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The worst that can be said about a man

The worst that can be said about a man is that he’s godless, that you, my Lord, are absent from his life. Let it never be true of me.

Let nothing separate me from your presence. Let no one come between us. Let no love edge you out from my heart.

I wish to walk in your sight and please you in all things, to know your goodness and justice and mercy. I wish to be welcomed on that final day into the gates of heaven.

Keep me safe in your hand, O Lord, under the shadow of your wing. My weakness frightens me, but your strength steels me against the howling winds of worldliness.

— JRMatheny

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The true use of wealth

Let our prosperity not separate us from you,
nor make us feel independent,
or in control of our lives,
but let us remember instead, O Lord,
to give you thanks for all good things,
to enjoy the bounty from your hand,
and to share with the needy,
and make wealth have its true use
for the gospel of Christ.

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Let someone decide

Let someone decide to do your will today,
Let someone take his first steps in the Way,
Repentant sinners ready to submit
To Christ as Lord and for heaven to be made fit.

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By constant movement bound

I can’t accomplish more than I can do,
This simple truth I’m prone, O Lord, to forget,
You know I’m not the one to warm a pew,
A thankful son forgiven his mountainous debt.

But let me not in tasks and jobs be drowned,
Nor think that busy work is specially blessed,
Save me from being by constant movement bound,
That spiritual men can never sit and rest.

Let me do all I can with all my powers,
And learn to serve the Lord the efficient way,
But teach me, too, the blessing of quiet hours,
As you of work relieved the seventh day.

—JRMatheny

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Another day, another dawn

Another day, another dawn
Of opportunity, old things
Have passed away; the passion of Christ
Enlivens the heart and lifts the spirit.

Praise belongs to the Prince of Peace,
Both honor and glory are yours, O God;
From sin you saved my wandering soul,
Salvation is mine, and victory’s assured.

Though freedoms are lost, and friends abandon,
With me remain the words of the Master,
With hope and peace as highest possessions,
The comfort of God my constant good.

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Here for a reason

We’re here for a reason, Lord, you’ve shown us that time and again, in so many different ways. You placed us on this earth for your fellowship, for our mutual joy, for the blessing we can bring to others by restoring them to your presence.

We’re here as the process through which we find our way—having been found by you—into the eternal halls of peace and praise.

Help me to embrace that reason, to place my feet further on that glorious path, to move toward that heavenly abode.

Let me always be clear, with your reasons.

And though the path between here and there may be covered in mist, let the end points ever stand out sharply, so that my reason for being here will carry me through and get me there.

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The language of prayer

Sometimes the words come tumbling out,
As a rush of hurts, a race of pain,
Confusing thoughts in fevered babble;

Or as now when circumstances numb the senses,
No words, no thoughts, no will to move,
Only the Spirit within can speak from my heart.

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Forbid that Satan bind this soul

Sovereign Lord, the seed is sown,
The heart is touched with holy grace;
Forbid that Satan bind this soul
Desiring to love and serve the Master.

Keep cares from choking wisdom’s choices,
Let faith bring forth its full effect;
Let rise from dust to resurrection
The death of self, for the door of life.

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Envoys of reconciliation

Our Father in heaven, thank you for the blessings of this day. You renew your goodness over us constantly.

Bless our loved ones far away from us, and draw them near to you.

Make us sensitive to wrongs in the world, especially to the greatest of these: rebellion against your will, ignorance of your Word.

We put ourselves in your hands to be instruments of peace, envoys of reconciliation to an estranged world.

Let Satan not hinder us, nor distractions keep us from our main task.

Blessed be your name in all the earth, as the heavens praise your glory. Amen.

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No friend like you

No friend like you—how can this be,
When God and man to talk are free,
The Maker choosing to condescend
And on his creature blessings send?

Your presence turns my common way
To glorious steps; the normal day
To eternal light and heavenly rest—
In Christ I live and know you best.

In quiet submission and peace sublime,
I seek you in my fleeting time;
This sweet communion makes me see
My king and friend coming for me.

—JRMatheny