Stalbridge Congregational Church – Prayer Reflection August 16th 2020

Dear Fellow Worshippers: John and I will not be leading worship in the Church Building this week as we are on
holiday in Wales – we will however join in this prayer reflection with you. Remember that Daniel England will be
leading worship on the 23rd and we hope to see our families join us for this.

Let us begin with the Lord’s Prayer

Psalm 111 begins: v. 1 I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly
As we worship together as the assembly let us extol the Lord with all our hearts as we sing:
Our God is an awesome God, He reigns from heaven above,
with wisdom power and love, our God is an awesome God.
v 2. Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them - as we ponder the
greatness of the works of the Lord let us extol the Lord with all our hearts as we sing:
Our God is an awesome God, He reigns from heaven above,
with wisdom power and love, our God is an awesome God.

v 3/4. Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures for ever. He has caused his
wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate. As you remember – some of his
wonders; as you remember his grace and compassion to you let us extol the Lord with all our hearts as we
sing:
Our God is an awesome God, He reigns from heaven above,
with wisdom power and love, our God is an awesome God.

v. 5/6. He provides food for all those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. He has shown his
people the power of his works, giving them the lands of other nations. As you imagine the Israelites
wandering in the desert, hungry, afraid and homeless – think of those in our world today who are hungry,
homeless and in need of the power of God to provide for them and save them – say a prayer for those who
need his provision – migrants, those made homeless by the explosion in Beirut, families in the UK who
cannot afford food for the table or a roof over their heads, the jobless and the hopeless and sing:
Our God is an awesome God, He reigns from heaven above,
with wisdom power and love, our God is an awesome God.

v 7/8/9. The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. They are steadfast for
ever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness. He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his
covenant for ever – holy and awesome is his name. God kept his promise to Abraham as his dynasty began
with Isaac and to Isaiah when he promised us a Messiah – a suffering servant – fulfilled in Jesus; how have
you been blessed by the faithfulness and justice of God? As you remember sing:
Our God is an awesome God, He reigns from heaven above
with wisdom power and love, our God is an awesome God.

v 10. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise. Think on this and sing:
Our God is an awesome God, He reigns from heaven above,
with wisdom power and love, our God is an awesome God.

There are two New Testament readings to follow 1. Luke 7 v 1 - 10; and Luke 19 v 1 – 10. The second one
is read as part of Open the Book by Bob Hartman on our Facebook page parents may prefer to use this one
with their children and end with the reflection and prayer on the video. Others may take either or both.
Both readings reflect on the faithfulness of Jesus to the promise of God to reach out to both the Gentiles and the
Outcast.

1. The Centurion didn’t feel worthy enough to go to Jesus himself – but sent his servant on his behalf.
The man was well thought of in the community and they spoke up on his behalf – still he held back
 and asked that Jesus worked from a distance – to give the order for the healing in faith that it
would be obeyed!
Jesus marvels at his faith…. “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel”. When did you last
step out in faith in the Lord? What is God asking you to step out in faith for now?
2. Zacchaeus was unpopular and despite his power over the payment of taxes was afraid of the crowd
and hid in a tree rather than push to the front of the crowd. Whatever he expected to see when
Jesus came along – the last thing was probably for Jesus to seek him out, and invite himself to his
house!
Interestingly although the crowd informed Jesus about Zacchaeus’ sin – Jesus didn’t need to say a word.
Jesus seeking him was enough and Zacchaeus was a changed man! “Today salvation has come to this
house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham……”
Both stories tell of God’s love for all people, whether Jew or Gentile, whether upright or a sinner – but to
receive salvation both needed to meet Jesus and be blessed by him.
Pray: for those who you would love to bring to Jesus, ask God to show you who and to help you meet
them in the right way.

Let us sing together

MP 857 – I, the Lord of sea and sky : MP 957 – We want to see Jesus lifted high
I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry. We want to see Jesus lifted high,
All who dwell in dark and sin, My hand will save. A banner that flies across this land,
I, who made the stars of night, that all might see the truth and know
I will make their darkness bright. He is the way to heaven (repeat verse)
who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?
We want to see, we want to see
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord, we want to see Jesus lifted high (repeat)
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if You lead me. Step by step we’re moving forward,
I will hold Your people in my heart. Little by little taking ground,
every prayer a powerful weapon,
I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people’s pain. Strongholds come, tumbling down and
I have wept for love of them. They turn away. down and down.
I will break their hearts of stone, Repeat verse 1
give them hearts for love alone, We’re gonna see, we’re gonna see
I will speak my word to them. Whom shall I send? We’re gonna see Jesus lifted high

Prayers of Intercession
Spend time with God – pray through this week’s news – giving thanks for the good things an seeking
forgiveness where things have not gone according to God’s will – asking for God’s power to pour out where
it is needed to bring about justice, healing and hope. End the reflection with the Grace to each other.
Let us sing together MP 496 – O for a thousand tongues to sing
O for a thousand tongues to sing Jesus! The name that charms our fears, He breaks the power of cancelled sin
my great Redeemer’s praise, that bids our sorrows cease; He sets the prisoner free;
the glories of my God and King, ‘tis music in the sinner’s ears, His blood can make the foulest clean;
the triumphs of His grace! ‘tis life and health and peace. His blood availed for me.

He speaks and listening to His voice, Hear Him, ye deaf, His praise ye dumb, My gracious Master, and my God,
new life the dead receive, your loosened tongues employ: assist me to proclaim,
the mournful, broken hearts rejoice, ye blind, behold your Saviour come; to spread through all the earth abroad
the humble poor believe. And leap ye lame for joy. The honours of His name.