Day 37

THIN SPACE

Ordinary People – Extra-ordinary Stuff!
During Prayer Hour this week we’re going to be checking out stories in the Bible of a whole bunch of ordinary people doing extraordinary stuff for their God. Today, let me introduce you to Shiphrah and Puah

Read
Exodus 1: 1-22

Their Stand
Shiphrah and Puah took a courageous stand for their God 
Shiphrah and Puah took a risky stand for their God
Shiphrah and Puah took an extra-ordinary stand for their God

But because they stood: 
The world got Moses 
And the Red Sea got parted
And the 10 Commandments got given 
And Israel got a land – one flowing with milk and honey!
All because Shiphrah and Puah took a stand

Our Stand
Ordinary people – where is God asking you to take an extra-ordinary stand?
In your family? 
In your office?
Concerning justice? 
Concerning inequality? 
Concerning making Jesus famous?

Pray
Ask God where he wants you to take a stand

Worship
The Stand - CLICK HERE
Oceans - CLICK HERE

Day 36

THIN SPACE

Psalm 23
 
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley, 
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.
 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    for ever.

We’ve spent the week looking at psalm 23 v’s 1-6 and we hope that you’ve had your eyes opened and that you’ve been able to apply the truths to your own personal life.

One Verse At A Time
Today we look at verse 6
 

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life"
 That's the blessing and power of grace, through faith remembering "God is Love," not just words!
 

"And I will dwell in the house of the Lord"
That's home and security in the Lord's provision/Heaven!
 

"Forever."
That's now and always -- for eternity!


God is a loving father who wants to provide and give Hope. Whatever you are going through today remember God can be there with you. You simply need to invite him and give him permission and what’s more, he gives us Hope for tomorrow and an eternal future with him in heaven a place of no suffering or tears.

If you don’t know God today, please pray this prayer and get in touch with us here at PBC to let us know so that we can support you in this new, amazing adventure of faith as a Christian. God has so much in store for you. If you are already a Christian maybe consider renewing that prayer of commitment and invite God into EVERY area of your life.

Dear God,
Thank you that you Love me,
I’m sorry for the wrong things I’ve done, including not trusting you or including you in my life. I accept your gift of forgiveness, grace and mercy and I choose you! I give you permission to be in every part of my life the good and the bad.
Thank you for your gift of eternity in Heaven with you.

Amen

Songs
I surrender by Hillsong - CLICK HERE
Reckless Love by Bethel - CLICK HERE
Good Good Father by Chris Tomlin - CLICK HERE

Payers
Thank God for all his promises for you and your family. Ask God to put someone on your mind, to pray for an opportunity to share your faith with them. Pray for our government to have Godly wisdom in their decisions.

Day 35

THIN SPACE

Psalm 23
 
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley, 
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.
 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    for ever.

Prayer hour

This week we are meditating over Psalm 23 – the best-known Psalm in the Book of Psalms and experience again God’s provision, God’s leading, God’s protection, God’s presence, God’s salvation.

One Verse At A Time
Today we look at verse 5

This part of this impactful passage sees the Psalmist move metaphors from God being our Shepherd to being our Host.

We see a picture of an ultimate provider, one who is constant, one who understands our circumstances and one who gives us more than we need.

It also reminds us that the battle is ultimately The Lords! We can so often take on the battles of our lives and we miss the feast that He sets before us.

Take this opportunity for our hour of prayer to pull in your chair, rap the napkin around your neck cherie, and he’ll provide our rest (name that film).

My prayer for us today is that we humble ourselves, allow God’s anointment to pour over us, and to realise even more how He is with us through all of our battles.

Worship

Surrounded (Fight My Battles) – Upperroom - CLICK HERE

Raise a Hallujah – Bethel Music - CLICK HERE

Still I will praise – Lucy Grimble - CLICK HERE

It’s VE Day today!

75th Anniversary Celebrations!

Let’s celebrate with each other the day battle was won in Europe. Stay at home street party! This is an opportunity to get in a party spirit! Get your tea set out for a tea at 3:00 and have some fellowship each other and, perhaps, with your neighbours! If you are blessed with a front garden, have a tea spread, some bunting or any other decorations we’d love to have some pictures – send them in - ministryteam@pbc.org.uk

Day 34

THIN SPACE

Psalm 23
 
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley, 
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.
 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    for ever.

Prayer Hour
This week we are meditating over Psalm 23 – the best-known Psalm in the Book of Psalms and experience again God’s provision, God’s leading, God’s protection, God’s presence, God’s salvation.

One Verse At A Time
Today - Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the darkest valley (valley of the shadow of death NIV), I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Today we go from talking about God (v.1-3) to talking to God.   There is confidence, trust and expectation in this verse.   In difficult times we often see the shadows, the problems and fears; they loom over us and sometimes overwhelm us. We feel out of our comfort zone and out of control but behind every shadow, there is a light source!  Jesus is the ‘Light in the darkness’, ‘He is the lamp to our feet’. He knows the way through and so we need to trust God for the journey.  He is with us and will never leave us.  We can trust Him because He is our help, our security, our protector and provider. Most of all His glorious presence goes with us!  As we walk with Him, He is taking us through!  I will never leave you – not now, not ever! What a wonderful promise!

Prayer
Let us pray for peace and courage as we walk with Him through these times, asking Him to help us use our circumstances for His Glory.
Let us pray for protection for staff and residents in care homes, as the pandemic peak is focused there at present.
Let us pray for wisdom for the Government as they decide the best way out of lockdown.

Worship
Lord Over All (Kari Jobe) - CLICK HERE
I am not alone (Kari Jobe) - CLICK HERE

Day 33

THIN SPACE

Psalm 23
 
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley, 
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.
 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    for ever.

Prayer Hour
 
This week we are meditating over Psalm 23 – the best-known Psalm in the Book of Psalms and experience again God’s provision, God’s leading, God’s protection, God’s presence, God’s salvation.
 
One Verse At A Time
Today - Psalm 23:3b
He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake

Life is full of daily choices and decisions. Without a shepherd, sheep can wander aimlessly and get lost. In life, if we don't have guidance we can end up getting lost as well. God who created us and knows us better than ourselves is offering to be our guide. Guides often don't just point you in the right direction, they take you there. Just like a supermarket assistant, when you don't know where to find a specific item the good assistants will take you to the exact shelf where the product you are looking for is. Jesus as the guide walks with us and leads us to where we are meant to be. 

Jesus doesn't just take us to where we want to go, he leads us along the right path. Matthew 7:13-14 talks about two roads, the broad road and the narrow road. The broad road that many enter, leads to destruction but the narrow road that is harder to find leads to life. This is why we need Jesus to help us in our decision making.

Worship
 
Let the words of this song wash over you – experience again God’s provision, God’s leading, God’s protection, God’s presence, God’s salvation.

Be Thou My Vision - CLICK HERE
Oceans - CLICK HERE

Day 32

THIN SPACE

Psalm 23
 
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley, 
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.
 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    for ever.

Worship
 
Let the words of this song wash over you – experience again God’s provision, God’s leading, God’s protection, God’s presence, God’s salvation.

Tremble - CLICK HERE
Slow Down - CLICK HERE

Prayer Hour
 
This week we are meditating over Psalm 23 – the best-known Psalm in the Book of Psalms and experience again God’s provision, God’s leading, God’s protection, God’s presence, God’s salvation.
 
One Verse At A Time
Today - Psalm 23:3
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters

Our loving Shepherd cares deeply for us, he provides everything we need, his living word and living water. He wants us to experience a quiet and peaceful existence, amongst all the chaos around us. His desire is that we hear his voice, obey his guidance but so often we hurry ourselves and miss out on the simple pleasures. 

I recommend this Bible plan from YouVersion - CLICK HERE

Day 31

THIN SPACE

Psalm 23
 
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley, 
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.
 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    for ever.

Worship
 

Let the words of this song wash over you – experience again God’s provision, God’s leading, God’s protection, God’s presence, God’s salvation.

You Restore My Soul - CLICK HERE

Prayer Hour
 

For the next 6 days we’re going to hunker-down with Psalm 23 – the best-known Psalm in the Book of Psalms and experience again God’s provision, God’s leading, God’s protection, God’s presence, God’s salvation.


One Verse At A Time
Today - Psalm 23:1

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing


Thank You
Today is all about saying thank you
The Lord is MY shepherd – Spend time worshipping, spend time praising, spend time thanking that El Shaddai – the Lord God Almighty – the powerful, indescribable, uncontainable, awesome, mighty, fierce, Creator has chosen to stoop low in gentleness, in love, in care, to be MY shepherd – it’s all very personal!
And as my Shepherd, he is also my provider, and also my guide, and also my protector, and also my saviour. And as my shepherd I depend on him – for everything! Spend time worshipping, spend time praising, spend time thanking because in him and because of him I LACK NOTHING – it’s all very overwhelming!

Let us begin this prayer week in letting loose in worship.

Day 30

THIN SPACE

Let’s read 
2 Kings 6 v 8-23

Seeing the unseen God isn't just a God who sees everything; He opens our eyes so that we might see things as they truly are.

The great composer Beethoven suffered acute hearing loss in his late twenties, progressing to complete deafness over the next 10 years. During this later period of his life, he wrote what many regard as his finest works. Amazingly he could “hear” music, without the use of his ears. As humans we are so much more than our 5 senses of hearing, sight, smell, taste and touch. As Jesus said the sinful heart’s greatest danger is that, “Though seeing they do not see, though hearing they do not understand.” (Matt 13: 27)

This passage in 2 Kings 6 is all about seeing: An aggressive invading foreign king (The king of Aram) keeps getting his plans thwarted because someone (Elisha) keeps seeing his plans and tipping off Israel. That king then goes after Elisha and surrounds him with any army to try to capture him. Elisha’s servant is worried so Elisha prays for the servant’s eyes to see the hosts of heavens armies that were protecting them. He then prays for the invading army to be temporarily blinded, he leads them to the heart of Samaria and then prays for them to see again. They open their eyes and see their impending doom, but instead receive mercy and a feast! They see a God who deals with them in grace and get so transformed that the conflict completely stops.

The story teaches us about a God who sees everything and who also shows his love and mercy through opening our eyes to see as well.

Songs

Angel Armies - CLICK HERE

Our God is an awesome God - CLICK HERE

Waymaker - CLICK HERE

Prayers

Pray for Godly Wisdom for those in Authority in respect to any exit plans.

Pray for a vaccine to come around soon.

Pray that we would have FAITH to pray for the unseen things into being, STRENGTH  to continue and TRUST when we can’t see what God is doing.

Pray for healing for the sick, your friends, family and members of PBC (Steph & Simon).

Pray for Steve Little as he mourns the loss of his Father this week.