The heart is slow, behind the head,
To rest upon the truth it knows;
Until the two are joined and wed,
His patient love to man God shows. Continue reading “The heart is slow”
If man think ill
Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I
Might walk a holy man, and please
In every step, to satisfy
Your will, offering the kingdom’s keys
That men to self might die;
I seek Your face — if man think ill,
So be it — Your Spirit on me spill.
In them You delight
Father, let that which is to you an abomination be also to me an odious thing; may I prize justice, righteousness, wisdom, and goodness, all of which flow from your hand, and in them you delight.
What have we done?
What have we done, O God?! Forgive our rebellion, remove our sin of self-enthronement!
Purify our hearts and motives. Purge our minds of wavering doubts.
Let love reign supreme. Let our devotion be single and exclusive.
Quick actions
Our heavenly Father, make our actions as quick as our words. Let us speak little and act with integrity.
Let us put away excuses and accept responsibility for our lives. Wake us to the consequences of our actions.
Help us choose those behaviors that show the earnestness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Make us see with eyes of faith
Lord, make us see with eyes of faith your providence and care for your children, as you guide us in the ways of Christ.
Fix in our hearts the eternal purpose in Christ so that we may share it with others who flail about with no direction.
Deliver your people! Empower the nation that belongs to you! Care for them like a shepherd and carry them in your arms at all times! (Psa 28.9 NET).
We trust in your promise to do this. Amen.
Five tips for prayer
As Jehoshaphat was watching the enemy amass themselves against him, he turned to God in prayer (2 Chronicles 20). He was in a period where he was leading well and teaching his people to fear God, so God obliterates the enemy. Jehoshaphat’s reign was always either hot or cold in his relationship with the Lord – so why did God so completely respond to that prayer?
The Bible is full of tips on how to pray. Here are five:
via MyDailyPause.org
Fit me for this rarest air
None is good, O God, but you,
None unfailing, none so true,
Only justice from your throne,
Blessed to know and to be known.
Life unending in your light,
Gone are pain and earthly fright,
Death is banished from the street,
In its midst the righteous meet. Continue reading “Fit me for this rarest air”
No place where I can flee
Remove from me the bitter root,
Let selfless love hold sway;
Within, produce the Spirit’s fruit,
Keep Satan’s wiles at bay.
The Liar tempts at every turn,
No place where I can flee;
But teach me, Lord, and I will learn,
That Christ can set me free.
Descend to depths no man can sound,
To cleanse and draw me near;
O Lord, let grace and peace abound,
Make your full glory appear.
When times are hard
Help me prepare, O Lord, for famine,
When times are hard; help me examine
This generation; the days are evil,
This earth and nations in upheaval. Continue reading “When times are hard”