Family Worship
Andy Beard
Luke 5:1-11 Family Worship Ideas

That's my King

You’ve probably seen it before, but as we approach Palm Sunday, I though you might enjoy this. As we’ll see in our on-line service on Sunday, Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey is His coronation procession. Mind you, He totally subverts everything this world has ever thought about kingship!

Prayer during Lockdown

For some of us we are almost two weeks into lock down. It’s hard to keep praying about the same situation for a sustained period of time without it beginning to feel repetitious. We’ve been allowing Christian Concern to give us a renewed focus every couple of days. Today we give our attention to praying for forgiveness. This is perhaps a bit more challenging…

“There were some present at that very time who told [Jesus] about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, ‘Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.'” (Luke 13:1-5)

  • That God would forgive our sins – recognising that every disaster reminds us of our need to repent

  • That God would show mercy on us for our complacency – for believing in our own self-sufficiency and the ability to protect ourselves

  • That God would forgive our carelessness – for when we have mistreated the bodies and gifts he has given us and left ourselves vulnerable to illnesses

  • That God would forgive us for when we have loved money or comfort more than loving God or our neighbours

  • That God would forgive us for when we fear sickness or death more than him

  • That God would show mercy on us when we lose perspective by failing to help all those who die on a daily basis worldwide through abortion, euthanasia, persecution and other threats to human life

Prayer during Lockdown

We continue to follow Christian Concern’s structure for prayer, today focusing on praying for the church. Hopefully this will get you started!

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:18-19)

  • That the Church would act out of faith, not fear, in its response to the virus

  • That Christians would be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us

  • That Christians would be both bold and sensitive in sharing the gospel

  • That we would be willing to be examples of Christ’s love for us by sacrificially serving our brothers, sisters and neighbours according to their needs

  • For churches that run foodbanks, homeless shelters, schools and other social action projects – that they would be effective in caring for others despite the challenges

  • That churches would put effective measures in place to continue worshipping God and providing pastoral support, while not endangering the vulnerable

Monday's Meditation

Safe

a poem by Paul Tripp

I am safe,
not because I have no
trouble,
or because I never experience danger.
I am safe,
not because people affirm
me,
or my plans always
work out.
I am safe,
not because I am immune from disease,
or free of the potential for poverty.
I am safe,
not because I am protected from disappointment,
or separated from this
fallen world.
I am safe,
not because I am
wise
or strong.
I am safe,
not because I deserve
comfort or have earned my
ease.
I am safe,
not because of
money,
or power,
or position,
or intellect,
or who I know,
or where I live.
I am safe because of the glorious
mystery of
grace.
I am safe because of the presence of
boundless love.
I am safe because of
divine mercy,
divine wisdom,
divine power,
and divine grace.
I am safe,
not because I never face
danger,
but because you are
with me in it.
You have not given me
a ticket out of danger.
You have not promised me
a life of ease.
You have chosen to place me in
a fallen world.
I am safe
because you have given me
the one thing
that is the
only thing
that will ever keep me safe.
You have given me
you.

safety net.jpg

Praying during lockdown

Continuing a series of posts - courtesy of Christian Concern for our Nation - giving shape to our life of prayer during these days.

Praying for society

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

  • For those doctors, nurses and other health professionals as they come under pressure and strain – that they would be kept free from illness

  • That the threat of illness would help many in society recognise their own mortality and their need for hope in the face of death

  • For scientists to be successful in finding a vaccine and other effective ways to protect people from the virus

  • That people would be mindful of the effects of their actions on others: following medical advice carefully and being responsible when buying supplies

  • That time in isolation from others would provide an opportunity for non-Christians to reflect, repent and turn to Christ

  • For all those whose work or study is hit by the crisis – that we would be fair to all who are affected and look after those whose livelihoods are threatened

Praying during lockdown

Continuing our posts on how to pray in these days (courtesy of Christian Concern for our Nation). Today we will focus our attention on praying for those in authority :

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

For Boris Johnson and the cabinet – that they would be wise in setting and communicating policies to stop and mitigate the virus

For the scientists advising the UK government – that they would understand the virus better and make excellent recommendations on how best to protect the population

For the World Health Organisation – that it would help governments worldwide fight the virus effectively by issuing wise advice

For NHS management to find the most effective policies to provide high levels of care to those at threat from coronavirus and those with other illnesses

For business leaders to put in place policies that help the country respond – by slowing the virus’ spread and by helping provide resources needed by the NHS and by those who are ill

That church leaders would be bold in proclaiming Christ with wisdom and compassion and in leading the church to respond to those around us with love

prayer thumbnail.jpg

Praying during lockdown

After a while it can be difficult to know how to keep praying for a situation - even one as grave as the developing corona-virus crisis.  Christian Concern for our Nation has listed out a number of ways we can be praying in these fraught days.  I'll post these a section at a time.  The first focuses us on praising God, and is rooted in Ps.62:5-7.  Perhaps use these in the context of one of the Orders of Service on our website.  

  • Praise God as the maker and sovereign Lord over all things – none can question his ways (Job 38-42)

  • Praise Jesus as the one to whom all authority in Heaven and Earth has been given (Matt 28:19-20)

  • Praise God for his loving protection of his covenant people (Isaiah 43:1-7, Psalm 91)

  • Give thanks that nothing on earth can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 8:38-39)

  • Give thanks that every good and perfect gift is from our Father and that we have much to thank God for, even during suffering (James 1:17)

  • Praise God for a hope beyond death – that death will finally be defeated and we shall be raised (1 Cor 15:50-58)

prayer thumbnail.jpg