To reach another soul, as mine
Was touched by grace, and draw
From darkness’ fear, across the line
To safety — a bridge of life — what awe!
You are God
You are God, we are your people.
You are the Lord, we are your servants.
You are the Shepherd, we are your obedient sheep.
You are the Savior, we, the lost, plead for salvation.
You are Father, we are your children.
You are the Creator, we your creatures.
You are Sustainer, we daily need your sustenance.
You are Light, we walk your righteous path.
You are Love, we the beloved.
You are I-AM, we inheritors of the promise.
Scatter your people abroad
Lord God of love for the world, in times past your people launched out across the earth to proclaim salvation in Christ. They planted themselves in other cultures, among peoples strange to them, in order to learn their language and their unique perspectives. They did this in order to better communicate the gospel of redemption.
Why, O Lord, are so few doing this today? Why do people consider themselves missionaries after spending a week or two abroad?
Raise up servants who will identify with another culture, learn their language, understand their needs, and bring the gospel to their hearers in a powerfully appropriate way.
Yes, Lord, scatter your people abroad, however it must be done.
In peace with your provisions
Lord, let us be in peace with your provisions. Thank for your blessings. We are content.
Keep us from putting our trust in things. Let us not seek security in accumulation of material goods.
Help us to live simply. Keep us from spending on accessories that add nothing to our quality of life, but that take away from the good that we might do for others and from the support that we might give to your work.
As we see your free generosity in Christ, create in us the desire to bless others.
We trust in you
Lord of lords and God above all gods, your name deserves praise from every heart and tongue. You are worthy, O heavenly Father, to receive worship and fear and blessing from every person, for you created us and all that the universe contains.
Look down upon us in mercy. Have pity on our struggles. Pour upon us your grace. Make us powerful in our work of sharing the message of salvation. We are few in number, but make us strong in faith. Cause the Word to multiply in this city.
Strength the hearts of those who are weak here. Enliven the slow to act. Break out among us the inexpressible joy of your salvation.
Start all this with and in me. Let the brethren grow beyond what I am able to provide. Keep the gospel from being limited by my limitations.
May the Lord Jesus fill our vision. Let the Holy Spirit empower our service. May his revelation to us be constantly on our tongues. Help us to trust in your eternal purpose.
Father, we trust in you. We believe you hear and answer our prayers.
I have confidence in your promise. I will work till Jesus comes, even if I see no fruit from my labors, for in your time you will produce the good results of the Word. Let many be saved. Save me according to your mercy.
Keep us from playing the negative “What-If” game
Father of spirits and God of fulfilled plans, keep us from playing the negative “What-If” game. Help us to root out all forms of worry and anxiety.
Ground us in today, that we might live fully in this moment, knowing that you have set our future in the brightest terms. Open our eyes to possibilities and opportunities. Shut down our fears with your promise of blessing and joy.
Stand us upon those spiritual realities we possess. Reroute our thoughts away from needs and what is missing in our lives. The gospel is ours; let us endure privation with gratitude for participation in your mission.
May you be praised for your wonderful gift of life, which sets us in your glorious presence and turns us toward the heavenly hope.
Keep our small thinking from holding back your kingdom
Father, you know all and are able to do everything. Your mind and will and power have no limits. Work in us and among us in this place so that the Word may run and reach many. There is no doubt that even among a people whose interests focus in money and pleasure your power can do great things. Show us your glory, that we might glorify you.
You can do so much, far beyond our ability to imagine. And you actually do them! Keep our small thinking from holding back your kingdom. We stand ready, O Lord, to observe your mighty hand. Show yourself to be the God who rules and performs great works in our midst. Help us to do greater things. Make us people of faith. Create in us confidence to launch out with your promises.
Yours is a beautiful world
Yours is a beautiful world, O Lord, full of power and precision and sights and sounds. We marvel before all creation, what we can see of it, knowing that it declares your greatness.
Even more beautiful, Savior of mankind, is the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins. In his pain, in the gore of suffering, in the cries and darkness and sweat and tears, rose the sparkling water of life and the brilliant light of glory.
Our sight is unfocused. Our sense of right is warped. Our perception of your goodness has been distorted by the father of lies.
Let us see your glory. Make us know your righteousness. Awaken us to your mercy.
May the splendor of Christ far outshine this world’s glory in our eyes.
This is what I ask you, Lord, to give me
Give me strength to resist the devil and take hold of victory in Christ that you have promised.
Give me wisdom to know right and timely words that will build others up and proper steps to take for the greatest blessing.
Give me courage to speak of Christ at all times, even when truth has a good chance of not being well received.
Give me your Spirit that he might produce in me the virtues of my Lord.
Give me glory to shine as a light on a hill that all may see your goodness e confess your wonderful Name.
Give me love to accept each person where he is and show him how to be accepted by you through obedience to the gospel of Christ.
Give me joy so that every day offers me your presence and the hope of receiving one of the eternal rooms that Jesus is preparing.
Meetings that reach mind, emotions and will
Lord, make this a blessed day for edifying the saints. Put in our hearts to serve you and to seek out every opportunity for doing good. Make us see the good that can be done by being present with the family of faith.
Help us all to ask what we can do to serve and encourage one another. Put a needy brother or sister in our path.
Help us to use our time today in preparation for making our meeting informative, inspiring, and motivating. May our meetings in this way reach the mind, the emotions, and the will.