Week beginning 10th March

 

Virtual Lent 4. March2024

The God of  Abraham Praise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKAIWQpbSH8

Gods blessed Abram in the book of Genesis chapter 12: 1 – 3.

1 The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.2 ‘I will make you into a great nation,  and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,  and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you,
 and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.

Jesus blesses in many ways,

Jesus blesses children.

Suffer the children to come unto me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XGpPDNQwPA

Mark 10: 13 – 16

13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

I think when I read that sweet story of old

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evqbqZoqX7k

Prayer

Lord Jesus please place you loving hands on my head that I to may feel you love for

I am not worthy to be in your presence, but I come to you as a child, Lord have Mercy, forgive my failings, bless me that I may know you have forgiven me, fill me now with your peace. Amen

The next blessing to look at is of Jesus blessing food and a miracle that happened.

When Jesus feed the 5000 with a few a few fish and bread rolls He held the food up and asked God to bless it, the usual prayer said over food was and still is; Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth. It then feed thousands. His prayer was answered by God. What fantastic power Christ had and still has to this day and days to come. You will find this in Luke 9: 12 -17

Five little loaves

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O6L0RcL-ek

There are many prayers said over meals you may recall prayers said when you were young this is the one I sang from the age of two

Thank you for the world so sweet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsGEzbfHxuQ

the other being: “For what we are about to receive Lord make us truly grateful”. Amen

You may know others, it is always good to ask God to bless our meals that we may never take them for granted.

The next blessing of Jesus was at the last supper Matthew 26:26-29 Amplified Bible,

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread and, praising God, gave thanks and asked Him to bless it to their use, and when He had broken it, He gave it to the disciples and said, Take, eat; this is My body. 27 And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, 28 for this is My blood of the new covenant, For which ratifies the agreement and is being poured out

 for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I say to you, I shall not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it with you new and  of superior quality in My Father’s kingdom.

I hunger and I thirst

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kqjwJ1bnAA

prayer

Holy Spirit enter our hearts and guide us in thoughts as we turn to prayer

Heavenly Father Place in our hearts the desire to make a difference
to our families, to our community, to our country,
and to the many cultures and peoples worldwide.
Give us balance in times of distraction and uncertainty.
Help us move towards our goals with determination
and always with an abundant sense of humour.

Guide us to do your will.
Thank you for the abundance food. May it reach those who know only hunger;

Please bless the food we are going to eat today, thank you for the producers.
Thank you For friends, may friendships reach those who know only loneliness.
May our faith in you spread to those who only know fear;
Jesus bless those who feel unloved may your love fill them with peace

Jesus bless those who are ill in mind, body, and spirit, fill them with you healing love

Jesus for those who we know and worry over we bring them to you now ….pause …………

Glory be to you O God bring peace to peoples . We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for yours is the glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father pour your spirit into our lives; may we feel the peace of your presence.

Lord, living God grant to us your wisdom and courage in our Christian witness.

Lord, Loving God may we not anger you, nor bring you shame, may we never use your name in vain. May we never fail others or fail you. Keep us free from evil. Grant us wisdom and courage to ever serve you our only living Loving heavenly Lord God in your love and mercy hear these our prayers in the name of Jesus. Amen

The last earthy blessing of Christ was on His disciples at His ascension. Luke 24: 45- 52

45 Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, ‘This is what is written: the Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’

50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.

Fanny Crosby wrote this closing hymn she had been blind for a long time and the first face she wanted to see was that of her saviour.

The disciples too where left praising their savour after He had blessed them. When Jesus left them, this time they were not sad in heart, but filled with great joy.

Blessed Assurance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WQdwkCdXpU

the priestly blessing from Numbers 6: 24 -26

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. Amen