Day 34 - For all who cannot feel forgiven or forgive
DAY 34 MORNING
Many of us will carry guilt for some things we have done about which we might be ashamed. This may mean we are unable to feel forgiven. Some will turn to confession which may a big help but for many this is something they are not familiar with or would feel comfortable about. If you are unable to feel forgiven by anything you have done and of which you are ashamed talk to God about it, say you are sorry and truly believe you can be forgiven. You might be surprised.
Prayer – Forgiving Father we are sorry for all the hurt we have caused to you and to our fellow men. Help us to forgive and to know that we are forgiven
DAY 34 EVENING
Some people are unable to forgive another for something they have done which has caused real hurt. Others have an incredible ability to forgive even forgiving someone who may have murdered their child. They say that by doing this they do not carry the pain and grief in the same way. They often think about the events in the perpetrators life that led them to carry out this terrible act.
If you have been unable to forgive someone try and think about it from the other persons’ viewpoint. Often situations arose from something fairly trivial. Maybe now is the time to speak to a family member or friend you once shared love with but have now fallen out with. Let us not take these things to the grave.
Prayer – Father forgive me for any grudges or grievances that I bear or have borne
Day 35 – For child soldiers
DAY 35 MORNING
We think of all children forced into becoming soldiers, those having to grow up to see and do things that young eyes should never have to encounter or to do things that should never be asked of them.
Prayer – Father God pray for all child soldiers that it will not shape their entire lives and that there will be opportunity for them to break free.
DAY 35 EVENING
May those who recruit young children for the purpose of fighting and killing be made to face up to the awfulness of what they are doing. Through our prayer this night may at least someone realise the terrible error of their ways.
Prayer - Father remember all child soldiers and that it is not their decision to choose this path. Be merciful to them and bring protection to those who they are told to harm
Day 36 - For all who long for but cannot have children
DAY 36 MORNING
Help us never to forget those unable to have children of their own although they would dearly love to. Make us sensitive to anyone in this position particularly on days like Mothering Sunday or when speaking of our own children and grandchildren.
Prayer – Loving and merciful Lord we pray that all who are unable to have children will find happiness, fulfilment and comfort in other ways
DAY 36 EVENING
Tonight we think of those who would have dearly loved to have a child but have never met anyone. For any whose disabilities or injuries prevent them from the opportunity to enjoy parenthood. At the same time we remember all unwanted children.
Prayer – We hold before God all who are saddened by never having met someone to love them or for them to love and all who because of disability are unable to have children of their own. May they know that you always love them
Day 37 - For the Police, Ambulance services, Fire service and coastguards
DAY 37 MORNING
We give thanks for all the emergency services, for those who put their own lives at risk to protect ours. We know that people in the emergency services often have to put up with violence, abuse, and hate.
Prayer – Lord Jesus we give thanks for the patience, kindness and commitment shown to us by all working for the emergency services. Please keep them safe throughout this day
DAY 37 EVENING
Whilst we sleep so many in the emergency services will be working through this night to care for us and keep us safe.
Prayer – With thankful hearts we hold before you Heavenly Father all who will sacrifice their own safety this night to keep us safe
Day 38 - For all volunteers and for the RNLI
DAY 38 MORNING
So many people give of their time to care for others by volunteering. Volunteering means putting others before self and so we give thanks for all who feel called in this way. Create in us all Lord caring and loving hearts
Prayer – Dear Jesus with are so thankful for all volunteers. We praise you for all acts of mercy and kindness that will be freely shown this day
DAY 38 EVENING
We especially pray for the RNLI who risk their own lives to save others. We think of the many who have died by serving in this way. Protect all at sea this night and bless the work of the RNLI and all lifeboat crews
Prayer – Dear Jesus we give thanks for volunteers who will work this night especially for anyone helping those who are homeless and for the work of the Samaritans.
Day 39 - For victims of the unprovoked killing in Ukraine, of the holocaust, genocide, and all 'ethnic cleansing'
DAY 39 MORNING
Hold in your thoughts this day all who have been the victims of the unprovoked maliciousness against Ukraine, the holocaust, genocides and ethnic cleansing.
Prayer – Holy Father we pray this day for all who continue to be victims of so called ethnic cleansing especially the Ukrainians, the Rohingya and Uigurs people
DAY 39 EVENING
Tonight let us hold before God all people who suffer as did the victims of the Holocaust
Prayer – Loving God we keep in our prayers people of all faiths, for those in minority groups and for those who are targeted unjustly. We pray for all people of faith.
Day 40 - For the poor
DAY 40 MORNING
Jesus said that we will always have the poor with us. Throughout today let each one of us give thought as to how we can better help those who are poor. We confess to being attracted to things that money can buy which only bring temporary satisfaction or happiness. Help us to strive for the riches which Christ brings in the hopes we might be more generous to those in need.
Prayer – Help us Lord to be generous to the poor
DAY 40 EVENING
Let us not go to sleep before remembering those who will go to bed hungry this night.
Prayer – Dear Lord Jesus we pray for all sleeping out tonight, those ravaged by poverty and for all in debt. Show us Lord how we can be more generous. Amen.
From: Trevor Thorn Blogger for this site: I am grateful to my brother for this sequence of '40 Days and 40 Nights' and to those of you who have followed the sequence. You might now like to Click through HERE to my site with Holy Week material including a sequence 'Unreported Moments from First Century Jerusalem' in which I try to help build an understanding of the reasons the people of Jerusalem turned from ‘Hosanna’ to ‘Crucify’ in the space of one eventful week