Today we remember that Jesus died on the cross for us 2000 years ago! We can never repay the love he showed us by dying in our place – all he requires us to do is to accept the love he showed as he suffered such agonies on the cross. When we do – we exchange death for life. We step from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. We choose to give him our life and choose to live the life he intended us to live; everlasting life in its fullest and best way. He died so we might live. But it doesn’t end at the cross. If it did, then we would be the most miserable of people. Instead, Jesus rose from the dead on the Sunday giving us every reason to celebrate.
I remember a man many years ago preaching on this very subject and he kept saying throughout the whole sermon – It’s Friday, but Sunday is coming! If it had ended with Jesus dying then nothing would have made sense. But when Sunday happened and Jesus rose from the dead – what a victory! He conquered sin, death and hell. No wonder we can celebrate as Christians. Yes, it’s Friday – the day when the disciples and all the friends of Jesus were confused, bewildered, saddened and in mourning, but what they forgot at the time was that Jesus had said he would rise from the dead and, of course, on the Sunday, he did just that. Yes, it’s Friday, but Sunday is coming.
We need to remember that when we are praying about this pandemic. We are living through terrible times. It can feel like we are living in a day of disaster where many of us are in mourning, mourning lives that have been lost – vast numbers of people have died through this pandemic, but also mourning our own lives prior to March 2020 – we have not been able to lead normal lives for some time. Loss is all around us. But remember although it feels like a very long Friday – Sunday is coming! One day this pandemic will be over – we might be living in our Friday but our Sunday is coming! Let’s rejoice our Saviour died for us but let’s remember that on the third day he rose to give us the opportunity of knowing true life, victory and freedom. Yes, it is Friday, but Sunday is coming! Let’s pray with that knowledge in our hearts and minds today.
A good way of being able to express our faith might be to share our Easter Special – it’s filled with joy, laughter and the real meaning of Easter. You can see it here – feel free to share with others! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAgX308hqYY&t=2s
PRAYER POINTS FOR FRIDAY 2nd April 2021
1) Praise God the statistics continue to fall. This week has meant that we now have a little more freedom than we have had before. Do pray that with this freedom and with the schools back that the statistics continue to fall. Let’s thank God that hospital admissions are still falling. Although new cases seem to be levelling off a little, they are still coming down slowly. Also praise God that the death rate is still coming down drastically. This is all good news! We have now been able to vaccinate over 31 million people – and the government are on line to make sure every adult in the UK is given the opportunity of having the vaccine. Let’s continue to pray for mainland Europe – as they are suffering hugely at this time. Pray that they are able to get the vaccine and that soon they will be able to get Covid-19 under control in each individual country.
2) Please do pray for Boris Johnson as our Prime Minister and also for all MPs in Parliament. Do pray for wise and good decisions and also for unity within the different parties. Do pray for the Queen and also for Prince Philip as he continues to recover from his hospital visit. Pray for all the Royal Family and pray for healing for them all. Pray for world leaders too at this time. If ever our leaders needed our prayers, it is now. We may not agree with everyone, but what God has asked us to do is to pray for them. So, let’s do that – pray for wisdom and strength for them. Pray that each government will have wisdom to know how to lead their nation and in particular lead them out of this pandemic.
3) We thank God for our nurses and doctors – in fact anyone who works for the NHS. What a great health care system we have in this country. Praise God for all in the NHS who work tirelessly for others. Pray for everyone from cleaners to surgeons. Pray for health and strength. Pray for good mental health as well as physical health. Let’s continue to pray for those in hospital right now – that they would recover soon and be able to go home. We also pray for those who work as carers – what a wonderful heart these people have. They work so that people can stay in their homes, and they work for others who are in care homes. Without their help, many would suffer badly. Pray for them all, that each one would know the love and kindness of our good God to enable them to keep going in the midst of this crisis. Do pray for each resident in a care home – that they would feel loved and cared for at this time in particular.
4) Mental health is still one of the top things that is concerning people in our nation. The government is trying to put programmes in place to help. So many are struggling at this time – do pray for those who are vulnerable in this area. Many who don’t normally suffer with anxiety and stress are finding the lockdown so difficult that their mental health is declining. Let’s pray for everyone affected in this way. We recognise that we sometimes cannot see that someone is suffering from poor mental or emotional health – so keep remembering to check on family and friends. We may not understand what one person is going through, because we have not suffered this – but it is important for us all to pray and cover our friends and family. Let’s show our love by continuing to pray and show kindness in practical ways.
5) Praise God that the opening of schools, colleges and universities has gone well. Pray that each young life would be protected. Pray for students but also pray for teachers and lecturers that they would be protected against Covid-19. Pray too that as lockdown expands that the cases, deaths and hospital intake would not soar. Please do continue to pray for the students and school children’s mental, physical, emotional and spiritual lives.
6) It is a real joy to have a little bit more freedom than we have had for some time. Who would ever have thought that this pandemic would last over a year? We praise God that some businesses can open up in April. Do continue to pray for our economy. All businesses have taken quite a bashing, some more than others, but now we can see a way through this so that we can have some sort of normality back. Ask God to give each owner and businessman wisdom. Pray that the bounce back in our economy will not be as long as is being predicted. Let’s continue to pray for those in the hospitality, sport and performing arts sectors – each of these have been badly affected over this last year. Pray for those who have lost their jobs. Pray for more jobs to be released soon.
7) With all that is going on in our nation and in our world, it is so evident that we need to pray for a spiritual awakening! Pray for the UK but also pray for the world. Pray for Heaven’s armies to be released across the world to bring a deep awareness of our God. Pray for salvation for all. Pray that many will see and hear and respond to all Jesus did on the cross 2000 years ago. Pray that many this Easter would turn to our God. Let’s pray and then look for opportunities to share our faith in simple yet deep ways.
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
All that remains for me to say is that God is for us and with us. He is fighting our battles and although we cannot see him, there is no doubt He is with us. Rejoice and be glad for our great King is here and he will help us fight our battles. You are not alone – not ever! This Easter let’s celebrate him and all he has done for us.
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
