Have you noticed how the scriptures can change our mood, encourage our spirit and brighten our day? I woke up one morning some time ago feeling tired, worn out, feeling as though I had the weight of the world on my shoulders, but then as I always do, I spent time in the word of God. My reading (I use my Bible Planner to read the whole Bible each year) that morning was the Psalms 115 – 118! Wow! What encouragement I received. Here are a few of the verses God used to speak to me:
The Lord remembers us and will bless us (Ps 115:12).
May the Lord make you increase, both you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth (Ps 115:14-15).
I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live (Ps 116:1-2).
Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you (Ps 116:7).
For you O Lord have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living (Ps 116:8-9).
How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me (Ps 115:12)?
The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid, what can man do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies (Ps 118:6-7).
I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation (Ps 118: 13-14).
By the time I was finished, my heart was revived, my soul was no longer down, I was encouraged and blessed. The word of God has a way of doing what other things cannot do. It changes us from the inside out.
Are you feeling tired, worn out, feeling like everything is getting on top of you? Is this Covid virus weighing you down? Have you got problems that feel much too heavy for you to carry? Then, can I suggest you read a Psalm or two – read the word of God until you begin to feel better. Keep reading the scriptures until you meet with God and discover his unchanging love for us all. You may even have brought the pressure on yourself, yet God forgives us and changes us from the inside out. As the psalm says – The Lord is with me, I will not be afraid! Trust in him and believe what he says.
PRAYER POINTS FOR FRIDAY 24th September 2021
- The government have continued to tell us that the virus has not gone away – and from all the statistics issued we can see this to be true. However, we have loads to thank God for because his amazing grace and his faithfulness to us means that although we may be feeling hard pressed on every side, we are not crushed or in despair (2 Corinthians 4:8) because we know he continues to show us a way through this virus. Praise God that the death rates in the UK and the hospital rates in the UK are not huge and pray that they will decline in the coming weeks. We have seen the trend differ from what the scientists predicted before – so let’s continue to pray for this.
- Let’s continue to hold the NHS and the health care practitioners around the world up before God. Pray for good health and strength for them all and for wisdom and kindness to pour from all they do.
- Fear is one of the biggest threats to us all. Let’s pray against the fear in ourselves and in others. If we allow fear to go unhindered then we could see many more die from this virus. Pray against fear and pray for a genuine Biblical hope (an expectation that something good is about to happen) to begin to grow in us all.
- Let’s continue to pray for those who have relatives abroad that they have not seen for some time. I personally can identify with this. I have a son and daughter in law in the States and haven’t seen them for over two years now. Pray for international travel to open up when it is safe to do so. Praise God that many have been able to travel within Europe to see relatives or to have a holiday.
- Pray that we will be generous and kind to others. Pray that we will make sure our neighbours, friends and family have enough to live on. Ask the Lord to open our eyes and ears to the cries of those who are living on the breadline.
- Pray for those who struggle with mental health. So many smiling faces around us mask the hidden grief and pain underneath. Again, pray that we would all follow God’s nudges to contact a friend or speak to a neighbour who needs help at a time of crisis in their lives.
- Let us never forget that this is a rare time we are living in. It’s a time when we, as the church, can see God move in extraordinary ways. Let’s be people who hear, obey and trust God and see many come to know and love 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
I feel it is important to keep praying and therefore the next National Day of Prayer for Covid will be on October 22nd. As I said last month although these prayer points are only issued monthly, let’s keep praying daily as this virus hasn’t gone away. Many are still getting Covid and some are sadly dying. Our prayers are making a difference to our nation so let’s be encouraged and keep praying! Let’s continue to pray for a move of God that changes not only our nation but also our world. Also do remember that although I am not doing the prayer points each week, there is a new blog every so often on my website: www.nancygoudie.com/blog
Keep going and do not give up. God is with you all the way! As Psalm 116:1-2 says, I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
With love, your friend – NANCY
For those who are reading these prayer points for the first time: do read below:
Setting the scene
On 20th March I called for a National Day of Prayer, not only for the UK, but also for others who live further afield. A few days after it was over two friends contacted me and asked if I would do a National Prayer Day every Friday, and asked if I would continue to give some pointers each week for prayer. After prayer, I took up the challenge of doing just that. Thank you for joining us. To read previous prayer points and encouragements – go to www.nancygoudie.com/blog/
Helpful instructions/suggestions:
- Set your phone, your watch, your alarm clock or whatever to remind you to pray throughout the day. I would suggest praying every hour for a few minutes or for as long as you wish, but make a time that is suitable for yourself.
- Maybe pray for one of the above pointers every hour – or take one for each day of the week.
- Every time you wash your hands, which should be often – then pray a ‘Heal Our
Nation’ prayer – sing or speak the lyrics of ‘Heal our Nation’ and ask God to pour out his Spirit on this land. ‘Heal our Nation, Heal our Nation, Heal our Nation, pour out your Spirit on this land.’ Sing or speak that twice. And finish with the first line from the verse ‘Lord we long for you to move in power’ – and ask God to move in the UK but also move in our world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoZwje7Ogkg
- Keep reading Psalm 91, Psalm 121 and Psalm 46 to encourage yourself and your family with the truth of the word of God. Perhaps try meditating on Psalm 62:5-6 – Find rest, O my Soul in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress; I will not be shaken.
- Use the UK Blessing – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUtll3mNj5U Play it in your home – make this as a wonderful blessing on you and your family, your children and their children. When you go a walk pray it over your neighbourhood. The song was written in Elevation church, USA. You can watch here and discover how the song came together in the presence of the Lord – no wonder this song is being used at this time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp6aygmvzM4&feature=emb_rel_end