“Oh give thanks to Yaweh. Call on His name. Make His doings known among the peoples.” (1 Chronicles 16 v 8 UEB) How do we do this? By receiving closely of the Lord Jesus. How do we accomplish this? Pray to receive the Bread of heaven, Our full spiritual nourishment. Jesus is heaven sent, our Father’s gift To uplift our spirit in holiness. “Is any of you in trouble? (S)he should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him (her) sing songs of praise.” (James 5 v 13 NIV) The Spirit of the Eucharist is active. He gifts us the Lord Jesus, Hidden under the form of bread and wine consecrated, Transubstantiated to be the holy presence. The Sacramental Mystery of the Holy Eucharist Is the Holy Spirit wondrously at work for us. “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.” (1 Chronicles 16 v 34 NIV) “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing songs, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3 v 16) Lord God, holy Father, richly You bless us and fill our life with every hope, joy and peace through Your mercies poured out upon us, especially in the Sacramental Mystery, as the Holy Spirit makes the presence of the Lord Jesus, real to us in a most special way, a particular benefit to nourish and replenish us in faith. Thank You so much for this. “LORD, You are my lamp. You, LORD, turn the darkness around me into light.” (2 Samuel 22 v 29 ERV) You send, by Your Spirit, the blessings of Your love and mercy made known to us through the Lord Jesus. You shower blessings upon us. “The Lord’s unfailing love and mercy still continue, fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise.” (Lamentations 3 v 22, 23 GNB) We can feel this delightful refreshing, the work of the Spirit, as we partake of the Lord Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Thank You. Each and every sharing of holy communion is a resurrection of our spirit of faith, so vital for our well being as a whole, essential to us in body, mind and spirit. The Bread of Life feeds us. Make us hungry for this banquet. At the †, re-presented to us in the Holy Eucharist, our Brother who is our Saviour, died that we might enjoy forgiveness, a fresh start, renewed hope, a revitalised spirit, a holy life and an eternal joy, the ultimate blessing. We have come to trust and hope in You as following the †of victory over sin, You raised our Saviour from the dead, gave Him the glory and allowed Him to send us the anointing of the Spirit. May we truly overflow with hope when touched by the power of the Spirit of love, gifting new life in Jesus. How gracious is the Spirit’s guidance and teaching, constant in our fast changing world, fully trustworthy and true to us, as is the Lord Jesus. Our belonging together with our Saviour, is the best life offers us, all thanks for the †. The Spirit works with us, especially in the Holy Eucharist, to enable us to become the son or daughter we are called to become and maintain. We need the Spirit of consistency and constancy to daily undergird our faith. He shows us thankfully, that no harm befalls us when we hand over the reigns of control to the Master, He who manifests all holy wisdom and truth to us, through the Spirit. Thank You that the Spirit at work, together with the Divine Healer, banishes all that plans to hurt or harm us. satan has no victory when, by the Spirit, we commit our life to the Word of Life. Healing is found at the † of Jesus. We simply need to seek and ask for this blessing. Come, Holy Spirit of prayer, ever busy about showing us the power of Your love dearest Father, made so readily evident in mercy, the compassion You show us through the Lord Jesus. Through our partaking of the most precious Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus, the strength of His love is shown us, the power of His love preserves us, and the wisdom ever instructs our holiness as sought by the Spirit. We feel Your hand upon us Father God. We feel safe, we are secure in Your love, as mercy forgives and upholds us. It is so comforting and reassuring to have the slate of our life wiped clean. May the Lord Jesus always be our defence against the wiles of the enemy, for He is our Saviour. Safeguarded and guided, we are richly blessed by the Spirit of life. As we come to the heavenly banquet may Christ Jesus be in us, work through us, be before, behind and alongside us in our pilgrimage home to heaven, for Lord God, Your love is ever gracious. We have a Saviour and a Sanctifier, all praise and thanks ever, ever be. Life is meaningless without knowing this. Oh what a lot we have to give thanks for! Jesus is Lord, Word, Master as well as Saviour and Redeemer. The Holy Spirit verifies this reality. The Holy Spirit enriches life immeasurably as He draws us ever closer to our Brother, to show us how to live. “I will give thanks to You Lord because of Your righteousness” – that right standing the Spirit secures for us in Jesus – “And will sing praise to Your name, Lord Most High.” (based on Psalm 7 v 7) Our heart is filled with peace because of forgiveness. “The Lord of peace Himself gives us His peace at all times, and in every situation,” (based on 2 Thessalonians 3 v 16 NLT) as long as we call on the Spirit to increase our awareness of how essential this gift is and how it is secured. “I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart’,” the Lord Jesus tells us. “ ‘And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So do not be troubled nor afraid’.” (John 14 v 27 NLT) We rejoice in this consoling, unchanging love, the Spirit develops for us, “Jesus Christ being the same yesterday, today and forever.” (based on Hebrews 13 v 8) The same loving forgiveness as offered at the †of the Lord Jesus, is ours to claim again in each and every Holy Eucharist, the window of heaven opened wide for showers of blessing to be poured upon us. Oh the joy of our new life in Jesus! What a gift! Let us ever give thanks for our Saviour and the life changing, life enhancing Spirit of love, who is totally devoted to us. The Spirit’s life in us is a growing likeness to the holy life of Jesus, all praise ever, ever be from His family. Let us offer this with the warmest thanksgiving of rejoicing. For there cannot be a higher, nor richer, nor fuller grace and favour than to be able to be possessed of the Lord Jesus so intimately, as when He lives within us. Let us offer praise for the †. We are saved by this merciful forgiveness shown us at the †and re-called each time we celebrate the Holy Eucharist. We are saved to be further blessed in living so closely with the Saviour, that His holiness can be shared. Life is changed for us. Dearest Father, what an amazing plan for mankind You institute, thank You. Words of gratitude seem so inadequate. May Your Spirit enhance our longing for holiness, an action honouring You through our loving acceptance of the Lord Jesus as Saviour, the living Word You gift us, the Master revealing His power of wisdom and truth, the qualities we need to live by. We are told “Do not grow weary in doing good.” (2 Thessalonians 3 v 13) We need Your Son and Your Spirit, Father God, both at work in us and through us because they always enhance life through their holiness. May we actively seek to become virtuous. Oh to be linked with the divine heart of our Saviour and the sacrifice He makes for our forgiveness. May we ever delight to receive Him in the Holy Eucharist, such a most marvellous sacrament portraying the grace which saves us. May our sharing in the Bread of heaven enable us to judge wisely the things of earth, never too keen to be a part of the world for we must keep our focus upon heaven and all that holiness asks of us. Let the presence of the Lord Jesus, a promise fulfilled which we must always offer all thanks for, free us from sin, helping us to overcome our weaknesses. Strengthened by our holy Brother and His Spirit, Your Spirit Father God, may we serve well in Jesus’ name. Living as we have been taught, strengthened by the real presence of the Lord Jesus amongst us, may we bring His life of love to many others, so we all live as the Lord’s brothers and sisters, enjoying the kingdom of heaven upon earth, always growing in love and eagerness to serve well by doing Your will, Lord God. Never let us tire of thanking You. Amen. 06.10.20 Sue O’Donnell

“ ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know’.” (Jeremiah 33 v 3) This is a call to believe in the Holy Spirit, He who is entirely revolutionary. The Holy Spirit is the agent of change. Look how He changed the world Through being the movement behind the incarnation. Just as the Lord Jesus could not have been born Without a mother, Mary being God’s chosen one, Jesus could not have been conceived immaculately, Without t he presence of the Holy Spirit “ ‘Joseph, Son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 1 v 20) The Holy Spirit although often gentle, Coming quietly, sometimes silently upon us, He is entirely radical, changing much. The Spirit gifts us a new vision of love, Glimpsed first and foremost in Jesus’ ministry. As He comes to renew the face of the earth, The hope that overcomes doubt and despair, Is given birth in the hearts and minds of believers in Jesus. “No one whose hope is in You, Lord, will ever be put to shame.” (Psalm 25 v 3 NIV) It is the Holy Spirit who works through prophets, Those who seek to speak out the word of God. Revelational insight into matters otherwise impossible to know, Is the work of the enlightening Spirit. He guides our prayer along specific subjects in line With whatever our Father wishes us to seek so to speak about. By so doing, the Holy Spirit can replace all manner of fear, Of doubt and uncertainty, with charity and conviction. Always helping us to focus on the Lord Jesus. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” (Ephesians 1 v 3 NIV) The Spirit strengthens us, replacing brokenness with wholeness, Timidity with boldness, reticence with confidence. Instead of thinking we cannot tackle problems, The Holy Spirit helps us to approach these head on. He is part of our armoury in spiritual battles, Making us wise as to God’s will as He fills us, Teaching us to pray against satan to drive him away. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6 v 18) “Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for You are my praise.” (Jeremiah 17 v 14) It is with praise and thanksgiving I dare to come before You, Father God, accompanied by the Lord Jesus, as the Holy Spirit has taught me my Brother is a Saviour who comes “To seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19 v 10) I used to think we only met with the Lord, who is our Saviour, after death. How wrong I was! It took a course of study on the Holy Spirit to illuminate the error of my thinking. The Spirit draws us ever closer to the Lord Jesus, to rescue and defend us, to free us from sin by means of the forgiveness won for us at the †. The Spirit is an Avenger, revealing our Brother as Deliverer always ready to offer help. I am so very, very grateful for the experience of coming to know the Holy Spirit and becoming dependent upon His impact and influence which are truly life changing, always for the better, the richer and fuller spiritually. The Holy Spirit shows me how the Lord Jesus opens up the gates which imprisoned us, imprisoned me, satan holding me captive. And although I have a way to go in this journey of faith, I am grateful to be one of the Lord Jesus’ good works in progress. May the Spirit never leave those who believe in the Lord Jesus as the Divine Healer. Father, all thanks to Your Son and Your Spirit, “You are my hope in the day of doom.” (Jeremiah 17 v 17) “Do not let me be put to shame” (Jeremiah 17 v 18) by being neglectful nor careless, nor too casual, nor unthinking about matters of faith. “Do not let me be dismayed,” (v 18) for I have the Holy Spirit to guide and chide me. All believers in Jesus have this benefit, thank You dearest Father of mercy, as long as we open up to the Spirit’s input. “ ‘I will cause them to know My hand and My might; and they shall know that My name is the LORD’.” (Jeremiah 16 v 21) What an honour, what a privilege, thank You! Life is turned around completely when we heed our need of the Spirit, pray and ask for His guidance, His impact, His inspiration, His correction, His wisdom, so we do not forsake “The fountain of living waters.” (Jeremiah 17 v 43) May the Holy Spirit ever be the Spirit of revolutionary change, a change for the better for everybody. We know we cannot see Him, but we can hear Him and feel Him, so can count on life never being the same again, but changed for the better. For the Holy Spirit, all thanks, all praise, all glory ever be is the Spirit of grace and blessing. His revolution is to engineer true love through our getting to know the Lord Jesus as love manifest. Send forth Your Spirit, Lord God, and renew the face of the earth, for we are in urgent need of revival in this increasingly secular day and age. We fail You all too readily and too often. I am sorry. But blessed by the Spirit calling us to pray and renew our focus on the Lord Jesus, we come to know that nothing need get in the way of a spiritual revival and this is our hope. “A prudent (wo)man forsees evil and hides him (her)self,” (Proverbs 27 v 12) by turning to the Spirit for wise guidance, for correction, for re-direction. “The path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter into the perfect day.” (Proverbs 4 v 18) O how great is our need for this to happen! Come, Holy Spirit, Spirit of renewal, devote more and yet more of us to the friendship of the Lord Jesus, our role model, living entirely to love. Make us more like Him. Please mentor us and never forsake us. We need to know, love and honour You as the Third Person of the Trinity, the Breath of God, the Life force for good and the introduction to the Lord Jesus and our Father’s all loving, merciful forgiveness, giving us such hope. Please firm up that hope for us. Amen. 08.10.20 Sue O’Donnell

“My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” (Psalm 84 v 2) The Holy Spirit, Counsellor, Friend, Adviser, He anoints and blesses us with every spiritual blessing. As long as we open our heart to Him, trusting, So as not to cause any mind blocking. We need the Spirit of wisdom and truth, So we can be readily evangelising, The Word of Life, our Lord, proclaiming. We need to welcome the Holy Spirit. “Oh return to me, and have mercy on me! Give Your strength to Your servant...” (Psalm 86 v 16) It is by the Spirit we know full well Christ Jesus is Lord. He, the Master, is our Saviour, the Redeemer, We need to know this by experience, Therefore need the Spirit of wisdom, He who all lovingly enhances our understanding, Helping us to feel a sense of thanksgiving. For the Spirit too, is the source of our praising. Father, Son and Holy Spirit, a gift truly amazing! “Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law.” (Psalm 119 v 18) “The LORD will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84 v 11) “O LORD of hosts, blessed is the (wo)man who trusts in You!” (Psalm 84 v 12) So let us call on the Spirit of prayer to help us to pray in all thanksgiving, for our call to live with the love of the Trinity evident to us and through us. Amen. 07.10.20 Sue O’Donnell

“The things which are impossible with man are possible with God.” (Luke 18 v 27) The Spirit of life Is the Spirit of love, Because He is the Spirit of God. The Spirit belongs fully To the Lord God Almighty, And to His beloved Son Whom we call ‘Christ Jesus’, Because sent by the Spirit, He came to save us from sinfulness. The work of the Holy Spirit, And the work of the Lord Jesus, Are but one and the same In God’s merciful plan and purpose. Together the holy Three, Whom we call a Trinity, Combine to be a force for good. “I will betroth you to Me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness and you will acknowledge the LORD.” (Hosea 2 v 19, 20 NIV) We should be aware of this By belonging to the Lord Jesus. But we need the Holy Spirit’s impact, His influence to enlighten our understanding, And to implement love’s commanding. We have no real life in us Without the Holy Spirit and Jesus, For the enemy, satan tries to crush us. he sets out to defeat us. But all thanks ever be, We have the ultimate victory, Found made sound at the †of Jesus. He died for our forgiveness, That we might live anew through the Spirit, A force for good, always, As we learn to live through the Lord Jesus to be: “...rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.” (Romans 12 v 12) “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men...Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good,” (Romans 12 v 17, 18, 21) delighted to be enabled to live in this way which the Lord Jesus models and teaches, a force for good and a triumph over all that is evil. So let us pray. 15.10.20 Sue O’Donnell

“If you, who are far from perfect, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven, who is perfect, give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” (Luke 11 v 13 The Truth) The Spirit of holiness is a : Force for good; A powerful energy; The Third Person of the Trinity; An industrious Spirit of love. “Those who trust in the Lord for help will find their strength renewed.” (Isaiah 40 v 31 GNB) So the Spirit is a : Person, profound in mercy; An instrument of honesty; Gift of new identity; Clarity of judgment; Decision Maker; Promise of the Lord Jesus. “Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name.” (Psalm 86 v 11) The Spirit is too, a : Life Giver and Life Changer; Prayer and repentance Finder; Counsellor and Adviser; Revealer of all holy wisdom; Developer of truth. “Your Father already knows what you need before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6 v 8 GNB) So the Spirit is a : Focus upon holiness; Success in moving faith forwards; Invader of the heart; Partaker of the willpower’s godly shaping; Informer to alert the conscience. “Enter into life through the narrow gate. There is a wide gate that leads to a wide road, but that leads to destruction and many go that way.” (Matthew 7 v 13 The Truth) The Spirit of holiness is a : Safekeeper and Defender; Continuous blessing; Enlightener overcoming sin’s darkness; Sphere of godly influence; Meeting place between us and Jesus. “ ‘Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest’.” (Matthew 1 v 28 NLT) So the Spirit is a : Victor at the †; An Advocate standing alongside us; Purveyor of holy wisdom and truth; An introduction to the Lord Jesus; Faith Builder; Praise and thanksgiving Expressor. “I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify Your name forevermore.” (Psalm 86 v 12) The Spirit is too, a : Kingdom Maker of heaven upon earth; An industrious force for good; Safekeeper and Protector; Healer of many an agony; Paraclete, pleading our cause. “God has always been your defence; His eternal arms are your support.” (Deuteronomy 33 v 27 GNB) So the Spirit is : An ever open door; Strength stronger than death; Means for our Christian service; An Encourager in all of faith’s undertakings; The gift Giver. “Every person should use the gifts God has given him (her) to serve others faithfully showing them His grace in a whole variety of ways.” (1 Peter 4 v 10 The Truth) “Make a joyful shout to the LORD all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness. Come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God...” (Psalm 100 v 1, 2, 3) O Lord, such wise advice is given us: “Do not grieve God’s Holy Spirit in any way. Remember you have had the seal of the Spirit placed on you to keep you walking in God’s ways until the day when He takes you to be with Himself.” (Ephesians 4 v 30) I am sorry when I fail You, for this is a serious setback. I ask to do better, to try harder, to pray more readily, especially when I have got things wrong and need to ask forgiveness. Thank You for being the Father’s Spirit, the Spirit of mercy. “Revive me, and I will call on Your name.” (Psalm 80 v 18 personalised) I think of the exemplary life of the Lord Jesus and this is inspiring. “For this One He has sent speaks the very words of God and to Him God has given the Holy Spirit in an unlimited way.” (John 3 v 34 The Truth) This shows us how extremely powerful You are, Holy Spirit of wisdom and truth. As You filled the Lord Jesus to animate His love and service of our Father, You will do similar for us if we but ask of You. This is a firm promise as our Father speaks the truth, which states “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you and My people shall never be put to shame.” (Joel 2 v 26) We can claim this as a promise fulfilled at the †, and in the Holy Eucharist whereby through the Lord Jesus “Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: I am the LORD your God and there is no other.” (v 27) “My people shall never be put to shame. And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh...” (v 27, 28) We are the recipients of this Your blessing, in coming to us, Holy Spirit, Lord. You make us a sanctuary where You can be at work to enlighten, guide, strengthen and support our faith, Your impact causing us to long to belong to the Lord Jesus. You breathe the very life of God into us and our life is changed forever. What do we learn? If we are honest before the Lord God and confess our sinfulness, we can become purified from all that is not right in His eyes. It is the blood the Lord Jesus shed for us at the †and shares with us in the Holy Eucharist, which is the cleansing, purifying agent by the work of Your hands. You reveal to us how faithful and just the love of God is. You lead us, thank You, out of spiritual darkness into the glorious light of all the favour the Lord Jesus won for us, according to the grace of our Father of mercy. To live in His light is our freedom from satan. “He will redeem their life from oppression and violence.” (Psalm 72 v 14) We have a lot to gain or lose according to whether we listen to You and learn from You, or not. “Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You.” (Psalm 70 v 4) You are a Life Changer, Holy Spirit of power helping us to pray. “Blessed be the LORD, because He has heard the voice of my supplications!” (Psalm 28 v 6) Often I cry out for help and You never disappoint me. “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped” (v 7) in countless ways, through You introducing me to and maintaining my friendship with the Lord Jesus, my Saviour. “Therefore my heart greatly rejoices and with my song I will praise Him,” (Psalm 34 v 7) I praise You as a Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit who gifts real life to us, days packed with a delight in offering Christian service. “I will bless the LORD at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD,” as I attempt to “Depart from evil and do good” (Psalm 34 v 14) plus going to Your God given lengths to “Seek peace and pursue it.” (Cont.) You are my Prayer Warrior and Safekeeper and I am so grateful. According to Your input. “I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34 v 4) How grateful again I am to be released from night fears, knowing to whom I can go. The Lord Jesus “Is the saving refuge of His anointed,” (Psalm 28 v 8) those who respond to Your call to faith and prayer, to trust and believe, to accept the One who saves us from sin and blesses our inheritance as blood bought children. Holy Spirit, Lord, You have shown me that “The LORD is my shepherd” (Psalm 23 v 1) and therefore I shall want for nothing in my hope of striving and praying to become holy, as You work with all believers being the Spirit of love. By love You lead us to believe in the grace of our redemption; the absolute privilege the Lord Jesus wins for His brothers and sisters, all who name Him and claim Him as our Redeemer Saviour. As You work together, “He restores my soul; He leads me in the path of righteousness for His name’s sake. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” (Psalm 23 v 3, 4) I have still to work on this to be rid of all anxiety and any apprehension about dying, for I know that this should not have any place in my life if I trust sufficiently. I ask You, Holy Spirit of wisdom, to keep coming to me to teach me, uplifting me through the joy of Your presence, the Lord Jesus’ presence and our Father’s presence. For life is for the joy of living in life’s fullness now, until having been graced to serve wholeheartedly, reliant upon our faith, we have the joy of claiming our place in heaven where the power of holy love comes to full fruition. Praise be! Life will be as happy, as contented, as satisfying in finding its true meaning and godly purpose as we pray and work for it to be. Please continue to be our Sanctifier, that we use our gifting to the full in honourable service, all to the glory of God as mankind is benefitted. Amen. 15.10.20 Sue O’Donnell

“...that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who observe according to the working of His mighty power...” (Ephesians 1 v 18, 19) Holy Spirit, Lord, Make us studious in love’s purpose. Always listening out for You, To hear Your instruction, To honour Your direction, To share Your intention, To become alert in Your motivation. All of this is found by us When we look to focus on Jesus, Seeking a share in His likeness, Because He is God’s love manifest. When challenged or compromised By the world, the flesh and the devil, Remind us that once living in Jesus, Evil has no place within us, none whatsoever, Because we belong to a Saviour. Jesus lives in us to develop our holiness. “...which He worked in Christ ...and gave Him to be head over all things to the church which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” (Ephesians 1 v 20, 22, 23) But without You, Holy Spirit, this does not happen, For You are the power of holy love at work. Do not let us shirk our responsibility To find this love which opens up eternity. Holy love acts most powerfully, gloriously, wondrously. For this is the true love which sets us free from sin. We begin again in Jesus, as the Spirit directs us. The Spirit is the Spirit of promise, Wherein our gladness in knowing Jesus rests. The Spirit is in every endeavour to find our Saviour, For He asks us to be a temple where He can reside. For us to live correctly is to honour our Father fully, By means of loving in Jesus, the Spirit abiding in us. Faith shaped by fidelity is a faith in progress, The structure of which, Spirit given, Is driven by our desire to develop daily, A better, fuller, more loving likeness to Jesus, Available to all of us calling on the Spirit of promise. “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were seated with the Holy Spirit of promise...” (Ephesians 1 v 13) “...who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” (Ephesians 1 v 14) For the Lord Jesus has risen from death on the †, our salvation, to remain with us forever, as brought and taught by the Spirit of promise. Come, Holy Spirit, inform us of this in a way we each can understand and make our very own. You are the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, a profoundly helpful link between heaven and earth. Why do so many people look to false religions and misleading cults when they can call upon You? I suppose the answer is because they do not know the Lord Jesus as their personal Saviour. But then again, it is not possible to recognise who the Lord Jesus is and all He accomplishes for us, without Your input. Which is the chicken and which is the egg here? We have to know the Lord Jesus as Saviour so as to appreciate and respond to the Lord God’s purpose for us and the power by which He accomplishes His plans. Your part in this is highly significant. May we become more receptive to Your input. Come, enter both our heart and mind, so we can discern what it is the Father is asking of us. It is when You draw our attention to something or someone specific, we begin to see how God’s word as narrated scripturally, is intended to work in our life or the life of those we touch. Be our Spirit of inspiration, that by focussing on the Lord Jesus, seeing how He fulfils the demands, expectations and hopes of holy Scripture, we become more attentive to the call of discipleship, of following the Lord Jesus daily, whatever the situation we face. Show us the glory of the Lord Jesus, evident in all He says and does to fulfil our Father’s purposes, and please help us to want to share in such works of service. Without this happening, our life will have no real meaning now, nor will our efforts have an eternal value. Be the power of all holy wisdom and truth impacting upon us, so we do not take the destructive road of false ideas, of humanism, of secularism, thus denying the Lordship of Jesus and losing an invaluable means of worship. Lead us by Your holy power of love into all truth and goodness that we be useful servants, devoting time and talents to the Lord’s service. Thank You for helping us by enlightenment of the written revealed word of God and the personified Word which is the Lord Jesus, love manifest. You are the Spirit of love longing to reach us. Make our hearts ready to receive You each day. No longer must You be the rather forgotten nor misunderstood, and therefore discounted Third Person of the Trinity. You are our ability to put our faith into active service, all because of the love of our Father, as made known by Jesus. “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him,” (Proverbs 30 v 5) You tell us adding “Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you and you be found a liar.” (v 6) Remind us that many false prophets have gone out into the world, so we must beware. St Julian of Norwich reminds us that “All things will be well...and all manner of things will be well” and this can be so, but only if we heed You as Counsellor and Adviser. Just as we need the Lord Jesus as Advocate, we need You too, behind us and before us. Be our daily divine inspiration as to what to desire, do, say, and how to react. Be our insight into holy wisdom. Ideas seemingly sensible, laudable even, may come from ourselves or even satan. Please safeguard us at all times. I know the best way for this to happen is for us to focus entirely on the character and nature of the Lord Jesus. Please help us to do this without faltering, for He is completely trustworthy, come amongst us as God’s truth to be relied upon. Teach us or remind us please, that the love shown in the devotion of the Lord Jesus, even unto death, is more than sufficient for all we need to know in terms of practical wisdom or regarding our eternal salvation. Our morality, conduct, shaping of character and building of relationships all need the impact of You, helping us to really understand and appreciate our Father as God’s Word. “The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19 v 7) for this is no human idealism, but the very principles our Father gives us to live by. Ever be our Teacher, for by these principles, “Your servant is warned, and in keeping them, there is great reward,” (v 11) even to a foretaste of heaven. Thank You for this hope, peace and joy which You offer us through the life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. “And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him (her) who hears say ‘Come!’ And let him (her) who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him (her) take the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22 v 17) How wonderful! Amen. 24.09.20 Sue O’Donnell

“The Lord gives strength to His people; the LORD blesses His people with peace.” (Psalm 29 v 11 NIV) A quiet place, A sacred space, I sit and wait. Not asking, Not doing anything, Except waiting. Waiting on You, Lord Jesus, Delighted to be Here, You near. Excited even, To be in Your presence. I seek certainly, The tranquillity, I feel prayerfully. But basically I am here To worship, Just this, To lift up my heart, My mind to heaven, And find How Lord Jesus, Your friendship Is for me True love Given freely. How gracious Your coming to me Offering hope, Gifting peace, Developing joy, All coming From true love. That love from Our Father in heaven above. I sit, I wait. I do not hesitate To trust. And You come, Whereupon my joy Does so increase In the sense Of Your peace. The peace without, Round and about, Helps me develop The peace within As I begin To sense Your nearness, Lord Jesus. Thank You for Being there In every time Of prayer. “The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8 v 6 NIV) “Jesus said, ‘Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Lord, I ask that everyone venturing to pray as a new experience, finds that as Your Holy Spirit descends upon them, they will experience a sense of hope, a profound peace and a deep joy, the likes of which they have not previously known. Keep us all praying that these blessings accrue. Amen. (John 14 v 27 NIV) 26.06.20 Sue O’Donnell

“Let the thirsty come, (s)he who wants to receive the free gift of the water of life.” (Revelation 22 v 17 The Truth) Come Holy Spirit, fine, the divine water of life. Come, flow right over us to cleanse us. Purify us for the works of the Lord Jesus. Make us into His holy disciples, Always seeking to help others in the same way As we have been helped by Your coming to us. Show us vividly the meaning and intent of the †, Why the Lord Jesus was sacrificed for us. Cleanse us of our errant, entrenched self-centredness. Open out our heart and mind to find the Lord of life, He who, like You, is the Word of Life, the Lord Jesus. You both come to us as our Father’s promise. Please continue to do so daily, consistently. For we have to be taught to live as Jesus does, And this is not easy, does not happen naturally. The blueprint is to be adhered to strictly: “This is the spiritual principle by which to live: treat others in precisely the same way as you would like them to treat you.” Luke 6 v 31 The Truth Come, Holy Spirit of wisdom and truth. Come to show us where we go wrong in our relationships with each other and how to put this right. Conform us please, to a better likeness to the Lord Jesus, He who lived in all holiness so as to honour our Father. Please help us to make the effort to live similarly. Amen. 23.06.20 Sue O’Donnell

“I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified.” The Creed Holy Spirit, Lord, You are to be adored For You show to us all that is holy. Without You introducing us to the Lord Jesus, Our awareness does not develop properly, not spiritually. You however, come to us in all wisdom Seeking us, speaking the truth of God’s love for us. Thank You for all that You willingly teach us. For You show us that Psalm 19 v 7 “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul.” Our whole progress depends upon realising this. You are in the business of conversion of our heart and mind, Until we find a truth we can stand by. That truth, You show us, is manifest in the Lord Jesus. Cont. “The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” We can see this in the Lord Jesus’ teaching by example, Making sense to so many, they flocked to Him. “The statutes of the LORD are right” You teach us, v 8 “Enabling us to live rejoicing in the truth,” Especially the law of love as Jesus lays down for us, So we claim Him, name Him as Saviour, As Lord, as God’s living Word, as Master. He personifies the commandments for us Cont . And they are “…pure, enlightening us,” Enabling our reverence to be clean, pleasing to our Father. We are the Lord Jesus’ good, hoped for works in progress, v 9 That we will be, praise the Trinity, “enduring forever.” Cont. “The judgements of the LORD,” You show us Holy Spirit, “Are true and righteous altogether,” the best standard To adhere to strictly, to live by firmly. “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.” Proverbs 30 v 5 “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” Psalm 19 v 10 Psalm 19 v 11 “Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward.” v 12 So please pray. “Who can understand his (her) errors?” Only those devoted by You, Lord of the Spirit. v 12 the singular invocation is made plural v 13 “Cleanse us from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over us,” or else we shall be a lost cause. Living for, in and through the Lord Jesus, we “shall be blameless,” thank goodness. How beneficial for us to Cont. “Be innocent of great transgressions.” v 14 Holy Spirit, Lord, like the Lord Jesus, Word of the Father, “Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our heart, be acceptable in Your sight, in the Lord Jesus’ sight,” all to the glory of God, thank You. Make our thoughts, our words, our actions ever consistent with God’s Word and His will for our holiness. May our efforts to become more like the Lord Jesus, be always consistent with all He shows us and says to us, for He commands by love. Holy Spirit of love, work with us that we confirm the love we have received by honouring this, adhering strictly to the holy code of conduct. And when we fail to live up to these, the highest standards for mankind, please help us to repent in all sincerity. Make us please, into faithful, fruitful disciples, more than ready and willing to obey all You ask of us, all the Lord Jesus sets as the day’s task for us. Keep us praying, seeking all the help necessary. Psalm 21 v 1 based on v 1 We then “Shall have joy in Your strength, O LORD,” Father, Son and Holy Spirit. “In Your salvation how greatly shall we rejoice,” called to be Christians in service. Help our faith help our trust, help our love, that we may ever praise and glorify Your name as the Almighty Trinity. Please, please shield us from any doubt, fear or disobedience to Your will. Born to be holy, make us holy, today and everyday. Dearest Father, I thank You for the gift of today. May we use it well in the service of the Lord Jesus, always heeding the Holy Spirit’s asking, warning, leading and prompting or persuading. By our heart stirred within us let us recognise His voice. “Father, I thank You for another day when I am called to live the joy of being a Christian. Help me to be a person more and more compassionate and close to those Source not known around me,” for I really do want to serve You to the very best of my ability. May the Holy Spirit of Jesus, ever help me, for I know I am totally dependent upon divine inspiration, so as to live in a way which is pleasing to You, and I do not want to fail in this. Holy Spirit Lord, please guard and defend at all times, in all places, on all occasions, all who are disciples of the Lord Jesus. As He is holy, make us holy, so as to be well equipped for His service. Amen. 23.06.20 Sue O’Donnell