The good news of Christ
As time speeds up, the mind and body slow,
But hope we may that flowers of wisdom grow,
That roots of strength and peace may penetrate,
To right the tree of life in winds of fate.
Let seasons, dry or rainy, bear their fruits,
To praise the unchanging God of Absolutes,
And, in the final day, in spite of wrongs,
Receive me, Lord, to sing eternal songs.
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.
Holy Father, correct in us those faults that mar the good example we might otherwise give before others.
Help us to keep our promises, to pay debts, to remember commitments, to guard our tongues, to avoid seeking attention and credit, to be on time, to be gentle and compassionate, to be truthful and honest in the smallest things, to carry through on projects, to finish what we start, to be generous even with small things, to draw others out rather than talk about ourselves, to be consistent in mood, to find the good in people, to be discontent with mediocrity, to mind our business, to care for the needs of others, to take time to listen.
Let love drive us to maturity.
Heavenly Father, help us to recognize those critical moments between faith and doubt, between obedience and sin, between selfishness and service.
Keep us from betraying or denying the Lord Jesus Christ.
Make every hour for us a step of progress toward imitating our Master.
Thank you for peace and strength. Thank you for victory. Thank you for the promise of eternal life, to know you and your Son, Jesus Christ.
Heal me, make me whole at once,
Raise my eyes to righteousness,
And show me my full share of grace.
Upon the power in Jesus’ path,
Launch forward my small faith and hope,
To touch the needy with times of peace.