Prayers – December 2018

‘For unto us a child is born, to us a Son is given, the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’ Isaiah 9:6

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, let’s remember His words in John 14:27: ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’ Let us pray that in the busyness and anxieties of preparing for Christmas we deliberately make space to connect with our Heavenly Father who made us. We pray especially for those who find this time of year difficult, through loneliness, bad experiences in the past, ill health, financial difficulties. We ask that the peace Jesus gives will reign in their hearts.

As a church, we remember that peace is a wholeness of mind and spirit, a whole heart at rest. It has little to do with external surroundings. Not the absence of trouble, but the presence of God. We ask our Heavenly Father for the Grace to choose peace, not to give way to worry and fear, for the ability to keep things in perspective.

We pray that as we learn to live in the peace God promises us, we can radiate that peace to others- bringing calmness and wisdom to tense situations…being a light in the darkness.

We ask the Lord to reach out to all those who come into the church over the Christmas season, that they may know the love God has for them, that they may choose to follow Jesus. We particularly ask For the power of the Holy Spirit to be with Chris, Barry, Nigel and Fiona as they lead services. ..that God’s word will not return to Him void.

In St. Nic’s, we have much to thank the Lord for….those engaging in Spring Harvest, the Bible Project, Home Groups, Events in church. We cry out for protection for the whole church as this work continues, let us all be prepared to fight for the truth to continue to be preached.

As the year ends, we praise God for His love and concern for all His church, we remember again all those in distress, those persecuted for their faith, and we are heartfelt in asking for their trials to cease. Let us not ever stop interceding for them and praying for a change of heart in those who persecute them.

‘Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.’ 2 Thess.3:16

Amen