The Daily Prayers this week are those written for the church’s month of prayer and fasting.

Jan 24 – Bernard Langford – Father, thank You that You have placed me in the relative peace and quiet of Shropshire. Thank You too for directing me to Telford Elim Community Church where I can enjoy the fellowship of like-minded Christians.

More importantly, thank You for being the Creative and Progressive God who is constantly wanting us ‘to enlarge the place of our tent’ (Isaiah 54:2), and move forward going from ‘one degree of glory to another’ (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Like the Potter and the clay (Isaiah 64:8), Your desire is to shape us into the character of Christ and to draw out of us the best so that His light within us will burn brighter and brighter bringing glory to Jesus’ Holy name.

Father we thank You for the sacrifice of Your precious Son, Jesus Christ, at Calvary – that blood has enabled us to be set free, and we are free indeed (John 8:36). Hallelujah. We pray for any in bondage to this world, their past, to the flesh, Satan or the power of self. Through our ministries – may Your freedom be ministered into the lives of many. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Jan 25 – Bernard Langford – 1 John 1:9-10, ‘CSB, ‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.’

Heavenly Father, we humble ourselves before You today, and confess that we don’t always think or do the right things. Our human weakness highlights how far short we fall when comparing us with the life of Jesus.

Help us, and ignite the desire to want to be more like Him, especially when it comes to our relationships with the people around us – our family at home, our neighbours, our work colleagues, other students, fellow Christians at church, and all the other people who we make contact with.

Lord, we need You to help us in breaking down the barriers that prevent us from being the person You created in our mother’s womb. You created us in such a way that our lives would have a great impact in the world when in Christ, but through life and circumstances we haven’t quite got there. Help us to confront the things that hinders us in Jesu’s name. Amen

Jan 26 – Isaac Alawode – Father, we thank You for the gift of fellowship – through this we can build godly relationships that honour Christ. Help us celebrate the unique qualities we each have. We ask You, Lord Jesus, to create in us a pure heart so that we can apply Your words of Matthew 7:12 which says, ‘So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.’

We ask You, God, to bless each of our relationships that honour You – that You may be glorified in them. Lord, instil in us an obedient heart that is quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry; in this we can create an environment where healthy relationships can be developed but also where damaged relationships can be redeemed and restored.

Where there is friction in relationships, we ask You to pour out Your Spirit on us. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Jan 27 – Isaac Alawode – Father, we pray against any spirit of jealousy, envy, or malice that can destroy relationships. Lord Jesus, give us the wisdom to communicate with each other in a respectful manner. In our relationships outside of church – whether in our places of study or work – let Your light shine through us, Lord, so that others can be drawn to You as Saviour, and others learn how to draw closer to You as their Master.

We ask that You bless every Connect and Life group ministry within Telford Elim; that Your name will be lifted high as relationships form, and for the Holy Spirit to be in the centre of each conversation.

We ask Lord that in 2022 – You renew our minds through Your word so that we don’t judge others outside the parameters of Your word as this can create a barrier in relationships. Lord Jesus, empower us by Your Spirit to take steps to create an inclusive environment where everyone can find You as Saviour, submit to You as Master, and grow into the disciples You made them to be. This we ask in Your powerful name. Amen

Jan 28 – Adeola Allinson – 1 Timothy 1:5, NIV, ‘The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.’

Lord Jesus, our King and Redeemer; Saviour to all who believe in You and confess You as their Saviour, the most righteous and all-loving. As we look to You regarding our relationships in our church – let these be based on pure hearts and motives that foster godly and healthy relationships, with all sincerity of faith, and a good conscience. Then Your light will shine ever brighter and brighter amongst us – let Your agape love flow in our church relationships so that they wax stronger and stronger.

Father, let our love be sincere, detecting and confronting every form of evil, and clinging to what is good (Rom 12:9). We ask that Your perfect love cast out all fears relating to our church relationships, and transforms our relationships, let these honour You as we surrender what we think the relationships will /should be into Your holy hands. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen

Jan 29 – Adeola Allinson – Lord of Light, our shield and defender, let Your light shine forth into all our relationships with others; let us know when and how to set/ erect godly boundaries. Almighty Father, guard our hearts and minds giving us specific direction and guidance on how to interact with one another in godly and fruitful ways.

Help us to learn to forgive others as Your word tells us in Matt 6:14, ‘For if You forgive others their trespasses, Your heavenly Father will also forgive you.’ As we forgive, we can also receive forgiveness from You. Also, Father, help us to ‘be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave You’ (Ephesians 4:32). In Jesus’ name. Amen

Jan 30 – Pastor Leslie – As we have been praying about ‘reimagining relationships,’ we know relationships are probably the most complex thing we have to do in life. Satan, self, sin and the world all impact our ability to connect and engage with God, our own selves and others.

Father, our first priority is our relationship with You through Christ by the Spirit. Therefore, we pray for a deepening relationship with You, a greater passion for, commitment to and obedience of the Lord Jesus, and a new level of openness, sensitivity to and connection with the Holy Spirit.

We pray for the Spirit’s fullness to fill each one of us. Also for the grace and revelation from Your word that each of us need in order to pay the price, take up our cross daily, deny ourselves and walk with Jesus each day.

We pray for our relationship with our own selves – my relationship with me. Many are tied to the past, or day dreaming about the future without actually practising the Christian Disciplines, filling our lives with His word, connecting with Him in prayer drawing upon the grace needed for this day, its life, worship, service and opportunities.

We pray for people to be drinking the living water of the Spirit and eating fresh bread of Your word each and every day. For each one’s identity to be truly in You, Lord Jesus, free from the weights and sins of the past, knowing clearly, by faith, that tomorrow is in Your hands, while drawing upon Your grace and embracing today living truly free in You. Amen