A few weeks ago, you may remember hearing about a young lad who was killed after he had been struck by lightning. When this was reported on the news, I could not help but cry at this terrible situation. A young boy who I didn’t know touched my heart and I sobbed because of the cruel way he had been taken from his family. Life can sometimes be so cruel. I prayed for his parents and for those who knew him. It can be so difficult to come to terms with something like this happening in your family. The truth is there are so many people struggling right now with grief or with depression. We don’t know what goes on behind closed doors but we can pray and ask God to use us to reach people who are suffering in such a difficult way.
I know when my husband died, it was my friends and my family who helped me enormously. I knew I was in many people’s prayers, but to receive a bunch of flowers, feel the warmth of a friend standing next to me or receive a hug from my sons or my daughter in law meant such a lot. We may not be able to say or do much, but every prayer, every kind word or every hug means a lot. To me it said – I’m with you and I love you! When you go through grief, it is so important to know you are not on your own. In this world so full of hurt and pain, let’s make sure our love and the love of our God is shown to those who need it.
On the same day I cried over that young lad, I also heard of several people who had died within the last while because they had no hope. One person’s benefits had been stopped because she had not responded to a letter the local council had sent to her, but she had not responded because she had been in Intensive care after an operation. All her benefits were stopped and she couldn’t cope. She died lonely and struggling in a freezing home (she couldn’t put the heating on because she could not afford it) and my heart broke for her. If only someone had reached out to her – if only someone had known. I believe God cries over every person who lives with such pain and with no hope. Our God offers huge hope, let’s make sure we show people the love of our God and help them to build hope into their lives.
PRAYER POINTS FOR FRIDAY 4th June 2021
- There has been a call for the June release date to be extended because covid cases are going up due to the Indian variant. Let’s pray for those who have the power to make these decisions to have much wisdom. The good news is that the death rate remains very low and hospital admissions are not high. Pray that this continues. Praise God too that the vaccinations are increasing. Certain areas which have been hit by the Indian variant have been asked to try and avoid meeting indoors and they have been encouraged to get vaccinated asap. Let’s thank God too that the vaccines are able to deal with the Indian variant. Again, do remember to pray for nations who are struggling to get this virus under control.
- Let’s continue to pray for Boris Johnson and also other world leaders. Pray for health, strength and honesty in our leaders. Pray for wisdom for them. Let’s continue to pray for our government and for good, godly men and women advisors to guide our MP’s and our leaders. Let’s continue to pray for the four nations within the UK. Pray for good relationships between the leaders of England and Scotland in particular. Pray for unity. Pray that they will continue to find good and safe ways to bring us through this pandemic. Let’s pray for our Royal Family. Pray that each of them would come to know and love our Lord. Pray for unity for them too.
- Media – let’s continue to pray for the media. It is important that our media speaks with truth and with kindness. A week ago, we heard about how the BBC used false records to obtain an interview with Princess Diana. Let’s pray for honesty and purity in our media. We hear so many stories and comments that are often untrue in the media. Let’s pray for those who are deeply hurt by something that has been falsely reported. We need a radical change in our media – let’s pray for people who know and love God to be working in the areas that produce the news for our nation and for our world. Let’s show kindness ourselves and remember we are not here to judge, but rather to love!
- Let’s express our gratitude to God for the NHS and for the many caring and loving people who work within its doors. Pray for all – from cleaners to surgeons. Praise God that the hospitals are not now being overrun with Covid-19 patients. Pray for any who are still in ICU and pray they will be discharged soon. Pray for those who were not able to get treatment in the last year for other things and pray that each of them will receive the treatment they need. Let’s pray for carers too whether they work in people’s own homes or whether they work in care homes. Let’s pray a huge blessing on those who work in the caring communities.
- Let’s pray for many who are living in poverty in our nation. Pray that they will get the benefits from the government to help them. Pray for the lonely and those who have no one to look out for them. Pray for ears and eyes to hear and see the need in others. Let’s be determined not to just pray for them but also to reach out to them. There are many who are suffering in our nation, but often we don’t hear about them until it’s too late. Let’s ask God to open our ears and eyes to see the need now.
- Pray for our economy – that it will be able to get back on its feet quickly and pray for success for each business and wisdom for its owners and managers. Pray too 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. Pray for hope for the hopeless and joy for those who are devoid of all joy – may many find God answering their prayers.
- Let’s pray that our nation will turn back to God. Let’s pray for an awareness of God even in the night. Pray for God dreams for people and for those who have been searching for truth to find THE truth in Christ Jesus. Let’s dare to believe God for revival. Praise God that many are finding God at this time so let’s pray in faith for our friends, our families, our neighbours, our town, our cities and our land. Let’s cry out – “God – Heal Our Nation. We need you Lord more than we need our food or drink. Come and pour out your grace, your love, your presence in our land.”
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 to our prayer line – prayer@ngm.org.uk – and we will pray.
Our God is a God of hope. Let’s remember to tell others about the hope we have. God is so faithful – every person is valuable to him – no matter who they are. No one should have to die a lonely death because they could not afford their heating to be on. Each person’s life is precious to our God – so let’s look around us. Who can we reach out to? Who can we tell about the love of God? Is there anyone hurting in your family/friends’ circle? Take time to check if they are okay. You might be the only person they see all day. You might hold the key to freedom for them. A couple of kind words could mean the difference between hope and no hope/between life and death. Let’s care like Jesus cares. Also, I want to say a huge thank you to those who responded to my last prayer point blog – it was so good to hear how much you appreciate these prayer points. The next one will be released on the 18th June and from then on it will be monthly. If you want to be sure you don’t miss these prayer points on Facebook/Twitter then do let me know your email address and I will add you to the ngm mailing – this will mean that you will receive the notes whenever I release them. My email address is nancy@nancygoudie.com – I have thoroughly enjoyed spearheading these National Days of Prayer for Covid-19 – it’s been a privilege! Sending you loads of love and lots of encouragement – your friend – NANCY x
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
