The planet groans from pains of the Fall,
And we, O Lord, your people, too,
Oppressed in flesh, on us the pall
Of anguished death — naught can we do. Continue reading “Groanings”
Video: Preacher Jack Smith on Jesus and Prayer
Let me look upon your strength
Let me look, O Lord, upon your strength and not how I am weak. Wash over me with the power of your Spirit which raised Jesus Christ from the dead and won against the power of sin. Continue reading “Let me look upon your strength”
What do we mean by ‘Father in heaven’?
Mike Benson reflects on the meaning of “Father in heaven” when we pray.
I will speak for me. I probably need to spend more time thinking about what I’m actually saying in my private prayers.
“Father in heaven…”
If I am not very careful, the phrase may constitute little more than a thoughtless, repetitive habit.
Strangely enough, I don’t talk to my earthly father that way, but I tend to do so with my heavenly Father. Does he ever get weary of my redundancy?
What am I really saying when I articulate the words, “Father in heaven…”?
Read his whole article here on Forthright Magazine.
How can I come near you?
How can I come near you, Lord, in the purity of your holiness? You explode all my senses with your powerful presence. I fall on my face, and fear overcomes me. Continue reading “How can I come near you?”
Reverence in prayer
Ben G. asks us,”Do you remember this when praying?”
A while ago, I heard a young person start of his prayer with, “Hey God! What’s up?!” When I heard that I just about fell over. I know prayer should be a deeply personal thing. But when we start talking to God like an equal, or like He is our ‘best bud’ at school or work, then maybe we need to reassess our mindset. Perhaps we need to have the attitude of the publican who wouldn’t even lift his eyes up to heaven because he was so aware of his sin (Luke 18:9-14).
Thank you for Christian friends
Thank you, Lord, for Christian friends who encourage us, provide us with cheerful companionship and brace us in our faith.
Thank you that we can share our joys and hurts together and be accepted and cheered and comforted.
Thank you for the sincere love and transparent honesty that help us grow in the body of Christ. Continue reading “Thank you for Christian friends”
Your word forever living
Your word forever living in my mind,
The Spirit shapes my heart, now Christ-defined,
Make me like him in word and work and will,
And every plan of faith for good fulfill.
Death you know, destruction, too
Inspired by Proverbs 15.11
Death you know, destruction, too,
No place beyond control or ken;
The heart’s an open book to you,
You know us all, without, within. Continue reading “Death you know, destruction, too”
Thy boon of blessing
Thy boon of blessing: money, body,
The tongue and power, these now a parody;
For mundane use has mankind made
These heavenly gifts and holy healings. Continue reading “Thy boon of blessing”