The good news of Christ
We rise again, O Lord, to face
Another journey, another step,
Another day of friendly grace,
For waking joys till now asleep.
Our thanks, O God, for daily bread
And strength, for wisdom’s gentle light,
Midst trial and pain, for faithful aid
Upon the tempter’s fiery height.
My Savior, show me open doors
For Jesus Christ — let me not fear
To bravely leave the safer shores,
But dare, beyond horizons, steer.
Justin shares a good deal on his blog about prayer, especially, for and by the disabled. His posts on the subject are worthy of careful reflection. Check out his prayer category here.
What gifts received, the wealth of heaven
poured down! — and not for us alone,
but service in the Cross’s shadow.
What work received, to enter the Lord’s
eternal mission! — a world awaits
to hear the news of God’s salvation.
What Spirit received, for God himself
to abide in every heart! — Come, O Lord
in mine, prepare me and be present.
Show me grace at work in generous saints,
Whose joy exceeds afflictions most severe,
Who serve like Christ their Lord, with no complaints,
Giving beyond their means, no future fear.
Show me Jesus’ grace, becoming poor,
Immeasurably rich, for our own souls to save,
To open to us the wealth of heaven’s door —
Eternal life and light beyond the grave.
Show me powerful grace for every need,
For good and blessed works in hidden ways,
Producing righteous fruit from heavenly seed,
That may increase to God man’s thanks and praise.
2 Corinthians 8-9
By Ron Thomas, Highway congregation, Sullivan IL
1 Pet 3.8-22
Sweep me into your circle of calm,
Your listening silence, far from the storm,
Beneath the whispering tree of life,
That gently sways in the Spirit’s breath,
And cools my flushed and fevered face,
While turning me toward your fullest grace.
Stop me from running with pagan feet,
Behind false hopes and devilish bait,
To rest and seek your blest retreat
From future worries and troubled fate —
What righteous reign to us come down,
That we by the Lord of heaven be owned!
Let my first thought be of you, dear God, and my last; thoughts of how to please you, to seek you, to serve you, to glorify you.
Let my first step be toward your presence, and my last in the footsteps of Christ; steps of holiness, wisdom, and joy.
Let my first breath be to thank you for love and reconciliation, O Lord, and my last to ask for the entrance into the eternal kingdom.
Let me not overlook, O Lord,
Those little deeds that few will do:
The works that warm, the follow-through,
The loving ear, the heartening word —
The power, O God, of the promise kept,
In fair and foul, the present friend,
With tears to shed and time to spend! —
To serve, O Servant, let me not forget.
By John Henson, Dibrill congregation, McMinnville TN
Text: Luke 16.19-31
Lord God, reign over me, control my heart, guide my steps, protect me from evil, be to me all my good.
Walk among us, be our God and make us your perfect people.
You are no man, you do not lie, nor change your mind. You bless and command us to bless as well. No curse can damage whom you have blessed. You have set us apart for your purpose. Help us to live and fulfill your designs for us.
Let us hear the model you have made for living in Christ and by hearing be ashamed of our sins. Let your pattern draw us to yourself.
Who can survive unless you have willed it? We seek obedience, Lord, we seek to please you, our desire is to do your bidding as our Sovereign.