Friday 18th June 2021
This week I want to remind you of a verse in the Bible that says: No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has planned for those who love him. Do you know that the Lord thinks of you constantly – he absolutely loves you and has plans for your life. Whether you are a Christian or not he loves you. Whether you love and obey the Lord or not, he has plans for you. We can all miss out on what God has planned for our lives by refusing to believe that what he has planned for us is possible and is good. Our God is good all the time whether we are in a pandemic or whether we are not. Life can be very hard at times but God’s plans are good. So why do we suffer, why doesn’t God magically take away our suffering and pain?
Well, the answer rests within the truth that this world as it is now is not the way God created it. God did not create evil, this was something that we, through Adam and Eve initially, allowed into the world by wrong choices. God did not make us as robots, instead he gave us free choice – and every day we make choices that are good and some that are not so good. I remember Bob Geldof asking our government and other governments of the world to do something to help the devastation that was happening in Africa. I remember hearing him tell them, “Don’t blame God for what is happening in Africa, this is happening because of man’s greed. There is enough food for everyone in our world and we in Europe are hoarding it rather than sharing it with those who are dying from starvation.” He reminded them that Africa is only 8 miles away from Europe and that we surely cannot, because of greed, withhold food from our neighbours who were dying such painful deaths. Let’s not blame God for what is happening in our world at this time, instead let’s thank him that he walks through our problems and difficulties with us and that his heart cries for the sorrow and pain he sees in our world. Let’s make good choices in our lives and allow what God has planned for us to happen. Do remember too that his plans are so much better than we could ever ask, think or imagine. Let’s pray knowing he loves us all immensely and that he is always close to the broken-hearted.
The next National Day of Prayer re: Covid-19 will be on July 14th 2021. If you want to be sure of seeing and receiving these Prayer Points – then do send me your email address and I will make sure you are put on our mailing list – you will never miss it then! Send email to nancy@nancygoudie.com or zoewickham@ngm.org.uk
PRAYER POINTS FOR FRIDAY 18th June 2021
- The government has told us that everything will now open up in 19th July instead of 21st June because of the increase in the Delta variant cases. Do please pray for wisdom and discernment for our government. There are many voices saying that to extend the final release of the lockdown is a good thing whilst others are saying that it should be unlocked now. Let’s pray for our Prime Minister and for the government at this time.
- Let’s continue to thank God for how well our vaccination programme is working. Praise God we have so many of the adult population fully vaccinated. The death rate is still very low and so are hospitalisations, but we can see that the cases are still rising. Do continue to pray for the NHS staff and care home staff and those who work in people’s own homes too that these precious people who put their lives on the line for many every day will be protected and strengthened.
- Pray for our young people as it seems to be mainly the young ( school age and up to 30 years old) who are getting the virus and inflating the cases. Praise God that most of them do not have serious illness with this virus, but pray that if the vaccine is suggested for the children of our nation, that it will be completely safe for them.
- Please continue to pray for those with mental health issues. Pray that many will not only find God to be their peace but would also find it easy to trust in God through this pandemic. Remember to look out for those around you who need a kind word or a listening ear.
- Let’s pray for our media to be filled with kindness instead of twisting the truth and causing pain in others. Unkind and many times untrue words can cause huge pain in people’s hearts, so let’s pray for people with integrity to work for the newspapers and media outlets. Pray that greed would not cause the truth to be twisted just because it seems to sell the newspapers.
- Pray for our economy – and in particular for those who have suffered financial loss during the pandemic. Again, pray against greed, and pray that every business would charge good and fair prices rather than putting on huge charges at this time. Pray that our economy would bounce back quickly and that many will find that their business is blessed. Continue to pray for those who can’t open their business as yet and also for those who don’t have jobs. Let’s pray they would find good jobs soon.
- We know that ultimately everyone in our nation needs to hear the good news of Jesus. Our God brings peace, joy and life – these are the things people are looking for particularly at this time. Let’s pray that they will find the truth as they search for answers. Let’s be great signposts to Jesus to our friends, neighbours and family.
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
Remember that we may be the only expression of Jesus that people will see. So, let’s be a great shining example of our glorious and beautiful God. He loves everyone – no matter who they are or what they have done. Let’s not be the judge and jury of everyone around us, instead let’s shine with the light from Heaven and show the glory of our Heavenly King. Let’s remember how much our Heavenly Father loves and adores us and then let’s live life in that love daily. Have a great month filled with glory and grace! Sending you much love and huge encouragement – your friend – NANCY
PS – Don’t forget to send me a note of your email address if you want to make sure you continue to receive these prayer points
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
