As we face the week ahead and see suffering of all kinds, let us remember that Jesus, who was made like us, can be our source of strength and hope.

Generosity isnt just about money. Is there something more you could do with your time, skills or other resources to help those in need?

My favourite version of the Magnificat is from Roger Jones musical, While Shepherds Watched (can be found on YouTube, e.g. at music.youtube.com/watch?v=bq8nytodPo4). Why not listen to Marys song, spoken or sung?

What impresses you about others? Are you influenced by factors that dont really matter? How can you spot more valuable qualities in people?

Whats your experience of the sort of worship David describes? What can you do so that praise of the Lord is on your lips more often?

Fortunately, we are spared the elaborate ritual around animal sacrifice, but does this mean we take our offerings to God less seriously than we should?

Those on the margins of society need not only relief from poverty but relief from stress. What can we do to provide rest and refreshment?

Recording answered prayers or creating an Ebenezer (memorial object) can remind us of Gods faithfulness when we doubt. What might you do to memorialise Gods goodness in your life?

What makes you afraid? What is stealing your peace? Ask Jesus to bring revelation of his abundant victory in those places. His perfect love drives out fear.

Who might God be asking you to bless today? What might that generosity look like?

Which is your priority physical blessing or relationship with God? Consider the root of that and how you might set your eyes on the bigger prize!

Which of these is the greatest challenge for you? Spend some time reflecting on why that is and bring it to the Lord to change in your heart.

Lord, soften our hearts where they are hardened to the worlds suffering. Give us vision when we feel overwhelmed, courage to share our hope, and faith to see your Spirit transform lives.

How big is your vision? Is it to see just your salvation or that of those you know and love? Or do you need to enlarge the tent so that your heart connects with God not just for the few, but for the nations?

Are there those you know who appear small or whose world has been made small? How can you help them enlarge their tents?

Do you know someone who needs to have you walk with them, acknowledging the reality of the current situation, but encouraging them with this wonderful truth?

Meditate on some desert experiences that you have known. Without ignoring or minimising the challenges, what of Gods presence and comfort did you encounter? What beauty did you see?

Do you know someone who is feeling that pressure right now? How can you help them hear words of hope and how can you co-work with God to be the fulfilment of that hope?

How can we better represent who God is, as individuals and as church?

Read Ezekiel 47:112 and ask God to give you a picture of a river flowing where everything will live and where everything will be healed.

Picture Jesus standing in front of you and calling you by name. His voice is tender and bursting with love. How do you respond?

Read Psalm 137:16 and reflect on how the Israelites felt. Where is your river of Babylon today? How will you keep the song going?

Who do you know who is sitting in darkness? How can you pray for them and help them this week?

Pray through your news feed or newspaper today and ask that Gods good news will break through in healing and restoration.

What have the New Testament letters told you this week about prayer something new to you, or something you might be in danger of forgetting?

What three gifts or qualities do you think are most needed in anyone putting themselves forward for a leadership role?

Where can you encounter God in todays letters, emails, texts or messages?

You might like to write a list, at some time today, of those people you find yourself especially praying for at the moment.

At some point in the day ahead, pause briefly and ask God to show you how God has been working with you recently.

Try to remember a time when you felt far from God but can now see that God was in fact very close to you there.