An outline for a daily time of Bible reading and prayer.

Pray

Thank you Lord that I am in your presence. Help me to understand what you want to say to me now.

Read

Read a few verses from the New Testament or Psalms. (The ideal is to use daily Bible reading notes from a Christian bookshop or church bookstall with carefully chosen passages for each day. These will include some passages from the Old Testament).

Reflect

Is there anything you can learn about God the Father, Jesus his Son or the Holy Spirit? Is there a command for you to obey, a warning, a promise or an example? If you have notes, read them.

Pray

'Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God'. (Philippians 4:6)

Adoration*

God and Father, I praise you for your greatness, love, mercy and forgiveness. I worship you as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the sovereign ruler of the universe. (When you have time read a psalm e.g. Psalm 98, 99, 100).

Confession*

I am sorry for the wrong things I have thought or said or done and the things I should have done which I have not done. Thank you Lord Jesus for dying on the cross so that I may be forgiven. Please forgive me now. Thank you Lord.

Thanksgiving*

Thank you for all the good things I have - my health and strength, a place to live, food to eat, clothes to wear, study/work to do, family, friends, money, pleasures to enjoy … and especially the opportunity of learning about you my God.

Supplications* (Requests)

Please help the rulers and government of my country; may they have wisdom and be honest. I pray for justice in the world, especially (country), and peace in (country). Please help the poor and those who are sick and in trouble especially (anybody you know). I ask you to be with my family (names) and my friends (names), help them with any difficulties or problems they have and may they know you love them, died for them, and care for them.

Please help me with my work and with my relationships. Meet all my needs (anything special). Help me to overcome temptation and keep me from doing wrong.

I ask for these things and give you my thanks through Jesus. Amen.

* The first letter of these words spell ACTS - a helpful way to remember the sections of prayer.

4. From a Friday Bible Study

Dear Lord

Thank you for bringing us together this evening. We have so much to thank you for. The lovely day we have enjoyed. All the things you give us and your care for us.

We want to pray for the people in New Orleans. We cannot understand why these things happen but we ask that you will be with all those involved. Those who have lost loved ones, some not knowing if their relatives are dead or alive. We ask that you will be with the children who have to settle in new places and go to new schools. The mothers who do not know when they can return home and want to care for their children. The fathers who want to provide for their families. We ask that the American people will reach out to these people and show love and concern. Above all that everyone will learn of your love for them.

Dear Lord we also want to pray for the people in Iraq who were affected by the bridge stampede. Those who lost loved ones and those who were badly injured. And that there will be someone to tell them about God's love for them.

Now as we prepare for our Bible Study open our hearts and quieten our minds so that we can learn more of God's word and of His love for us so that we can serve Him better and love Him more.

Asking all these things and praising God in Jesus name.

Amen

5. From a Friday Bible Study

Dear Lord our Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the week that has passed and thank you for your love and protection.

Forgive us any wrong doing and for any hurt we may have caused any one inadvertently. Bless any who are lonely and who feels their loneliness must of all if they are friendless.

Bless any who are unwell, and let us remember a few words of praise are very comforting.

We must all have been listening to the bad news on the radio or television recently; so many people have been killed in Asia by the earthquake having a traumatic or devastating effect ……

Let us pray for all those who were caught up in this calamity. Have you noticed how many small creatures such as squirrels and birds have come into our gardens recently? The squirrels love the nuts in my garden and now we have had some rain the busy-Lizzie are looking so colourful and are looking beautiful. Have you thought to thank God and Jesus Christ for the beauty which surrounds us?

Dear Lord your love is beyond measure and your blessings can not be counted. We thank you for all your love and for your Son Jesus Christ.

Amen