Have you ever been disappointed? I’m sure you have at some point in your life. Just this last week I had a huge disappointment. My younger son and myself were due to fly to the USA on 2nd November to see my other son and my daughter-in-law. It was to be a real joyous family time as well as attending a leaders’ conference at Bethel Church in Redding, California. We were so looking forward to a special time in the States.
Unfortunately, the American government aren’t opening up their borders until 8th November and therefore I had to cancel our flights. I am still trying to work out my flight, but my younger son cannot travel with me as he has work and home commitments during the rest of November. To say I was bitterly disappointed is a huge understatement. I was at a speaking at a conference in Cheshire when the news came through, and therefore, I couldn’t check the situation until I came home. When I came home and the reality of the situation hit me, I could not stop the tears pouring down my face. I was so disappointed that I would not be able to travel to America with my younger son and there is a very real chance that I will not be able to see my older son this year.
Disappointments happen to each of us from time to time. It’s so important that our disappointments cause us to run into God and allow him to heal the pain in our hearts, rather than cause us to walk away from the Lord and perhaps blame him for what is happening to us. I wonder what you have been disappointed about recently? Is it driving you into God or is it causing you to run in the opposite direction?
The amazing thing about God is that he loves each of us so wonderfully and as we continue to love him, he will take each disappointment and bring good out of it. I don’t know at this point when I will get to see my son in California. I haven’t seen him for over two years because of Covid and I have a mother’s ache in my heart to see him face to face soon. However, despite all that, I trust my God to bring good out of this disappointment. I have seen him do this in the past – especially when my husband died and I had the pain of losing someone who was more than a husband to me – he was my very best friend, my partner in ministry and someone who I always thought I would grow old with. Disappointment has a way of robbing you of your joy if you allow it to do so, but I discovered that as we trust in God and look to him to change the circumstances around us, joy is just one of his precious gifts to us.
Whatever disappointments you may be going through, can I encourage you to do what I am doing and trust in our amazing God.
PRAYER POINTS FOR FRIDAY 22nd October 2021
- The good news is that the statistics tell us that the death rate and the hospitalisation rate are remaining low, however every death from this virus is unacceptable. The Covid cases seem to be still very high, but the government are saying this will come down when the young people are vaccinated. Let’s pray that this is so. As the government have said, this virus is not going away, but the vaccinations have protected many of us. Let’s continue to pray that the vaccinations and the booster helps to control this virus. Let’s pray for God’s answers to this pandemic and thank him for all he has done and is doing at this time.
- We continue to hold the NHS in our prayers and also all health care providers across the world. There seems to be a sense of weariness on many of the heath care workers here in the UK, so let’s pray against the tiredness and pray for a way through the increased workload that they have. Continue to pray for good health and strength for them all and for wisdom and kindness to pour from all they do.
- A lot of young children and teenagers are contracting the virus so let’s pray for our young people that fear does not lodge in their hearts and that their health is restored quickly. Do pray for teachers and parents as many of them are catching the virus from the young people.
- Let’s continue to pray for our economy and for the businesses across the UK. Pray for the prosperity of your city and nation. Pray for those who are struggling financially or having trouble getting a suitable job. Pray for generosity to be released in our nation and that each of us will look out for our neighbours and friends. 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.
- Do pray against fear of the future. There are so many fearful news reports coming out about soaring energy bills, about not having enough food or petrol in our nation, about not being able to purchase Christmas presents and of course all the uncertainty of this virus! It’s so easy to allow fear to reside within us. Let’s pray against fear in us and also in the nation.
- Let’s continue to pray for those who struggle with mental health. There are many who mask their pain and grief but suffer hugely in their mind. Pray that many of us will have eyes to see beyond the natural and offer a kind word in season to those around us.
- Above all, let’s pray for a deep and wonderful move of God. Our hearts want to see revival come and for there to be a great awakening to the spiritual things in our nation and our world. Pray for our neighbours, our families and our friends that they would come to know the Saviour of the world and discover his incredible love for us all.
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 am planning on continuing with the National Day of Prayer for Covid -19 until the end of this year but feel it is right to finish it before 2022. However, having said that I do believe it is important for us as individuals and as churches to continue to pray and seek God for our nation and for our world. Prayer is so important. I will be continuing to pray and I hope you will too. So, from the end of November, I will no longer be doing these prayer points. So much has been done through our prayers and so I want to encourage you to continue to pray into this situation. It has been a privilege to pray alongside each of you since March 2020. My last prayer points will be released on 26th November 2021. Well done to those who have continued on this 18-month journey with me – it has been an incredible journey seeing God’s goodness and blessing as we have prayed.
Let’s stay strong knowing that our Heavenly Father is hearing our prayers and is answering. His love and his power are so wonderful and because of him, we are seeing miraculous things happening throughout this Covid time. My heart rejoices in my God and in his salvation. May God continue to bless you and keep your safe! 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
