisdom for all.  Pray that the government and all world leaders will give wisdom through their words and deeds.  Pray for peace for the whole of the UK and also for our world.

6. We praise God that some parts of the economy are now back to normal.  Praise God that the shops are open and that businesses are able to proceed again.  Pray that the lockdown dates will be upheld by the statistics.  Pray for success for our economy and that it will bounce back well.  Pray for hope to remain in our land.  Pray for those who cannot yet get back to work, like conferences, hospitality, theatres etc.  Pray that they will have the wisdom to know how to ride out the restrictions on them.  Pray for those who have lost jobs through this pandemic.  Pray that each person would find a good reliable and enjoyable job.

7. We continue to pray for the spiritual side of our nation.  We long for a nation that acknowledges God and who loves the Lord our God.  Pray for many to turn their hearts and minds towards him.  Pray for supernatural occurrences in many lives.  Pray for God to have freedom in many hearts that have been closed to him for so long.  Continue to pray for Heaven’s armies to be released to bring salvation, repentance and freedom.  Pray for the UK but also pray for the world.  Every country needs to know the love and power of our God.

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

Our God never fails us – no matter what you face in life, he is the answer!  When life is tough and when our peace and joy are threatened, let’s remember to sing our praises of our God.  Let’s worship him despite our circumstances.  Let’s not deny what we are going through but let’s put our trust in the one who can change our circumstances and who can bring good out of every bad situation.  The Lord told me this week when I was on a prayer walk with him to look up!  He said, “Nancy, look up and see the beauty of the world I have made.”  As I looked at the sky, the sunshine, the colours God had created, my heart began to sing and a smile came on my face.  So today and every day, let’s look up – let’s look into the beauty of the face of God.  Let’s look at his creation and see the beauty that surrounds us every day, but that we can so easily miss because our troubles seem so hard.  Let’s light up our dark world with the love and presence of our God.  Don’t look down, instead look up and see his beauty all around us.  Enjoy this day – and every day that our dear Lord gives us.  Sending you all loads of love and a huge amount of encouragement,

NANCY GOUDIE

For those who are reading these prayer points for the first time do read below:

Setting the scene

On 20^th 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:

1. 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.
2. Maybe pray for one of the above pointers every hour – or take one for each day of the week.
3. 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
4. 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.
5. 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

Many of you might have been taking the opportunity during lockdown to clean out your cupboards in your home.  I know friends of mine have done so and I have begun to work in my spare time doing just the same in my own home.  I have been amazed at how much clutter I have kept throughout the years without knowing it.  I cleaned out one small cupboard space and realised that I needed to take a trip to the local tip to get rid of all the stuff that I didn’t need anymore.  We tend to stick stuff into drawers and cupboards just to get it out of the way, never dealing with it and it all begins to clutter our home.  The same is true with our lives.  We often stuff things away in a corner of our minds thinking we will deal with it at a later stage but the time never presents itself to us.  Maybe we should take some time to not just declutter our homes, but declutter our hearts and minds too? 

We can find that our heart and mind can be filled with worries, fears, anxieties and problems.  Perhaps harsh words spoken by ourselves or by others have found a resting place in our hearts and minds and without us realising it – they have caused a constant pain that we live with.  Let’s examine ourselves before the Lord and allow him to declutter our hearts and minds.  Let’s forgive ourselves and others as we ask God to remove anything that has cluttered our lives and stuck to us over the months and years.  When we do, our lives will be much lighter and freer than we have known before.

I have been amazed recently at how many harsh and spiteful words have been written in social media platforms – some of those words by those professing to be Christians.  As the saying goes ‘Hurt people hurt people’ and maybe some of the authors of those words have hidden hurt somewhere inside of them.  All of us at times have been hurt, but it is important that spiritually we declutter so that the pain we have felt in the past is dealt with and not just stuffed down deep into our souls.  So, let’s ask God to declutter our hearts and minds so that what comes out of our mouth is what is on the heart of God for us and for others.  With this in mind – let’s pray for ourselves, our nation and our world on this National Day of Prayer.

PRAYER POINTS FOR FRIDAY 9^th April 2021 

• Hallelujah the statistics are all still coming down. Let’s tell God how grateful we are that the death statistics, the hospital admissions and the cases continue to fall.  Let’s pray that even as lockdown continues to be relaxed, that the statistics would continue to fall.  The vaccination of people really has helped and now we have over 32 million people vaccinated and many of those are now fully vaccinated with two jabs.  Please pray that the jabs will not produce any dangerous side effects.  Let’s also continue to pray for mainland Europe – many countries are struggling at this time.  Pray that they are able to get supplies of the vaccine out to their people and that soon they will be able to get Covid-19 under control in each individual country.

• Let’s continue to pray for Boris Johnson. We have prayed for him and every MP for over a year now and I know our prayers will be making a difference in his life.  I was thrilled to see and hear his Easter message to the country where he acknowledged Jesus as being the way, the truth and the life.  If you missed it – then you can see it here:  https://youtu.be/t1oXVlu9PRw Let’s continue to pray for his health, for wisdom for him as he leads our country, but also pray for his spiritual life too.  Let’s pray for each MP and for the House of Lords too.  Pray for good godly men and women to lead our nation.  Pray too for our Queen and for her husband, Prince Philip.  Pray for good health for them both.  Pray for the rest of the royal family.  Pray for God’s blessing on them and for their lives to be spiritually impacted by the love and power of God. 

• Pray for everyone who works for the NHS – from cleaners to receptionists to nurses, doctors, surgeons. Each person no matter what they do is important.  Pray for health and strength for them all.  Pray that as the hospital admissions for Covid slows that they will have more time to process and recover from what they have been through.  We pray too for carers who care for people in their own homes and also in Care Homes.  Each one is so valuable.  Pray that they will rest in God and find strength each day to face the task they have been given.  Pray for kindness and gentleness to be evident in them all. 

• We continue to pray for the mental health of our nation and for healing to come to people who have been deeply affected by poor mental and emotional health. There are so many who are struggling at this time.  Doctors are having more and more people approach them asking for help.  We know that the Lord can help – so let’s pray for each person to discover a God who loves them and is ready to help them when they turn to him.  Pray for dreams from God that will soothe their soul and restore their peace.

• Do pray for the many riots and demonstrations we have seen recently that have resulted in violence in our nation. Many have attacked the police during the night.  Please pray for peace in our land and for the demonstrators not to turn to violence.  Pray for the police to have wisdom when they deal with this – but also that they would be protected as they do their job.  Pray that the government will give them help at this time.  Pray not just for our nation, but pray for peace in the whole world. 

• Let’s continue to pray for our economy. Praise God that non- essential shops can open up soon.  Many of us in England will be so glad we can soon have a haircut.  Pray for every business owner that they would have hope in their heart as we all move forward.  Pray that the economy will recover quickly.  We continue to pray for those businesses who cannot open up yet – like restaurants, hotels, theatres, music venues, conferences etc.  Pray that they will have the wisdom to know how to ride out the restrictions on them.  Pray for those who have lost jobs through this pandemic.  Pray that each person would find a good reliable and enjoyable job

• There are many signs that God is moving in our nation – so let’s keep praying into this. Pray for God’s Spirit to have freedom in our lives and in the lives of our nation and world.  Pray for Heaven’s armies to be released to bring salvation, repentance and freedom.  Pray for the UK but also pray for the world.  Every country needs to know the love and power of our God.   Pray for salvation for all.  Pray that many will see and hear and respond to all Jesus did on the cross 2000 years ago.  Let’s thank God that the Easter message went out loud and clear this year – pray that many will hear and receive the good news of our Lord Jesus.  He is risen – hallelujah!  He is with us always – an ever-present help in our time of trouble (Psalm 46:1).

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 

The Lord remains constant in our ever-changing world.  He is constantly with us – our ever-present help in time of trouble.  So, let’s do what is says in Psalm 46 and not fear though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.  Read the psalm and see what our God does for each of us.  At the end of the psalm, it says:  The Lord Almighty is with us, the God of Jacob is our fortress.  He surely is!  He is with us and he is our strong protection always!  Woohoo!  So, let’s not fear and instead trust!  Sending you all loads of love and encouragement – NANCY GOUDIE

For those who are reading these prayer points for the first time do read below:

Setting the scene

On 20^th 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:

1. 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.
2. Maybe pray for one of the above pointers every hour – or take one for each day of the week.
3. 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
4. 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.
5. 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

Today we remember that Jesus died on the cross for us 2000 years ago!  We can never repay the love he showed us by dying in our place – all he requires us to do is to accept the love he showed as he suffered such agonies on the cross.  When we do – we exchange death for life.  We step from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light.  We choose to give him our life and choose to live the life he intended us to live; everlasting life in its fullest and best way.  He died so we might live.  But it doesn’t end at the cross.  If it did, then we would be the most miserable of people.  Instead, Jesus rose from the dead on the Sunday giving us every reason to celebrate. 

I remember a man many years ago preaching on this very subject and he kept saying throughout the whole sermon – It’s Friday, but Sunday is coming!  If it had ended with Jesus dying then nothing would have made sense.  But when Sunday happened and Jesus rose from the dead – what a victory!  He conquered sin, death and hell.  No wonder we can celebrate as Christians.  Yes, it’s Friday – the day when the disciples and all the friends of Jesus were confused, bewildered, saddened and in mourning, but what they forgot at the time was that Jesus had said he would rise from the dead and, of course, on the Sunday, he did just that.  Yes, it’s Friday, but Sunday is coming. 

 We need to remember that when we are praying about this pandemic.  We are living through terrible times.  It can feel like we are living in a day of disaster where many of us are in mourning, mourning lives that have been lost – vast numbers of people have died through this pandemic, but also mourning our own lives prior to March 2020 – we have not been able to lead normal lives for some time.  Loss is all around us.  But remember although it feels like a very long Friday – Sunday is coming!  One day this pandemic will be over – we might be living in our Friday but our Sunday is coming!  Let’s rejoice our Saviour died for us but let’s remember that on the third day he rose to give us the opportunity of knowing true life, victory and freedom.  Yes, it is Friday, but Sunday is coming!  Let’s pray with that knowledge in our hearts and minds today.

 A good way of being able to express our faith might be to share our Easter Special – it’s filled with joy, laughter and the real meaning of Easter.  You can see it here – feel free to share with others!   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAgX308hqYY&t=2s

 PRAYER POINTS FOR FRIDAY 2^nd April 2021 

1)     Praise God the statistics continue to fall.  This week has meant that we now have a little more freedom than we have had before.  Do pray that with this freedom and with the schools back that the statistics continue to fall.  Let’s thank God that hospital admissions are still falling.  Although new cases seem to be levelling off a little, they are still coming down slowly.  Also praise God that the death rate is still coming down drastically.  This is all good news!  We have now been able to vaccinate over 31 million people – and the government are on line to make sure every adult in the UK is given the opportunity of having the vaccine.   Let’s continue to pray for mainland Europe – as they are suffering hugely at this time.  Pray that they are able to get the vaccine and that soon they will be able to get Covid-19 under control in each individual country.  

2)     Please do pray for Boris Johnson as our Prime Minister and also for all MPs in Parliament.  Do pray for wise and good decisions and also for unity within the different parties.  Do pray for the Queen and also for Prince Philip as he continues to recover from his hospital visit.  Pray for all the Royal Family and pray for healing for them all.  Pray for world leaders too at this time.  If ever our leaders needed our prayers, it is now.  We may not agree with everyone, but what God has asked us to do is to pray for them.  So, let’s do that – pray for wisdom and strength for them.  Pray that each government will have wisdom to know how to lead their nation and in particular lead them out of this pandemic.

3)     We thank God for our nurses and doctors – in fact anyone who works for the NHS.  What a great health care system we have in this country.  Praise God for all in the NHS who work tirelessly for others.  Pray for everyone from cleaners to surgeons.  Pray for health and strength.  Pray for good mental health as well as physical health. Let’s continue to pray for those in hospital right now – that they would recover soon and be able to go home.  We also pray for those who work as carers – what a wonderful heart these people have.  They work so that people can stay in their homes, and they work for others who are in care homes.  Without their help, many would suffer badly.  Pray for them all, that each one would know the love and kindness of our good God to enable them to keep going in the midst of this crisis.  Do pray for each resident in a care home – that they would feel loved and cared for at this time in particular.

4)     Mental health is still one of the top things that is concerning people in our nation.  The government is trying to put programmes in place to help.  So many are struggling at this time – do pray for those who are vulnerable in this area.  Many who don’t normally suffer with anxiety and stress are finding the lockdown so difficult that their mental health is declining.  Let’s pray for everyone affected in this way.  We recognise that we sometimes cannot see that someone is suffering from poor mental or emotional health – so keep remembering to check on family and friends.  We may not understand what one person is going through, because we have not suffered this – but it is important for us all to pray and cover our friends and family.  Let’s show our love by continuing to pray and show kindness in practical ways.

5)     Praise God that the opening of schools, colleges and universities has gone well.  Pray that each young life would be protected.  Pray for students but also pray for teachers and lecturers that they would be protected against Covid-19.  Pray too that as lockdown expands that the cases, deaths and hospital intake would not soar.  Please do continue to pray for the students and school children’s mental, physical, emotional and spiritual lives.

6)     It is a real joy to have a little bit more freedom than we have had for some time.  Who would ever have thought that this pandemic would last over a year?  We praise God that some businesses can open up in April.  Do continue to pray for our economy.  All businesses have taken quite a bashing, some more than others, but now we can see a way through this so that we can have some sort of normality back.  Ask God to give each owner and businessman wisdom.  Pray that the bounce back in our economy will not be as long as is being predicted.  Let’s continue to pray for those in the hospitality, sport and performing arts sectors – each of these have been badly affected over this last year.  Pray for those who have lost their jobs.  Pray for more jobs to be released soon. 

7)     With all that is going on in our nation and in our world, it is so evident that we need to pray for a spiritual awakening!  Pray for the UK but also pray for the world.  Pray for Heaven’s armies to be released across the world to bring a deep awareness of our God.  Pray for salvation for all.  Pray that many will see and hear and respond to all Jesus did on the cross 2000 years ago.  Pray that many this Easter would turn to our God.  Let’s pray and then look for opportunities to share our faith in simple yet deep ways.

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 

All that remains for me to say is that God is for us and with us.  He is fighting our battles and although we cannot see him, there is no doubt He is with us.  Rejoice and be glad for our great King is here and he will help us fight our battles.  You are not alone – not ever!  This Easter let’s celebrate him and all he has done for us. 

With loads of love and encouragement to you all – NANCY GOUDIE

For those who are reading these prayer points for the first time:  do read below:

 Setting the scene

On 20^th 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:

1. 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.
2. Maybe pray for one of the above pointers every hour – or take one for each day of the week.
3. 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

1. 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.
2. 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

I read a number of verses in the Bible which were spoken by our Lord Jesus where he encourages us to pray and not to give up.  The temptation in our hearts when praying for something for some time is to give up and stop praying for it.  But in Luke 18 Jesus encourages us all not to give up.  He tells a story of a persistent widow who would not give up even after being told by the unjust judge that he would not answer her cries for help.  It says in verse 4 that he refused for some time to grant her the answer to her cries for justice.  Yet because of her persistence he eventually decided to grant her justice and do what he said he would not do because he valued his peace.  Jesus then went on to say:  Listen to what the unjust judge says.  Will not God bring justice for his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night?  Will he keep putting them off?  I tell you he will see that they get justice and quickly.  However, when the Son of Man comes will he find faith on the earth?

The story of the persistent widow has so much to teach us.  As I mentioned last week, I decided to be like that persistent widow when praying for my husband back in 1978 – I would not give up!  And God (who is so unlike the unjust judge) answered me within a day – although the full answer to my prayer took a year to come into completion.  Perhaps you have been praying for something for you, your family or a friend.  Perhaps you have not yet seen a breakthrough – then can I encourage you to keep on praying.  Some people in the Bible according to Hebrews 11 never saw the answer to their prayers in their lifetime, but they didn’t let that affect their faith, they kept on going and God did it in his time.  Abraham was told that his descendants would be like the sand on the seashore or the stars in the sky, but what he saw was a child called Isaac being born miraculously to him and Sarah when they were old.  God’s word was not fully accomplished in Abraham’s lifetime, but he kept the faith and throughout the years God brought it into being.  He will do the same for you.  Don’t give up praying for that salvation, that healing, that need – keep your faith strong for God will answer you because he loves you so very much. We have been praying now for the effects of Covid-19 for over a year now and have seen so many answers to our prayers, yet we must not give up.  We need to continue to pray and believe God until we see a breakthrough.  I’m going to be like the persistent widow – are you? 

PRAYER POINTS FOR FRIDAY 26^th March 2021       

• We continue to rejoice that the statistics are still coming down – the death rate has fallen hugely and the cases continue to fall too as do the hospital admissions. Woohoo!  Let’s thank God and see this trend continue despite lockdown being eased.  Also thank God that we have been able to offer the vaccination to so many in the UK and that now over 29 million have now been vaccinated.  That means half of all adults have been vaccinated.  Do pray that every country will be able to get the vaccines and that everyone who wants to be vaccinated gets the chance to do just that.  Praise God too that the Oxford vaccination reports have all come back saying that this is a good and effective vaccine – reports were done in many nations – so this is good to hear. 

• We continue to pray for our National leaders and also the International leaders of the world. We continue to pray for the Queen and her precious family.  Let’s pray for our government and for Boris Johnson.  Pray for wisdom and strength for them.  It’s been hard to see the demonstrations against the police recently in Bristol.  Do pray for peace to reign and for hate crimes to be irradicated.  Do pray for the police that they will deal with this in the correct and legal way.  Pray that our police force will know the strength and grace of the Lord on them right now.  Pray for lockdown to happen on the scale that the government have outlined and that there is a way forward for our world.

• Praise God for the NHS and for all the staff that work within its walls. Pray for cleaners to surgeons.  Pray for health and strength.  Pray for good mental health as well as physical health.  They put themselves on the front line every day and they have to deal with very difficult situations.  Hospital admissions are slowing down which is wonderful.  Let’s continue to pray for those in hospital – that they would recover soon and be able to go home.  We continue to pray for those precious people who are working as carers.  Pray for them physically and mentally too.  They are wonderful people who care for others who are in need.  Without their help they would not be able to survive by themselves.  Do pray for care homes up and down our nation – for the staff and also for the residents.

• Our nation is quickly becoming a nation with poor mental health. There’s so many suffering from this right now.  People who would normally never suffer in this way are suffering too.  Let’s pray for everyone affected in this way.  This is an illness – you may not be able to see it like you would a broken arm – but please realise that this is just as real.  As well as praying, let’s keep our eyes open to see if we can help in any way.  A kind word or a word of wisdom can be a lifeline to many.  We may not understand what one person is going through, because we have not suffered in this way – but this is a real issue for many.  Let’s be generous with our time.  Let’s show our love.  Let’s be kind.  Kindness is so needed in our nation right now.  There is often such a lack of kindness – let’s show what Jesus is really like – and show the fruit of the spirit through our lives – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.   Let’s draw down the presence of God on us and share the fruit of the Spirit to all around us.

• Let’s continue to pray for young people everywhere. Pray for their young minds to have wisdom beyond their years.  Pray for them to be constantly learning and growing in grace, peace and joy.  Pray for all young people as they go to school, college and university.  Do continue to pray for the teachers too and for them and the students to be protected against Covid-19.  Pray that all will be safe.  Continue to pray for their mental, physical, emotional and spiritual lives.

• We thank God that there is a road map out of lockdown for our economy. It will be so good to see businesses opening up.  Pray for the UK’s economy.  Pray that our economy will have grace and favour on it.  Let’s continue to pray for those in the hospitality, sport and performing arts sectors.  They have suffered badly and many have gone under.  Pray for each person involved in this struggle.  There have been many who have lost their jobs and have no hope of ever finding one again.  Do pray for many who have taken a job that they don’t like in order to bring some finance into their home.  Please pray for more jobs to be released soon.  Pray for hope, pray for strength, pray for joy through it all.

• We live in a divided nation – divided by countries (Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales), but divided in other ways too. We are divided in the way we think and believe.  No wonder Jesus asked us to pray for unity.  Even believers in our nation and in our world are divided.  Let’s pray for unity as Jesus asked us to do in John 17.  Let’s pray for peace.  Let’s pray for joy and grace.  Let’s pray for revival and for the hearts of our nation to turn to God in prayer and find God is sufficient in all things.  Pray for ourselves that we would be covered by the grace and love of Jesus.  That we wouldn’t be causing division, but that we would bring the peace of Christ in all circumstances.  Pray that we will be controlled by the Holy Spirit in everything we say and do.  God is with us and for us – so be encouraged and lay ourselves down before him.

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 

As we are approaching Easter, we at ngm have done a video for the church and individuals to use to reach others at this time.  It is completely free and is available for all.  Please do watch it here:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAgX308hqYY&t=2s

and feel free to use it in your church services, groups or just to pass on to your friends and family.  We have such an amazing message – Christ died for us all and through his life, death and resurrection we can have life to the full.  Our world needs hope at this time and we have an amazing message of hope for all.  If you have any questions about this Easter Special – then do please contact us on zoewickham@ngm.org.uk.  Let’s celebrate the good news of Jesus now and always.  With loads of love and encouragement to you all – NANCY GOUDIE

For those who are reading these prayer points for the first time:  do read below:

Setting the scene

On 20^th 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:

1. 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.
2. Maybe pray for one of the above pointers every hour – or take one for each day of the week.
3. 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
4. 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.
5. 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

A year ago, on March 20^th I sent out the very first prayer points for a National Day of Prayer regarding covid-19 – I was asked by someone on Facebook if I would organise this as they felt lots of people wanted to pray.  I felt very unsure about doing this for who am I to organise a National Day of Prayer – it should be our government or our Queen, but I decided because of the nudges I was getting to do it anyhow.  Once that first week was over, two friends asked if I would do it every week and now, here we are 12 months later having now done this every week for a year!  Who would ever have thought?  So much has been accomplished during this year – the Lord has moved in people’s lives and hearts not only in the UK but right across the world.  I have received so many emails and messages telling me what God has done as people have prayed.  It has been incredible.  Many have been encouraging me to keep on going as they love the blogs and also find that the prayer points help them to focus their prayers.

I believe it’s important to keep going in prayer until we see an answer.  I remember many years ago before my husband and I came into full time Christian work, my husband was going through a crisis of faith.  I knew I had to pray for him.  My heart was broken as I realised without God’s help our lives could be so different.  I prayed and prayed but the heavens seemed like brass.  Have you ever experienced that?  But I would not give up!  One day as I cried and poured out my heart to God, God answered me.  If he had spoken audibly, he could not have spoken any louder.  He told me that he had heard my prayers and had seen my tears and if I could see what he was going to do in my husband, I would not believe it.  He told me not to pray anymore, but instead to praise him for what he was going to do.  I did what the Lord told me to do, even though there was no change in Ray’s life.  I was, at times, discouraged because I could not see what God was doing, but I asked God to forgive me for not trusting him, and then continued to praise him as he had instructed me to do.  After seven months, I began to see a glimmer of hope.  Was God working in Ray’s life?  I kept going and then a breakthrough happened.  God revealed himself to Ray in a way that completely changed him.  I looked in my diary to see how long it took for my prayer to be answered and was so surprised to see it was exactly a year to the day that I had prayed and sought God.  God had turned my husband’s life around completely.  It was as though I had a new husband!  God was right I could never have believed what God did in my husband then and also during the next 36 years before his death in 2016.  (If you want to know more of the story – then you can find it in my book Who Would Ever Have Thought which is an autobiography of the last 40 years of our lives.)  Can I encourage you – whatever you are praying for – keep praying until you get an answer from God.  Don’t give up.  Keep on going.  When you do get a promise from God – follow his instructions and know in your heart that even if it takes a while – he is faithful and he will do what he has promised.  On this anniversary of us starting these National Days of Prayer – let’s trust God more and more for what we want to see.  We can certainly see light at the end of the tunnel, so let’s keep praying and let’s trust God to bring us right the way through this pandemic. 

There is also a National Day of Reflection (as they have called it – organised by the charity Marie Curie) on 23^rd March to remember the many thousands who have died during this last year from Covid-19.  We have all been encouraged to observe a minute’s silence at 12.00 on that day – and also light up our doorsteps that night. Prominent buildings and landmarks will also be illuminated across the UK.  It was on that day in 2020 that the Prime Minister warned that many families would lose their loved ones before their time.  On that date last year there were 335 who had died and now a year later there are over 146,000 who have Covid-19 on their death certificate according to government figures.

PRAYER POINTS FOR FRIDAY 19^th March 2021       

• Praise God the statistics are still coming down – let’s keep praying for them to fall despite that the schools are back and lockdown is beginning to happen. Pray that lockdown will soon be a thing of the past and that we can begin to look towards the future.  Many are weary of lockdown and it is awful to see so many suffering from mental health problems.  Praise God for the vaccine and that we now have well over 25 million vaccinated in the UK.  Pray for other nations that they too will get the vaccines out there and available for their citizens.  There is a lot of news reports about the Oxford vaccination, do pray that these questions will be answered thoroughly and honestly.  Do continue to pray for those who have the virus right now – many of them are still in hospital.  Pray that they will recover swiftly.  Pray too for those who have lost a loved one to this virus; pray the comfort of the Holy Spirit upon all.

• We continue as the Bible tells us to do and pray for our National Leaders – let’s pray for our Prime Minister, Boris Johnson and also for all MP’s whatever party they belong to. There are so many petty arguments and often comments are made to score political points.  Pray for each MP that they would work for the greater good of the country and not aim to score political points each time they speak.  Pray for those who give wisdom to the government – pray for good godly wisdom and good decisions to be made for our country and for our world.  Praise God that Prince Philip is out of hospital and is recovering at Windsor Castle with the Queen.  Do pray that his recovery is swift and good.  It’s great that he and the Queen are back together again.  It can’t have been easy for them to be separated. Pray for all the Royal Family – pray for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex who are expecting another child.  Pray for a good and easy pregnancy.  Do pray against the media storm there has been over the interview given recently.  Whatever you think about what was said – let’s pray for reconciliation and great relationships between every member of the Royal Family. 

• Praise God for the NHS and for all the staff that work within its walls. Pray for cleaners to surgeons.  Pray for health and strength.  Pray for good mental health as well as physical health.  They put themselves on the front line every day and they have to deal with very difficult situations.  There is still a huge amount of people in hospital suffering with covid so pray for each one.  Pray that they will recover and soon be able to go home.  Let’s pray too for those who are carers in homes.  Pray for them physically and mentally too.  Praise God for wonderful carers who love to help others in need.  Pray for those in care homes and who have not been able to see their relatives.  Praise God that they can see one relative or friend now and pray that it will soon be that they can see all their loved ones soon. 

• Poor mental health is a hard issue to deal with. Do pray for those who are suffering from this.  Many more are suffering from this because of lockdown.  It is often difficult to spot and also to manage, but let’s keep our eyes open to see where a word of wisdom or a kind gesture would be like a lifeline to some.  Let’s be generous and let’s not be hard of heart.  We may not understand what one person is going through, but let’s give each other the benefit of the doubt.  Pray for peace!  Pray for joy! Pray for life!  All these things come through Jesus.  Do pray many will find Jesus at this time.  He knows.  He understands and he cares.  Let’s be his hands and feet to others around us.

• Again, let’s pray for our young people. Praise God that they are all back at school now.  Praise God that they are able to see their friends and also receive teaching direct from their teachers.  Pray for those who are in colleges and universities.  Pray that every young person, teacher and lecturer will feel protected.  Pray that all will be safe.  Pray for the pupils and students’ mental health in particular.   Pray that they will find peace at this time and will have wisdom too on how to act and move into the future. 

• Praise God that some of our economy can go back to work soon. It will be so good to see businesses opening up.  Pray for the UK’s economy.  Pray that it will be bounce back quickly.  Pray for those who cannot open up as yet – areas like hospitality can only open partially – we can have a meal outside soon.  Pray for those who cannot open at all until June – hospitality, theatres, music venues etc., have been hit the hardest.  Pray for each person involved in this struggle.  Continue to pray for people who have lost their jobs – pray that they will find suitable jobs very soon.  In all of this – do pray that we will all not lose hope but will hang on to God through this time. 

• Pray for ourselves. Pray for revival hearts – pray that we will develop a deeper and more vibrant relationship with our Lord.  Praise him for keeping us through this last year and praise him that we serve a living God.  He is not deaf to our prayers – he hears everyone and he answers us.  Let’s keep our eyes and our ears open to the voice and heart of God.  Let’s continue to pray for many to find our God – for many to come into a deep relationship with him.  Pray for peace and joy for each of us.  Pray we will overflow in hope, joy and peace and that others will see a huge difference in our lives – so much so that they ask how we can have such peace in the midst of turmoil.  Let’s be ready to give an answer that points them to Jesus.  Pray too that when we remember those who have died this last year that we will also remember those who are left behind who are living with huge loss.  Pray for many to turn to Christ at this time.   

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 

A testimony is powerful and it often encourages us that if God has done it once then he can do it again.  I remember going to a church in The Wirral where I met a woman who, after she heard my testimony about what had happened to Ray, came and asked for prayer.  She told me her husband needed God and I encouraged her to pray for him and not to give up until she heard from God.  Sometime later a friend of mine went to speak at that church.  He did not know about the lady who had prayed for her husband.  But during that weekend – he picked out several people and brought them to the front of the church – he then asked the women’s husband to come out and asked him in what way was he connected to all these people that my friend had picked out.  He said you have picked out all my family, including my wife’s mother and father and even my son’s girlfriend.  My friend then went on to give him a word from God.  He told him that God loved him so much and that he wanted to get to know him.  He then pointed to his wife and said, “The Lord says it’s over!  You don’t need to fight anymore. It’s done!”  That night she looked back her diary and she was amazed to discover that it was a year to the day when I told her to pray for her husband.  It is interesting to know that my friend’s visit to this church was postponed at one point – he should have been there earlier, but it had to be changed.  God’s timing is always perfect!  So, let’s keep praying – let’s not lose our hope – He is able, he is faithful and he will deliver what he has promised.  With loads of love and encouragement to you all –

NANCY GOUDIE

For those who are reading these prayer points for the first time:  do read below:

Setting the scene

On 20^th 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:

1. 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.
2. Maybe pray for one of the above pointers every hour – or take one for each day of the week.
3. 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
4. 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.
5. 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

One day this week, I was asking God to show me what to write in these prayer points, as I usually do, I saw a picture of David in the Old Testament going out to face Goliath.  He was such a tiny little chap with no armour on him.  All he had was a little sling and a few stones.  He looked so small and so vulnerable as he faced this massive 9-foot-tall giant called Goliath who was covered from head to foot in armour.  Goliath’s sword was massive and his voice boomed across the valley.  When he saw David, he laughed and mocked him. 

I thought to myself, “What great faith David had to face this giant!”  At that moment God spoke and said, “It wasn’t that he had great faith so much but more the picture David had in his mind of me.”  David’s picture of his God was huge – his God was much bigger than the giant he was facing.  This giant was huge, over 9 foot tall, but his God was so much bigger and so much stronger.  David knew that his God had saved him before when he faced a bear and a lion and so he knew God could easily defeat this giant.  What giant are you facing right now?  Is it the giant of fear?  Worry?  Anxiety? 

Ill health?  Lack of money?  Whatever it is – how do you see it?  Is it huge in your mind?  Is it bigger than your God?  Are you seeing God as he truly is – the God of all hope – the God who saves – the God who heals – the God of miracles?  Is he bigger in your mind than the problem you have?  Jesus told us in this life you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world.  Are you believing the truth of the word of God or are you listening to the lies of the enemy who loves to sow fear and worry into us all?  If we want to overcome the enemy, first of all we must get the right picture in our minds of who our God really is and the only way to do that is to know him and welcome his presence into your life.  And secondly, believe him and his word rather than what the enemy says.  Remember Jesus is the truth and the enemy only speaks his native language – lies!  Let’s remember who our God is as we pray today!

PRAYER POINTS FOR FRIDAY 12^th March 2021       

• The statistics continue to fall although there are a number of places where the cases are a little higher. It’s been amazing to watch the statistics come right down.  Cases, hospital admissions and deaths are all falling steeply.  We have much to thank God for.  The vaccine programme is working well and we now have well over 23 million people vaccinated against this disease.  More and more people are being vaccinated every day. They are on track for every adult to be offered a vaccination before the end of July.  Let’s praise God for all he has been doing and for the encouragement and hope we have that helps us to keep going during this lockdown.  We now have the schools back and some of the shops will begin to open up in April.  I’m sure many of us will be pleased that the hairdressers will be opening up soon.    Do continue to pray for those who have the virus right now –pray that they will recover swiftly.  Pray too for those who have lost a loved one to this virus; pray the comfort of the Holy Spirit upon them all.

• Let’s pray for our Prime Minister, for all MP’s whatever party they belong to and for all who give them advice and wisdom. Pray that the government will administer the right decisions for our nation.  Pray that the budget they have just delivered would be the right decisions for our nation.  Pray for unity between each political party.  Pray for our Royal Family – especially Prince Philip who is still ill in hospital.  Pray for healing for him.  Pray for the Queen as she is without her husband at Windsor Castle.  Pray for the media storm over the interview with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.  Pray that the media will not fuel the storm but will report it accurately.  Also there have been so many negative and destructive words spoken about the Royal Family, The Duke and Duchess, our Prime Minister and our MP’s.  It’s sad to realise that some of these comments come from those who know and love the Lord Jesus.  Let’s think before we speak – our words can damage people but also people are looking at our response and tearing someone down is not a good thing to do – so let’s pray, speak and spread encouragement, blessing and hope in today’s world.

• Let’s keep praying for the NHS staff and also for carers everywhere. These wonderful people give of themselves so much – so let’s pray for good physical health, strength and good mental health too.  There is a lot of negativity about them only getting a 1% pay rise in the budget – let’s pray that they will still feel enriched by their calling.  Pray that God will provide all they need.  Pray for those who are still in hospital.  Remember that although the numbers are coming down, there are many more in hospital than normal for this time of year. Pray that these numbers will continue to come down and that those suffering from COVID-19 will recover soon.  Praise God that each person in care can see one relative in person now.  

• We continue to pray for those who struggle with their mental health. Let’s pray for so many who have struggled with lockdown and who have felt deep darkness through this time.  Life in all its fullness only comes through knowing and loving Jesus.  Do pray that people will find Jesus – the one who identifies with all we go through in life.  He understands our pain and our sorrows and we can trust him to carry them for us.  Let’s spread love, joy and peace by loving those around us and serving Jesus in any way we can. 

• Please do cover the young people going back to school this week. Pray for those who have already returned in Scotland and Wales.   Pray for safety for all and that they will enjoy returning to their schools.  Pray that teachers would feel safe and protected too.  Pray that the students whether in schools, colleges and universities will not only be protected, but also will find that they are enjoying learning once more. 

• Let’s continue to pray for our economy – we have a long journey to go, but please do pray that our God guides and guards each business and that our journey into provision will be a good one. Let’s pray that it will not take as long as they are thinking it will to get the economy back on track.  Pray especially for those in hospitality, sport and the performing arts.  It has been a long hard struggle for these areas of business.  Pray that people who have lost their jobs will find suitable jobs very soon. Particularly pray that people will not lose hope. 

• Of course, we cannot forget the spiritual climate of our nation and indeed our world. This is so important.  Let’s pray for a tidal wave of God’s Spirit to bring revival and a deep awareness of who our God is.   Do continue to pray that many will come to know the Lord in these days and that they will find immense peace and joy.  Pray for a deeper move of God’s Spirit across our land in these days!  

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 

 We have been told in the Bible 365 times ‘Do Not fear’ – one instruction for each day of the year!  As well as this Jesus, himself, told us not to worry.  Fear is a killer – it kills our faith and our hope.  The definition of the word worry means to choke or to strangle – and that is exactly what worry does – it strangles us and chokes the life out of us.  Both fear and worry are designed to kill us.  Jesus came into this world to bring life and bring life in all its fullness.  So, let’s decide here and now to live.  Let’s not worry, let’s not fret, let’s not fear but instead let’s live despite any giant we face.  Let’s trust in our huge BIG God no matter what we face in life.  He is able, he is faithful and he can do it. 

With loads of love and encouragement to you all – NANCY GOUDIE

For those who are reading these prayer points for the first time:  do read below:

Setting the scene

On 20^th 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:

1. 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.
2. Maybe pray for one of the above pointers every hour – or take one for each day of the week.
3. 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
4. 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.
5. 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_re

For those who are reading these prayer points for the first time – do read the information at the bottom of this report which includes how this started and tips and pointers to help you during this COVID time. 

Early on Sunday morning as I was reading my Bible, I read a verse in Galatians 6: 9 that seemed to jump out of the page at me and knew immediately that I needed to share it with you.  It says:  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up!  Verse 10 goes on to say:  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

I want to encourage you not to give up in doing good – not to give up praying, not to give up believing for the best, not to give up in our faith, not to give up in speaking good things over people, not to give up in doing good.  On social media, I am always astonished at how many people, (Christians as well as those who are not Christians), who don’t do good to others, instead who bring them down with negative and damaging words.  Even if we don’t agree with what we think others are doing/saying, we would be better to say nothing than add hurts and insults to a fellow human being.  The Lord instructs us to do good to others, so bless them and bring them before God in your prayers.  Let’s not cast a judgemental ‘stone’, but instead remember we are all sinners saved by grace.  Remember Jesus said in John 8:7, “If any one of you is without sin, let him cast the first stone.”  Even in our prayers, let’s remember not to judge, but to ask the Lord for grace and mercy for ourselves and for others.  So today as we pray, let’s not judge our national leaders, the Royal Family, our spiritual leaders, our friends and indeed our families, instead, let’s pray with a clean and pure heart knowing that God loves and cares for us all.  Let’s not get tired of doing what is right, let’s not get tired of praying for change, let’s not get tired of praying for revival, for the wave of His Spirit, because at the right time we will reap a harvest, IF we do not give up!  Be encouraged my friends and let’s pray. 

PRAYER POINTS FOR FRIDAY 5^th March 2021          

• It’s been amazing to watch all the statistics come right down. Cases are lower now than they were in October last year.  Cases, hospital admissions and deaths are all falling steeply.  We have much to thank God for.  Some places in London have now got zero new cases.  The vaccine programme is working well and we now have well over 21 million people vaccinated against this disease.  More and more people are being vaccinated every day. Let’s praise God for all he has been doing and for the encouragement and hope we have that helps us see the end of this lockdown.  Let’s rejoice that there are good signs that we are on the road to recovery.  Pray for those with the virus right now that they will recover swiftly.  Pray too for those who have lost a loved one to this virus – pray the comfort of the Holy Spirit upon them all.

• Let’s continue to pray for our government, all our MP’s and the Prime Minister. Pray for all world leaders.  Pray for our Royal Family – especially Prince Philip who is still ill in hospital.  Pray for healing for him.  Also pray for wisdom for leaders everywhere.  Let’s thank God for the budget yesterday – the government had a tough time to decide what to do for the future of our country – so let’s pray that this budget works and helps all of us.  Praise God for the help that the businesses are getting and let’s pray that our economy bounces back quickly.  Most of all pray for unity between the political parties and for the media too to report honestly and accurately.

• Let’s thank God our NHS staff – from cleaners to surgeons they have been brilliant throughout this last year. Praise God that admissions to hospitals are coming down each day and especially that those being admitted to ICU is coming down too.  Pray for those still in hospital that they would recover and be able to go home soon.  Pray that the staff will have time soon to rest and recover from this traumatic year.  Pray for their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.  Pray for those who work in hospitals who are Christians that they will be able to share their faith with their colleagues.  Praise God too for those who work in Care Homes – there are so many amazing caring people in this industry.  Do pray for them and do pray for their mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health.  Pray too that they will receive the rest that they need.  Pray for those in care homes to know the kindness and the love of God in their lives.   

• Many have struggled with lockdown and the fear of this virus.   Many in our nation (Christians as well as those who are not yet Christians) are struggling with their mental health and so we need to continue to pray for people to find peace and joy.  Life in all its fullness only comes through knowing and loving Jesus.  Do pray that people will find Jesus – the man of truth and the man of peace.  If ever we need truth it is now.  It’s the truth of the word of God that will set people free.  Jesus brings life where there is death, he brings joy where there is fear and gives peace instead of turmoil.  Let’s spread his hope, love and peace around by allowing the God of all hope to have full freedom in our lives.  

• Praise God that the schools in England go back on 8^th Pray for each child as they return to a little bit of normality.  Pray that the transition would be a good one for all.  Pray for those who have already gone back to school in Wales and Scotland.  Pray that each child and each teacher will be kept safe from all harm.  Pray for a quick return to good mental and emotional health for each pupil.  Pray that each pupil will quickly learn the things they found hard to learn in lockdown.  Pray that all will enjoy going back to school, college or university. 

• Let’s continue to pray for businesses, for those in hospitality and the performing arts too. Pray for a solution for all.  Many have been on a long, hard journey with very little hope of surviving in their industry.  Pray for hope for each one.  Pray for wisdom for each CEO, director, producer, management as well as workers and performers.  Pray that they will get sufficient help to be able to continue through the last bit of lockdown.  Pray too that all will be able to open up in June (or before) as the government have suggested might be possible.  Continue to pray for those who have lost their jobs in this last year; let’s pray that many jobs will suddenly become available as lockdown begins to be released.  Particularly pray that people will not lose their hope. 

• Let’s continue to pray for the spiritual health of our nation and of our world. Let’s continue to pray for many to come to know our God.  Pray for churches as they look to open their buildings – pray that they will see many attending their services.  Pray for church leaders; pray for wisdom to know how to change to accommodate those who are seeking.  Some churches are finding more people attending their online services and others are finding the numbers declining.  Pray for a deeper move of God’s Spirit across 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 

Here in the UK and beyond, we seem to love to pull others down.  We sometimes think they have risen beyond their station in life and so we need to make sure they know their place by sharing some negative words about them which would suggest that if you knew them the way I know them, you would know they are not what they seem!  But as Billy Graham said, It’s the Holy Spirit’s job to convict, God’s job to judge and not ours.  It’s our job to love and this is what we must do.  Jesus said the two greatest commandments are these:  We should love the Lord God with all our heart, soul and mind and our neighbour (everyone around us) as ourselves.  So, let’s love God with everything we have, because when we do, we begin to love and value ourselves more.  Then let’s love others with the same love and value you have come to know about yourself.  You are beautiful, glorious, incredible, wonderful, you are special, you are valued, loved, adored and favoured.  No matter what our past is like, it’s gone under the blood of Jesus.  Let’s not remind ourselves or those around us of our past – God doesn’t remember it, so neither should we.  If we have given our lives to God, then we are a new creation, we have the living God living inside of us.  As Paul says in Galatians 2:20, we no longer live, but Christ lives in us.  We are forgiven, we are clean and pure – so let’s not judge ourselves or others, instead let’s continue to speak words of affirmation to all including yourself.  When we speak kind words to each other, it makes a massive difference in those around us.  Try it and see – so next time you find your mouth speaking negatives, stop and apologise and start to speak goodness, kindness and share love, joy and peace to all around (See Galatians 5:23).  As Paul says in Galatians 5:25-26 – Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other!  Instead, let’s build each other up and show by our actions and our words who our Lord Jesus really is.  With loads of love and encouragement to you all – 

NANCY GOUDIE

For those who are reading these prayer points for the first time, do read below:

Setting the scene

On 20^th March 2020 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:

1. 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.
2. Maybe pray for one of the above pointers every hour – or take one for each day of the week.
3. 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

4. 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.
5. 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

For those who are reading these prayer points for the first time – do read the information at the bottom of this report which includes how this started and tips and pointers to help you during this COVID time. 

I was reminded this week two or three times about the return of Jesus to this earth.  With all that is happening in our world, it’s easy to just have a ‘let’s get through this’ attitude rather than remembering that one day and perhaps soon, Jesus is coming back to this earth.  Will he find us faithful to him?  One of those reminders came from my brother, Jack McVicar, co-pastor of the Freedomcentre, Preston when he preached on Sunday online.  He said that before we say, “Oh I’ve heard that before, but it could be a long way off before Jesus returns” we should remember what the Bible says that in the last days there will be scoffers who will say, “Where is this coming?  Ever since our father’s died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” (2 Peter 3:4). 

Let’s not be a scoffer but instead let’s remember that Jesus did say he would return and that he never fails to deliver his promises.  One day and it could be very soon he will return to this earth and he encouraged us to look eagerly towards that day.  Another of my reminders came from a worship song I listened to called Prepare the Way (Eleventh Hour Worship).  The lyrics say this:

He’s calling His bride

To open her eyes

To see her condition

And be purified

He’s stirring His church

He’s searching the earth

For those who are ready

For His return

He’s calling His bride

To open her eyes

To come with intention

And be sanctified

He’s stirring His church

He’s searching the earth

Hear the voice in the wilderness

That calls for repentance

We make straight the highway

A path for the Lord

He’s tearing down our kingdoms

They’re crumbling to the ground

He’s burning up our idols

The king is coming

For a broken generation

The saints are crying out

They’re hungry for revival

The king is coming

He’s pouring out His Spirit

There’s fire in His eyes

He’s waking up His people

The king is coming

All the earth is groaning

He’s sending every sign

He’s coming for His children

The King is coming

Makayla McKibben, Shane Selby, Sean Hill

He is stirring his church; He is searching the earth.  He is looking for those who are ready for his return. Are you expecting Jesus?  Are you ready for his return?  He is tearing down our kingdoms!  They are crumbling to the ground.  He is burning up our idols (Many things around us right now are crumbling to the ground; many idols are falling!). The King is coming!  Are you crying out for him?  Are you hungry for revival? Are you ready for his return?  The King is coming!

May our hearts cry out for revival much more than we cry out for our economy and all the things around us to be back on track.  May we long more for his return than we do for a return to a meal out in a restaurant.  We naturally long for normality, but deep inside do we long for him, the King of Kings, to return and restore all things.  Let’s fall in love with him and let our hearts together with all nature groan and long for the return of our wonderful Lord.  When we see him – nothing else will compare!

PRAYER POINTS FOR FRIDAY 26^th February 2021  

• Praise God for the encouragement we all received recently – the end of the restrictions is in sight. Praise God that the statistics tells us that the death rate, the hospital admissions and the new cases are all continuing to come down.  Praise God too for the results from the vaccinations which tell us that over 19 million have now been vaccinated and that is helping to restrict the virus.  Let’s rejoice that there are good signs that we are on the road to recovery.  Pray for those with the virus right now that they will recover swiftly.  Pray too for those who have lost a loved one to this virus – pray the comfort of the Holy Spirit upon them all.

• Let’s continue to pray for our government, all our MP’s and the Prime Minister. Pray for wisdom and strength for them all.  Pray that the exit strategy works for our nation – for our economy as well as our people.  Pray for those giving the government wisdom that they would have godly wisdom in all their decisions.  Pray for leaders all across the world.  Pray that they would show kindness and generosity.  Pray for them to come to know the Lord.  Pray for our Royal Family – especially Prince Philip at this time.  Pray too for Harry and Megan as they look forward to having another child.

• Praise God that the admissions to hospitals are coming down each day. Pray for those still in hospital that they would recover and be able to go home soon.  Praise God for our NHS staff for their kindness and their caring attitude.  Praise God for the skills they all show.  Pray that as the numbers in hospital continue to come down, the staff will be able to begin to recover their own strength.  Pray for both their physical and mental health.  Continue to pray for those who work in Care Homes – so many older lives depend on these wonderful care workers.  Pray that each carer will continue to exude kindness.  Praise God that those who live in care homes will be able to see one relative soon – this will be of great benefit to all.

• Do continue to pray for the nation’s physical and mental health. Many continue to suffer from anxiety, fear, worry and stress especially during Covid.  Pray for good mental and emotional health for all.  Let’s pray these things for ourselves, our families, our friends who we know are suffering from poor mental and emotional health.  Impart joy and peace to all.  Pray that many will discover Jesus in the midst of their uncertainty and fear. Let’s continue to show by our lifestyle that there is peace in Jesus and that our God does have the answers to all we face in 2021 and beyond. 

• Pray for pupils as they prepare to go back to school on 8^th Pray that the transition would be a good one for all.  Pray for those who have already gone back to school in Wales and for those in Scotland who started to go back this week.  Pray that each child and each teacher will be kept safe from all harm.  Pray for a quick return to good solid mental and emotional health for each pupil.  Pray that each pupil will quickly learn the things they found hard to learn in lockdown.  Pray that their education will not suffer because of lockdown situations.  Also pray for those in colleges and universities. 

• It’s been a long, hard journey for businesses in our nation. Many are still not able to open and have a long way to go before that will be possible.  Do pray that the government will give them sufficient help so that they can continue to hold on until the time when they can open up again.  Pray too for those who have lost their jobs, pray that many jobs will suddenly become available.  Pray that people will not lose their hope. 

• The spiritual health of our country is so important, so let’s continue to pray that those who don’t know the Lord will find him. Many have found him through dreams, visions but also through others gossiping the gospel during this dark time.  The Lord is always looking to find those whose hearts are turned towards him – so let’s pray for that and let’s see many come to know him during this time.  Let’s continue to believe the Lord for an overwhelming surge of God’s Spirit 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 

Jesus himself tells us in Matthew 24:42 to “Keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”  We must keep watch, be alert and be ready.  Let’s be like Elisha who when he knew his mentor, his father in the Lord, his leader, Elijah, was going to be taken away from him that day – he made sure that he was ready and that he was keeping watch.  He knew he couldn’t let Elijah out of his sight, because he knew if he did, he would not get what he wanted – a double portion.  Elisha was ready, he was prepared, he was alert and he received what he wanted.  Do notice in this story which is told in 2 Kings 2 – the company of the prophets who knew that Elijah was going to be taken that day were keeping watch, but were keeping watch from a distance. They were not involved like Elisha, instead they were standing at a distance looking to see what would happen but were not ready for what God was going to do.  They did not get a double portion like Elisha.  I want to be like Elisha, ready, alert, eager to receive all that God has for me.  If God is going to release revival in these last days, then I want to be right in there receiving and being involved in all God wants to do.  When Jesus comes back, I want to be ready and waiting, but I also want to be totally involved in all that God is doing and not just standing at a distance seeing it all happening.  How about you?  C’mon – let’s keep in step with the Spirit in these last days – Jesus himself said that the workers were few – but that we should pray for more workers, so let’s not watch from a distance, but instead let’s get our hands dirty and get involved.  God is on the move, are you ready, alert and moving with him?  With loads of love and encouragement to you all – 

NANCY GOUDIE

For those who are reading these prayer points for the first time, do read below:

Setting the scene

On 20^th March 2020 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:

1. 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.
2. Maybe pray for one of the above pointers every hour – or take one for each day of the week.
3. 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

4. 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.
5. 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

For those who are reading these prayer points for the first time – do read the information at the bottom of this report which includes how this started and tips and pointers to help you during this COVID time. 

I was asking the Lord what to write this week as I usually do and he reminded me of a time in my life when many things I held dear were stripped away.  One day long before my husband and I came into full time ministry, Ray told me he was giving up his faith and was no longer going to live life as a Christian.  I was unaware of the shame that he held in his heart that made him come to that decision.  I was devastated.  I cried out to God to change the circumstances because I realised Ray’s decision could lead us away from each other.  The Lord asked me, “Nancy who do you love the most – Ray or me?”  I didn’t know the answer.  I had always said I loved the Lord more than Ray, but deep in my heart I really didn’t know if that was true.  I loved my husband so much.  I struggled with the answer – was I going to follow God or follow Ray, but then I made up my mind, I was going to trust God and go his way and suddenly I knew that I really did love the Lord more. 

At that point it seemed like many things were being stripped away from my life and I cried out to the only one who could help me.  As I prayed, I felt as though Ray’s life was in the balance and I cried out to God to do something.  Eventually God answered me (the whole story is in my book Spiritual Health Encounters) and he told me that he had heard my cries and seen my tears and if I could see what he would do with Ray, I wouldn’t believe it.  He said I didn’t need to pray anymore instead he wanted me to praise him every day for all he was going to do.  Immediately I stopped crying and danced for joy around our lounge.  God has spoken and I could trust him to do it.  I had to hold on to God for a year before I saw the answer to my prayers and God was right, I couldn’t believe what God had done with my husband.  It was as though he had given me a brand-new husband whose love and passion for God was the same as mine.  We both loved God more than we loved each other and yet we loved each other with such a joy and passion.  Today it feels as though God is stripping away things we hold dear in our lives through this pandemic.  We can no longer go out to shop, or to eat at a restaurant, to go to the theatre, attend a football match, meet with friends or family, or even go to church, or meet with others to worship.  We are not sure if we will be able to have a holiday abroad or in this country this year.  Everything is unsure.  But when everything is stripped away what do we have left?  There was only one sure thing in my life at that time, and that was my relationship with my Lord. 

Today too the only thing we can be assured of is our unchanging God who never leaves us or forsakes us.  It feels as though through this stripping away time that we need to reassess who we love the most – is it shopping, is it eating out, is it our holidays, is it our church, is it family and friends or is it God?  None of these things are necessarily bad, but at the end of the day who do we love the most?  As I held on to God, he made things better than they ever were before.  Similarly, if we hold on to God through this pandemic, he can bring good out of every bad situation we face.  Let’s remember this truth as we pray today! 

PRAYER POINTS FOR FRIDAY 19^th February 2021  

• Praise God that the statistics tell us that deaths, hospital admissions and new cases are all coming down and seem to be coming down quite significantly. Keep praying for this to reduce to a very low level.  It will be helping that over 16 million people have been vaccinated. The R rate is below 1 (0.7 – 0.9) which is wonderful.  Let’s continue to pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven.  This virus is not what the Lord wants for our planet, so let’s cry out to him for victory.  Also let’s rejoice that there are good signs that we are on the road to recovery.  Pray for those with the virus right now that they will recover swiftly.  Pray too for those who have lost a loved one to this virus – pray the comfort of the Holy Spirit upon them all.

• We lift up our government and our Prime Minister to the Lord. We pray for MP’s of all parties and ask for wisdom and strength for each of them.  We pray for a different way of working – one of unity in fighting this virus.  Pray for those who make decisions about the way ahead – particularly pray for them right now as they mark out the plan for the road out of lockdown.  Pray they and their advisors will know Heaven’s wisdom for the way ahead.  Let’s pray for leaders across the world.  The Bible instructs us to pray for our leaders – if ever they need our prayers it is now.  Let’s bless world leaders and pray for them to come to love and know the Lord.  Pray for our Royal Family too and for the role they play in our nation.  Pray particularly for Prince Philip who is in hospital at this time.

• Let’s pray for good mental health for all of us. So many are struggling with fear, worry, anxious thoughts and confusion.  Let’s pray for ourselves, our families, our friends who we know are suffering from poor mental and emotional health.  Pray for joy, peace and life to the full – all these are found in Jesus.  Pray that many will realise where their anxious thoughts are coming from and turn their hearts and minds towards the Lord.  Pray that Christians will have the courage to talk about their faith in the Lord to others around them.  There are many people looking for answers – lets show them by our lifestyle and by our words that God really does have the answers to the problems we all face.  The truth is that God is our sure and present help in times of trouble. 

• Praise God for our health system in the UK – the NHS. Pray for everyone who works in Health care across the world.  We have so many wonderful and caring people who work as nurses, doctors, surgeons etc.  Do pray for all who work in hospitals at this time – do include those who clean and steward the buildings too.  All who work in the hospitals across our world are so important. Everyone plays a part of helping no matter what they do.  Please do pray for those who work in Care Homes – so many older lives depend on these care workers.  Pray for each one that they will exude kindness to all.  Pray for those who live in care homes too that they will have courage and hope in their lives.  Pray that they will see their families again soon. 

• The schools in England should be going back soon, the schools in Wales have already gone back and the schools in Scotland are about to go back – so do pray for young people everywhere as they begin to get back into school in March. Pray that this will be an easy adjustment for them all.  Pray that they will be kept safe and that we wouldn’t see the virus spread through them being back at school.  Let’s continue to pray for their mental and emotional health.  Pray for their education – many have found learning through lockdown so difficult.   Do pray that they will catch up and that they will be encouraged that the way forward seems to be on the horizon.  Pray for parents – many are struggling with home schooling.  Pray especially for those who are juggling full time jobs with home schooling.   This can cause huge tensions in the home at this time.  Pray for peace and joy within the four walls of each home.  Pray too for those who are studying and on courses from universities and colleges that their education too would not suffer.

• Let’s continue to pray for businesses all over the country. I was speaking on Zoom to a business owner recently who told me that during this lockdown, he received a gift through the post of £250.  He has no idea who it came from – but it spoke hugely to him that God was looking after him.  Pray that all business owners will begin to understand that all supernatural help could be theirs if they trust and have faith for their business. There are so many who are struggling.  Let’s remember to hold them in our prayers, but also to extend kindness to those we know who are struggling at this time.  Pray for those who have lost their jobs – the unemployment rate is going up hugely.  Do pray that those without a job will find a good job soon.  Pray too that the government will have wisdom how to restore our economy and that it will quickly grow back. 

• Let’s continue to pray for the spiritual health of our country. We have prayed for physical health but let’s not forget our spiritual state.  Let’s pray that in these difficult and trying times, people will sense and know God in their midst.  Pray for supernatural dreams and visions.  Pray that many will have a deep awareness of someone greater helping them at this time.  Pray that many will turn to God and we will see an awakening across our world.  Pray for Christians everywhere that they will have courage and wisdom as to how to share their faith.  Pray that Christians will exude peace, joy and life – three gifts that God has given us all – (See John 14:27; John 15:11; John 10:10) and that others would notice the difference in our lives. 

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 

As I go out for my daily walk there are many signs that Spring is coming.  Daffodils are pushing their way through the earth along our street – it’s a sure sign that Spring is on is way.  There are signs too in the news that lockdown rules are going to be relaxed soon.  But our faith is not in the signs we see, our faith is in our loving, unchanging, miraculous God who holds us in his hand and promises to never leave us or forsake us.  This is the God who asks us the same question he asked Peter in John 21:15, “Do you love me more than these?”  Let’s answer him truthfully today.  My answer is “Yes Lord – more than shopping, eating out, going to the theatre, more than my holiday, more than attending church meetings, more than meeting with my friends and family – although I love all of these Lord, I love you more!”  Listen and you will hear his reply as he says to you, “I have loved you from before you were born and I will love you lavishly for eternity!  Trust in me!”  Sending loads of love and encouragement to you all – 

NANCY GOUDIE

For those who are reading these prayer points for the first time, do read below:

Setting the scene

On 20^th March 2020 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:

1. 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.
2. Maybe pray for one of the above pointers every hour – or take one for each day of the week.
3. 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

4. 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.
5. 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

For those who are reading these prayer points for the first time – do read the information at the bottom of this report which includes how this started and tips and pointers to help you during this COVID time. 

One day as I was lingering with the Lord, he showed me that there were times when his disciples showed fear and how that fear stopped them from seeing the truth of the situation in front of them.  Let me give you a few examples that I explored with the Lord.  When Peter began to walk on the water towards Jesus, fear of the wind and the waves caused him to take his eyes off Jesus and he began to sink.  Fear and dismay at Jesus’ decision to go back to Bethany after Lazarus had died, caused Thomas to exclaim, “Let us also go, that we may die with him!”  You can hear the fear and disgust at such a seemingly wrong decision from Jesus (John 11:16).  Fear caused all the disciples to run away and desert Jesus when he was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:56b).  Fear caused Peter to deny the Lord three times despite assuring the Lord previously that he would never deny him and would die with him if necessary (Matthew 26:35).  When Jesus died the disciples locked themselves in a room because they were in fear of the authorities (John 20:19).  As I said earlier, fear can stop us from seeing the truth of the situation in front of us.  Fear can stop us seeing the situation as it really is.  Peter was in the middle of a miracle as he walked on the water, but when he stopped seeing Jesus, he lost the ability to see that Jesus had made the water rock solid beneath his feet.  Thomas could not see that Jesus was going to Bethany to raise Lazarus from the dead, instead all he could see because of fear was that he, the disciples and Jesus would die if they went back to Bethany.  The disciples had been told by Jesus many times that he would be arrested, but in the heat of the moment when fear knocked on their hearts, they forgot what Jesus had said and ran away!  The disciples had been told many times that Jesus had to die and that he would be raised to life on the third day (Matthew 17:22-23) but fear kept them in a locked room because they could not see what had really happened at the cross.  In all these situations and many more the disciples succumbed to fear and could not see the truth of what was really happening.  Let’s learn what we can from the above situations – let’s remember to keep our eyes on Jesus – to rebuke fear in us – especially during this Covid-19 pandemic.  Do not partner with a spirit of fear.  Fear if not dealt with can make things much worse!  Let’s listen to the voice of Jesus as he tells you that he loves you and he has died so that you can be free!  Let’s start to believe him today and see fear disappear in his name!  Fear is never something that we should partner with, instead let’s decide to trust God, receive the peace of Christ and allow the love of the Father to permeate every part of our lives.  Let’s pray today from a place of peace!

PRAYER POINTS FOR FRIDAY 12^th February 2021  

• The statistics tell us that the deaths are coming down, the people getting Covid has reduced substantially and even the hospital admissions are going down too. We still have a long way to go, but this is good news!  Do pray that the stats will continue to reduce considerably and that the hospital admissions will come down substantially too.  We now have over 13 million people vaccinated and this can only be good news in controlling the virus.  Let’s continue to pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven and let’s rejoice that there are good signs that we are on the road to recovery.  Ask God to help you and everyone around you to have confidence in him for the way ahead.

• Do pray for people’s mental health – there are so many suffering from fear, anxiety and confusion. Pray that people will turn to God in their weakness and that they will find real joy and peace as they trust in the God of hope.  Many are discovering that they need someone to help them in these troubled days.  Let’s be there to point people to our God.  Pray against fear, pray against anxiety, but more than that, let’s show people by the peace and joy that lives in us that our God is a present help in times of trouble. 

• Let’s continue to pray for our government. There is a long road ahead for our Prime Minister and our MP’s.  They need immense wisdom and strength to face the future.  Pray for them as they work on the road out of lockdown.  Pray they will know Heaven’s wisdom for the way ahead.  Pray for the advisors that they will give godly wisdom.  The Bible tells us to pray for our leaders so let’s make sure we do that and not use our energy to criticise.  Let’s bless them rather than speak negativity about them. Pray too for our Royal Family and also for national leaders of all countries. 

• Let’s pray for our NHS. We have a wonderful health system in this nation and we need to be grateful for free and good quality health care.  Pray that the admissions to hospitals continue to fall.  Pray for health and strength of everyone who works in the NHS – from surgeons to cleaners.  Everyone plays a part of helping the system to work.  Pray too for those who work in Care Homes – pray for their health, strength and mental abilities – pray that they will continue to show kindness.  Pray for those who live in care homes that they will have courage and faith to believe that they will see their families soon.

• Pray for young people everywhere – pray that they can go back to school soon. Pray for their mental health in particular.  There are so many despairing young people around – pray that they will experience kindness, joy and peace at home.  Pray for their education – pray that they will not suffer academically because of lockdown.  Pray for parents who are struggling with home schooling – many are finding this very difficult and it can cause huge tensions in the family. 

• So many businesses are going under because of lockdown. The hospitality and the performing arts industries are suffering hugely.  Pray for hotels, restaurants and pubs; pray for the music industry, the theatre world and all those who perform on stage or work as a sound or lighting tachnician.  Pray too for football clubs who cannot have a crowd in their stands.  Pray for all businesses at this time that they would survive this difficult time.  Pray for those who have lost their jobs – pray that they will find a good job soon.  Pray that the government will have wisdom how to restore our economy to even better than it was before.   

• Let’s continue to pray for revival in our land. Continue to pray for a great awakening in our nation.  Pray that people will turn to the Lord in their time of need and that Christians will be there to point them in the right direction.  We have such good news to tell everyone – so let’s find ways of being able to communicate that.  Many are saying that we are on the edge of the biggest move of God that we have ever seen – do pray that this is right.  Let’s all respond to God’s cry that says – Whom shall I send?  I know my answer and I pray yours too will be the same “Lord, send me!”

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 

In the Bible we are told not to fear 365 times.  if the Lord tells us 365 times (one instruction per day) not to fear then we must take notice.  It was not a suggestion, but it’s a command – so it is so important that we take notice and do something about our fear.  When we succumb to fear or worry, we lose our peace.  It’s easy in the darkness to feel fear, but it’s in those times that we need to remember God is with us.  Corrie Ten Boom said this: “When a train goes through a tunnel and your world gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off.  You sit still and trust the engineer!”  So, in these dark and sometimes terrifying times, let’s do what the Bible tells us to do and reject fear and instead be still and trust our kind, caring and incredible God.  Trusting God is the way to live without fear.  So, let’s do it – let’s trust God! Sending loads of love and encouragement to you all

NANCY GOUDIE

For those who are reading these prayer points for the first time, do read below:

Setting the scene

On 20^th 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:

1. 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.
2. Maybe pray for one of the above pointers every hour – or take one for each day of the week.
3. 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

4. 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.
5. 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