General Chat

These Hellenistic Jews from the most northerly state of Galilee remained in far-off Jerusalem for 50 days after Easter on the orders of the risen Jesus. They had now seen Jesus ascend back to heaven 10 days previously and were once again without their leader. But now filled with hope that something momentous was going to happen in the city of Zion (Jerusalem) at the Feast of Pentecost.

The apostle Mark writes thus to his friend Theophilus, recorded in Acts of the Apostles Chapter 2:

"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

So thousands of their fellow Jews had come together for Pentecost from the Jewish diaspora, speaking all manner of native languages. Yet these simple Galileans were all able to address them in their own tongues.

This miracle was the simple birth of the Christian church. Today marks that birthday for every Christian. Exactly 7 weeks after Easter (50 days including both Sundays) we still start our week in worship on a Sunday because of what happened on Easter Sunday and Pentecost Sunday :-) :-) :-)

Cynthia :-D :-D I did not know what to say to Rollo. So pleased you said something.

I was just going to say that I am sure Rollo has had all those prayers answered. My image of you, Rollo, is driving round in a big Merc and watching a big plasma TV (not at same time). Rollo, now you have got all that, it is a good time to seek in prayer what other delights the Lord has in view for you :-D

And, for those who have not yet had a big new Merc, it is not all that. Seeing the face of somebody who has had their sincere prayers answered exceeds even a Merc ;-)

No Mercs at Pentecost, but they were all rather fulfilled and happy :-) :-)

Vera, thank you - the hymns of that word are incredibly moving - have you seen it here? Well worth a look.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqDOXfj9W0w


Emma, I had forgotten about that prayer - thank you for the reminder. :-)


Rollo, with my tongue firmly wedged in my cheek, I will say that I'm not too sure that you have got the hang of this thread, but thank you for your contribution.



:-)

Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,
So Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?

Oh Lord, won't you buy me a color TV ?
Dialing For Dollars is trying to find me.
I wait for delivery each day until three,
So oh Lord, won't you buy me a color TV ?

Oh Lord, won't you buy me a night on the town ?
I'm counting on you, Lord, please don't let me down.
Prove that you love me and buy the next round,
Oh Lord, won't you buy me a night on the town ?

(Janis Joplin)
:-D

In this day and age we are all busy going about
our daily business, I came across this prayer and
nothing seems to change over the years.....

I Will Be Busy

O Lord
you know how busy I must be this day.
If I forget you,
do not forget me.

(Sir Jacob Astley, before the Battle of Edgehill, 1642)

Love the prayer hymn "God of the Poor" as it seems to me that compassion and love for our fellow man is something we can all strive for, whatever our faith or non-faith.

Beauty for brokenness
Hope for despair
Lord, in your suffering
This is our prayer
Bread for the children
Justice, joy, peace
Sunrise to sunset
Your kingdom increase!

Shelter for fragile lives
Cures for their ills
Work for the craftsman
Trade for their skills
Land for the dispossessed
Rights for the weak
Voices to plead the cause
Of those who can't speak

God of the poor
Friend of the weak
Give us compassion we pray
Melt our cold hearts
Let tears fall like rain
Come, change our love
From a spark to a flame

Refuge from cruel wars
Havens from fear
Cities for sanctuary
Freedoms to share
Peace to the killing-fields
Scorched earth to green
Christ for the bitterness
His cross for the pain

Rest for the ravaged earth
Oceans and streams
Plundered and poisoned
Our future, our dreams
Lord, end our madness
Carelessness, greed
Make us content with
The things that we need

Lighten our darkness
Breathe on this flame
Until your justice
Burns brightly again
Until the nations
Learn of your ways
Seek your salvation
And bring you their praise

(Graham Kendrick
Copyright © 1993 Make Way Music)

Thank you again Cynthia for beautiful prayer,
and also wish you a lovely day.

Emma :-)

Good morning everyone..............and I do apologise for copying the same prayer twice this week.....no excuses :-(



Whilst I love the Barclay prayers, I thought that, maybe, it would be a good idea to vary writers and styles of prayer so please feel free to add your favourites.

Meanwhile.......for today....


We give you thanks, O God, for those who mean so much to us–

Those to whom we can go at any time.

Those with whom we can talk and keep going back, knowing that they will not laugh at our dreams or our failures.

Those in whose presence it is easier to be good.

Those who by their warning have held us back from mistakes we might have made.

Above all, we thank you for Jesus Christ, Lord of our hearts and Savior of our souls, in whose name we offer this thanksgiving. Amen.




If anyone would like to request a prayer for a specific reason as Emma did yesterday, please add it to the thread or, if anyone wishes to remain anonymous, please send me a pm and I will add it anonymously on your behalf.


Have a lovely day everyone......... :-)

Very good news Emma......... :-)

Amen

Thank you Cynthia <3

To let you know she is doing well and surgeon very pleased
with her progress.

Emma

Hello Emma, so sorry to hear about your family member with the brain aneurysm - it must be a very worrying time for you all.


This is a prayer I have used many times in the past. I hope you find it useful.


Heavenly Father, we bring to you in prayer.............(name).
In simple trust we commit them into your hands.
We thank you that you love them more than we do and understand their every need.
Do for them, O Lord, what we cannot do, and what you see is most for their good. For Jesus' sake. Amen.


Cx <3

I would appreciate a healing prayer for a member of
my family who is recovering from operation for a brain
aneurysm.

Emma

Thankyou as usual, Cynthia. :-D :-D Will now be thinking of your pre-schoolies on Sunday (Pentecost Sunday, incidentally). Some good advice for Sunday schools and all mothers of restless and noisy children and grandchildren ;-)

Job has always been favourite book of mine, Susan with. I think it is the earliest book ever written that has been saved to canon of scripture. Job was a rich and successful man with a good life and a large family. He loses everything, his family die, and yet he still turns to God.

Some today get so upset when they lose a child or a fortune that they blame God - "how can He be a loving God and cause all this pain and anguish?" Well, Job lost ALL his family. Yet he keeps loving God and searching for a purpose in his life. And he and his friends are wrestling with creation, believing they have more knowledge and intelligence than God. Chapter 38 brings that debate to a very dramatic conclusion.

And so it has been in every generation since Job. Ultimately, we either accept God or we continue to criticise, continue to challenge what we have been told. Job trusted, his friends all trusted and the remainder of their lives were wonderful and harmonious. Out of tragedy and despair and unbelief came joy and real friendship :-D :-D

Good morning. I must get myself into action and tidy out the school bags which we give to our pre-schoolers on Sunday mornings. I bring them home every couple of weeks to sharpen crayons etc.

Each bag has two books in it - we use board books for ease of cleaning. One is a faith book and the other is a story book. They also have a lacing card (brilliant for keeping tiny hands busy and little mouths closed), and an assortment of jumbo crayons.

As they arrive, each child is handed a bag and given a new picture to colour in. We try and vary the pictures according to the church season or weather season.

At the back of church, I keep a small pile of 'touchy feely' but not noisy play books to hand out to any child who is getting restless.

I usually get a wink and a nod from a couple of the choirmen who want to colour pictures during the sermon.......tuts.... :-D


Anyway, to start the day.......................

William Barclay's Personal Prayer

O God, grant that today
I may not disappoint any friend;
I may not grieve any loved one;
I may not fail anyone to whom I have a duty;
I may not shame myself.

Grant that today
I may do my work with honesty and fidelity;
I may take my pleasure in happiness and purity.

Grant that today
I may lead no one astray;
I may not make goodness and faith harder for anyone.

Help me today
to be a help and example to all;
to bring strength and encouragement wherever I am:

Through Jesus Christ my Lord, Amen.

Thank you.........friends are, indeed, very precious.

:-)

From prayers about friendship......


And the LORD restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
Job 42:10

:-)

Respecting One Another

God our Father
you call each of us by name,
and you treasure each of us individually
as though no-one else exists,
Inspire us
to respect and value
each person who comes into our lives this day.
Amen.

:-D :-D Great way to start the day :-D

Good morning - at least it isn't raining and my decorator has arrived :-D

Thinking of all members who are having 'one of those days' - with love.



O God, you are our refuge

When we are exhausted by life’s efforts;
When we are bewildered by life’s problems;
When we are wounded by life’s sorrows:
We come for refuge to you.


O God, you are our strength.

When our tasks are beyond our powers;
When our temptations are too strong for us;
When duty calls for more than we have to give to it:
We come for strength to you.


O God, it is from you that all goodness comes

It is from you that our ideals come;
It is from you that there comes to us the spur of high desire and the restraint of conscience.
It is from you that there has come the strength to resist any temptation,
and to do any good thing.


And now as we pray to you,

Help us to believe in your love,
so that we may be certain that you will hear our prayer;


Help us to believe in your power,
so that we may be certain that you are able to do for us above all that we ask or think;

Help us to believe in your wisdom,
so that we may be certain that you will answer, not as our ignorance asks,
but as your perfect wisdom knows best.


All this we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

- William Barclay


Cx :-)