DIY Sunday Service Kit 29/01/2023 - Brave Esther puts the pedal to the metal: Esther 7:1-10

Welcome to the DIY Sunday Service Kit for the last Sunday in January (already!)

 ... January 29th., 2023.

I don't know how New Year's resolutions have gone for you, of course, but I have to admit I found myself wide open to the accusation of indecision on Saturday morning ... and then had to record a sermon on today's passage! 

Suffice it to say, in Esther 7, Queen Esther comes out as a paragon of anything but indecision.

Here's a taster ...

Let's pray

Father we commit this time to you.

Please set it apart and protect it from interruption or disruption, and enable us to truly meet with you by your Spirit Who, indwells all your people today.

For Jesus' sake.

Amen.

Sovereign Grace lead us off in worship with their version of Psalm 65

It is very easy at this time of year to retreat into our own lives and hibernate there mentally and spiritually until the warmer days return.

As we pray at this time it is even more important, then, to lift our eyes to the wider world around us and focus our prayers outside ourselves, our own challenges and needs, on God's people and cause across the world.

Democratic Republic of Congo

More than a year after her husband was murdered by Islamic militants, Esther
from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is standing strong, and being helped by believers' prayers and support.

“I felt deep pain that one cannot bear,” said Esther after Pastor Isaac’s body was discovered hanging from a tree in North Kivu province. He was aged 33. Local Christians suspect he was targeted because of his evangelistic activities.

At the time, Open Doors local partners visited Esther and her three children, to provide comfort, food, clothing and money for other needs.

The team recently made a return visit and found that Esther is doing well physically, and with the financial support of her family and of Open Doors, she’s been able to build a small house on her in-laws’ compound. 

The money she was given has also enabled her to start her own business selling snacks.

Let's pray that this business prospers and that this dear lady who has lost so much will know the deep and surrounding love of her Saviour.

North Korea

Given the hostility towards Christianity in North Korea, the number of believers is few, but their love for the Lord Jesus is strong.

For example, to express gratitude for winter relief aid that she'd received, Sa-Myung (not her real name) sent an envelope to Open Doors fieldworkers returning a tenth of what she was given. She is dependent on this support to survive, so this effectively meant risking a tenth of her life. Praise God for her remarkable faith!

Let's pray that the seed of faith sown in the hearts of God's persecuted people in North Korea will bear much fruit across their country.

Burkina Faso

In the midst of a deepening security crisis caused by last year’s military coup, jihadist activity is expanding and Christians are increasingly being targeted and killed. 

Let's ask the Lord to heal and comfort those severely traumatised and affected by jihadist attacks, and pray for wisdom for those believers on the ground, particularly those seeking to strengthen the church there with trauma care and relief aid.

Families at home and abroad

Repeatedly persecuted Christians in the world's most hostile countries ask for prayer for their wives and families, whose hostility to the Gospel they feel most keenly.

Let's pray for those at home and overseas who feel this pain of the hostility of their loved ones, and for God to unite families here and elsewhere by saving those who are hostile to the faith. 

And let's also pray for great personal watchfulness, great grace and great love for the Lord in believers who find themselves under great domestic pressure.

Lord, in your mercy hear our prayers and strengthen our hearts to persevere in prayerfully pursuing your cause, both in your world and in your people.

AMEN.

Let's celebrate the Lord we pray to ... our good and gracious King

Click on the Bible open below to be taken to today's Bible passage. If you click on the symbol on the landing page, and today's passage will be read to you.

From the sometimes challenging experience of Scottish inner-urban housing schemes comes this version of a popular modern classic ... let's worship the God Who has a very firm grip on the lives of His people

We don't often sing hymns as old as this next one which is taken from the second volume of John Bunyan's famous book  Pilgrims Progress ... 1684 was certainly a long time ago ... but this ancient composition is still a great battle hymn of the Kingdom of God and has a lot to offer us as we consider the heart displayed by Esther in today's Bible passage.

Let's commit to it and sing!

Let's pray

Heavenly Father we thank you for the encouragement and inspiration we draw from your Word.

May the Spirit Who inspired it inspire our hearts this week with the message and example of Queen Esther, and helps us to see the finger-prints of your hand on the everyday experiences that come our way.

We ask for Jesus' sake.

AMEN.

Thanks for being with us to worship today.

If we can be of help or can pray for you please feel free to get in touch.

And as we head off int this week, let's pray that the Lord Himself uses Hs Word to build our decisiveness in the cause of God and of His people!

If you would like to join us by worshipping through giving, please (as usual) click on the offering bag below to be taken to our giving link.