Almighty God,
We long for a taste of you this morning. A sip of your holy presence. For we are earthy creatures, people who are fixated on earthly things. Our minds cannot be drawn upward because our fascinations are too much involved with earthly things. But if you reveal yourself we shall see that which is more delightful. When you show yourself to be more desirous our current infatuations will lose their luster. Our souls will find that you are more lovely and more satisfying.
Pull back the shades that hang over our eyes and give us a glimpse of your splendor. Let us inwardly see that nothing in this vast creation can compare to you and all should be counted as nothing for you.
Lord, our souls long for more than what we have. Our fixation on transitory things has left us thirsting. Yet we cannot ascend higher than our hearts will let us. So let your grace come to us this morning. Like the rising of the sun at dawn come to us, and may we see that there is something more glorious and much more worthy of our affection.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Your Word Endures
The grass may whither and the flower may fade, but your word will never pass away. Not one jot or tittle will be erased or abolished. They are more firm than the mountains. They shall persist from age to age because you O God endure forever, and your faithfulness persists from generation to generation.
We gather today to hear that word. In it our hearts delight. We long for it as for food, even more than bread for the body. It is more precious than rubies and more desirable than abundant riches. It is our wealth. It is our health. Your voice is our hearts content.
So we ask that you might fill these walls with the echo of your Spirit. May it be that when we leave this place we may say, “The Lord has been in our midst. He has spoken directly to us.” God, we pray that we may have the same reaction as those souls who after speaking with Jesus said, “Did our hearts not burn within us?” May we feel that stirring in our own souls.
Give us O God, a taste of your goodness and be filled with your love. Grant us the privilege today to sit at your feet and be fed with the meat of your word.
We gather today to hear that word. In it our hearts delight. We long for it as for food, even more than bread for the body. It is more precious than rubies and more desirable than abundant riches. It is our wealth. It is our health. Your voice is our hearts content.
So we ask that you might fill these walls with the echo of your Spirit. May it be that when we leave this place we may say, “The Lord has been in our midst. He has spoken directly to us.” God, we pray that we may have the same reaction as those souls who after speaking with Jesus said, “Did our hearts not burn within us?” May we feel that stirring in our own souls.
Give us O God, a taste of your goodness and be filled with your love. Grant us the privilege today to sit at your feet and be fed with the meat of your word.
Loveless
Grant us your grace, O most merciful Lord, that it may be well with us. We are loveless people, and our hearts are cold. Does not our lack of obedience prove our hearts do not yearn for you. Our failures only evidence how low our desire for you is.
This is our failure God. Not so much that we have broken your commands in so many ways, but that our hearts have not sought you or clung to you. We have not placed you at the foremost object of our affection.
But we pray O God that you would forgive our deadness and cure the numbness of our hearts. Fill our hearts with your Spirit and breath your love into us, that we might be resurrected with love.
Lord, let your will be ours and let us always follow you. We pray that you might become our chief desire and our highest priority. May serving you be our delight and walking in your ways be no longer laborious, but the sweetest thing to us.
God, so much do we have to confess, but the source of it all is our lovelessness. We do pray that all might be pardoned and that Christ’s sacrifice might be sufficient to cover it. Moreover we pray that we might be bound by your grace to hold on to you and cherish you.
This is our failure God. Not so much that we have broken your commands in so many ways, but that our hearts have not sought you or clung to you. We have not placed you at the foremost object of our affection.
But we pray O God that you would forgive our deadness and cure the numbness of our hearts. Fill our hearts with your Spirit and breath your love into us, that we might be resurrected with love.
Lord, let your will be ours and let us always follow you. We pray that you might become our chief desire and our highest priority. May serving you be our delight and walking in your ways be no longer laborious, but the sweetest thing to us.
God, so much do we have to confess, but the source of it all is our lovelessness. We do pray that all might be pardoned and that Christ’s sacrifice might be sufficient to cover it. Moreover we pray that we might be bound by your grace to hold on to you and cherish you.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Prayer for Paralytic Souls
Cause us to rise up this morning, O God.
We do not have it in and of ourselves to rise from our beds, let alone attain to the level of spirituality that this service of worship requires. Without you we are dead. Without you we can do nothing. So we pray now that you would descend upon us and stir up our hearts. Awaken our souls by your grace. Make our spirits to be lively and ready to dance in your presence.
Give us grace that we might repent. Make us attentive so that we might grow. Above all, let our lips be loosed that we might praise you. May our ears be opened that we might hear you. And let us glorify and enjoy you as you would have us.
We do not have it in and of ourselves to rise from our beds, let alone attain to the level of spirituality that this service of worship requires. Without you we are dead. Without you we can do nothing. So we pray now that you would descend upon us and stir up our hearts. Awaken our souls by your grace. Make our spirits to be lively and ready to dance in your presence.
Give us grace that we might repent. Make us attentive so that we might grow. Above all, let our lips be loosed that we might praise you. May our ears be opened that we might hear you. And let us glorify and enjoy you as you would have us.
Brought To Our Knees
We bow low, O God, for we are sinners in need of your grace. We feel it at every level. When we look into your law, it speaks to us. It tells us we are condemned before you. Our consciences are continually pricked by your Spirit and the conviction of guilt weighs heavily upon us day after day. Were that enough, the devil whispers in our ear and reminds us of our many sins. He accuses us unrelentingly and terrorizes us with our offenses.
We are brought to our knees before you. We come to you with nothing but our weakness and wretchedness, and we beg you for your mercy and grace. There is no other place that we can run. Only to Jesus do we fly.
For He is our only hope. Our only consolation is the promise of salvation and the cross of our dear Lord. We thank you that you sent him to die in our place, and we pray that you would continue your good work within us. Continue to deliver us from our sins. Let not only the books be cleared, but save us from ongoing sin. Cause the corruptions that still entangle us be crucified with Christ and let new obedience blossom in its place.
We pray that we might become the righteousness of God and that good works might characterize our lives. We pray that our love would increase and our holiness would abound to the glory of your name. May it be that we receive a hearty portion of your grace so that we might live upright lives before you.
We are brought to our knees before you. We come to you with nothing but our weakness and wretchedness, and we beg you for your mercy and grace. There is no other place that we can run. Only to Jesus do we fly.
For He is our only hope. Our only consolation is the promise of salvation and the cross of our dear Lord. We thank you that you sent him to die in our place, and we pray that you would continue your good work within us. Continue to deliver us from our sins. Let not only the books be cleared, but save us from ongoing sin. Cause the corruptions that still entangle us be crucified with Christ and let new obedience blossom in its place.
We pray that we might become the righteousness of God and that good works might characterize our lives. We pray that our love would increase and our holiness would abound to the glory of your name. May it be that we receive a hearty portion of your grace so that we might live upright lives before you.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
God on High
You are the great one, O God. Worthy are you to receive our praises. You ruleth on High with a mighty arm, ready to save. Your eye watches your congregation. You guard them with love and strength. You disperse your enemies and bring them down to the dust. But those who look to you are safe. They live and do not die. They awake to the morning’s light and take joy in the work of their hands.
We adore you today because you have been our God. We gather together to unite our hearts in praise. And we ask that you would give us the grace to worship you in spirit and truth. Let us mimic the angels as they fall before you. Let us offer the sacrifices of reverence and contrition.
We are your servants O God, and we call upon your name. Let your glory now be exalted and your being manifested among us.
We adore you today because you have been our God. We gather together to unite our hearts in praise. And we ask that you would give us the grace to worship you in spirit and truth. Let us mimic the angels as they fall before you. Let us offer the sacrifices of reverence and contrition.
We are your servants O God, and we call upon your name. Let your glory now be exalted and your being manifested among us.
A Prayer for the Grace of Devotion
Today's confession of sin comes from Thomas a Kempis' work, The Imitation of Christ.
O Lord, my God,
You are all my good. And who am I that I should dare to speak to you? I am your poorest and meanest servant, a vile worm, much more poor and contemptible than I know or dare to say. Yet remember me, Lord, because I am nothing, I have nothing, and can do nothing.
You alone are good, just and holy. You can do all things, you give all things you fill all things: only the sinner do you leave empty-handed. Remember your tender mercies and fill my heart with your grace, you who will not allow your works to be in vain.
How can I bear this life of misery unless you comfort me with your mercy and grace? Do not turn your face from me. Do not delay your visitation. Do not withdraw your consolation, lest in your sight my sould become as desert land.
Teach me, Lord, to do your will. Teach me to live worthily and humbly in your sight, for you are my wisdom who know me truly, and who knew me even before the world was made and before I was born into it.
O Lord, my God,
You are all my good. And who am I that I should dare to speak to you? I am your poorest and meanest servant, a vile worm, much more poor and contemptible than I know or dare to say. Yet remember me, Lord, because I am nothing, I have nothing, and can do nothing.
You alone are good, just and holy. You can do all things, you give all things you fill all things: only the sinner do you leave empty-handed. Remember your tender mercies and fill my heart with your grace, you who will not allow your works to be in vain.
How can I bear this life of misery unless you comfort me with your mercy and grace? Do not turn your face from me. Do not delay your visitation. Do not withdraw your consolation, lest in your sight my sould become as desert land.
Teach me, Lord, to do your will. Teach me to live worthily and humbly in your sight, for you are my wisdom who know me truly, and who knew me even before the world was made and before I was born into it.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Draw Us In
Draw us in, O God. Draw us into the holy place. The place where you dwell. The place where our souls find rest, peace, and renewal. We want to come to the place where most men would not dare to venture, for fear of death. For there we find our life and our heart’s longing.
Draw us away from this world, away from sin, and away from the grasp of the devil. May we taste of your sweetness today. May we be exposed to the radiation of holiness. May we be intoxicated with your love. And may our souls be stirred up to serve you again.
We desire something different this morning, something otherworldly, something divine. We don’t want a formalistic religion. We want something experiential. We want to abide by your rituals, but we do not want to be ritualistic. But that will only occur if you reveal yourself to us here. Our hearts will only be stirred if you come to us and touch our hearts.
So extend your hand now. Let your Spirit pick us up into rapturous dreams so that we can see your face.
Draw us away from this world, away from sin, and away from the grasp of the devil. May we taste of your sweetness today. May we be exposed to the radiation of holiness. May we be intoxicated with your love. And may our souls be stirred up to serve you again.
We desire something different this morning, something otherworldly, something divine. We don’t want a formalistic religion. We want something experiential. We want to abide by your rituals, but we do not want to be ritualistic. But that will only occur if you reveal yourself to us here. Our hearts will only be stirred if you come to us and touch our hearts.
So extend your hand now. Let your Spirit pick us up into rapturous dreams so that we can see your face.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Pilgrim's Progress to be Studied
In the 18th century two books could be found in most English households, the Bible and John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. Bunyan’s work is considered one of the most significant books of history because it captures so succinctly the life of a Christian in story form. As Ravi Zacharias says,
"Few books besides the Bible have been translated, printed, and read as often as The Pilgrim's Progress. John Bunyan's classic allegory of Christian, the Pilgrim, on his perilous journey to the Celestial City has touched hearts and minds for more than three hundred years-and still the demand continues. Introduce a new generation to this memorable story, filled with memorable characters- Evangelist, Charity, Hypocrisy, Goodwill, Obstinate, and Mr. Worldly Wiseman.
Each one offers a unique insight into the Christian life--its joys and trials, its opportunities and struggles. You'll discover The Pilgrim's Progress to be both challenging and entertaining. Over the centuries countless souls have been transformed by John Bunyan's timeless and brilliant Pilgrim's Progress--in my estimation, one of the greatest works ever penned."
This Sunday evening (6:30) CRF will begin an in-depth study of this devotional classic. Each class will consist of reading an excerpt and discussing the truths captured in it.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
One Little Word Shall Fell Him
Not even the devil himself can prevail over you. Even he must do your bidding and submit to your will. He is as a leashed dog. Though his schemes may devastate and his power on earth increase, it is only because you allow him his day. But in the end, he shall be vanquished. One little word shall fell him!
We praise you for the greatness and the power of your word. And we ask that this day we might have our fill of it. We ask that your voice would resound in our midst, that you would speak from your holy hill.
Grant that we might glory in you today and trust in your unfailing truth. Let our words be few, but yours be multiplied. Let our mouths be closed, but our ears attentive to the murmurs that have a heavenly origin.
Thank-you for granting us to be here today, that we might be your audience. And we praise you before hand for what you will do in our midst.
We praise you for the greatness and the power of your word. And we ask that this day we might have our fill of it. We ask that your voice would resound in our midst, that you would speak from your holy hill.
Grant that we might glory in you today and trust in your unfailing truth. Let our words be few, but yours be multiplied. Let our mouths be closed, but our ears attentive to the murmurs that have a heavenly origin.
Thank-you for granting us to be here today, that we might be your audience. And we praise you before hand for what you will do in our midst.
Christ Our Hope
Our Father in heaven,
Your law has no flaw in it. But by it we see that we abound with defects. And with every passing moment we add to these offenses.
It is because of our faults that we come to you though. We know that our only hope is in you and your unending love for us. Our greatest treasures are the wounds that Christ himself bears.
We pray O God that your eyes would not be cast upon us. But instead would Christ be substituted in our place. Would that our filth and vile acts be hid from your sight and the beauty of his holiness and the purity of his merits be the only thing that you see when you gaze our way.
Thank-you for providing for us the way of salvation. And we pray that our souls might be comforted with the assurance of your forgiveness and love. We pray that our hearts would fully rest in the abounding measure of your favor and the infinite perfection of Christ’s sacrifice.
Be praised in us O God, and allow your Spirit to have his full work.
For this we ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Your law has no flaw in it. But by it we see that we abound with defects. And with every passing moment we add to these offenses.
It is because of our faults that we come to you though. We know that our only hope is in you and your unending love for us. Our greatest treasures are the wounds that Christ himself bears.
We pray O God that your eyes would not be cast upon us. But instead would Christ be substituted in our place. Would that our filth and vile acts be hid from your sight and the beauty of his holiness and the purity of his merits be the only thing that you see when you gaze our way.
Thank-you for providing for us the way of salvation. And we pray that our souls might be comforted with the assurance of your forgiveness and love. We pray that our hearts would fully rest in the abounding measure of your favor and the infinite perfection of Christ’s sacrifice.
Be praised in us O God, and allow your Spirit to have his full work.
For this we ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Holy and Awesome
Though there are many things about you we cannot understand, we can’t help but marvel at you. The mystery of your being may confound us. But the majesty of your being astounds us and leads us to praise.
You are so very different from us. No one can match your greatness, for you are beyond the highest mountains. Lofty is your might and in you all power is to be found.
So also is the beauty of your character. Perfection marks your ways. There is no wrong to be found in you. Even the angels, in all their purity, even they cannot bear to lift their eyes to you.
But like them, we stand in awe of you, and we bring you our hearts today. We wish to devote ourselves to you again and remember that you are our God. We want to renew our covenant with you and worship you in holiness.
So we ask that we might be drawn into your presence. Come near to us and encompass us in your love. Allow us to taste again the sweetness of your presence.
For we ask this in the rich name of Christ our Lord,
You are so very different from us. No one can match your greatness, for you are beyond the highest mountains. Lofty is your might and in you all power is to be found.
So also is the beauty of your character. Perfection marks your ways. There is no wrong to be found in you. Even the angels, in all their purity, even they cannot bear to lift their eyes to you.
But like them, we stand in awe of you, and we bring you our hearts today. We wish to devote ourselves to you again and remember that you are our God. We want to renew our covenant with you and worship you in holiness.
So we ask that we might be drawn into your presence. Come near to us and encompass us in your love. Allow us to taste again the sweetness of your presence.
For we ask this in the rich name of Christ our Lord,
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Seeking God's Voice
This is our prayer, O God: That you might speak to us and proclaim to us your name. You have said that if we ask anything in the name of Jesus, we will receive it. You have commanded us to ask, seek and knock. And you promised that we when we ask, we shall receive. When we seek we shall find. When we knock the door will be opened.
So we come to you with simple the faith that you will honor your own word. And we pray that your voice might be heard among us today. What we want is that our hearts would hear that still small voice.
Dear Father, give us light from heaven. Pour out wisdom and knowledge. Endow us with the fear of you and fill us with the spirit of prophecy.
To that end, cause all that may distract us to be quieted. And may our hearts settle upon you. May all the things that clutter our minds be at rest and may we have undivided hearts in this time.
Speak Lord, and we will listen. Glorify yourself among us and let there be praise.
So we come to you with simple the faith that you will honor your own word. And we pray that your voice might be heard among us today. What we want is that our hearts would hear that still small voice.
Dear Father, give us light from heaven. Pour out wisdom and knowledge. Endow us with the fear of you and fill us with the spirit of prophecy.
To that end, cause all that may distract us to be quieted. And may our hearts settle upon you. May all the things that clutter our minds be at rest and may we have undivided hearts in this time.
Speak Lord, and we will listen. Glorify yourself among us and let there be praise.
Despising God's Word
Gracious God,
We too are among that sorry number. We recognize that your anger may be kindled against us. For we too have despised your word.
Do we not show it by the way we treat it? We may listen to it from week to week. But how often do we really hear it? And how even more rare is the occasion that we heed it! Lord, we show our low esteem for it in that we do not cherish it for the rich treasure that it is. If it were to us the vast mine of wealth that it is, we would not let one nugget slip away. We would lock every utterance in the chambers of our hearts. Every jot of Scripture would be bound upon our heads and hands and hearts. But this has not been so.
God we are sorry for the times we have not listened your word or given it the reverence that it deserves. And we pray that you would pardon us for having treated it with such contempt. And we pray that the Spirit of Truth would not be taken from us. But instead we pray that he would come to us all the more powerfully and give us that high opinion of your law. And may he not just help us to admire it and attend upon it with the utmost diligence, but may he help us to walk in it and to obey it wholeheartedly.
We know that our offenses are great in this matter. But we know that your grace is great too. And this is why we come to you, for we know that the blood of Jesus is able to cover all our sins.
We too are among that sorry number. We recognize that your anger may be kindled against us. For we too have despised your word.
Do we not show it by the way we treat it? We may listen to it from week to week. But how often do we really hear it? And how even more rare is the occasion that we heed it! Lord, we show our low esteem for it in that we do not cherish it for the rich treasure that it is. If it were to us the vast mine of wealth that it is, we would not let one nugget slip away. We would lock every utterance in the chambers of our hearts. Every jot of Scripture would be bound upon our heads and hands and hearts. But this has not been so.
God we are sorry for the times we have not listened your word or given it the reverence that it deserves. And we pray that you would pardon us for having treated it with such contempt. And we pray that the Spirit of Truth would not be taken from us. But instead we pray that he would come to us all the more powerfully and give us that high opinion of your law. And may he not just help us to admire it and attend upon it with the utmost diligence, but may he help us to walk in it and to obey it wholeheartedly.
We know that our offenses are great in this matter. But we know that your grace is great too. And this is why we come to you, for we know that the blood of Jesus is able to cover all our sins.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Praise from Zion's People
Thank-you, O God, for giving us a portion in Zion. For bringing us into that holy fellowship and numbering us among the saints in heaven.
And as we come to that holy haven this morning, we acknowledge that we have none but thee. The world’s treasures are as lasting as day lilies, here today but withering and gone before morning. But you satisfy to eternity’s end. You are an ever flowing fountain of goodness and beauty.
How happy we are because of you. How blessed we have become through you. Our lives are continually refreshed by your pity. Your grace enlivens our souls with each passing moment. Our hearts are given peace; our hands are given prosperity.
Our lips shall praise you forevermore. Our banners shall be lifted to you with gladness. Until all are gathered as one and your people drawn from their dispersions, we shall sing to you.
And as we come to that holy haven this morning, we acknowledge that we have none but thee. The world’s treasures are as lasting as day lilies, here today but withering and gone before morning. But you satisfy to eternity’s end. You are an ever flowing fountain of goodness and beauty.
How happy we are because of you. How blessed we have become through you. Our lives are continually refreshed by your pity. Your grace enlivens our souls with each passing moment. Our hearts are given peace; our hands are given prosperity.
Our lips shall praise you forevermore. Our banners shall be lifted to you with gladness. Until all are gathered as one and your people drawn from their dispersions, we shall sing to you.
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