The good news of Christ
Lord, show me my selfishness,
the ugly face contorted by desire,
passions springing up to control,
self in the center of my world,
hurts in others like an exploding grenade,
destruction of every good thing.
Lord, show me the love of Christ,
the beauty of his holiness,
driven by your blessed will,
your love the spring of life,
peace among men, in brotherhood,
the building of the eternal kingdom.
Blind and weak, O Lord, are we,
So give us strength, and make us see;
As each man fights his war
Against the lion’s roar,
Assured of final victory.
In us the fleshly battles rage,
But we the powers of God engage,
Confessing every need
For will and word and deed,
To gain by faith the eternal age.
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Lord, so much I have to ask of you! So much I want to see happen in my life and in the lives of others! So many needs that I think I have!
There is one request, out of them all, that I know you will answer positively. I confess to not knowing what will be best for me and mine. I cannot foresee the effects of what I ask. So I pray, Your will be done.
I pray this because I know that you will do what is best for us all. You seek to bless. You want to draw us near to you. So whatever I am asking, I pray that you will do everything according to your will.
And in your will I rest and find peace.
A day for you is like a thousand years,
And a thousand years, a day; above all time,
You do not count the passing hours like man;
Nor sight is lost of promise, but every word
Fulfilled according to your eternal plan.
The power and glories of heaven are fully yours,
But still you see and care for the smallest bird,
And man—of all creation the most sublime.
Awry we’ve gone, our bundle of failures and fears,
My people and with them I as well, a prime
Example—You do not cast us off; your hand
Is ever upon us—hear and forgive us, Lord.
Give me desire for good,
To see it, do it, praise it,
For me, for mine, for all:
Help me to know and prize it.
None can help but God — to you I turn,
O Lord, for rescue. No miracle in a tube,
No counselor’s couch, no exercise or drug
Removes my fears or eases my troubled mind,
But only trust in you. I cannot climb
Or raise myself, in me no power nor strength.
Give life, O Lord, and raise me up from death.
Heavenly Father, we miss many people in our lives who have either passed away or who have moved physically or emotionally. For some of them we grieve. Their loss pains us deeply. We feel empty because of their absence. Their presence brought us joy, security, fulfillment, and satisfaction. Their love and friendship meant so much to us.
We understand that as important as these people were to us, none of them was a necessary presence. Only your presence in our lives is an absolute necessity, for we were made for your love and fellowship.
We know you understand our feelings about our loved ones. We know that their presence in our lives was a gift from you. You made us a part of a family, a circle of friends, a community. We are thankful that you give us love through others and surround us with people who care.
Above all, we thank you for your presence with us. Help us not to neglect our relationship with you. May we cherish it above all others. And may we be willing to give up any other to preserve it.
Because we know that we have in our lives only one necessary presence—yours.
Wind, rain, and sun upon the earth
Wear away its surface, leach the soil,
But in return they bring a blessing of life.
The years of toil and tears, the constant trials
Break down the body, bow the heavy shoulders,
But strengthen a spirit whose daily might is God.
O Lord, in you may we discover the power of love.
Walls make for good neighbors, and it’s true:
To know what and where is theirs and ours,
As lines are useful in the traffic lane,
To separate the space for trucks and cars.
Let me respect, O Lord, the private domain
Of others’ lives—keep me from prying which sours
A friendship—let Christ’s perfection be my view.
Trash and treasure both
Shall perish, and we as well—
Save us, Lord, by grace!