10th-16th March 2025
As I sit down this evening to “put pen to paper”, trusting that some sense will come out of my musings since Mr David Mairs (whose email went straight to spam!) asked me to write for the prayer diary – one question comes to mind: What’s My Story? Now, confession time, these are not my words! This is a question we are being encouraged to consider as we journey through this current teaching series.
It just so happens that this week marks the anniversary of a significant moment in my story and the story of my family. Tomorrow marks nine years since my dad’s death and the subsequent loss of my very special sister as she was moved out of our family home to be looked after elsewhere. It appears to me that stories are important when it comes to God. He himself has written the most perfect and hope-filled story there is. But he is also at work in the stories of our lives. I know I’m not alone when I look back over my own life and if you were to look back over your own we would see God, faithfully there throughout. There would be the standout moments that punctuate the mundane. The earth-shattering lows alongside the soaring highs.
It is my hope this week, as I draw our attention to moments in Scripture where other individuals have had their standout moments, that we would see something of God’s character revealed to us, as it was to them. And that this would deepen our trust, strengthen our faith and grow our love of God – the author of all.
Written by Rachel Spence
MONDAY
Genesis 50:19-20
We know the story of Joseph. When his father has died and his brothers, who hated him and sold him, feared his judgement – notice what Joseph says, ‘Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?’ Joseph, in one of the many big moments that punctuate his story, knew his place under the sovereign rule of God. I can’t imagine he knew the extent of which his story would be told for generations. The presence of God when evil seems to triumph – God working out his redemptive purposes.
Thank you, God, for the story of Joseph. Thank you for your promised presence. We give you praise that Joseph’s story points us to Jesus – the one who dared to share in what belonged to sinful man, to provide everlasting good for those who believe. Amen.
TUESDAY
Exodus 15
Moses, the reluctant leader, has led the captured ones through the Red Sea. After doing so and again experiencing the “glorious deeds and wonders of God” (v11) God’s people sing. The victory inspired praise, a triumphant song and a personal one. Now, we know the story doesn’t end here and, after three days’ journey into the wilderness, God’s people worried about water (v22) but in this moment they praised their God.
Dear God, help us to praise you more as we experience the high points. The successes, the provisions, the answered prayers – may we be quick to thank you and give you the praise you deserve. We’re sorry, Lord, for when complacency or doubt creeps in and blinds us to your glorious deeds and wonders. We long to be a people who remain attentive, dependant and obedient. In your strength and for your glory. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
Nehemiah 1
The Jews had forgotten who God was. Despite all that he had done for them, they had forgotten his mighty deeds, his redemptive work and mighty power. Nehemiah knows God’s faithfulness in preserving a remnant and restoring them to Jerusalem, according to his promises. But before any wall is rebuilt, before any vision is cast, we see Nehemiah in prayer. A prayer that shows us Nehemiah’s view of God. I encourage you to read chapter 1 and be encouraged to pray today with reverence, to our great and awesome God.
O Lord God of Heaven, grant us a greater understanding of who you are. Your supreme authority – able to guide the destinies of nations and individuals alike. Despite our forgetfulness, you keep your covenant of love. We pray our hearts be filled again with worship for your greatness and we ask, Lord God, that we are also assured of your nearness and love. Prompt us, through your Holy Spirit, to prioritise prayer. Amen.
THURSDAY
Habakkuk 3:17-19
Habakkuk asked God two questions: 1) Where are you? and 2) Why? Sound familiar? The prophet observed the chaos of idolatry and immorality that was consuming those who ought to know better and pleaded with God to show mercy to the faithful and justice against evildoers. God’s response was initially perplexing; that he would use an enemy nation to bring justice to the evildoers in Judah. Habakkuk struggled to rationalise what he knew of God’s character with his actions. God graciously responds, reminding Habakkuk that evil will never ultimately prosper, and this leaves Habakkuk with no option but to pray – in praise, petition, recollection and thanksgiving.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for stories like Habakkuk and the honest dialogue that we can reap the benefits of. Encouraged that we are not alone in our questions and confusion. Please Lord God, through the reading of your word and time in prayer, reveal to us again your faithfulness. Draw our minds to the great and mighty deeds you have already done. We know you truly did “in wrath remember mercy” at the cross of Christ, so, when life seems to be crumbling around us, we need not despair – you are a God who remembers his promises and will never abandon your purposes. Thank you that you remain with us through the trials and the struggles. Amen.
FRIDAY
Ruth 1:19-22
Naomi rightly attributes her circumstances to our Sovereign Lord, but she sees only what he has taken away. Her grief blinds her to what he has provided. But what we see here in v22 is that God is a God of the ordinary. Naomi and Ruth return at the beginning of the barley harvest – the providential hand of God working in and through life’s routines. He knows and cares. Sustains and provides. My kids are excellent at thanking God for the ordinary parts of their days – and yet, what gratitude they can display each night as they list off the mundane. The sight of a barley field for Naomi and Ruth was a very ordinary view – but it declared God’s care and mercy. Mistakes had been made, grief was very real, but the harvest evidenced God knowing, sustaining and caring for them.
Dear God, help us to be aware of you in the ordinary bits of our day today. The warm meal, a bird singing, a conversation with a friend, the sun, the moon, the rain! Thank you for knowing us intimately and loving us perfectly. Amen.
SATURDAY
1 Kings 19:4-5
I'm sure we have all found ourselves in a spiritual valley when we had perhaps pictured ourselves on a mountaintop. Mental illness, discouraging news, the same sin returning to plague us. We can be prone to let our faith be overcome with fear. In these verses we meet Elijah, having fled and found a hideout in the wilderness. Having magnified life’s difficulties, he was paralysed … looking at God through his own circumstances rather than his circumstances through God. Elijah had seen miracles and still he was overcome – faith and hope replaced by discontent and turmoil. But God gave him food and drink and spoke to him. Unmistakably, the voice of God in the gentle whisper. Wow. Enough to spur him on to keep going.
Thank you, God, that you are a God who understands the difficulty of a broken world. You are gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Help us not to fall into a trap of self-pity but to look at our circumstances with an eternal perspective. Lord, there are some of us tempted to lie down, under a broom tree, thinking the good years of service and ministry are done. Refresh us again with a drink from your living word, may we hear the gentle whisper as we listen for you today. Amen.
SUNDAY
Luke 22:39-46
Jesus prays on the Mount of Olives. Jesus lamenting before the Father with full honesty and humility. His requests were real but there is something in this prayer that is even more important. His acknowledgement of God’s sovereignty and his submission to God’s great plan. An encounter with his Father enough to spur him on in his willing surrender. Jesus took the next step toward the cross, winning our salvation. He did that for us.
God, when we look through your word, we are amazed at how beautifully the story is woven together. Help us to not take this for granted. Jesus, you stood in our place. We cannot imagine the pain, suffering, humiliation, anguish. Purchasing our salvation. Rendering the powers of hell defeated. Help us to underscore our prayer life with the attitude of “not my will but yours be done”. Calling to mind your faithfulness in the past and your promises that will never fail. Trusting that our hearts will be further transformed, bearing the family resemblance as “beloved children” and living as light to a watching world. For your kingdom, for your glory. Amen.