The good news of Christ
Lord of eternity, thank you for putting the future into our minds.
At the same time we make and begin to carry out plans for an entire year, help us still to pray about our daily bread and to live a day at a time.
Let the big plans give us focus for what to do right now.
Let the comprehensive vision guide us in our actions at the present.
Make the grand idea bring meaning to the hour we occupy at present.
For the moment now are we thankful, O God.
Dick Ady (founder of WEI [World English Institute]) studied with a Muslim. One day, the student bragged, “We Muslims pray five times a day. How often do you pray?”
Dick replied that he prayed without ceasing. “In fact, I pray for you every day,” he said.
Then he demonstrated how he prayed for him. “When I looked up, his eyes were filled with tears.”
Away from me, depressing thoughts of failure, of lack of fruit,
That weaken busy hands at work and rot the living root.
Be done with heavy suffering in the mind to weigh me down,
Temptations that obscure the Way and steal the golden crown. Continue reading “Make faith like iron”
Save me from judging another’s looks,
For all alike need Jesus’ care;
None are free from Satan’s hooks,
No matter what we wield or wear.
Each one a soul with life impressed,
Creation’s crown, all heaven’s pride,
The power to choose within the breast,
For every person Jesus died.
Let words of life from lips flow free,
Let Calvary’s tune reach every ear;
The suffering man make mercy see,
Make love the span, to breach our fear.
Lord, keep my foot from Satan’s snare,
Be it subtle whisper or brazen dare;
Repulse him with the Word’s reply,
That written power to make him fly. Continue reading “When liars entice”
Preacher Nick Marsh works with the Cherry Street congregation in New Albany IN. This is a recent sermon of his, “Pleasing Prayer.”
Mike Brooks shows special interest in two key words in 1 Peter 4.7. He then says,
Prayer is serious business. It is not to be engaged in lightly or carelessly. We are asking for the attention of the almighty ruler of the universe. That is not given negligently.
Be sure to read his whole article on Forthright Magazine: “Serious Praying.” The link also contains a prayer need, in the first two paragraphs.
Thank you, O Lord, for revealing yourself to us, that we might know you.
That you for sending your Son to the earth, that we might be forgiven of sin and redeemed.
Thank you for your indwelling Spirit, who transforms us into the image of Christ.
Thank you for Scripture, which guides us in your Way.
Thank you for establishing the church, that we might have family always near.
Thank you for a purpose, to glorify your name and show your excellent mercies. Continue reading “Thanksgiving Day prayer”
O faithful God, though all forget
To pray, and faint from weary watching,
Fall prey to sin, to strange bewitching,
Toward heaven be my strivings set. Continue reading “Though all forget”
Awaken me to opportunity,
To open doors in my community,
To searching hearts that were resistant,
To bring those near who once were distant. Continue reading “With saving words and deeds of leaven”