Monday, January 15, 2007

An Old Prayer for Our Modern Society

Wilt Thou not in mercy turn?
Turn, and be our life again,
That Thy people's heart may burn
With the gladness of Thy reign.

Psalm 85:6
From the Irish Psalter, 1880

Sunday, January 14, 2007

The Day Will Come

Blessed God of Heaven,

As we come before you this morning we remember that there shall come a day when we are called to account for all our actions. One day the books shall be opened and all of our sins will be exposed: Be it our outward actions or our thoughts that we have kept hidden away in our hearts, all of them will be laid bear.

We know that we shall come before the bar of righteousness and be measured by your standard of perfection. This is why we bow before you today. For we know that we stand before you as guilty sinners, justly deserving your wrath. And we have no hope of life, save in the blood of Jesus Christ.

And so we humbly ask that you would forgive us for all of our transgressions. Blot them out from those books, and hear our advocate in heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ, as he pleads our case for us.

We know that we have no good excuse for sinning against you. You have been good, yet despite this, we have been rebellious. You have showered us with blessings, but we have loved the blessing more than the Blesser.

But we pray that you might not hold these errors against us, nor reject us. As we now turn to you, with grief and hatred of our sin, we ask that you would fill us with your Spirit. We pray for the indwelling of the Spirit so that we may no longer live according to our flesh’s desires. Grant us holiness we pray. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Self-Aquaintance

1. Dear Lord! accept a sinful heart,
Which of itself complains,
And mourns, with much and frequent smart,
The evil it contains.

2 There fiery seeds of anger lurk,
Which often hurt my frame;
And wait but for the tempter's work,
To fan them to a flame.

3 Legality holds out a bribe
To purchase life from thee;
And discontent would fain prescribe
How thou shalt deal with me.

4 While unbelief withstands thy grace,
And puts the mercy by;
Presumption, with a brow of brass,
Says, "Give me, or I die."

5 How eager are my thoughts to roam
In quest of what they love!
But, ah! when duty calls them home,
How heavily they move!

6 Oh, cleanse me in a Saviour's blood,
Transform me by thy pow'r,
And make me thy belov'd abode,
And let me rove no more.

--William Cowper
http://www.puritansermons.com/poetry/cowper12.htm

Sunday, January 7, 2007

Our Deliverance

Infinite and Holy God,

As we come before you this morning we mimic the angels who dwell with you in heaven. Your word says that even these celestial creatures cover their faces before you. Even they cannot bear to look upon your infinite holiness.

Yes, we bow low—remembering how much more humble we should be: For we are but dust and returning to dust.

Moreover we are unholy. Justly you have cast us from your presence, exposed us to your curses, and taken away your favor. We have desired sin, and it has become our master. Now we live with all of its ailments: It darkens our understanding, fills our hearts with foolish cravings and affections, and makes us our own worst enemy.

But in you there is deliverance. No man or beast can undo what we have done. No angel or human invented religion can give us soundness of mind, peace, or eternal life. We know that only He who was offended can forgive, and only He who is mighty can restore.

We thank you that you have seen fit to send forth your Son into this world. For we know that his blood can cleanse the stain of our sin, His life can give us righteousness, and His resurrection can give us a place by your side.Lord, we look to you this morning, praying that you would raise us up. May you not look upon our offenses, but deliver us out of them. Allow us to sit with Christ in the heavenly places and serve him like the angels do in heaven.

For it is in His Name we pray, Amen.