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.
8 Comments
Liz Thomson
I am sharing part of a prayer I read this morning. It seems to fit with the theme for today.
Dear Lord,
‘I need your help to live aware of you above all else. So many things compete for my attention, and, therefore, my affection, that I find it difficult at times to live consistently aware of Your Spirit within me. But that is truly what I long for. Help me to grow in my confidence in Your abiding presence, and to give love the way You do…’
Amen
Margaret Parkins
After a very busy, and noisy afternoon with many friends in the village here it was so good to sit quietly with you, then eat the meal which had been cooking. I was hungry for quiet, AND a meal too! God gives peace.
Keeva
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold and precious silver
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold, pure gold
Refiner’s fire,
My heart’s one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from within
And make me holy
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from my sin, deep within
Refiner’s fire
My heart’s one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will
Refiner’s fire
My heart’s one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will.
Songwriters: Brian Robert Doerksen (2013)
Purify My Heart lyrics © Mercy Vineyard Publishing, Ur Creative, Vineyard Songs (canada), Ur Global Publishing, Sarahbeth Smith Publishing, Meadow Tams
lindsey
Reading Ps51 today, was struck by v11 “do not cast me from your presence/reject me, or take your Holy Spirit from me”
Without the Holy Spirit to guide, comfort and give hope, I’d be devastated, empty, and life would feel pointless.
So grateful we have a loving father who treats us with grace we don’t deserve…. even though He sees everything, as , v3-4 The Passion translation says: “… everything I did, I did right in front of you, you saw it all.”
Liz Thomson
While reading Psalm 51 this morning, one line stood out to me in verse 12; ‘Restore to me the joy of your salvation’
Lord Jesus, help me to remember and be thankful every day for saving me, for washing away all my sin, for giving me a brand new life, for adopting me into your family, for giving me hope and a future.
I love you Jesus.
Whatever my circumstances, however I’m feeling, help me in this I pray, may I always rejoice in your salvation. Amen
Joy
Apologies I forgot to share this from Joy at tonight’s prayer time:
Thank you for today’s reflection – I have never thought about the fact that ‘his circumference is nowhere’ and have found that helpful to think about. One of the songs we used to sing at camp came to mind for me whilst thinking about God’s love – it is not a quiet song but was always amazing to see the kids responding to these words about God’s love and I love them too!
God who made the universe The earth, the sun, the moon and stars Has a place in His heart for me From the beginning to the end God will always be my friend So I can jump and shout ‘cos God loves me
God’s love is big, God’s love is great God’s love is fab and He’s my mate God’s love surrounds me everyday And I love to sing and say God’s love is big, God’s love is strong God’s love goes on and on and on God’s love surrounds me everyday And I love to sing and say…God loves me WEHAY!
Since before the world began God knew me and had a plan For my life and how I’m gonna be He sent Jesus to be my friend To show His love will never end So I can jump and shout ‘cos God loves me.
Thank you Joy
Kevin Johnson Author
A response to the devotional:
I AM NOT MY OWN
I was bought at a great price
A price that cost Him everything
A cost I don’t fully understand
I am not my own
Jesus paid the debt I owe
A debt so great I cannot count
A bill with items I’ll never know
I am not my own
God’s great love given for me
Spreading like wild fire—consuming,
Breaking, cleansing, purifying me
I am not my own
Found in Christ, forever His
Drenched through by His amazing grace
Forgiven, released, transformed — I’m free!
Keeva
As we start this day together I hope you find this poem I’ve found useful too.
We may not be coming together on a Sabbath but we are drawing aside to spend this day with Jesus.
Sabbath Keeping
There’s a whisper in the quiet
that steady, insistent pull
calling us to stop
to loosen our grip
to lay the tools down
even when the list isn’t finished.
A holy rest.
Not laziness
not giving up
but choosing the pause
the sacred breathing space
the moment the world softens
and our souls begin to stretch again.
This rest is older than our hurry
woven into creation itself
a rhythm gifted
not demanded
a day set aside
so we can return to ourselves
to God
to the stillness that waits beneath everything.
Take the day off.
Let it be simple.
Let it be gentle.
Let it be the kind of stop
that refreshes the mind
and restores the spirit.
Let this be a day
to remember you are more than your work
more than what you produce
more than the pace you keep.
Let this be a day
to breathe deeply
to let the knots loosen
to notice the quiet miracles
you hurry past all week.
Rest
refresh
renew
for the tasks ahead
for the calling that continues
for the life that needs your whole self
not your worn out corners.
Keep the Sabbath
the holy rhythm
the sacred gift
the space that reminds us
we are God’s
and it is enough.
© E Hamilton 2025