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”
With saving words and deeds of leaven
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”
The greatest thought
The greatest thought to me is dear:
The sovereign God is always near
In Jesus Christ, his Spirit lives
Within my heart, and ever gives
Without reproach, he does not fail—
Beside this thought, all others pale. Continue reading “The greatest thought”
For those in pain
Relieve the pain, O Lord, of those who suffer. We know you are willing to save and willing to help your creatures. We confess we do not know how you do that for best effect. But if pain must still be a part of life, a part of the body’s affliction, the mind’s questionings, the heart’s hurtings, make them serve still a good purpose in our walk with you. Continue reading “For those in pain”
In me make others see the steps to enter
Good Lord above, let me not venture out today without a word of peace on my lips and a motive for thanksgiving in my heart.
Keep falsehood far away from me; bring truth near as my friend and guide, the cement of good relations.
Move me toward the center of faith, where Christ abides, in the vortex of love, the pull upon all those around me.
In me make others see the steps to enter the kingdom. Amen.
Before the earthly waters cleaved
Praise to you, O God, who gives
In Christ all spiritual blessing, lives
Within our hearts, and guides our feet
To where the Savior and sainted meet.
Before the earthly waters cleaved,
Your perfect plan, in heaven conceived,
Chose men for grace, for order called,
In Eden Adam and Eve installed.
For man was made the universe,
That he your glories might rehearse,
Open to you that inner space,
Enjoy your presence face to face.
In us you set the hot desire
For heaven to which we may retire,
The Lord’s return we, breathless, wait,
While knocking on Jerusalem’s gate.
A new start
Bury deep within me, Lord, your word,
Renew in me your New Deal, your initiative,
Let the truth be real in me from the inside out. Je 31.33
Sweep me into your presence,
For I would never dare to think of going on my own,
Without an invitation, without One to present me. Je 30.21
As the dawn breaks, let your presence light up my soul,
Again, anew, to make the darkness flee,
To start all over again, the past removed. La 3.23
Cannot every hour be like this?
A new start, a clean break, the old refreshed?
As you will, O Lord, is my desire. 2Co 5.17
Day of the dead
This day, when flowers upon a grave are laid,
When honoring lights are lit, and prayers are said,
When tears are spilt, the living remember the dead,
I think of souls whose Judgment looms ahead.
No fate can change by suffering beyond the grave,
But only the Cross of Christ—the life he gave—
Redeems the lost who obey this side of death,
Who follow the Blessed Name while still there’s breath.
So while I breathe, while blood flows in the veins,
While the mind is sound, and bodily strength remains,
Let every thought and movement be given to save
The moribund dead before they enter the grave.
Loose my tongue
God of the living word, I wait for your power in order to speak effectively. Loose my tongue, give me speech, let the words of my mouth gain respect among the people, for the words are yours.
Cause new growth to spring forth from among your people.
Let us work together to complete our service in the Word. Let Scripture have its powerful effect upon open hearts.
Let opposition not intimidate us nor keep us from our task. We ask, as did the first-century church, for boldness.
Let the Way be plain
The haughty laugh of hostile man
Would hide with lies the wholesome truth,
Make whimpering cowards and weeping maids
Of devout defenders of divine justice.
Save me, Lord, from spiteful men,
Belligerent beasts who lay in wait;
Let the Way be plain, your will be done,
The incredulous fall, and the Cross increase.