Slices
Prepare
As you still yourself before the Lord today, take a moment to acknowledge him. Recognise the God-incidents and how God has been working in your life this past week.
Bible passage
A psalm of Asaph.
1 O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance;
they have defiled your holy temple,
they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.
2 They have left the dead bodies of your servants
as food for the birds of the sky,
the flesh of your own people for the animals of the wild.
3 They have poured out blood like water
all around Jerusalem,
and there is no one to bury the dead.
4 We are objects of contempt to our neighbours,
of scorn and derision to those around us.
5 How long, Lord? Will you be angry for ever?
How long will your jealousy burn like fire?
6 Pour out your wrath on the nations
that do not acknowledge you,
on the kingdoms
that do not call on your name;
7 for they have devoured Jacob
and devastated his homeland.
8 Do not hold against us the sins of past generations;
may your mercy come quickly to meet us,
for we are in desperate need.
9 Help us, God our Saviour,
for the glory of your name;
deliver us and forgive our sins
for your name’s sake.
10 Why should the nations say,
‘Where is their God?’
Before our eyes, make known among the nations
that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants.
11 May the groans of the prisoners come before you;
with your strong arm preserve those condemned to die.
12 Pay back into the laps of our neighbours seven times
the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord.
13 Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture,
will praise you for ever;
from generation to generation
we will proclaim your praise.
Explore
Perhaps, at times, you have felt like throwing your hands up in the air and exclaiming, ‘What are you doing, Lord?’ The psalmist likewise laments what is happening to Jerusalem, hoping that God will intervene (v 9). The devastation of Jerusalem (v 1) is a significant event, recorded four times in the Old Testament (2 Kings 25; 2 Chronicles 36:11– 21; Jeremiah 39:1–14; and Jeremiah 52). So often, we have excellent ideas about how God could step in (v 6) and improve our lives or take our pain away. When God doesn’t answer our prayers in the way we hope, we can end up feeling disappointed and frustrated: ‘How long, Lord?’ (v 5). We can mistake God’s silence for rejection or punishment. And we can even end up bargaining with God, much like the psalmist promising eternal praise if God would wreak vengeance on his enemies (vs 12,13).
It is not wrong to feel confused about what God is doing or to be real with God about our feelings. But we can protect our relationship with God by listening to his response and remembering that he loves us, rather than listening to any lies that the devil may be sneaking in.
Respond
Be honest with God about any situation that leaves you struggling to see how he is working. Listen to God’s response.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Numbers 36; Deuteronomy 1
Pray for Scripture Union
SU Slovakia has organised three regional workshops in cooperation with local churches, the last of which takes place next Saturday. Give thanks for the new, young generation of children’s ministry leaders taking part. Pray that they will bring fresh passion and commitment to the churches they serve.
Equipping the church to reach the next generation
Across England and Wales, increasing numbers of children and young people are asking big questions about life, faith and meaning. Many are more open than we might assume – curious, thoughtful, and ready for conversations about Jesus, even when church isn’t part of their everyday world. For churches who have a heart for the next generation, this presents a real and hopeful opportunity.
Many leaders carry a deep desire to help the next generation encounter Jesus, but with full diaries and many responsibilities, knowing how to respond – or where to begin – can feel uncertain. That’s why we’ve created the It’s Time to Act guide.
It’s a simple, encouraging resource designed to help churches take thoughtful, realistic steps towards revealing Jesus to the next generation. Rather than offering big programmes or quick fixes, the guide focuses on what’s possible now – small, achievable actions that can grow over time. Inside, you’ll find practical ideas shaped by real church life that work alongside busy schedules and varied contexts. So, whether your church is just beginning to explore this opportunity, or already taking steps, the guide aims to meet you where you are and help you discern what comes next.
Our hope is that It’s Time to Act feels less like another initiative, and more like an invitation – to notice where God is already at work, and to take a next step, one step at a time.
If you’d like to explore the guide and see whether it could support your church, you can order a copy here.
