Dec 12 – The focus this week is on praying about living a good Christ-honouring life.

Father, as we pray this week, we acknowledge our absolute dependence on Your beloved Son. Apart from Jesus we can do nothing that will truly last or make a significant Kingdom difference.

Lord Jesus, You came that we might have life and life in all its fullness. We pray for that life today. May anything that hinders me from living such a life be redemptively dealt with and removed. You do not cover over nor do You deal harshly with us; Your are both merciful and our disciplining Father.

Your Spirit and word begin the work of removing, through the blood of Jesus, that which needs dealt with so blockages, barriers, hindrances, lack of faith and a poor attitude are cleansed. You then start to build back into us an open, clear, unhindered, faith-filled and encouraging attitude to life. In Your name. Amen

Dec 13 – Father, Your Kingdom is not about eating and drinking, it is about righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17-19, CSB, ‘for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever serves Christ in this way is acceptable to God and receives human approval. So then, let us pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another.’

If we worship and serve Your beloved Son seeking to walk a righteous pathway, living in Your peace, and walking in the joy of the Spirit – this is acceptable to You; it also commends us to other people who recognise Your presence in us and the rich quality of our lives.

Forgive us when we have made life about peripheral things, things that don’t really matter that much in the grand scheme of things. Also, forgive us when we have sought to diminish the importance of the precious moments of ordinariness with family, loved ones, fellow believers and friends.

May the rich tapestry of life be lived out by each one of us in our Church, in person and those who join us online. May our righteousness not be a hallmark of superiority – instead, may it be a profound state of being which draws others to desire the same quality of life.

May our peace not be in separation, but most marked and profound in the midst of a busy life. May our joy not be dependent on external factors, but supersede these and be drawn straight from Your joyful Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Dec 14 – Father, as we pray today, may our lives be filled with the life of Your dear Son. May the overflow of the life of Christ, from within us, have a wonderful fullness of life effect on our immediate families, and all we come into contact with in every setting of life.

We pray for any among our families, loved ones, Church family, friends and colleagues who are facing difficult, life-sapping days. May Your life-giving Spirit uphold and strengthen. Instead of sorrow, heaviness and pain – may thanksgiving, praise, worship and Your joy fill their lives.

May His life overflow through Telford Elim, in person and online, and may its enriching quality add a profound depth of understanding as to the amazing nature of the Christian life. You call us to live in the reality of the new life in Christ. May His life fill us and overflow bringing His life to others.

In order to live such a Christ-honouring life, it also means having to confront the antichrist nature of the attacks that come against anyone who seeks to live all-in for Christ. Teach us how and empower us to stand for Jesus, a soldier of the Cross denying self and following Him daily.

The world is held sway under antichrist mind sets, philosophies and religions. Glorify Jesus greatly as men, women, young adults, young people and children and saved and led out from under the dominion of darkness into the light and true life of Christ – into a life of discipleship and Christ-honouring worship, service and witness. Amen

Dec 15 – Father, there are so many life-destroying elements abroad in the wider communities around us. These elements debase life as You originally intended; they open a doorway to sin and decay. Many are trapped in a life which appears complete to those aspiring to it, but actually, for those already living it, is empty, hollow and unrewarding.

It is by the entrance of Your Word, the moving of Your Spirit, and the positive, life-affirming influence of Your Spirit-filled people that people can come to see that the life they desire is only found in Christ.

We pray for a Telford-wide Reformation which leads to the conversion of families, loved ones, friends, fellow students and work colleagues; a reordering of the core principles upon which society is based towards a Christ-honouring and biblically inspired pattern for life.

We pray for the establishment of Your truth in the souls of Telford’ women, men, young adults, young people and children. In this Advent season as everyone looks forward to Christmas, breakthrough in our church, and communities, in person and online, and turn these days into Christ-full, righteous and holy days. In Jesus’ name and for His glory. Amen

Dec 16 – Father, so many of the biblical characters lived lives which were full of troubles, opposition and hardships; and yet, their faith matured, overcame the obstacles and led them into a place of wonderful trust in You.

As we think of King David – he faced mockery from his brothers, hatred from King Saul, derision from his wife Michal, deception, intrigue and betrayal by his sons, and his own inner weaknesses and lust. His is a life that was complex and difficult, while also being a life that pointed others to the simplicity and wonder of a living faith.

In spite of everything going on inside him and around him, David could write that You were his Shepherd, and would supply all his needs. He experienced a quality and richness of life. You were the One who brought this abundant life to him, ‘He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside refreshing waters’ (Psalm 23:2).

I pray, Lord, that many will mature in the faith because of the ministries of Telford Elim, in person and online, and live in a place of spiritual plenty, their cups running over with Your refreshing Spirit. May Your will be done, and Your Kingdom come in and through each of our lives. Reveal Your Son’s life through mine. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Dec 17 – Father, living a good, Christ-honouring life isn’t just about the here and now – there are longer lasting implications from it. Not only does my lifestyle impact eternity and our rewards in heaven, but the legacy impact is also critical.

Forgive me where I have sown sinful or bad seeds which produce unrighteous or unholy fruit in the years to come, and among the generations to come. Lord Jesus, cleanse me by Your blood, renew me by Your word, and sanctify me by Your Holy Spirit.

Many live a type of life that burns up oneself, and also the immediate people around them. If I have used another in order to live a quality of life which is selfish or egocentric – forgive me.

For those I have hindered or adversely affected – forgive me. If any believe that the Christian life is about what one can gain at the expense of another because of how I have lived – forgive me.

If in any part of my life I have polluted my legacy, or sown discord, or hatred, or have created a poor impression of what it means to live the Christian life – forgive and cleanse me.

I here and now cry out for Your Spirit to guide me through a process of repentance, change and realignment so that my life allows the life of Christ to be clearly seen in and through me. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Dec 18 – Father, as we have been praying this week about living a good, Christ-honouring life – we finally face some of the biggest hurdles to such a life: the power of sin within, the demands of self within, the pull of the world without, and the pressure of Satan.

i, the power of sin within: Lord Jesus You broke the power of sin through Your death on the cross – may that victory manifest through my life;

ii. You call us to deny self – to count ourselves as dead unto the old and alive to Christ in the new. Help us to crucify self, to bring it under the dominion and lordship of Christ, and to instead allow the power of the Spirit to give us our security and identity.

iii. The foundations of this world order are in rebellion against Christ – Holy Spirit, I desire to live a life of obedience to Christ. Help me and equip me to do so. I know I have a responsibility to glorify Jesus through my life, but You are the One who can do that better through me than anyone else; and so, I lean on You and choose to seek Your fullness;

iv. Lord Jesus, Satan demands things off us that should only be given to You – he demands our worship, service, submission and obedience; and yet, he only rewards with more sin, death and destruction. Teach me how to exercise the authority You have given in Your name to overcome the evil one through Your Word and Spirit.

We also pray that through the ministries and people of Telford Elim, in person and online, many will be delivered from his control, many brought into the Kingdom, and many renewed in soul as they are saved and disciple. Bless today’s family service and this evening’s church Carol Service. Pour out Your Spirit – may Your Kingdom come and Your will be done. In Your name. Amen