The good news of Christ
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.
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.
In an article about children’s and adults’ prayers, Phillip Jenkins wrote,
… sometimes I think of how much God must smile at our “grown up” prayers. We think we “know” what to say, “know” how to pray, and “know” how not to pray, but still, sometimes God must chuckle at those things we think we “know.”
Most prayers are not answered because they are said by unredeemed tongues.
The model prayer consists of only 65 words and can be said in 15 seconds.
If we follow Christ’s example, our public prayers will be shorter and our private prayers will be longer.
—God Said, Gospel Advocate Companion 1998-99
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
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.
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.
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.
A word from God to quench my thirst,
A mighty working to transform;
To Scripture always I turn first,
For calm and courage in the storm.
Your law’s my constant friend and guide,
My heart delights to hear and obey;
What joy, your statutes at my side!
At your command, there’s no delay.
This holy Book by God inspired,
Conducts us all before his throne;
What all our lives we e’er desired:
To know Him fully and be known.
Not peace upon the earth, but a sword,
The gospel cannot be ignored;
The Son of Man will bear his cross,
And calls his kin to wear this loss
Of friend and brother, lands and gain,
To preach in Athens, Rome, and Spain.
May I be faithful now and hence,
With God my strength, my recompense.