I read a number of verses in the Bible which were spoken by our Lord Jesus where he encourages us to pray and not to give up. The temptation in our hearts when praying for something for some time is to give up and stop praying for it. But in Luke 18 Jesus encourages us all not to give up. He tells a story of a persistent widow who would not give up even after being told by the unjust judge that he would not answer her cries for help. It says in verse 4 that he refused for some time to grant her the answer to her cries for justice. Yet because of her persistence he eventually decided to grant her justice and do what he said he would not do because he valued his peace. Jesus then went on to say: Listen to what the unjust judge says. Will not God bring justice for his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you he will see that they get justice and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes will he find faith on the earth?
The story of the persistent widow has so much to teach us. As I mentioned last week, I decided to be like that persistent widow when praying for my husband back in 1978 – I would not give up! And God (who is so unlike the unjust judge) answered me within a day – although the full answer to my prayer took a year to come into completion. Perhaps you have been praying for something for you, your family or a friend. Perhaps you have not yet seen a breakthrough – then can I encourage you to keep on praying. Some people in the Bible according to Hebrews 11 never saw the answer to their prayers in their lifetime, but they didn’t let that affect their faith, they kept on going and God did it in his time. Abraham was told that his descendants would be like the sand on the seashore or the stars in the sky, but what he saw was a child called Isaac being born miraculously to him and Sarah when they were old. God’s word was not fully accomplished in Abraham’s lifetime, but he kept the faith and throughout the years God brought it into being. He will do the same for you. Don’t give up praying for that salvation, that healing, that need – keep your faith strong for God will answer you because he loves you so very much. We have been praying now for the effects of Covid-19 for over a year now and have seen so many answers to our prayers, yet we must not give up. We need to continue to pray and believe God until we see a breakthrough. I’m going to be like the persistent widow – are you?
PRAYER POINTS FOR FRIDAY 26th March 2021
- We continue to rejoice that the statistics are still coming down – the death rate has fallen hugely and the cases continue to fall too as do the hospital admissions. Woohoo! Let’s thank God and see this trend continue despite lockdown being eased. Also thank God that we have been able to offer the vaccination to so many in the UK and that now over 29 million have now been vaccinated. That means half of all adults have been vaccinated. Do pray that every country will be able to get the vaccines and that everyone who wants to be vaccinated gets the chance to do just that. Praise God too that the Oxford vaccination reports have all come back saying that this is a good and effective vaccine – reports were done in many nations – so this is good to hear.
- We continue to pray for our National leaders and also the International leaders of the world. We continue to pray for the Queen and her precious family. Let’s pray for our government and for Boris Johnson. Pray for wisdom and strength for them. It’s been hard to see the demonstrations against the police recently in Bristol. Do pray for peace to reign and for hate crimes to be irradicated. Do pray for the police that they will deal with this in the correct and legal way. Pray that our police force will know the strength and grace of the Lord on them right now. Pray for lockdown to happen on the scale that the government have outlined and that there is a way forward for our world.
- Praise God for the NHS and for all the staff that work within its walls. Pray for cleaners to surgeons. Pray for health and strength. Pray for good mental health as well as physical health. They put themselves on the front line every day and they have to deal with very difficult situations. Hospital admissions are slowing down which is wonderful. Let’s continue to pray for those in hospital – that they would recover soon and be able to go home. We continue to pray for those precious people who are working as carers. Pray for them physically and mentally too. They are wonderful people who care for others who are in need. Without their help they would not be able to survive by themselves. Do pray for care homes up and down our nation – for the staff and also for the residents.
- Our nation is quickly becoming a nation with poor mental health. There’s so many suffering from this right now. People who would normally never suffer in this way are suffering too. Let’s pray for everyone affected in this way. This is an illness – you may not be able to see it like you would a broken arm – but please realise that this is just as real. As well as praying, let’s keep our eyes open to see if we can help in any way. A kind word or a word of wisdom can be a lifeline to many. We may not understand what one person is going through, because we have not suffered in this way – but this is a real issue for many. Let’s be generous with our time. Let’s show our love. Let’s be kind. Kindness is so needed in our nation right now. There is often such a lack of kindness – let’s show what Jesus is really like – and show the fruit of the spirit through our lives – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Let’s draw down the presence of God on us and share the fruit of the Spirit to all around us.
- Let’s continue to pray for young people everywhere. Pray for their young minds to have wisdom beyond their years. Pray for them to be constantly learning and growing in grace, peace and joy. Pray for all young people as they go to school, college and university. Do continue to pray for the teachers too and for them and the students to be protected against Covid-19. Pray that all will be safe. Continue to pray for their mental, physical, emotional and spiritual lives.
- We thank God that there is a road map out of lockdown for our economy. It will be so good to see businesses opening up. Pray for the UK’s economy. Pray that our economy will have grace and favour on it. Let’s continue to pray for those in the hospitality, sport and performing arts sectors. They have suffered badly and many have gone under. Pray for each person involved in this struggle. There have been many who have lost their jobs and have no hope of ever finding one again. Do pray for many who have taken a job that they don’t like in order to bring some finance into their home. Please pray for more jobs to be released soon. Pray for hope, pray for strength, pray for joy through it all.
- We live in a divided nation – divided by countries (Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales), but divided in other ways too. We are divided in the way we think and believe. No wonder Jesus asked us to pray for unity. Even believers in our nation and in our world are divided. Let’s pray for unity as Jesus asked us to do in John 17. Let’s pray for peace. Let’s pray for joy and grace. Let’s pray for revival and for the hearts of our nation to turn to God in prayer and find God is sufficient in all things. Pray for ourselves that we would be covered by the grace and love of Jesus. That we wouldn’t be causing division, but that we would bring the peace of Christ in all circumstances. Pray that we will be controlled by the Holy Spirit in everything we say and do. God is with us and for us – so be encouraged and lay ourselves down before him.
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
As we are approaching Easter, we at ngm have done a video for the church and individuals to use to reach others at this time. It is completely free and is available for all. Please do watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAgX308hqYY&t=2s
and feel free to use it in your church services, groups or just to pass on to your friends and family. We have such an amazing message – Christ died for us all and through his life, death and resurrection we can have life to the full. Our world needs hope at this time and we have an amazing message of hope for all. If you have any questions about this Easter Special – then do please contact us on zoewickham@ngm.org.uk. Let’s celebrate the good news of Jesus now and always. With loads of love and encouragement to you all – 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
