Day 6: Wednesday 8 October – Life in a pagan land

Daniel 3:16-18

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

• Thank God and pray for Christians in significant positions across Reading

• Pray for us all to make godly choices

• Make us so unashamed that we do not bow to the idols of our day

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Day 7: Thursday 9 October – Shame redeemed

John 4:17-18,28-30

‘I have no husband,’ she replied. Jesus said to her, ‘You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.’…

 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, ‘Come, see a man who told me everything I’ve ever done. Could this be the Messiah?’ They came out of the town and made their way towards him.

• Praise God that the shame that cripples us can be redeemed by Jesus into a victory and a testimony

• Pray for those who are still in the prison of shame and guilt

• Lord, make your church in Reading a welcoming and nurturing place for those who have been or are still in shame

Day 8: Friday 10 October – I am the Bread of Life

John 6:51,60,66-69

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” ... On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”…   From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.  “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

• Make us unashamed of your ‘hard sayings’, Lord, even when they cut across accepted thought

• Give us an eternal perspective, Father

• Give your church unswerving faith that you are the Holy One of God

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Day 9: Saturday 11 October – Testimony

1 Peter 3:14-16

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. ‘Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.’ But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

• May we fear you, Lord, rather than people

• Give us a clear testimony of the good news of Jesus and our story

• Lord, help us to speak with gentleness and respect

Day 10: Sunday 12 October – Let us run the race

Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

• Make your church holy, Lord

• Give us determination, resilience and perseverance, Lord

• May our eyes always be fixed on you, Jesus