This week’s daily prayers, March 15-19 have been written by Denise Gore; March 20-21 are written by Pastor Leslie. The theme is Biblical Stewardship.
Denise writes: “Every faculty you have, your power of thinking or of moving your limbs from moment to moment, is given you by God. If you devoted every moment of your whole life exclusively to His service, you could not give Him anything that was not in a sense His own already” – C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
March 15 – Psalm 24:1-2, ‘The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world and all who live in it; for He founded it on the seas and established it on the waters’
Father, we acknowledge and are thankful for Your sovereignty. As we think about Stewardship over the next couple of weeks, we ask for clarity in each of our lives in truly grasping what it is. Some of us can be inclined to think of it only in relation to our finances; however, Your word tells us it is so much more.
From Genesis and right through we learn how You created everything including man, to work and be stewards of all You have given us in creation. Help us to be good stewards, obedient and fully committed to You, knowing You are in control over us, and all that we own. In Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
March 16 – Father, thank You for the Parable of the Talents which tells us that we will one day be called to give an account of what we have done with all You have entrusted to us. This includes our time, treasures and talents – help us to use them wisely and for Your glory.
Help us to be wise and faithful stewards, growing and improving on what You have given us, and sharing with others, particularly the good news of the gospel, but also the lie principles we are learning and seeking to apply from Your word. Thank You that Your word tells us that when we are faithful with what You have entrusted us with, big and small, we will be entrusted with more. In Jesus’ name. Amen
March 17 – Father, thank You for each person in the church who has used their time, treasure and talents to support and develop our Online Church. So many people are stepping out into unchartered and unfamiliar territory – bless and protect them, Lord, enlarge their territory.
Thank You for the opportunities and the resources You continue to provide, and for the many gifts and talents You have given to the church. Help us to share Your message of grace and mercy, in Christ, far wide, bringing glory and honour to You, Lord Jesus. Amen
March 18 – Matthew 25:21, ‘His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
How amazing would it be to hear these words; Lord, thank You that You have made it possible that we can. Thank You, Lord that You have given us everything we need to be good stewards; help us to truly believe and understand that everything we have and are and do comes from You, through Christ and by the Spirit.
Grant us wisdom and discernment as a Church Leadership Team to model stewardship in such a way that it is pleasing and honourable to You, and clearly evident to those we serve so they can see and learn what good stewardship is. In Jesus’ name. Amen
March 19 – 1 Peter 4:10, ‘Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.’
Father, thank You for the Spiritual gifts You bestow on us; each one of us having a different mix of the gifts according to Your grace and will. Help us to pour out as You pour in; Lord, may our understanding grow that we are called to worship, live out our faith and serve others. May we use our gifts wisely and build each other up for Your glory.
Help us to be a church that supports and grows disciples who make new disciples, each one understanding the Great Commission. As we enter into a new season, may this also be a new season in the church, online and in person, when we see many people coming to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour. Help us to use all You have given us to reach people both far and wide, may we be open to new and effective ways of doing so. In Jesus’ name. Amen
March 20 – Father, it is important to bring our finances and lay them before You. In the Bible, You lay down many Stewardship principles which we need to recognise and seek to apply – Holy Spirit, enable us to do so.
God You are faithful. One of Your great biblical names was coined by the prophet Samuel in response to an amazing victory over Israel’s enemies; it is Ebenezer, meaning, ‘hitherto hath the Lord helped us’ (1 Sam 7:12).
The great 19th Century missionary to China, Hudson Taylor, applied this to himself and his own situation. He knew that You had been faithful to him and was therefore able to rest in Your faithfulness in Christ for the great vision You had given him for reaching the people of China with the Gospel.
Personally, as a couple, You have been faithful to Joan and I over the years supplying what we have needed. I proclaim that Jesus is my Lord, and Lord of Telford Elim online and in person – our Great High Priest. Lord Jesus, You are intensely interested in our lives. You are committed to us by covenant and promise.
Father, we are able to be on Your side in Christ. We proclaim today that Your Spirit is fully committed to our salvation, and to enable us to bring glory to the Lord Jesus. Great is Your faithfulness. Amen
March 21 – Today is there is the chance, and over the coming weeks, to give a Love Offering to support the church’s Next Gen ministry. Every pound given is seed faith which will release greater blessing through these ministries as Alisha and Samuel lead them, our Next Gen Pastors. Father, guide each of us in our giving to this Freewill, Love Offering.
Lord, we are to give to You what is Your Due. Our response to Your faithfulness is to give the firstfruits of our income – a rich part of our worship. By giving to Your work, we are proclaiming our trust in Your provision, submitting to You as our Creator, and proclaiming the lordship of Christ over our lives, our marriages, over our church, over its Next Gen ministries, and all that which we believe was ordained by You.
Out of our devotion and worship – there is a desire to seek to discern how to become better and more generous stewards/managers of all You have entrusted to us. As we give, it opens the door to the supplies of grace, wisdom and peace we need to fulfil Your call on our lives in order to deny ourselves, take up our crosses daily, and follow Jesus. We cannot out give You. Hallelujah! Amen
