Why let me waken from my nightly sleep?
O Lord, why give me another unsoiled day,
Like bread fresh from the oven, ready for butter,
If not to serve and love and glorify your Name?
What we think is nothing
We think, O Lord, to find joy in small and simple things, only to discover afterwards that they were the great things. For simplicity is never small, clarity never minimal. Thank you for the great light which we have in Christ. He shows us the kind word, the moment of solidarity, the act of generosity, that offer a lifeline to the perishing. What we think is nothing might be to someone all there is. Make us aware, heavenly Father, of your power in us.
To You, Glory
To you, O Lord, belongs the glory,
Without our egos in the way;
What wonderful news is Jesus’ story,
How pure his light’s unconquerable ray!
To you, O God, belongs the power,
Who raised the Son from among the dead;
Salvation’s plan in that dark hour,
Upon the Cross when Jesus bled.
To you, O Father, we ascribe
All glory, honor, love and praise;
To you may every people and tribe
Their happy, grateful voices raise.
Words Fail
Heavenly Father, words fail to express
The deepest gratitude, the sharpest need,
But still we know how much you bless,
How deeply you love, how wisely you lead.
Prayer for those influenced by false teachings
Father, I pray for those who are being influenced by false teachings, that they may be snatched from the fire. Let them see the dead end they’re being led into. Let them discover that they are being fed false knowledge. Help them to see the bitterness and the rebelliousness that lurk behind the lies. Make them feel the sense of superiority and the arrogance of those who hold to deadly doctrines.
Put faithful brethren in their path to prevent them from going astray. Let them listen to those who speak truth in love. Help them to perceive the genuine concern of the true family of faith.
Father, give them humility to accept the truth. Show them good examples of those who worship and serve you in spirit and in truth. Let them know the joy and peace of certainty. Bring them to confess the Spirit of truth and the Lord who is the way, the truth, and the life.
Our God Is Worthy
Almighty Lord, the power is yours,
And glory, too, both honor and praise;
Both snow and cloud, lightning and wind,
Both young and old, hours and days,
And all the deepest ocean stores,
Let angels praise where none contend —
Our God is worthy, and none beside,
He’s Savior, Shield, Friend and Guide.
Time as Friend
Lord, let us see our time on earth as our friend,
With every thought and action geared to the end,
To learn, prepare, and grow in full desire,
For your most glorious presence in pure attire.
Lord, let us know that life is made of hours,
And moments, being present, with mental powers
In focus on our eternal purpose — earth
And heaven anew, with saints of spiritual birth.
Lord, let us find in Christ the only way
To you and all your hosts — for this we pray
And work and wait, as age and wisdom grow —
In hope, we think this passing time is slow.
Your songs
Your songs, O Lord, speak to me
And lift my soul higher.
They call me to that spiritual plane
Where inner peace prevails.
They invite us as your chosen people
To celebrate your presence.
We sing of joy and victory’s chant,
And our arrival in heaven.
A Christmas prayer
Heavenly Father, we are grateful for this fine day, surrounded as we are with good food, beloved friends and family, and the blessings of life in Christ. Whatever our trials and pains, we are grateful to be your children, disciplined by your love.
We thank you for the eternal hope that gives us joy in the present. We thank you for the faithfulness of Christ who brings us daily peace. We thank you for the knowledge and strength that comes from the Spirit. We thank you for the family of faith, who accepts us in our weakness and corrects our errors.
We are glad to share our blessings, Father, and especially the greatest one of all, your presence in our midst and in our hearts. Give us opportunities to proclaim Christ. Let us see every person who does not follow him as your desire for fellowship. Let material things not blind us to the spiritual need.
In our bounty, let us feel the need for growing to maturity. In our need, let us know the fullness of Christ. In our fullness, let us praise the God who contains heaven and earth in his hand.
Father, we praise you and sing about your great doings; we glorify you for realizing your plan of salvation in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Divine Approval
Job 19.23-29
O Lord, what desire to be found right,
even in the end, after our days!
When we are gone, we want others to know,
that we were righteous, just as Job
wanted his words written down,
chiseled in stone forever.
There must be—has to be—someone
to stand up finally, who’ll rise to speak
on our behalf and show that we,
after all, had integrity.
When all is gone and swept away—
our skin, our skill, our flesh and will—
we want no human approbation,
but only yours, divine, One
who always lives to intercede,
who brought to light eternal life
through his cross.
Though all be against us, we cannot bear
to be estranged from you—here lies
our deepest fear and agony.
Let Christ fill your holy sight
on judgment day, as we hide ourselves
behind him, claiming his righteousness,
our names inscribed in purest blood—
no cause in stone, but in our hearts
his washing and your Spirit of truth.
With hope, our hearts shall never faint;
with Christ, we do not fear your judgment.