St Peters RC Church Hamilton

“Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word,” (v 67) or at least, I try hard to and when I fail I know I can ask for mercy as I repent and resolve to do better from then on because I have a Saviour.  

“Plead my cause and redeem me; revive me according to Your word,” (v 154) as I prayerfully read the sacred Scriptures to learn or be reminded how vital it is to live a life made entirely holy by Christ Jesus, through the Holy Spirit. 

“I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure,” (v 162) thank You. How well I remember being prayed over and the word given was the parable of the seed that fell on good ground and produced a harvest. 

May this happen, all to Your glory, dearest Father. “Search me, O God, and know my heart, try me and know my anxieties, and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 132 v 23, 24)  

We are told “As the elect of God, holy and loved” (Colossians 3 v 12) how to live like Christ Jesus, as we

“Let the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another…” (v 16) May we do so.    

For by Your word, You are “A shield to all who trust in You.” (based on 2 Samuel 22 v 31) “For who is God, except the LORD?” (v 32) the light that shines in the darkness that could not be overpulled.  

“Who is a rock except our God? God is my strength and power” (v 33) dwelling in light inaccessible, yet having taken on human flesh so as to be recognisable in Christ Jesus, “And He makes my way perfect,” (Cont) granting us understanding of all You ask of us. 

Thank You for the Spirit of understanding, needed because Your ways are not our ways and we flounder unless You are in charge of daily life, ruling over us by Christ the King, the mighty Saviour.    

We are called to serve You in holiness and justice according to the Light You gift us through Your loving kindness, granting us a Saviour, Redeemer and Shepherd, the living Word of life and offer of love and forgiveness.   

In reverence, with love, we come before You, dearest Father, praying for all the needy of the world, confident in this. For You say “My faithfulness and My mercy shall be with Him” (Psalm 89 v 24) May we never abandon hope.   

“For You LORD, take pleasure in Your people. You will beautify the humble with salvation.” (based on Psalm 149 v 4) Please then, as we work and pray, striving after holiness “Let the saints be joyful in glory.”  (v 5) 

“If You, LORD should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared. I wait for You, LORD, my soul waits and in Your word I do hope,” (Psalm 130 v 3, 4, 5) for Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory.   

May we worship You reverently and entreat You lovingly, never forgetting Your law, our heart keeping Your commands, “For length of days and long life and peace they will be added” (Proverbs 3 v 2) to our  daily existence, thank You. 

May we be attentive to all the promptings of the Holy Spirit. “Let not mercy and truth forsake us” (based on v 3) for the Holy Spirit has made us Your children, able to be filled with the light of wisdom and truth that Christ Jesus shares with us. 

Come Holy Spirit, strengthen us to become holy, then guard us to live a life of reverent love, peace, decided hope and grace, as we are conform ourselves to Christ Jesus. “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He

shall direct your paths.” (v 6)

“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh and strength…” (v 7, 8) Lord, we need this protection, Your provision, really we do, at all times.

We “Shall have joy in Your strength O LORD; and in Your salvation, how greatly shall we rejoice.” (based on Psalm 21 v 1) We ask for help, and mercifully You offer this in Christ Jesus, by the Holy Spirit.  

We ask for salvation, renovation, restoration, redemption, replenishment, refreshment in the involvement of Your beloved Son with us, by the inspiration and involvement of the Holy Spirit. Graciously, lovingly, mercifully You reply to us. 

“You have given us our heart’s desire” (cont) an entirely new life, blessed by the living and abiding presence of Your Son and the godly impact of Your Spirit and You “Have not withheld the request of our lips.” (based on v 2)  

The Good News of our new and blessed life, a life being made holy as we belong to Christ Jesus, becoming His good works in progress, is the hope we long to share, the peace we wish to give to many, many who will listen, and the joy we want to share.   

We ask therefore for the ongoing blessing of the Holy Spirit of piety, knowledge, fortitude, counsel, understanding and wisdom. Thank You that whenever we pray, we are not left unaided for Christ Jesus is ever with us, living to save and sanctify us.   

Thus we look forwards to a brighter, better, holier future for all believers. We continue to pray for none believers, that they find the answer they seek in the Word of Life, Your offer of true, full and eternal love, Father God.   

I ask that those who do not sense You in the mystery of Your love and mercy, come to feel this at first hand through a personal meeting with Christ Jesus, one which will open them to the impact and influence of the Holy Spirit ongoing.  

I ask also, for all who have given up on hope, may they discover Your mercy in some tangible, identifiable way. Then for those who feel powerless, may they experience the might of Your love in all its far reaching, life changing, enhancing power.  

I ask this in the name of Christ Jesus, the One in whom You have revealed Your true love and fond mercy towards us, Eternal Father. Grant us, as we pray, the grace to entrust ourselves to the GOOD NEWS of life as discovered in Christ Jesus, our Saviour, Redeemer and  

Thank You for making Him not only the atonement for all sinfulness, so we no longer need fear death, but the Mediator of the new and eternal covenant, by which You promise to save and sanctify us. We are Your chosen in Christ Jesus, according to the faith building Spirit, all praise ever be. Amen.