Keep me living on the edge, my Father

O Lord, the evli one would lull me into a sense of false security, to rush and overwhelm me suddenly, to take me unawares. Keep me living on the edge, my Father, ever on guard, never asleep, so I can be holy, as you are holy.

From my heart, O Father who knows men’s secrets

From my heart, O Father who knows the deepest secrets of men, I want to lay before you all that I am and think and feel and do. Sift through the chaff, bring forth the grain, and make my life a harvest of righteousness, the work of your hands.

Peel away the layers of years of man’s departures, Lord

Peel away the layers of years of man’s departures, Lord, to let me see your original intent for faith and service in your kingdom. In marriage Jesus spoke of the beginning, at creation. Paul went back to the beginning, when our Savior broke bread, to restore the proper way to eat the Lord’s supper. Thank you for revealing your pattern for the church. May we follow Jesus’ model faithfully.

In the quiet of the morning, Father of all your children

In the quiet of the morning,
Father of all your children,
I ask that this day be yours,
in every way, for your glory:
Your word spoken and your name exalted.
Opportunities taken for your work.
A soul delivered from darkness.
A tear wiped from a brother’s eye.
Space given for repentance.
A glimpse provided of your goodness.
A reminder of whom we should fear.

I know not what may happen this day,
But I am certain you hold in your hand
The key to all that’s good and right,
The power to heal and save,
My life protected and guarded
For the eternal inheritance.

Be with me, O Lord,
That I at last might be with you.

Kinds of prayer we offer

Don Petty shared in his recent email, the outline of a Bible class taught last month at the Lewisville TX church, by preacher Jeff Jenkins:

  1. Look up to God (worship)
  2. Look in at ourselves (confession)
  3. Look around at others (intercession)
  4. Look back to the past (thanksgiving)
  5. Look to the future (petitions, requests)

We see the world through screens, Lord

We see the world through screens, be it a television, a computer monitor, or a porch screen door. And other screens, too, Lord, you see in our hearts, of color of skin, of prejudices toward men, of warped truths and lies that wear makeup and evening dresses. Help me to see as you see, to look at each person as a precious soul, to perceive the depravity that rules this world, the corruption that lies beneath the surface of every thought and activity on earth. Make me pure and whole, like Jesus, and make me an agent for human rescue from this world and santification to prepare for your presence.

Go beyond, Lord, my puny thoughts and wee requests

Go beyond, as the horizon stretches beyond the eye, go beyond, Lord, my puny thoughts and wee requests. Loose the word, and let it run; in us we pray your Spirit may have free rein. Daily we see your hand, O God, do more than we can imagine. Let it be so today again.