David's blog

Being thankful to God is good and we must always show our appreciation. Although sometimes we start talking to God first with our thanks giving. We may tell God how fortunate that God has us or even being thankful for something God would not endorse. We must first seek God

This is what I try and do when I pray:

Acknowledge and praise God. God is everything.

That my thinking would be the same as God’s

Acknowledge of my sinfulness. Where I am no longer at peace with God, others and myself

Then to be thankful, knowing the greatness of God and my own selfishness

What is on the inside? What is going on? Is there good thoughts or bad? Have you been broken? Someone in your life that has hurt you deeply, and you carry it around beneath the surface.

I am sorry. Life can be cruel and harsh.

I have been there too. Memories of bad things lurk in the background, appearing now and again.

If you examine the life of Jesus, you find someone caring, kind, gentle and compassionate. He cared for those who have been broken. Can Jesus feel the pain you feel. I believe he does because the things that have happened to you has happened to Jesus. So much so that he was killed in an excruciating painful way. With nails driven through his hands and feet. But did he feel hate, resentment and bitterness. No he forgave his enemies. He offered a life of freedom from this hatred and bitterness, where wrong is turned to right.

If something has just stirred in you, may I encourage you to find out more about Jesus, read his words and find wise people to help you on your journey.

A prayer for those who are looking

Dear God,
I struggle
With all that is inside
I try to
Understand
But my life is controlled
By past experience
I am left broken
And hurt
Please help me
May I know you
And your love for me
Help me to forgive
Give my problems to you
And live in freedom
In Jesus name
Amen

A prayer for those who believe
Dear God
I am amazed
At you love for me
You take my pains
And struggles
You accept me
And want the best for me
Use me Lord
To help others
Those who find themselves
Lost
And in need of a friend
Give me eyes
To find them
Ears
To listen
To Speak
Words of comfort
May we be able
To challenge others
To look to Jesus
In Jesus name

Amen

We are aware of the latest trends, thinking, technology, etc… But does it really lead to the truth and a better life for us all? We treat these things as good and worthy to pursue. But they often take over our lives and we become slaves to it.

What about Jesus? Does he have a role to play in our lives? It is said, ‘he is the same yesterday, today and forever’ *. A solid foundation for our lives that will never change.

If you never considered Jesus or have been put off by Christians, may I encourage you to look again at who Jesus is and what he said and did.

A prayer for those who are looking.

Dear God
Thank you that
You never change
Your love is
Constant
And unconditional
Thank you are pleased
When we talk to you
May I know
Who you are
And that I would travel
With you by my side
In Jesus name
Amen

A prayer for those who believe
Dear God
I am indebted to you
For always being available
And always loving
Thank you
That you never change
May you give me
The eyes to see people
Who are struggling
Or searching
To start a conversation
Give me the words
That you would start
A new work
In their lives
Towards knowing you
And their salvation
In Jesus name
Amen

* Hebrews 13v8

When you get up, get going and start your day what voices are you hearing. What are they telling you and are they right? These voices may come from an inner voice, family, friends, media, peer pressure, establishments, public opinion, etc…

Have you stopped and asked, ‘Are they really correct, are they wise, are they good for me?’ Have you actually questioned or do you just accepted them as true and right.

Have you stopped and listened to voices of individual, perhaps those who do not or cannot speak up? The quiet voices of life. Like those of the poor, the shy, the broken, those who struggle. Would you hear a different story?

John in the Bible was a voice in the wilderness. Someone you had to go and see to find out what he was saying. But it seemed worth it.

He told of a man who was coming, and we needed to look at ourselves see what is going on and make changes to what is not good. This man was like a King, and his name is Jesus.

Are you prepared to meet with Jesus, to find out more about him and what he said, to listen to his voice. Will you make changes and make a difference to your life and of those around you? Or will you let him just walk past?

A prayer for those who are looking.

Dear God,
There are many voices
In my life
Telling me
What direction
To go in
May I stop
And listen
To your voice
To find out
About you
To make changes
To things that are not right
Here I am.
In Jesus name.
Amen

A prayer for those who believe
Dear God,
I pray that I would represent you today
That I would not compromise my life
And follow the false voices
Of this world
May my voice
Be a voice
That point people to Jesus
Give me courage,
Opportunities
And the people who will listen
In Jesus name
Amen.

People are lonely, sad, broken, bored … They often do not have hope. So they find ways of making themselves feel better.

They find themselves falling into bad habits, and they get stuck without the willpower to change. The habits become so important to them that the relationships around them break.

Jesus came to bring freedom to people stuck in personal prisons*. He offers a change of life and gives hope.

If you are a follower of Jesus, I hope and pray that you would have love and compassion. Be prepared to help struggling people rather than condemnation.

A prayer for those struggling.

Dear Jesus
I am lost
Without meaning
I have got myself
In a bad place
I believe in you
That you can bring me
Freedom
Please walk with me
Bring change
I commit my life
And my struggles
Into your hands
In Jesus name
Amen

A prayer for those who follow Jesus

Dear Jesus
We live in a world
Of struggling people
May I bring the light
And hope of Jesus
To those around me
May I listen
Be compassionate
And be willing
To be friend
In Jesus name
Amen

* Luke 4:18