For those who are reading these prayer points for the first time – do read the information at the bottom of this report which includes how this started and tips and pointers to help you during this COVID time.
Early on Sunday morning as I was reading my Bible, I read a verse in Galatians 6: 9 that seemed to jump out of the page at me and knew immediately that I needed to share it with you. It says: Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up! Verse 10 goes on to say: Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
I want to encourage you not to give up in doing good – not to give up praying, not to give up believing for the best, not to give up in our faith, not to give up in speaking good things over people, not to give up in doing good. On social media, I am always astonished at how many people, (Christians as well as those who are not Christians), who don’t do good to others, instead who bring them down with negative and damaging words. Even if we don’t agree with what we think others are doing/saying, we would be better to say nothing than add hurts and insults to a fellow human being. The Lord instructs us to do good to others, so bless them and bring them before God in your prayers. Let’s not cast a judgemental ‘stone’, but instead remember we are all sinners saved by grace. Remember Jesus said in John 8:7, “If any one of you is without sin, let him cast the first stone.” Even in our prayers, let’s remember not to judge, but to ask the Lord for grace and mercy for ourselves and for others. So today as we pray, let’s not judge our national leaders, the Royal Family, our spiritual leaders, our friends and indeed our families, instead, let’s pray with a clean and pure heart knowing that God loves and cares for us all. Let’s not get tired of doing what is right, let’s not get tired of praying for change, let’s not get tired of praying for revival, for the wave of His Spirit, because at the right time we will reap a harvest, IF we do not give up! Be encouraged my friends and let’s pray.
PRAYER POINTS FOR FRIDAY 5th March 2021
- It’s been amazing to watch all the statistics come right down. Cases are lower now than they were in October last year. Cases, hospital admissions and deaths are all falling steeply. We have much to thank God for. Some places in London have now got zero new cases. The vaccine programme is working well and we now have well over 21 million people vaccinated against this disease. More and more people are being vaccinated every day. Let’s praise God for all he has been doing and for the encouragement and hope we have that helps us see the end of this lockdown. Let’s rejoice that there are good signs that we are on the road to recovery. Pray for those with the virus right now that they will recover swiftly. Pray too for those who have lost a loved one to this virus – pray the comfort of the Holy Spirit upon them all.
- Let’s continue to pray for our government, all our MP’s and the Prime Minister. Pray for all world leaders. Pray for our Royal Family – especially Prince Philip who is still ill in hospital. Pray for healing for him. Also pray for wisdom for leaders everywhere. Let’s thank God for the budget yesterday – the government had a tough time to decide what to do for the future of our country – so let’s pray that this budget works and helps all of us. Praise God for the help that the businesses are getting and let’s pray that our economy bounces back quickly. Most of all pray for unity between the political parties and for the media too to report honestly and accurately.
- Let’s thank God our NHS staff – from cleaners to surgeons they have been brilliant throughout this last year. Praise God that admissions to hospitals are coming down each day and especially that those being admitted to ICU is coming down too. Pray for those still in hospital that they would recover and be able to go home soon. Pray that the staff will have time soon to rest and recover from this traumatic year. Pray for their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. Pray for those who work in hospitals who are Christians that they will be able to share their faith with their colleagues. Praise God too for those who work in Care Homes – there are so many amazing caring people in this industry. Do pray for them and do pray for their mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health. Pray too that they will receive the rest that they need. Pray for those in care homes to know the kindness and the love of God in their lives.
- Many have struggled with lockdown and the fear of this virus. Many in our nation (Christians as well as those who are not yet Christians) are struggling with their mental health and so we need to continue to pray for people to find peace and joy. Life in all its fullness only comes through knowing and loving Jesus. Do pray that people will find Jesus – the man of truth and the man of peace. If ever we need truth it is now. It’s the truth of the word of God that will set people free. Jesus brings life where there is death, he brings joy where there is fear and gives peace instead of turmoil. Let’s spread his hope, love and peace around by allowing the God of all hope to have full freedom in our lives.
- Praise God that the schools in England go back on 8th Pray for each child as they return to a little bit of normality. Pray that the transition would be a good one for all. Pray for those who have already gone back to school in Wales and Scotland. Pray that each child and each teacher will be kept safe from all harm. Pray for a quick return to good mental and emotional health for each pupil. Pray that each pupil will quickly learn the things they found hard to learn in lockdown. Pray that all will enjoy going back to school, college or university.
- Let’s continue to pray for businesses, for those in hospitality and the performing arts too. Pray for a solution for all. Many have been on a long, hard journey with very little hope of surviving in their industry. Pray for hope for each one. Pray for wisdom for each CEO, director, producer, management as well as workers and performers. Pray that they will get sufficient help to be able to continue through the last bit of lockdown. Pray too that all will be able to open up in June (or before) as the government have suggested might be possible. Continue to pray for those who have lost their jobs in this last year; let’s pray that many jobs will suddenly become available as lockdown begins to be released. Particularly pray that people will not lose their hope.
- Let’s continue to pray for the spiritual health of our nation and of our world. Let’s continue to pray for many to come to know our God. Pray for churches as they look to open their buildings – pray that they will see many attending their services. Pray for church leaders; pray for wisdom to know how to change to accommodate those who are seeking. Some churches are finding more people attending their online services and others are finding the numbers declining. Pray for a deeper move of God’s Spirit across 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 and we will pray. Don’t forget our prayer line if you or others need prayer – prayer@ngm.org.uk
Here in the UK and beyond, we seem to love to pull others down. We sometimes think they have risen beyond their station in life and so we need to make sure they know their place by sharing some negative words about them which would suggest that if you knew them the way I know them, you would know they are not what they seem! But as Billy Graham said, It’s the Holy Spirit’s job to convict, God’s job to judge and not ours. It’s our job to love and this is what we must do. Jesus said the two greatest commandments are these: We should love the Lord God with all our heart, soul and mind and our neighbour (everyone around us) as ourselves. So, let’s love God with everything we have, because when we do, we begin to love and value ourselves more. Then let’s love others with the same love and value you have come to know about yourself. You are beautiful, glorious, incredible, wonderful, you are special, you are valued, loved, adored and favoured. No matter what our past is like, it’s gone under the blood of Jesus. Let’s not remind ourselves or those around us of our past – God doesn’t remember it, so neither should we. If we have given our lives to God, then we are a new creation, we have the living God living inside of us. As Paul says in Galatians 2:20, we no longer live, but Christ lives in us. We are forgiven, we are clean and pure – so let’s not judge ourselves or others, instead let’s continue to speak words of affirmation to all including yourself. When we speak kind words to each other, it makes a massive difference in those around us. Try it and see – so next time you find your mouth speaking negatives, stop and apologise and start to speak goodness, kindness and share love, joy and peace to all around (See Galatians 5:23). As Paul says in Galatians 5:25-26 – Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other! Instead, let’s build each other up and show by our actions and our words who our Lord Jesus really is. 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 2020 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
