The good news of Christ
Show me, O God, how to hate
This wicked world and all its ways,
To hate this life wrapped up in things,
In thoughts that throw us far from you.
Destroy what cannot remain forever,
That I might gain eternal blessing,
Release desires and old resentments,
For cleansing the heart grown hard by sin.
Show me, O Father, how to love
All heavenly truths that lighten my burden;
Let die this seed, enrich the soil,
To grow in Christ from the ground of pain.
O Lord, I’d win a world for you,
Make millions hear the message of truth,
Throw mountains into the midst of the sea,
Grow churches where hearts are changed forever!
But where’s the path to greater things?
I’ve toiled with sweat and tears and blood.
I’ve fought in battle with Satan himself.
So few have faith! Where have I failed?
O Lord, keep me from looking for fruit,
But watch the sowing in every soil.
Give patience to walk the path of service,
O Savior who brings the season of harvest!
Lord, did you ever get distracted? Was it ever difficult for you to concentrate? Did you ever lose your focus?
You are my example of keeping the goal firmly in mind. You set your face steadfastly toward Jerusalem. You never wavered doing the Father’s will, even in the sweat of blood.
Make me like you. Focus my mind. Center my heart. Firm up my decision at every step of the way. Let me never turn to the right or to the left.
Be glorified in me.
Amen.
O God! Before your face we search
for proper words and lovely lines,
To bless our Lord and the only church
And all your mercy’s grand designs.
Our minds are small to well extol
Your plan before the world began,
To make from dust a living soul,
To love and bless intelligent man.
But in the Book are words possessed,
From glory to glory, to loudly praise:
In Christ we know your purpose best,
We love your grace in all its ways.
Father above, of tender mercies,
Cool the heart from hard emotions,
Rest the waves of turbulent thinking,
Quiet the storms where harbors perish.
Lord of winds and tossing waters,
Bid me walk above the surges,
Sight affixed on soothing knowledge:
Earth and sea must do your bidding.
Father, help me today to be
I give you thanks for Continue reading “Help, thanks, ask”
Never in a thousand years could I
Imagine your tender lovingkindness toward me.
Never across a thousand worlds of space
Could Science’ wisest minds measure your greatness.
How small am I! Yet you see every step —
Every stumble — every turn and tear.
How great you are! The smallest inch of faith
You use to pull by the roots the stubborn mountain.
Keep complaints from blocking the flow of power,
For I — yes, I! — can cancel the Spirit’s work!
Oh, God, let not my enemy be myself!
I ask you crush my last reserve of resistance.
Shine — shine — shine with fullest glory!
Fly me to the high transfiguration,
Where Jesus stands alone among the mute.
Put words of praise upon my silenced mouth.
So many needs have I, O Lord,
Not merely two or three.
Of all of these, I can’t afford
To lack humility.
I’d be like you, the Sorrowed Man,
Who bore my sins away.
Remind me how my life began:
I’m but unworthy clay.
I glory in your eternal Name,
In me no good resides.
Let me your holy promise claim,
To find a life that abides.
The world is awash in lies and deception.
Guide us in your truth, O Lord.
Greet us with your eternal love.
Faithful is your every promise.
Keep us from the father of lies.
Our humble hearts would hear your word.
Make us faithful servants of Christ,
Giving our lives for heavenly homes.
Father of lights, let peace settle
Upon our souls with gentle signs.
We sing your praise for full salvation,
For growing hope in cleansing blood.
© 2019 J. Randal Matheny
O God, transform my mind,
Give power to leave behind
All worldly ways and timid days,
Be to your will aligned.
Create your life in me,
The Spirit’s full degree
With joy untamed and hope ordained —
Of earthly suffering free.
Perfection my desire,
Your holiness my fire —
The Savior’s zeal my close ideal
To move me higher and higher.