How good is your hearing? Do you have trouble hearing physically or perhaps your hearing is really good? But today I am not asking about your physical hearing, I am asking about your ability to hear spiritually. How good are you at hearing the voice of God? Did you know that Jesus was asked in Mark 12:28 what was the most important commandment and he answered saying this: “The most important one is this: ‘Hear O Israel, the Lord your God is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.’” I am sure you know these two commandments that the Lord highlighted, but did you notice that at the beginning of the first commandment is the word ‘Hear’. It is a commandment to hear. Are we fulfilling the commandment to hear? Are we a people who hear the voice of God? Are our ears open and listening? Do we take time each day to position our ears to hear? There are many ways to hear the voice of God – God spoke in an audible voice in scripture, but he also speaks through a still small voice. He speaks through others (perhaps a friend or a pastor), he speaks through a vision or a dream, but one of the ways he speaks the most is through his written word. Are you opening your ears to listen? Are we opening our Bibles and reading his word daily to allow ourselves to listen? If we don’t hear his voice, then we will miss out on what he is saying and then sometimes we say wrong words, or make wrong decisions. Let’s decide to open our ears and our Bibles and hear what the Lord is saying to us today! For many years, I have used a Bible Reading Planner to read the whole Bible every year – if you have never tried a Bible Reading Planner then can I suggest you try it – reading the Bible and hearing God’s words changed my life. (Visit http://nancygoudie.com/store-2/ to see the Bible Planner I use). It’s only when we hear his voice that we can then move on to the next step and obey. Today as we pray, lets pray from a place of knowing his voice and his wisdom.
PRAYER POINTS FOR FRIDAY 23rd April 2021
- Let’s say a hallelujah as the statistics continue to come down. How wonderful! Let’s continue to pray until we have no deaths and only a few cases throughout the country. Praise God too for the vaccinations and that they continue to keep us safe at this time. Pray against the Indian variant which seems to be causing some issues here. Pray that we will quickly get this under control and that the cases would not increase hugely. Pray that the vaccines will help with this variant too. Do continue to pray that the jabs will not produce dangerous side effects to any individual whether in this country or abroad. Let’s continue to pray for mainland Europe, India and Brazil who are all struggling with Covid-19. Continue to pray that they are able to get supplies of the vaccine out to their people and that soon they will be able to get Covid-19 under control in each individual country.
- I am sure like me you watched the funeral of the Prince of Edinburgh. What an amazing and emotional service. My heart went out to our queen and her beloved family. They all looked forlorn in their grief – especially the Queen. What an amazing woman she is. My heart was full for her. Do continue to pray for her as I know how difficult the days are after the funeral. Praise God she has a family who are all ready and willing to support her. She celebrated her birthday on Wednesday of this week – let’s pray that this event would have brought a smile to her face. The funeral was full of God’s presence and it was wonderful to see a woman who knows although she is Queen of our nation and of the commonwealth, she also is a woman under authority and as such bows her head in submission to a greater authority. We have a wonderful godly woman on the throne and because of that, let’s pray she continues to have a long and fruitful life. Pray for good health and strength for her especially as she grieves. Let’s continue to pray for our Prime Minister too. Pray for all MP’s and for unity and support to be shown through trying to walk forward out of this pandemic. Above all pray for wisdom to guide our nation.
- Do continue to pray for our wonderful NHS and for all who work there from cleaners to receptionists to surgeons. Pray for health and strength for them all and pray that compassion and kindness remain a top priority at all times. Praise God that the hospital admissions continue to go down. Pray for any who are still in ICU that they would soon be out of there and would be able to go home. Also pray for those who work in Care Homes or work as a carer for those who need help at home. Continue to praise God for kind and good carers who through their wonderful generosity and kindness bring healing to many.
- Praise God for the good weather we have been having as lockdown eases. Sunshine makes the world seem a better place and this in turn can help those who are struggling with poor mental health. Do continue to pray for the many who are struggling to get out of bed at this time. Pray that their mental health will drastically improve. Pray that they find help from the doctors, but also that the God of all life will still their troubled souls. Pray that they will find that Jesus provides healing and wholeness. Do continue to watch out for people who are struggling and come alongside them to provide a kind word and a loving heart.
- One thing I have noticed in our world at present whether because of Covid-19 or otherwise is that there is a lot of anger and negativity around. That anger if not dealt with often shows itself in violence towards others – whether on the streets or in private in the home. So many people have been affected in both of these scenarios. Do pray for the riots and demonstrations where anger and violence have been seen, but also pray for the anger and violence in the home where it is not seen. Pray for protection from this deep anger but also pray that those who have this spirit of anger will find God and be delivered from it. Pray for peace and for joy in our society. Ask God to remove any anger from ourselves and let’s show a different spirit to our world. Let’s hold ourselves accountable for any cruel words spoken directly to others or on social media and ask God to give us a peaceful, joyful and generous heart towards others. Pray too for those who have been at the receiving end of cruelty that they will be physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually healed. Do remember that words can damage us hugely but our Lord can heal us completely.
- Let’s continue to pray for our economy as the businesses all over our nation begin to open up. Praise God for the opportunity of being able to go to a hairdresser, go to the shops and have a meal out in a garden. Do pray for success for those businesses who can open up and that they will prosper in the weeks and months ahead. Pray that the easing of lockdown would not cause the statistics to go up. Pray that the lockdown dates will be upheld by the statistics. Pray for hope to remain in our hearts and minds. Continue to pray for those who cannot yet get back to work, like those who work in conferences, hospitality, theatres etc. Pray that they will have the wisdom and resources to cope with the restrictions on them. Let’s particularly pray for those who have lost jobs through this pandemic. Pray that each person would find a good, reliable and enjoyable job.
- There are so many signs that God is moving in our world at this time, but we can also see the need for God to move even more deeply in our nation and in our world. I long for the day when our nation acknowledges God and turns to him in prayer. Praise God for the obvious faith of our Sovereign. We praise God for a Queen who loves and knows God, but let’s keep pressing into God and pray that our nation will come to know our faithful and loving God. Keep praying for revelation of who He is. Pray for many to turn their hearts and minds towards him. Pray for supernatural dreams and visions. Pray for God to have freedom in many hearts that have been closed to him for so long. Continue to pray for Heaven’s armies to be released to bring salvation, repentance and freedom. Let’s believe for more than ever before.
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
Just recently I had to get my ears syringed because of wax within my ears. It released the blockage and therefore I was immediately able to hear so much better. The question I want to ask you is this: have we got a blockage spiritually? Then like me make moves to get the blockage cleared so that you can hear the word of God so much easier. Blockages can be anything that keeps you from having an intimate relationship with our God. Perhaps something like unforgiveness, bitterness or pride? Whatever the blockage, let’s confess it, ask for forgiveness and get it removed so that we can hear what the Lord is saying to us as individuals and as a nation. He is always there for you. He is constantly standing beside you cheering you on. Let’s remove any blockage and train our ears to hear the cheers from Heaven over our lives. Can you hear Heaven roar? You are loved and adored fully and unconditionally. Sending you all loads of love and a huge amount of encouragement – from your friend – NANCY GOUDIE
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
