I would love to hear from you regarding these blogs and prayer points. I have been talking to the Lord about what to do now that we have been praying for well over a year and God has answered so many of our prayers for our nation. We are not through the pandemic as yet and there are still a lot of problems around, however the statistics have gone right down and although there is still a need for prayer for our nation perhaps having one a week is too much? I was wondering about continuing with these prayer points on a bi-weekly basis until June 21st when the government are planning and hoping to remove all restrictions. I was then thinking of continuing with the National Prayer days once a month for as long as it is needed and wanted, but at least until September 2021. I still feel there is a need to call everyone to pray regarding Covid-19, but would love to know if this is something that is on your heart too? I have noticed that since people went back to work, the responses from the prayer points have been much less which is understandable. If you could either send me a personal message or send an email to nancy@nancygoudie.com to let me know your thoughts then that would help me to know what is most helpful for everyone involved. Thank you! It has been a pleasure and a privilege to lead these National Days of Prayer re: Covid-19 and I hope you, as an individual, a group or church, have found them to be helpful. It has taken a lot of preparation to produce this every week and I am certainly prepared to continue to invest in this form of prayer, but I do want to know your thoughts to see if what I am suggesting is the right way forward. I never imagined for one moment that when I started the first one, through the suggestion of a friend online in March 2020, that we would still be praying well over a year later. God has done so much and I am so grateful. Let’s continue to put our faith and trust in our amazing God – there is still so much to pray for in our nation and also in the nations of the world. So, let’s pray!
PRAYER POINTS FOR FRIDAY 21st May 2021
- We were told by the Prime Minister that there is a concern over the Indian variant found in Bolton, Blackburn/Darwin and London. Let’s pray that with the measures that are being taken that this is quickly overcome and does not cause a problem with the final restrictions being removed on 21st The good news is that the statistics tell us that the death rate is still coming down and the hospital rate is too. This problem with the Indian variant is not causing these stats to go up. Do praise God for this and ask God to continue to bring them down. We really don’t want to see anyone die from this virus. Let’s praise God that the situation is so vastly different to what it was a few weeks/months ago. Do continue to thank God that the vaccination process is going well in the UK. Pray for other nations too – particularly in India where we know there are many who are suffering and dying because of this virus.
- We continue to pray for the leaders of our nation and of our world. World leaders are making decisions that affect all of us – so let’s pray for health, strength and wisdom for them all. Let’s thank God for Boris Johnson and for his government – just simply because God has asked us to pray for our leadership. Pray with generosity of spirit and heart. Let’s leave all our thoughts and opinions to one side and pray for those in the government who are making decisions about our future. Pray for them and for our nation/world to prosper. Pray for the UK and for the four nations within the UK to prosper and grow in unity together. Pray for our national leaders, men and women, to be filled with the wisdom of God. Pray that they will continue to find good and safe ways of bringing us through this pandemic. Let’s not forget to pray for our Queen and for the rest of the Royal Family.
- We were hearing recently in the news of many young people being admitted to hospital because of eating disorders – many more than before this pandemic. We were told that this is because of what has happened in the last year – many young people’s mental health has been affected and many are struggling now with an eating disorder. Let’s continue to pray for the mental health of the nation and in particular in young people. You may know people who are struggling too with depression, anxiety, fear – let’s make sure we offer a listening ear whilst showing kindness in a practical way. Fear and anxiety can cause huge physical problems – do pray for many who suffer in this way – it is not easily spotted – so ask the Lord to give you discernment so that you can be his hands and feet.
- We are very blessed in the UK because we have free health care through the NHS. So, let’s continue to pray for those who work in the health care system in our nation – pray for everyone from cleaners to surgeons. Every one of them is important. Pray for carers who look after those who need help in their own homes as well as those who work in care homes. The statistics tell us that the hospital admissions for Covid-19 continue to go down, but that doesn’t mean that the hospitals are empty; many who have other things wrong with them have not been able to have the treatment they need because of the pandemic. Also, as we heard earlier, many young people are being admitted with eating disorders. Do pray for wisdom and loving kindness as these health workers deal with these kinds of problems as well as many other illnesses.
- To speak truth, to be kind and compassionate is so important in our nation, yet some of our media stir up hatred, by releasing untruths, myths or gossip. Let’s pray for the editors and the writers. Pray that they will have a great hunger to release truth mixed with kindness and compassion. Many read the newspapers or magazines and take it as being truth, when a lot of the time it is one person’s perspective and not necessarily what really happened. Let’s pray for our nation to be filled with goodness, kindness, thankfulness and gratitude. Pray for those who are Christians who have a job in the media – pray that they will stand for truth and kindness. Pray that our nation will have compassion on our neighbouring countries and show goodness and generosity rather than only looking to our own interests. These are godly attributes and will show others our great God. There are many hurting people in our nation – so let’s show our personal neighbours and friends the goodness, compassion and generosity of our God through what we do and say!
- We praise God that this week the hospitality sector was able to open up – we are now able to have a meal inside at a restaurant, in a hotel or in a pub. Continue to pray for those businesses who are worried that in June they will not be able to open up because of the problems with the Indian variant in our nation. Let’s pray that all the restrictions can be lifted in June and that all businesses will be able to open up. Pray for our economy as a whole that it would soon be able to bounce back. Pray for those who have not had a job for the last year – pray that many will find they are able to get their ideal job soon.
- We know ultimately that God has the answer for our nation and for our world. Our hearts cry at the injustice we see, the racism that seems to raise its ugly head and the pain that many experience through the hands of others. Let’s also let our hearts break because of the war in the Middle East – to see the fear and the panic in both countries, especially amongst young children is so awful. Let’s cry out for peace, but ultimately, we do know our world needs a touch from the Lord – we need an awakening that brings forgiveness, repentance and freedom – let’s pray for a deeper awakening than our nation and this world has ever seen. We know the heart of God is to move in such a deep way that many find the truth and that his truth sets us all free.
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
God is so faithful. We have much to thank him for and we praise God for all he has done through our prayers during the last year and a quarter. Many lives have been impacted – more than we will ever know. Let’s keep our eyes and our hearts in tune with Heaven as we trust him for the way ahead. Our God is good and kind so let’s show everyone around us who he is as we release his presence through us every day. Sending you much love and huge encouragement – your friend – NANCY
PS – Do remember to let me know your thoughts on the way ahead re: these prayer points. Thank you!
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
