The focus of this week’s prayers is again linked to the sermon on ‘Why be Generous?’ from Sunday 10 October. The prayers are written by Pastor Leslie

18 Oct – Father, it is possible to ask, ‘why do I need to be generous with my talents, time and treasure?’ Lord, it is because You call us to be good stewards of all You commit to our care, protection and work.

If we are to reflect the nature of Christ – then generosity of soul is at the heart of our worship and sharing of the Gospel about Jesus – and thus when we give the truest reflection of who Jesus is. Father, enable us to give a good reflection of the Lord Jesus in and through our lives and our church, in person and online.

In worship and witness, we acknowledge our humanity with its limitations – we do this by the humble attitude of our hearts, living sacrificially as we come to You, giving to Your Kingdom work, and sharing with others the Good News about Jesus. Anoint and empower us to live this way 24/7. In Jesus’ name. Amen

19 Oct – Father, in worship we also release that which is dearest to us – our faith, obedience, desires and true selves, the real us, not just our mask or persona – we release everything to You – God our Creator, Saviour and King – and acknowledge our dependence on You our Father, Jesus our Saviour and the Holy Spirit our Advocate.

True worship comes from the true us, rooted in Christ; in order to be accepted by You – we can come no other way. If we come any other way – then it is us choosing the place of our own offering rather than coming as You have demanded of us – in and through Christ.

If we truly worship – You then pour us Your Spirit’s power to live daily as living sacrifices putting everything, our talents, time and treasure, on the altar for Christ – the One who is worthy and redeemed us to You, Father, by His own precious blood. We pray that many more people will come to this realisation and take up this lifestyle – we ask that You will anoint and empower Telford Elim, in person and online, to proclaim and minister this truth so that many more will surrender all in this way to Jesus our King and God. Amen. 

20 Oct – Psalm 37:21, ‘the godly are generous givers.’ The Psalmist David knew this great truth – after all it was part of his life. Father, the godly are generous givers of worship and witness precisely because they are godly. Godliness is manifesting the life of Christ from within – reflecting His character and nature in life, worship and witness.

Father, godly people know the truth that whatever one sows – one reaps. Therefore, the godly sow godliness, the Gospel, and their very lives; and reap the benefits of righteousness, Spirit-anointed witness – dead to self and alive to Christ.

They give generously because they have received generously from Christ, including sharing in His death, resurrection, ascension and glorification. Anoint and empower us to proclaim, minister and live out this message so many hear, see and are led to the feet of Jesus. Amen

21 Oct – Father, although they know they will reap a reward for living sacrificially – the godly don’t give to get back more; no, they give of their worship, witness and selves, their talents, time and treasure because that is who they are in Christ.

Father, in Jesus by the Spirit, You are so generous to us, and so we do not hoard the love, mercy and grace we have received – we live as worshippers, witnesses and a sacrificial people in Spirit and truth who are thankful, being transformed, and who love, show mercy and share the Gospel with its abundance of grace. We do this because we have received from You. You lavish on us Your mercy, love and grace because You are the true generous One – empower and anoint us to live with an open handed attitude to life rather than a closed fist approach.

Father, we pray that because we are drinking from the river of Your delights, and are drawing from Your wellspring of life – that there will be an abundance of the life of Christ present in Telford Elim, in person and online, and in the lives of everyone who belongs to our church. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

22 Oct – Lord Jesus, You came to give us abundant life – a life the world cannot give. The psalmist David also knew that Your house was a place of abundance. He often spoke about his delight at going up to the Your house.

The church is us, Your body and people – we are also a house of the Lord indwelt by the Spirit; but Your house is also the building in which Your people meet to worship, fellowship, give, share communion, and hear Your word preached.

Telford Elim was built from a vision given by You – built in faith, and by the generous giving of Your people here. It is a centre – a meeting house where we meet together in person and online, but also meet together in Spirit; a place where fellowship happens.

May our church continue to be led by You, filled even more by Your presence, and minister the Gospel with a growing anointing and empowerment by Your Spirit and word. Amen

23 Oct – Thank You Father, that ‘fellowship’ is a New Testament word which means more than simply being in a social club together – it is about a shared identity in Christ, a spiritual communion or gathering of Your people – believers in Jesus. Thus when we meet, we are meeting with Jesus and with each other, and sharing in fellowship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, and each other.

Christ’s light is pure. Compared to Christ’s light – the world’s light is dark, ugly and tainted. It is His light that is the true light of the world by which men, women, young adults, young people and children can see as You see, understand as You understand, and know as they are known.

May this full Gospel message be proclaimed in increasing power by Telford Elim, in person and online; and we know that Your word never returns to You void and without accomplishing that which You sent it to achieve. Hallelujah! In Jesus’ name. Amen

24 Oct – Psalm 36:5-9, NLT, ‘Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. 6Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, Your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike, O Lord. 7How precious is Your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. 8You feed them from the abundance of Your own house, letting them drink from Your river of delights. 9For You are the fountain of life, the light by which we see.’

Verses 8-9, CSB, ‘They are filled from the abundance of Your house. You let them drink from your refreshing stream. 9For the wellspring of life is with You. By means of Your light we see light.’ In the name of Jesus. Amen