Pause and Pray – Daily Resources
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Pause and Pray – Daily Resources Thursday 12th November 2020 Pause As I enter prayer now, I pause to be still: to breathe slowly to re-centre my scattered senses upon the presence of God. Lord, we come as your people; we come as your friends. We come together. We come as we are. We come to be made one. We come to worship, that we might go in your name. Amen Rejoice I rejoice in God’s salvation, joining with the ancient praise of all God’s people in the words of Psalm 27 verse 1 ‘The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?’ Reflect I reflect today on the words of scripture found in Malachi 3 verse 10: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” I ask myself when have I seen God’s blessing outpoured in my life or in the life of others? What would it look like for our churches to be overflowing with God’s blessings? Ask Today we pray for: Bishop Julian, Bishop Philip & Bishop Jill Archdeacon David & Archdeacon Mark Friday 13th November 2020 Pause As I enter prayer now, I pause to be still: to breathe slowly to re-centre my scattered senses upon the presence of God. Lord, from the busyness of our lives we have come to be still, in the hush of your quietness. From the noise of our questions we have come to hear your voice. From the anguish of our hearts we have come to receive your peace. From the emptiness of our struggles we have come to be filled. Lord, we have come. Meet with us that we may not have come in vain. Amen Rejoice I rejoice in God’s strength today, joining with the ancient praise of all God’s people in the words of Psalm 28 verses 6 to 9 6Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. 7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. 8 The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. 9 Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them for ever. Reflect I reflect today on the words of scripture found in 2 Corinthians 9 verses 10 to 12 10 ‘Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.’ I ask myself how can I show generosity today? What things can I thank God for today? Ask Today we pray for: The Bishops leadership Team Saturday 14th November 2020 Pause As I enter prayer now, I pause to be still: to breathe slowly to re-centre my scattered senses upon the presence of God. Lord, we come with the things that bind us hard and fast, the things that limit our hope, our joy, our peace and our service. We come to worship you. We come to pray to you, because in Christ you came to set us free. Amen Rejoice I rejoice in God’s care for me today, joining with the ancient praise of all God’s people in the words of Psalm 42 verses 1 and 2 1 ‘As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?’ Reflect I reflect today on the words of scripture found in Luke chapter 6 verses 37 to 38 37 ‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.’ I ask myself how can I give of my gifts and time today? Do I need to forgive anyone? Where is forgiveness needed in the world? Ask Today we pray for: Accrington Deanery: ACCRINGTON Christ Church ACCRINGTON St John with HUNCOAT St Augustine ALTHAM with CLAYTON-LE-MOORS BAXENDEN St John HASLINGDEN St James w GRANE St Stephen & STONEFOLD St John & MUSBURY St Thomas LANESIDE St Peter OSWALDTWISTLE ACCRINGTON St Andrew, St Mary Magdalen and St Peter and Church Kirk ACCRINGTON St James and St Paul ACCRINGTON St Christopher Church of England High School Rossendale Hospital Sunday 15th November 2020 Pause As I enter prayer now, I pause to be still: to breathe slowly to re-centre my scattered senses upon the presence of God. Lord, we praise you for creating, healing and loving us. We thank you for seeking – and finding us; for holding us and renewing our lives. We honour you for all you have done for us, in us and through us. But we adore you for who you are: the one true living God. Amen Rejoice I rejoice in God’s faithfulness today, joining with the ancient praise of all God’s people in the words of Psalm 90 verses 1 to 4 1 ‘Lord, you have been our dwelling-place throughout all generations. 2 Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. 3 You turn people back to dust, saying, ‘Return to dust, you mortals.’ 4 A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.’ Reflect I reflect today on the words of scripture found in Genesis 14 verses 18 to 20 18 ‘Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.’ Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.’ I ask myself where do I believe my money and possessions come from? Do I give away a tenth of my income? Ask Today we pray for: Blackpool Deanery ANCHORSHOLME All Saints BISPHAM All Hallows BLACKPOOL Christ Church with All Saints BLACKPOOL Holy Cross South Shore BLACKPOOL Holy Trinity South Shore in plurality with BLACKPOOL St Peter South Shore BLACKPOOL St John BLACKPOOL St Mary South Shore BLACKPOOL St Paul North Shore BLACKPOOL St Stephen on the Cliffs BLACKPOOL St Thomas GREENLANDS St Anne BLACKPOOL St Christopher and St Nicholas MARTON St Paul MERESIDE St Wilfrid LAYTON and STAINING (The Trinity Parish) FREEDOM Church (Mereside) BLACKPOOL St George's School, A Church of England Business and Enterprise College Blackpool Victoria Hospital Blackpool Trinity The Hospice in the Fylde Monday 16th November 2020 Pause As I enter prayer now, I pause to be still: to breathe slowly to re-centre my scattered senses upon the presence of God. Our loving, heavenly father, we come because we must; we come because we ought to; we come because we need to, we come because we long to; we come because in you we have a joy and a gladness we have never known before; we come because you are the Lord. Amen. Rejoice I rejoice in God’s presence with me today, joining with the ancient praise of all God’s people in the words of Psalm 46 verses 10 to 11 10 ‘He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’ 11 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.’ Reflect I reflect today on the words of scripture found in Exodus 35 verses 20 to 22 20 ‘Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses’ presence, 21 and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. 22 All who were willing, men and women alike, came and brought gold jewellery of all kinds: brooches, earrings, rings and ornaments. They all presented their gold as a wave offering to the LORD.’ I ask myself who gets the best of all I have? Is my heart open to being moved by God? Ask Today we pray for Blackburn with Darwen Deanery: BLACKBURN St Mary the Virgin with St Paul (Cathedral and Parish Church) BLACKBURN Christ Church with St Matthew FENISCLIFFE St Francis BLACKBURN St Andrew Livesey in plurality with BLACKBURN St Barnabas BLACKBURN St Gabriel BLACKBURN St Silas BLACKBURN The Redeemer DARWEN St Barnabas DARWEN St Cuthbert with TOCKHOLES St Stephen DARWEN St Peter FENISCOWLES Immanuel KNUZDEN St Oswald LOWER DARWEN St James BLACKBURN St Aidan and St Luke, St Mark and St Philip BLACKBURN St Stephen and St James NORTH and EAST BLACKBURN (St Michael & All Angels with St John & Holy Trinity, St Thomas with St Jude) OVER DARWEN St James and HODDLESDEN St Paul's BLACKBURN St Wilfrid's Church of England Academy The Royal Blackburn Hospital Blackburn East Lancashire Hospice Tuesday 17th November 2020 Pause As I enter prayer now, I pause to be still: to breathe slowly to re-centre my scattered senses upon the presence of God.