Southport Uniting Church Let’s Pray Together Oct. 2019
Please pray for those needing ongoing prayer: Pakistani Family, Barbara C, Labrador Gardens, Margaret S, Rev. Anne W, Jeanette H, Liam (9 years old Leukaemia), Lynette S, John N, LizMcC, Betty F, Diana S, Thelma A, Bruce B, Billie S, Vivienne W, Glenda R, David W, All our friends in nursing homes.
Tues 1. What does God require? Let us read Psalm 15 & seek to use our words & enact our deeds in a positive way to all we meet today. Pray today & each day this week for the selection and actions of the JNC asking God’s direction in their work here at S.U.C. Amen
Wed 2. “…the church of the living God, the pillar & support of the truth… Jesus.” 1 Tim. 3:15. Let us look to Jesus to give us strength & unity as we pray for our S.U.C. Amen
Thur 3. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.” Lam. 3:26. As we gratefully focus on this, we pray for support to all in our families & our church going through difficulties, amen.
Fri 4. “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love & of self discipline.” 2 Tim. 1:7. N.I.V. Loving Lord, may our lives be lived positively in love & to serve you. Amen
Sat 5. “Christ Jesus has ended the power of death & through the gospel has revealed immortal life.” 2 Tim 1:10. Let us confess our sin, seek forgiveness & grasp new life in Christ.
Sun 6. Jesus said, “If your brother sins, rebuke him & if he repents, forgive him.” Luke 17:3. Lord, let us not be afraid of constructive criticism & open our hearts to be more forgiving.
Mon 7. Pray this week for: Church Council, Elders, Leaders, Nurture & Connect Groups. Queen’s Birthday. Let us pray for wisdom & God’s blessings in all levels of government: Council, State, Federal & our Queen Elizabeth & the Commonwealth of Nations. Amen
Tues 8. God says to us, “I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity & not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for.” Jer. 29:11. Let us focus on this hope & encourage each other with enthusiasm & joy in our personal & church life. Amen
Wed 9. Lord, enable us to care for the elderly in our community; to visit those not able to attend at SUC & to support our neighbours & family members as we share stories & smiles.
Thur 10. “Whoever says he belongs to the Lord must turn away from wrongdoing.”2 Tim. 2:19. Loving God, in your spirit of grace may we focus on community & reaching others.
Fri 11. “Jesus, Master, take pity on us.” Luke 17:13. May we acknowledge God’s answers to our prayers gratefully, as the 1 leper out of 10 who said thankyou to Jesus. Amen
Sat 12. “The Kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:21. Father God, ground us firmly to be living our day to day activities worthy of being in your Kingdom – already around us. Amen
Sun 13. “Praise God with shouts of joy, all people! Sing to the glory of his name, offer him generous praise.” Psalm 66: 1-2. Let us together worship & praise our loving God. Amen.
Mon 14. Pray daily this week for ministries of Rev Ian, Pastor Marty & Jill plus Cheree.
Tue 15. “There is one God & there is one who brings God & mankind together, the man Jesus Christ.” 1 Tim. 2:5. Let us affirm our beliefs, praying for our union in life, with God.
Wed 16. “As for you – continue in the truths that you were taught & firmly believe.”2 Tim. 3:14. Gracious God, we bring to you the Congregations at: 9am, 4pm, 6pm & Wed 10am.
Thur 17. “I solemnly urge you to preach the message, to insist upon proclaiming it.” 2 Tim. 3:2. Lord, let our lives be examples of living with Christ & our words be true to you. Amen
Fri 18. “The Lord be with your spirit. God’s grace be with you all.” 2 Tim. 4:22. Pray for believers of all generations, Aboriginal church leaders, Christian writers & mentors to us.
Sat 19. “Always pray & never become discouraged.” Luke 18:1. Let us reflect on the seasons of nature & how God is able to focus our wants & wonderfully supply our needs. Amen
Sun 20. Lord, “You answer our prayers. You give us victory & you do wonderful things to save us.” Ps 65:2, 5. Let us live today truly grateful for God’s blessings to us. Amen
Mon 21. Pray each day this week for the homeless, mentally ill & the abused in society. “Things that are considered of great value by man are worth nothing in God’s sight.” Luke 16:15. Let us discriminate today in the choices we make to think & say & do & follow up.
Tue 22. Read Gen. 32:22-31. Father God, as Jacob wrestled with God, expressing anger, we look to you in difficulties, in our desires & hopes as a church & with the homeless situation.
Wed 23. Spirit of God, show us as a church how to serve the needs of the desperate homeless around us with your compassion & wisdom for now & for a long term solution.
Thur 24. Give thanks for the supply of our Community Breakfast, generous givers, willing organizers & helpers, as we pray for those in need who attend or support in any way. Amen
Fri 25. “I cry out to you Lord, because the pastures & trees are dried up.” Joel 1:19. Father God, forgive our misuse of pasture & pollution of our earth. Show us how to manage better.
Sat 26. “The Lord lets me rest in fields of green grass & leads me to quiet pools of fresh water.” Ps 23: 2. Let us thank God for nurturing our earth, for sunshine, water & needs met.
Sun 27. “Your commandment is with me all the time.” Psalm 119:98. Let us today affirm we are all in the hands of God. Pray for those having changes of home abode or lifestyle. Amen
Mon 28. Pray this week for our Children’s Ministries: Mainly Music & Kids Families 4pm.
Tue 29. “By the free gift of God’s grace all are put right with him through Jesus Christ.” Romans 3:24. Lord Jesus, focus us on your grace, forgiveness & enable us to live humbly.
Wed 30. “Let the children come to me & do not stop them because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these” Luke 19:16. Pray for children in your family or neighbourhood.
Thurs 31. “What is impossible for man is possible for God.” Luke 18:27. Amazing, wise God, I place you in the highest place as I look to live fulfilled in every way, living with you. Amen
29th September 2019
HORIZONS OF HOPE – BEGINNING IN OCTOBER
Dear Friends,
Since commencing here in June 2018, I have been greatly encouraged by the wonderful generosity of so many of you – the most recent instance being the raising of $5000 to provide for our new music system Hymnal Plus. The thought that God wants to grow us in our generosity to others and to his church, is often avoided in the church’s preaching and teaching. Against this reluctance, the Bible reminds us again and again of the generosity of God towards us in Jesus Christ. Out of that sense of God’s generosity towards us, I write to you to invite your participation in our forthcoming Program “Horizons of Hope”.
Horizons of Hope is a 3-week program over consecutive Sundays in October, whereby we explore together a theme rich in possibilities each Sunday in each of our 3 Sunday Services.
Week 1 – Sunday October 6 Open Hands
Week 2 – Sunday October 13 Open Hearts
Week 3 – Sunday October 20 Open Horizons – Special Guest David Busch
We will conclude our Horizons of Hope program with a special THANKSGIVING SUNDAY on October 27th.
I hope we can celebrate in each of the above services the good things God has done, is doing and will do!
We will be conducting the program over 3 consecutive Sundays for these 2 important reasons, namely:
- Firstly, we need time to pause and consider our giving to the Church and its mission, to consider prayerfully something as personal as giving to God takes time, and 3 weeks gives us the time.
- Secondly, three weeks gives us the opportunity to explore together different aspects of what it is to be a disciple of Jesus Christ in today’s world, serving with our hands, hearts and minds. By offering a 3-week program, we hope everyone hears the exciting things God has in store for our Church.
Many of us in the past have been part of expensive Stewardship programs with teams visiting every household. Horizons of Hope is not that sort of program! It is a worship-based program, conducted entirely by us, emphasising what it is to live out the Gospel in today’s world. I conclude with this thought:
Early this year we named 2019 as the Year of Reconstruction. I am giving 100% of myself in October, to ensure it becomes not just a Year of Reconstruction – but more importantly the Year of Consolidation.
In joy and peace,
Reverend Ian Lord