Welcome to the DIY Sunday Service Kit for Mach 24th. 2024 - Palm Sunday.
Palm Sunday was when the crowd pilgrims heading up to Jerusalem got stuck into some fairly loud and jubilant praise as they approached the holy city and its temple.
In our run-up to Easter this year we are looking at the 'Easter Hope' and this week we are looking at Psalm 100 which is all about the praise that characterised Israel's worship on such occasions.
The Word for the Week opens up the subject and then we unpack the psalm more adequately in what we call 'the real world' and in the study in the Deep-Dive for today later on.
Let's make a start with prayer and then open up the Word for the Week.
Let's pray
Father in Heaven we thank you that today we can celebrate the coming of the Lord Jesus into the world to bring us peace with you by shedding of His blood on the Cross ... paying the price of our sin and then rising to defeat our final enemy, death itself.
Please focus our hearts and minds on you, and as we pursue our pilgrimage through life with you today, tune our hearts to sing your praise as those pilgrims did on that famous Easter Palm Sunday when the crowds acclaimed Jesus as the One Who had come in the Name of the Lord.
For Jesus sake.
Amen.
So let's worship the Lord with this arrangement of Psalm 98
As we focus on worship, let's not neglect to also pray this week for the world we are all part of, which is burdened in many places with profound needs today.
Here's the weekly prayer calendar from Justin Long
Sunday
Pray for the families and children of Gaza suffering as a result of the war. Many would like to celebrate Ramadan and find themselves unable to break the fast because they lack food—“We have been practically fasting for months.” (NYT). We pray for the provision of physical food—and we pray also that God will, out of all this darkness and suffering, bring a new light to dawn, and feed spiritual hunger as well.
Monday
Pray for those (both believer and unbeliever alike) who are living in difficult conditions. Significant portions of Africa are enduring a heat wave (South Sudan, West Africa). A new article points out how 83 of the 100 most polluted cities are in India (CNN). Many of the least-reached frontier peoples are in places most affected by these sorts of situations. One worker’s prayer: “give your children strength today to live in such a physically demanding place.” Also pray for workers who will be willing to sacrifice to bring the Gospel to these challenging environments.
Tuesday
Pray for the tens of thousands of North Koreans who are working abroad, earning money which largely gets sent home to their country. Many live in virtual slavery, and are able to keep only a fraction of their earnings. Most is taken by the agency that sends them to work. Pray that in miraculous ways they will meet Jesus while they are outside North Korea. (RFA)
Wednesday
Pray for the many immigrants and refugees who come to England. Some come because they are believers, persecuted at home. Some arrive spiritually hungry, quick to join churches and ask questions. Some no doubt “fake their conversion” to assist in their asylum claims. Pray for many to become true, earnest disciples of Jesus, and that this will eventually lead to the revitalization of the church throughout England and Europe. (Nation of immigrants, best place to be an immigrant, Chinese, Muslims, African churches).
Thursday
Pray for the election in India. It will stretch over 44 days (Diplomat). We can expect a logistical impact on many activities. We can also expect an upsurge of political and nationalistic fervor that can lead to sentiments against non-Hindu religions (including Christianity and Islam). Pray for peace, and for the protection of workers during this time.
Friday
Pray for the many families who have had members abducted recently in northern Nigeria. By my count, close to 500 people have been taken and are being held for ransom. Kidnap for ransom is a “low-risk, high-reward” sort of crime (BBC). Pray for the safe return of those abducted. Pray for the believers who live in the region, and the climate of fear and violence they endure.
Saturday
Pray for the women who have been traumatized in Ethiopia and Tigray. A very difficult article on the subject of the widespread epidemic of sexual abuse in the context of the Tigray war was published (NYT). Pray for the church to find ways to minister to those who were wounded as a result of this conflict.
Our Bible reading today is linked to the open Bible below. Click it to follow the link.
Our Deep-Dive into Scripture this week develops our Word for the Week and focuses more closely on Psalm 100
Audio .mp3 (Click the purple dot - delayed start - stick with it!)
Video .mp4 with subtitles
Let's respond by singing God's praise
Finally, we commit our way to the Lord throughout the coming week as we prepare our hearts to celebrate His death and resurrection
1 Peter 2:23-25 reminds us:
"When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”
For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls."
Give us Lord, we pray,
minds enlightened by the truth of your Word
which tune our hearts to rejoice in our God
as the lifestyle into which you lead us by your grace.
Welcome to the DIY Sunday Service Kit for 17th. March 2024.
In this edition we begin our run-up to Easter, which takes the theme: 'Easter Hope'.
But we begin with Psalm 13 ...
This week we're looking at 'Rejoicing in Hope' in Romans 5, but before we get to that, our 5-minute Word for the Week introduces the theme of hope to us, on a wet and windy day here on the farm ...
Please pray for the Word for the Week - and for all our online content - that it will lift hearts to Heaven and souls to Glory in our God
Now let's rejoice ourselves in Jesus, Who is the source of all our rejoicing in the hope of Glory
Here's Justin Long's seven-day prayer calendar for the Unreached People of our world
Sunday
Pray for the children who are increasingly taking migration paths on their own.
This report tells of about 1,500 unaccompanied child migrants stuck in Tunisia.
UNICEF estimates over 50 million children are “on the move” today. UNHCR tells how an increasing number are “fleeing unaccompanied.”
Between January and August of 2023, 12% of arrivals in Italy from Tunisia were unaccompanied children.
Pray for workers who will diligently work to help, minister to, and rescue children in these situations, so many of whom fall prey to trafficking, enslavement and abuse.
Monday
We continue to pray for Haiti, devastated by violence and near anarchy and civil war.
It has been pushed to the brink, and armed rebel groups (“gangs”, but really worse than that). The Prime Minister has committed to resigning, but the plans that had been negotiated were rejected by local groups. Port-au-Prince is now described as an “open air prison”: “there is no way to get out, land, air or sea.” There is some semblance of peace on the ground but the political future and governance of the island is uncertain. Pray for peace, justice, and a resolution to the crisis.
Tuesday
Continue to pray for peace in Sudan, Gaza, Ukraine, the Sahel, and Myanmar. Let’s pray especially this week for those who are hungry because of the wars. Save the Children estimates a quarter of a million children could die from hunger within months in Sudan; others report near-famine conditions in Gaza. While there is now peace in Tigray, as a result of the crisis more than 91% of Tigray’s population are “exposed to the risk of starvation and death.” Let’s pray for organizations to find innovative ways to deliver aid to those suffering in the midst of the violence.
Wednesday
Pray for Syria, where the frozen civil war has entered its 14th year. The conflict continues to involve multiple players, and the situation was worsened by the 2023 earthquake. Violence is on the rise, in the worst wave since 2020. The war has killed nearly half a million and displaced over 12 million. The World Food Program will stop its main assistance program in 2024, and what will happen then in terms of food aid? Syria seems likely to endure continued violence and instability, and continued challenges to providing aid. Pray for the various Kingdom agencies and workers who are trying to help them.
Thursday
Pray for the 50,000+ people effectively given life sentences in the Al-Hol prison camp in Syria. They recently “popped up” on the news again in this article in the New Yorker. Some of the detainees had joined ISIS. Others had been married to ISIS fighters, often by force. More than half are children, most under the age of 12, with dozens of babies being born each month. These have no affiliation with ISIS but are in danger and some being radicalized. What is the solution? Only God knows, but he loves each of the 50,000.
Friday
Pray for the church in India. A new piece of legislation in Assam is attempting to criminalize praying for the sick. Much of the expansion of the church happens in the context of prayers for those who are physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually sick or oppressed. If the legislation passes, it will likely be challenged in court, but it could also potentially lead to numerous acts of persecution (as the blasphemy laws in Pakistan do). Pray for boldness and wisdom on the part of believers in India.
Saturday
Pray for those reaching out to the Fula, Tuareg, and Moura populations in Africa, especially in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
This article describes how, supported by Turkish arms and Wagner mercenaries, these peoples are being indiscriminately targeted and attacked. There are significant levels of conflict in the area, which obviously makes ministry work challenging.
Our reading is Romans 5:1-11. Click the book (below) to be taken there
Our Deep-Dive into Scripture takes us into our Bible reading
... 'Rejoicing in Hope'
Video .mp4
Audio .mp3
Thank you for being here with us today.
If we can pray about something for you please contact us through the website www.WelshRev.com where you can type a message or a voice recording for us.
If you'd like to join us in worshipping by giving to support God's work in rural Wales please click the pic below to be taken to our giving site.
Let's pray Romans 15:4-6 for one another
Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance
taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give us the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had,
so that with one mind and one voice we may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Welcome to the DIY Sunday Service Kit for 9th. March 2024.
This week there's a sermon on 1 Thessalonians 1:5 addressing what might be the current most crucial issue in our mission to see the Gospel prosper in rural Wales ... and it isn't complicated!
But first, let's pray as we worship the Lord.
Our Bible reading is 1 Thessalonians 1 - click the book
Praying for the world we live in this week ...
Sunday
1. Let's pray Psalm 69:1-3 over Somalia: "Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck." Last week, this article in the New York Times describes Somalia’s “year of crises”—threats of terrorism, the impact of famine, droughts, and floods, and the threat of war with Ethiopia have all roiled the nation. Gospel work within Somalia remains exceptionally difficult and dangerous.
We pray for the safety and perseverance of Somali Christians, and for strength and encouragement for them. (Consider praying Psalm 91).
We pray for open doors for the Gospel to enter into Somali hearts and homes, breaking down barriers of fear, misunderstanding, and hostility (Colossians 4:3).
We pray for workers and messengers in the area to be protected, effective beacons of Your love to the Somali people (John 17:15).
Monday
2. We pray for the spread of the Gospel in Iran. This week, an article in the BBC tells how women are facing renewed and aggressive enforcement of oppressive hijab rules. Their strong response is one of many examples of how people are disaffected with the regime; another is the widespread disinterest in the election, which most view as a farce. Iranians are abandoning Islam in large numbers, and some are turning to Jesus.
We pray for those disenchanted with the government's policies and restrictions to find hope, truth, and community in the message of the Gospel (John 8:32).
We pray for the women of Iran suffering under oppressive laws and societal expectations, that you would help them discover dignity and freedom in Christ. (Galatians 3:28)
We pray for those facing the decision of whether to stay or leave their homeland—that God would guide them through their journey to find him, and make him their true home.
Tuesday
3. We pray for the spiritually oppressed of Central Asia. This article from RFE highlights the strong demand for exorcisms and release from demonic oppression in the Central Asian states. We pray for the peoples of Central Asia to be led to the only one who can truly give them freedom for the minds and spirits.
We pray for the spread of the Gospel in this region—that despite barriers, your Word would reach every heart and home. (Revelation 3:8, “placed before you an open door”)
We pray for those protection for the persecuted and oppressed—for opportunities to experience your love and grace (Acts 5:29, “We must obey God rather than human beings”)
We pray for the underground churches and secret believers, that they would be strengthened in their faith and find fellowship and support in one another. (1 Corinthians 16:13)
Wednesday
4. We pray for the Filipino Overseas Foreign Workers who have been trained to be witnesses for the Gospel, and for those who are training them. While the number of Filipinos OFWs declined during the Covid years, they have since rebounded and are being welcomed in many places around the world, where some will have significant spiritual influence.
We pray for their safety as they work abroad, often in challenging or dangerous environments, and for their families back home. (2 Thessalonians 3:3)
We pray for the seeds of the Gospel they plant in their workplaces and communities to grow and bear fruit. (1 Corinthians 3:6-7, “I planted, Apollos watered…”)
We pray for the networks and support systems among Christian OFWs to be strengthened, that they may encourage one another and grow in faith together. (1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.”)
Thursday
5. We pray for 67,000+ newly displaced in Mozambique as a result of new conflict with fundamentalists, and for the workers labouring to help them.
We pray for groups who will help with the provision of basic needs: shelter, food, water, and medical care for the displaced families. (Matthew 25:35-36, “I was hungry…”)
We pray for peace in the regions affected by violence and for a resolution to the conflicts that have caused this displacement. (Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers”)
We pray for strength, wisdom, and protection for the Gospel workers serving in these difficult conditions (2 Timothy 4:17, “The Lord stood by my side and gave me strength”)
Friday
6. We continue to pray for the traumatized of Sudan. This story in the BBC, “My mother’s body was left by smugglers in the desert,” illustrates the level of hurt, devastation and trauma experienced by the majority of the population.
We pray for healing for those who have experienced violence, loss, and displacement to find comfort and restoration in You. (Psalm 146:7-9, “He upholds the cause of the oppressed”)
We pray for effective and compassionate support for the traumatized. (Galatians 6:2, “Carry each other’s burdens”)
We pray for a spirit of peace and reconciliation to spread throughout the country, healing divisions and bringing an end to violence.
Saturday
7. We pray for the spread of the Gospel among the Houthi of Yemen. A number of articles this week are highlighting the impact of the Houthis on global trade. While many view them as a “problem to be solved,” we remember that God loves every person and longs for them to be reconciled to him. We pray for “Sauls to become Pauls” among them.
We pray for open hearts among the Houthi people, that they would be receptive to Your Word and love. (Ezekiel 36:26, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you”)
We pray for the safety and boldness of believers reaching out to the Houthi, that they would be protected and guided by Your Spirit. (Acts 4:29-30)
We pray for peace in Yemen, and for the conflicts that have torn the country apart to come to an end, so that healing and reconciliation can begin. (Matthew 5:9)
The Word for the Week (seven minutes on a mountain from Daniel 6) addresses these prayer points too ...
This setting of Psalm 13 adds poignancy and expresses urgency as we pray for our world and consider our position in it.
The Bible ministry this week is here in a choice of two formats:
Video .mp4 with subtitles
Audio .mp3 with transcript
Let's acknowledge our gratitude to God for His grace
