This is a space for us to post our reflections from our prayer and fasting days. We will use the same page for all the days so we can get a better overview of what God is saying. Scroll right down to find the comments section.
Do share what struck you today: a Bible verse? a song? a poem? a picture? a sense? an idea? God can speak through all manner of things. We then discern together.
If there are things that you found helpful or resources you’d appreciate, post those too. Let’s support one another on this journey.
19 Comments
Virgil
I’m so grateful for His guidance, His support, His mercy showed to me in the last few months. I’ve learned to wait in silence for His answer, to stop fighting for a shortcut, being more dependent on Him. Psalm 127:2 is describing so well my experience and my learning.
Joyce Matthews
I felt yesterday that it was time to share a prayer I’ve been praying for a number of years for us all at CHBC. A paraphrase of Paul’s prayer for the Colossians 1: 9-14 NLT
We ask You, Lord our God
to give us complete knowledge of Your will,
and to give us spiritual wisdom and understanding.
So that the way we live will always honour and please You Lord,
and so that our lives will produce every kind of good fruit.
All the while may we grow as we learn to know you better and better.
We also pray that we will be strengthened with all Your glorious power
so that we will have all the endurance and patience we need.
May we be filled with joy, always thanking You, Father, for You enabled us to share in the inheritance that belongs to Your people who live in the light.
For You have rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the . Kingdom of Your beloved Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
Amen
Margo Skillicorn
Thank you Joyce. Beautiful prayer.
Margo Skillicorn
There are many Psalms assuring us that “the Lord is close to the broken-hearted” v18 of Psalm 34. V3 of Psalm 147 tells us that “He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds” !
David had his share of troubles during his lifetime but knew where to put his trust in such times, his God.
A poem entitled ‘THE MENDER” encourages us to do just that…
My Saviour specialises in mending broken things,
He takes the heart that’s shattered, and gives it songs to sing
He pieces it together with His sweet gracious touch, He mends the heart that’s broken, because He loves us so much
He mends the broken spirit, then lifts that spirit up
And pours the oil of gladness into the upturned cup
The broken lives He reshapes, those lives so wrecked with sin
When in their crushed condition, they turn in faith to Him.
The broken dreams that crumble to ashes at our feet
That seemed so fair and lovely – that made life taste so sweet
Those broken dreams He rebuilds and fashions them anew
Then gives us faith to trust Him to see new dreams come true.
What of the broken plans then, the broken health that comes ?
Is He not ever mindful of life’s swift pendulum ?
Dashed to scattered pieces the plans that we have made
Above it all, He whispers, “I shall come to your aid “
He restores the broken spirits, binds broken hearts and dreams..
Repairs the shattered pages of lives that He redeems
He stands there ready to help us no matter what life brings
Because our Saviour specialises in mending broken things.
This could well be the testimony of any of us, or indeed, the testimony of Castle Hill in the past or present ??
Margo Skillicorn
Two easy to remember choruses, both in Mission Praise…
“Oh the love that drew Salvation’s plan
Oh the Grace that brought it down to man
Oh the mighty gulf that God did span
At Calvary.
Mercy there was great, and Grace was free
Pardon there was multiplied to me
There my burdened soul found liberty
At Calvary.
No. 2
Wonderful Grace that gives what I don’t deserve
Pays me what Christ has earned
Then let’s me go free
Wonderful Grace that gives me the time to change
Washes away the stains
That once covered me.
And all that I have
I lay at His feet
Of the wonderful Saviour
Who loves ME……….(put your own name there ?)
Joyce Matthews
I was reminded on starting to read Psalm 103, that we can tell speak to our souls and tell them to praise God and remember all that He has done for us whether we feel like praising and giving thanks. Sometimes we need reminding of that and set our will to do it!
Liz Thomson
Yesterday as I was prayer walking around my neighborhood I was praying for the many Christians on the estate, including myself, that God would stir in our hearts and renewed passion to pray for those around us, to come to know Jesus.
It was through the faithful prayers of my parents and of the church they attended, that I was saved.
Prior to that my heart was hard and cold towards Christianity and anything to do with God. In my mind then, I was never going to become a Christian!
That all changed, I’m convinced, because people prayed and fasted.
May God stir in our hearts that same passion to pray for the lost.
Lindsey Selley
As we dwell on psalm 103 I am struck by how wonderful are “His benefits” and what He is and gives to those who fear him (His great love, His compassion, righteousness), for those who keep his covenant and remember to obey His precepts/orders.
But I am also saddened and spurred on to pray for those who do not yet fear, know or follow Him, for they aren’t yet receiving these.
Margo Skillicorn Author
I hope this comment will end up in the right slot?! Alan and I have received for a few years the Farming Christian Link Magazine and I still do. We heard from one of their speakers at Cameo 18 months ago. The Summer edition has come through my door today. One of the articles seems to fit in so well with our day of prayer and is entitled “Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46 v 10. It reads, and I quote…”have you ever thought of taking time out of your daily life, to ‘be still’, hear God’s voice, enjoy His presence, and maybe received direction for your future”. Just what Kevin is encouraging us all to do today……..it goes on…..God speaks to us individually, or as a church, through His Word, the Bible and sometimes, when we are outside, through His beautiful world. The blue sky says “always look up”, the Sun says “Shine”. The birds say “sing”, the trees say “Be fruitful”, the flowers say”Consider the lilies”…the wind in the trees says “though you can’t see My face, you can hear Me, see reflections of Me, feel Me, touch Me and know Me through all I create…….”if we just take time out to BE STILL!
Joyce Matthews
In my earlier response, I should make it clear that I do believe we should be tolerating other religions, showing love towards those who follow them, just not for us to be practicing them and turning away from God as Irael did.
Rereading the chapter and looking at various translations I was puzzled and troubled by verses 12b and 13. Seeking God’s guidance for how we should act agains injustice, I found the NIV and NKJV translations of verse 13 distressing “Therefore the prudent keep silent at this time, for the times are evil.” I was unable to find any translation that reassured me: even the Message reads:
“Justice is a lost cause. Evil is epidemic.
Decent people throw up their hands.
Protest and rebuke are useless,
a waste of breath.”
I am seeking God for truth and guidance on this but, if anyone can clarify what this means and how it fits with loving our neighbours as ourselves, I’d be very grateful? Are we to stand by silently while the times get more and more dark? While injustice and disadvantaging the poor in our own nation and worldwide become more and more the norm than the exception?
Maybe these verses saying we should simply to pray and leave it in God’s hands?
Margo Skillicorn
Hello Joyce
I too have been reading up ‘meanings’ of these verses on keeping silent? One suggestion seems to emphasise Wisdom rather than Prudence. In trying to recognise the reality of an evil time should motivate NOT action but Silence in the face of evil. What happens when we try to speak the truth?? such people are hated and abhorred (verse 10) so two options for us? – either silence or ‘giving a voice to those who have no voice’ ? Ultimately God alone is the Judge and “all His ways are Just”. I agree VERY difficult verses to understand, but how true the Bible is ?..
Margo
Joyce Matthews
Reading Amos 5, my first reaction was that we need to repent of where our nation and this world have got to in this age where commonly right and wrong are defined by what everyone else is doing, and Biblical values are largely ignored.
O Lord the clouds are gathering by Graham Kendrick referenced in Amos 5:24 came to mind and singing it and being reminded by the words of the darkness of our times, made me sad that in all the years since it was written, nothing has changed for good and things like hatred on our streets have become more real and, like Israel frequently did, every religion is tolerated and talked about in the media except Christianity.
Kevin Johnson Author
What are the barriers to the rivers of life flowing out from CHBC?
Ezekiel followed the river and saw life along its banks (v9 “where the river flows there will be life”). This reminds me of John 7:38 – Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. Where is the river flowing out of CHBC? Let us go where he is showing us to find life!
Kevin Johnson Author
Evening prayer reflections, inc. on Ezek 47:
– Kathy: E was “surprised” by the many trees – are we expectant of God surprising us?
– Margo shared another ‘surprise’ phone call with opportunity to share about church life
– Rebecca: Whilst unravelling long rows of knitting to repair it, struck by God’s grace and faithfulness – he doesn’t abandon us when we make a mistake, no matter how long the journey is to unravel it and repair it
– Rebecca: reflection on getting children to swimming and how stressful it can be HOWEVER once submerged in the water the stress seemed to fall away – a parable of the passage?
– Dorothy: the passage has different depths of water. We can often paddle but he wants us to be submerged in his love and filled with his Holy Spirit! But this is an invitation, it is never forced.
– Song: I want to be out of my depth in your love https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTp7manX35o
Joyce Matthews
What jumped out at me was verse 9:
There will be swarms of living things wherever the water of this river flows.[c] Fish will abound in the Dead Sea, for its waters will become fresh. Life will flourish wherever this water flows.
Lord, please show us where are the areas in our individual, corportate lives and in Warwick and beyond most needing this water to bring life?
Mrs Margaret Parkins
Wonderful to read and re-read these verses.
What a challenge for us as a church fellowship, —-maybe the “waters” flowing from our “temple” are those of baptism, inviting others to seek baptism and experience the fruits that will be seen.
Kevin
Where in our own lives and communities are there areas of ‘dead sea’? Lord, show us – allow your living water to flow into them
Kevin
Margo: Shared “River wash over me”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wkGne4Yxb0
Mrs Margaret Parkins
That song took me back over the years!