Please use this prayer focus as you are led by God’s Spirit, in personal prayer times, in church prayer times, passing it on via church communications/Facebook groups etc.
Psalm 23:1-3a (NIV) - “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message) – ““Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me — watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
God is the master of rest – praise Him for the model of rest in creation. Praise Him that He is ready to lead us to rest and refreshment and recharge. Give thanks that He wants to walk with us every day and has the perfect fitting set of tasks for each of us individually. Let us seek His presence and then we can know true rest each day.
Opportunities of the summer weather – let us continue to give thanks for the activities which can take place during summer weather – building community or reaching out in mission.
Council and Utility related workers – give thanks for Councillors who are committed to the wellbeing and betterment of their area. Be grateful for all Council and Utility workers who keep the many services of this town running day by day. Ask that we will not take them for granted but find ways to show our appreciation.
Non office workers – who work outside in all weathers to provide essential services or help us to have better homes or environments.
For the lost in this town – give thanks for all the individuals who are spreading the message of the Gospel in these days to people in Ipswich. Pray that all the Christian community will seize the opportunities God gives to share His love in Jesus with those around us and that we will see lives transformed by Him as a result.
Those who work in the Justice system – pray they will act with integrity and fairness, seeking the reconciliation and rehabilitation of those who have made bad choices and negatively impacted others. May they be part of breaking the cycle of crime, creating ways for criminals to reintegrate into society and make a positive difference to it.
For those looking for work – with many graduating from school or college and now looking for work pray that they will be led into positions where they can use their skills to bless others and continue to enhance them in order to bless others more. May they receive the wages they should in order to live lives free from excessive worry about financial resources.
IIP AwayDay – may this focussed time out in early August be a time when the steering group and others involved with Ipswich In Prayer hear from God His priorities for the coming months and sense how these will begin to be taken forward.
Dear Jesus, thank you for your Shepherd nature, caring for us as individuals and enabling us to fulfil your purposes for us (as opposed to those others or even ourselves think we should have). We ask you to show each person in Ipswich the role you want them to play in enhancing the life of this town. May you help those who have stayed from your purposes to confess this, going on to know your forgiveness and cleansing – so that they can start again and take delight in serving others. We pray that all involved with our justice system would work for rehabilitation for criminals as well as justice for victims. Finally, may this summer be a special time of recharge and re-visioning as well as sharing of your Gospel love for all ‘lost sheep’. For your Glory. Amen.