For love were we created — let love
prevail among us, genuine,
sincere, and willing to learn —
in all things honest, earnest,
accepting — as you accepted us.
Welcoming house of God!
Let nations come to dwell here!
To Begin and End with You
To begin and end with you
Is all a man could dream of.
The dawn of each new day
Brings copious gifts from heaven;
To offer a prayer of thanks,
That dissident act of courage.
Provide, O Lord, each need
Of your obedient people.
What joy to speak at your feet,
The Sovereign God of powers!
Come bless your humble servant
With naught but nearest presence.
I want so much!
O Lord God, I want so much!
I want a trusting heart,
A will that always chooses your commandments,
Faith that will not waver,
A mind absorbed with your truths,
A soul inhabited by your Spirit,
Lips that speak blessing,
Eyes that see the possibilities and opportunities,
Strength that will not break under pressure.
I want even more, O Father!
People who turn to you,
Glory for your unequalled name,
A day that is the best ever,
An hour alone in prayer and meditation,
Friends to walk beside me in your paths,
A family that honors Christ,
A congregation that carries your salvation to all,
A hope that never wavers,
Love to receive and more to share.
Can I dare to ask and receive it all?
Ten requests to God in prayer
- Blanket your people with peace, O Lord, that we may live in quiet submission and glad thanksgiving.
- Remove from us those earthly and material things upon which we rely, so that we might depend wholly upon your grace and power.
- Bring us low in humility, as Jesus himself humbled himself, in order to be useful to the Kingdom.
- Jolt us from our comfortable routines and throw us out into the world of need.
- Fix before our eyes the single task of proclaiming Christ to a condemned mankind.
- Stir up our zeal for the truth of the gospel that we might know the Scriptures and guard your word in our hearts.
- Steer us away from sin and produce in us the holiness that permits us to see your face.
- Pour out your Spirit into our hearts that we might produce that holy and righteous fruit of all good things.
- Swell the ranks of reapers in the field of salvation, so that those who are ready to hear might have a message to respond to.
- Expose the lies of the evil one, so that the God who does not lie might be seen as the Savior and Sovereign of all.
How Charming the Humble Heart
What beauty surrounds me, O God, in creation —
In faith, where blood can cleanse a soul!
How charming the humble heart that serves —
More than fragrant flowers on the tree.
In my own life create such splendor,
That lovely patience, that quiet spirit —
Mature fruit from years of study
Of the Christ who daily shines ever brighter.
Let my teaching be incisive
- Help me, Father, to put people face to face with your Word.
- Make me a faithful proclaimer of the Good News.
- May I be an example, not a stumbling block, to others.
- Show through my life the blessed state of life in Christ.
- Keep me from speaking in generalities.
- Let my teaching be incisive, addressing directly people’s needs.
- Put people in my path to be reached by your grace.
- Prevent me from getting in the way of the working of your power.
- Give me a humble attitude, while showing certainty of my faith.
- Thank you for making me a part of your plan to save others.
Evading Duties
The first stanza is based on M.B. Steinmetz
Give me courage to squarely face my life —
Evading duties cannot bring me peace,
Nor can encircling self with indulgent vices.
If I am blind to fear, restore my sight,
To prepare for a worthy passage with you, O God.
Let no excuse impair my soul’s condition,
Always discontent with my present state;
To pull at the hidden roots of a bitter spirit,
That Christ might larger loom in spiritual sight,
The lens to see the world and eternity.
Show Me, O God
Teach me, Lord, to glory in weakness,
To love at all times, to live by your power;
Show me, O God, to walk in meekness,
To work with pleasure, to cherish each hour.
Father, use me for good in this world,
Let mercy abound and grace prevail;
Holy Spirit, make me your child,
Let no good deed of blessing fail.
We desire to do your will completely
Eternal God,
Give us endurance until the end,
Integrity of heart and hands,
Courage in the face of opposition,
Honor when our names are reviled,
Strength in the hour of temptation,
Love when others reject us,
Holiness in the midst of an immoral world. Continue reading “We desire to do your will completely”
So Many Truths I Do Not Know
Christ does what I could never do,
He died my death, and brought me life;
He reconciled me back to you,
He gives me strength and keeps me safe.
So many truths I do not know,
And more to me are not revealed,
The heart is hard, the mind is slow —
But this I see: my future’s sealed.
Continue reading “So Many Truths I Do Not Know”