Prayer at Bible Study

Bible study starts up again this week. Jeff's group is going to start with a study on prayer this Thursday night. 

I've noticed I often pray for the same thing each week at bible study because it's easy and it means I don't have to go into the details of what I really need prayer for. This year I'm going to challenge myself to think of different prayer points and to share them instead of the mundane everyday things that I have been saying each week. And if I can't think of anything I need to ask God for I want to thank Him for the good things in my life – for the sun coming up each day, for a friend, for my job, for the opportunity to talk to Him and the freedom we have in doing so, for His love and for the relationship we can have with Him because of what Jesus did on the cross. And if I can't think of anything to pray for, have I really been listening and taking in what bible study was on that night? There should always be something to pray for after studying the bible for an hour and a half! 

I'm looking forward to learning to be a better pray-er. What about you? Do you want to join me in my challenge?

Psalm 86

A prayer of David.
 ¹ Hear me, LORD, and answer me,
   for I am poor and needy.
² Guard my life, for I am faithful to you;
   save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; ³ have mercy on me, Lord,
   for I call to you all day long.
⁴ Bring joy to your servant, Lord,
   for I put my trust in you.
 ⁵ You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
   abounding in love to all who call to you.
⁶ Hear my prayer, LORD;
   listen to my cry for mercy.
⁷ When I am in distress, I call to you,
   because you answer me.
 ⁸ Among the gods there is none like you, Lord;
   no deeds can compare with yours.
⁹ All the nations you have made
   will come and worship before you, Lord;
   they will bring glory to your name.
¹⁰ For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
   you alone are God.
 ¹¹ Teach me your way, LORD,
   that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
   that I may fear your name.
¹² I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
   I will glorify your name forever.
¹³ For great is your love toward me;
   you have delivered me from the depths,
   from the realm of the dead.
 ¹⁴ Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God;
   ruthless people are trying to kill me—
   they have no regard for you.
¹⁵ But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
   slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
¹⁶ Turn to me and have mercy on me;
   show your strength in behalf of your servant;
save me, because I serve you
   just as my mother did.
¹⁷ Give me a sign of your goodness,
   that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,
   for you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

SSS

Don’t forget SSS is on this week. It is a great opportunity to spread the true and good news of Jesus Christ to the people of Bathurst. If you have some spare time in the mornings this week you could go to the showground, have a coffee and a chat – maybe you could take a friend along and introduce them to some other Christians too! 

Pray for open hearts and minds and that people might come to understand the love of God. Pray for energy and patience for the team as it is a long week that often gets harder as they get more tired. Pray for safety for the team and the kids and teenagers. Pray that many adults will attend the events on Tuesday (men) and Thursday (women) nights. Pray that Christians in Bathurst will remember that this isn’t a church event for themselves but that they will remember it is an evangelistic week and they won’t be scared to take a friend along with them. 

We would both love to be praying for you too, so if there is anything please let us know!

Bible Gateway

I receive an email from Bible Gateway each day with a Verse of the Day. When I get to work each day I read it and it gives me something to think about. It also makes me want to read on from that verse. This is today's verse. 

Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age...

If you're looking for a Bible reading plan to start this year there are a few different ones available here. All you need to do is put in your details and it will email you each day with the reading. Now is a good time to start! If you know of any other good reading plans please let us know in the comments because different plans suit different people and yours may be better for someone rather than the Bible Gateway ones. 


My prayer today is that you and I may say no to ungodly and worldly passions so that we can live better lives – self controlled, upright and godly lives – for Christ. 

Prayer

Psalm 40:1-3
¹ I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
² He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
³ He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.


Hey all! Hope you had a great Christmas. Many are the wonders that God has done in Jesus Christ!


Prayer points:

• This week Ben Smith is doing his last talks at Bathurst Presbyterian. Please be praying for him and his family
• Continue to pray for Bron and Bec who are serving overseas
• For the new year - safe celebrations and that we would be thankful that out great God is 'not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with [us], not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.' 2 Peter 3:9
  

Also please post any prayer points that you have so we can continue praying for eachother :)

Prayer

Hey all!
There's heaps of stuff going on in our church and in our world that we can be praying for. Here's just a few:

• For the Christmas season, that people over the world wouldn't be blinded by the commercialism and consumerism of Christmas, but instead would soften their hearts to their Creator and Saviour!
• That as God's Kingdom Christians all over the world would be shining lights for the gospel
• The Christmas services that are happening at Bathurst Presbyterian and surrounding districts (Carols at Turondale on Wednesday night, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services), that people in Bathurst would be challenged and encouraged by the gospel and give their lives to Christ
• For Ben and Bec Smith as they prepare to leave Bathurst, that they would be trusting in God's providence for their family. Also giving thanks for the Church family they are going to in Cronulla. Pray that they might lean on his strength for building new relationships
• For Tristan and Claire who have moved their stuff to Bathurst. Pray that God would be preparing their hearts and minds for their service in Bathurst
• For Bec Young who is over in India. Praise God that she has been able to start building relationships and that she has been able to witness some of the work that is being done in the name of out great God in this country. Pray for continued health and safety for Bec and more opportunities to spread the Good News!
• For Bron Lee who is preparing to go to Asia with a few other girls in late December with Destiny Rescue

If you have any prayer points, please add them as a comment to this post so we can be praying for each other :)