Just recently I went by car to see a friend who lives in Yorkshire. On the way back home, the queue of traffic that I was in suddenly came to a halt on a busy motorway. I had to urgently put my foot on the brake and managed to stop in time thus avoiding hitting the car in front of me. I looked into my rear mirror to discover the car behind me struggling to do the same. He narrowly avoided hitting the back of my car. I was shocked at how quickly and easily an accident could have happened. I was so grateful and I immediately thanked the Lord for keeping me and everyone else on the road that day safe and praised him with gratitude for his steadying hand on our lives. It could have been so different.
In the days we are living in, we can often face sudden and sometimes shocking situations but it’s important to know that our God is facing them with us. It’s important to know that he has his hand on our lives and that we can trust him. It’s important to know that he loves us and that he cares deeply about us. When we don’t know these things, we can allow fear to take a hold of us and cause us to live restricted lives. I could have said I would not travel again on a motorway for fear that on my next journey I would not be able to stop in time. I was not travelling over the speed limit and yet an accident could have happened so easily. We face so many things these days where fear can easily take a hold of us, whether because of Covid and the fear of getting the virus, or perhaps of worrying what others think of us if we express a different view to the one that seems to be accepted by the majority in life. Perhaps we allow fear of illness or fear of being rejected to dominate our lives and cause us to live a life that God did not intend us to live. It could be that as we hear and see through the media of the many terrible things that have happened in our world (the horrific situation in Afghanistan, the out-of-control fires in Greece, the earthquake in Haiti, the shootings in Plymouth, the severe flooding in Germany and other European countries etc) that despair and fear of the future seem to overcome us! Let’s take a hold of our Father God’s hand and trust him to lead us through life’s many problems. Let’s trust him with our lives as we live as he intended us to live – life in all its fullness. Let’s not allow fear to restrict us, but instead let’s allow these things to lead us to pray for ourselves and for others. Let’s trust God to bring us into freedom – even in this pandemic. We have every reason to trust God – so let’s do that and show others by our words and lifestyle that we need not be tied up or restricted by fear. We have such an amazing message to show our world today so let’s not live by the world’s standards, instead let’s live in God’s grace and with his wisdom in our hearts.
PRAYER POINTS FOR FRIDAY 20th August 2021
- There are many reports from the government and the scientists telling us that although Covid is not gone, we are on our way back to life looking much more normal. So, let’s start these prayer points by thanking God and praising him for his amazing grace and for showing us a way through this difficult pandemic. The Lord loves to show us a way when to us there seems to be no way! Let’s spend time praising him for his goodness to us all.
- The statistics tell us that the cases are coming down, deaths and hospital cases are not growing at an alarming rate. So, let’s thank our God for health care practitioners around the world. In the UK, lets praise God for our NHS. Health workers all over the world have been stretched to the limit with this pandemic, so let’s pray for each willing and faithful worker and ask God to renew their strength.
- Let’s continue to pray against the fear and anxiety many people are feeling at this time because of Covid-19. Many are struggling with knowing whether to have the vaccination or not. Let’s pray that fear would not stop people from having the vaccine, but that they would seek God for wisdom as to what to do. Let’s praise God for each vaccine, but also pray that the vaccines would not affect even one person in a negative way. Pray that as the world begins to open up more and more, people would have confidence to walk into the future.
- So many people all over the world whether young or old are struggling with Mental Health issues. Let’s pray for a way through this hard, difficult and awful situation. Do pray that the churches up and down our land will find good and positive ways of showing the love of Christ to each sufferer. Pray that those who struggle in this area will discover the peace that passes all understanding and that many find Christ during this time.
- It’s good to see that international travel is beginning to open up. Do pray that people will soon have a way of not only being able to go on holiday safely, but they will be able to see their loved ones soon. So many have been separated at this time and are longing for the day when they can safely travel to see them once more.
- Praise God that our economy has opened up again. Do continue to pray that we will all adhere to the government guidelines and make sure we stay safe. Pray for those who have suffered financially through this time and pray that they will discover that God is faithful and he will provide all we need.
- It has been wonderful to hear stories of people coming to know the Lord through this pandemic, however we long for many more. Do pray for a move of God that will change our hearts and heal our nation. We know the Lord longs to draw us all closer to him, so let’s continue to seek and live in his presence. When we do, we will know his love and show that unfailing love to all around us. Ask the Lord to heal our nation and heal our world. Take some time to pray for Afghanistan and for all the situations (and more) that I have mentioned in my blog above.
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 next National Day of Prayer re: Covid-19 is on September 24th. Although I am only issuing these prayer points monthly, let’s not stop praying as this virus hasn’t gone away. Our government still need wisdom. The health care workers still need our prayers. Many are still suffering with fear and anxiety and our Lord cares for them all. So, let’s continue to pray for a move of God that changes the face of our world. Let’s not be silent, but instead let’s pray knowing that our prayers are making a huge difference. 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
I am hoping to see many of you at my Spiritual Health Weekend in Birmingham at the Hilton Metropole Hotel on February 11th – 13th 2022 – for details follow this link: http://nancygoudie.com/spiritual-health-weekends/ I would love to meet you in person and be able to say to you a huge well done for your prayers and encouragement to others.
Keep going and do not give up. God is with you all the way! 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
