7th - 13th October 2024
Over the past few months I have been given the gift of time to reflect, refresh and renew. It has been such a privilege to step aside from the normal routines and to take spend some time moving to a different rhythm. A huge thank you goes out to all our contributors over the past 3 months it has been a joy to read and pray during this time.
I remember a few years ago reflecting on the saying that ‘Life is a journey, not a destination’? And one of the things that the gift of time allowed was the opportunity to reflect on my life and to remind myself of God’s goodness, grace and forbearance with me from those moments of conception when he formed me in my mother’s womb right up to this time as I sit and write an introduction to this week’s prayer diary. It’s incredible and humbling to recognise the Creator God’s presence and influence on my life over the years and as we enter a new series of teaching on Ephesians to realise that each one of us was chosen before the foundation of this world!
One of the lessons I learnt growing up was the importance of enjoying the journey, of savouring the moments, of being grateful for each day that I have been given by the one who made me, who made a world for me to be before him and who gives me life each and every day.
Too often we can wish away days, months, years and then look back with regret that time has flown by much faster than we could imagine and we cannot turn back the clock and relive moments we missed or change the things we have said and done.
The destination is important, there is no doubt about that. We need to be sure about where we are travelling to, but the journey itself is what makes the destination more enjoyable.
When we come to faith in Jesus Christ we know that we are forgiven, accepted, loved, adopted and precious, that heaven awaits us and nothing can change that wonderful truth.
However, we can sometimes lose sight of the fact that, although we have a hope for the future, it is also a living hope that we are to enjoy and experience each and every day – not just when we go to be with the Lord through our death or when he returns to bring us home.
This idea of living life, enjoying the journey with all its ups and downs, is important to recognise and embrace. I love the fact that we are being reminded of our value and purpose. That we are important and that God has brought us into relationship with him for a reason.
God has a purpose for our lives and whilst we are here on earth he wants us to live for him, to grow more in our likeness of him, to grow in our understanding of who he is and truly know what it means to love him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.
For some of us the current season we are in will be challenging as we face dark valleys and unknown futures, but God says to us, fear not, for I am with you and reminds us to lean into him and trust him. I love this promise, the reality for us regardless of our circumstances is that we are not alone on the journey of life, but God has promised to be with us.
For some of us the current season we are in feels like a sweet spot. We are enjoying good health, good family relationships and friendships, our job is secure and we are thankful for the good things we are able to enjoy. We are reminded that we need to be grateful to God for such seasons.
As we read in God’s word, there is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens. No wonder God reminds us to, ‘Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.’
As we come this week to read, reflect and pray may we stop at the various crossroads on our journey, take time to look around and choose to follow God’s path and in so doing we will meet with him and enjoy fellowship with him until we finally reach our destination.
Written by David Mairs
MONDAY
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-1
Heavenly Father, help me to recognise that you are Sovereign over everything and that there is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens. Some of these seasons are so difficult to navigate and understand and at times I struggle to comprehend why these things are happening in my life and in the lives of those I love and care for. It is so easy to be thankful when everything is going well. It is much harder to be thankful when things are not going as I had planned or hoped. So today I want to declare afresh my willingness to trust you in every circumstance I find myself in, knowing that you love me, care or me and are in control of everything that is happening in my life. Amen.
TUESDAY
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
1 Peter 1 :3-6
Father in heaven, I am so thankful for the living hope I have through Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. Thank you that death has lost its sting and is like sleep before I awaken in your presence. Thank you that my inheritance is secure and can never be taken from me. Help me to live in the reality and joy of my new birth and the special relationship I have with you despite the struggles that life can and will bring my way. Help me to have the assurance that my faith is shielded by your power and that I am held securely in the palm of your hand. I love you father. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Jeremiah 6:16
Loving Father, teach me how to travel the godly way, to stay in step with your Spirit and to seek you first in everything I do. Teach me to stop and ponder, to reflect and consider your ways rather than rushing around trying to organise and be in control of everything myself. In the busyness of life I yearn to experience your rest. Father, as I journey through this life keep me close to you, trusting you, depending on you, seeking your wisdom and choosing to follow you each day. Amen.
THURSDAY
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:105
Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me your word which guides me and enlightens me to your truth and how I should live my life for you. Thank you for those who faithfully teach your word to me and help me to understand it. Help me to take the time to listen to you as I read your word and listen to it being taught. Help me to reflect, ponder, meditate on it but, more than that, help me to apply your word into my life so that I become more like you and live the life that you desire me to. Amen.
FRIDAY
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Ephesians 2:10
Dear God, I bow in your presence today and thank you for changing me. I struggle to look at my life and consider it a masterpiece, but I know that you are in the process of changing me and when you look at me you see all the potential of what I can be. Help me to trust you to continue to transform me, help me to be open to your good discipline in my life as you knock off the rough edges and mould me into someone who can do good things for you. Thank you that I can have confidence in serving you because the good things you want me to do were planned for me by you. I am in awe of you and humbled that you want to use me in your plans to redeem this world. Amen.
SATURDAY
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20
Heavenly Father, thank you for the simplicity and clarity that your word gives to me. Help me to be an effective witness for you in my home, neighbourhood, workplace, place of education and friendship groups. May my actions and conversations reveal Jesus to those who know me and to those who observe me. Thank you for promising to always be with me. Give me boldness to live for you and to impact others for you. Amen.
SUNDAY
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
Matthew 7:13
Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing the truth of who Jesus is to me and enabling me to enter the narrow gate that leads to life eternal. To be honest it is a bittersweet feeling because there are those I know and love who have chosen the broad road that leads to destruction and my heart is heavy and troubled when I consider the destination that awaits them. Father, today I pray for … (mention people by name), that you would reveal the truth of who Jesus is to them, that they would repent of their sin and come to a saving faith in your Son Jesus. Father, be merciful, longsuffering and kind and save each one of them I pray. Amen.