Sunday, January 25, 2009

Our Deepest Longing

We sing to you, O God, and lift up our voices. For our hearts long for you. As a deer pants for streams of water, so we thirst for you.

This morning we claim you again as our own. You are not just a god—being one among many. You are not simply the God. But you are our God, glorious and good.

And our petition this morning is that you would claim us, as we have claimed you; that you would take us to be yours again and set your affection upon us; tat you would have pity on us and abide with us.

O God, you are our chief pleasure. You are the satisfaction of our hearts. And we pray that we might have our fill of you today and rest securely under your wing.

For we ask this in the name that is sweeter than any other, the name of Jesus. Amen.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Our Lack of Self-Control

Almighty God,

We thank you that you are slow to become angry and not hasty in pouring out your wrath. We acknowledge that this is far beyond what we deserve. When we ought to have been wiped from the face of the earth, you showed yourself to be one that does not delight in the death of the wicked. You continually give us ample opportunity to confess our sins and turn from them. You urge us to come to you and be restored by your grace.

Truly we are debtors to your mercy. And what great debtors we are. For we have so little rule over our spirits. We cannot even pride ourselves in being good sport for the Devil, for he finds us easy prey. Not only do we yield to his temptations without resistance, but our ungovernable lusts seek his devilish delights.

But O that you would slay the fiendish cravings of our heart, that we might see our passions subdued and our hearts strengthened against all forms of enticement. O Father, we wish to be more inclined to godliness and more fit to fight against the foolish allurements of this world.

But we do not have it within us. So we come to you and ask that our souls would be your conquest. We pray that you would overrule our desires and place within us a spirit of fear and trembling. We pray that you would develop within us a great distaste for sin and a new yearning for what is good, noble, what is excellent and pure.

God give us cleansing, deep and thorough. We do thank you for the gospel promise and the claim to heaven we have in Christ. For he is our righteousness and he holds the keys to life. But we pray earnestly that your Spirit would have his full work in us. That we might ripen in that sweet fruit of self control and permit us to live more honorably to our God and Savior.

Monday, January 5, 2009

Psalm 108:1-3

My heart is fixed, O God; I'll sing; my psalms I'll raise.
My soul shall sing; awake O harp! At dawn I'll wake to praise.

I will give thanks to Thee among the peoples, Lord.
Among the nations of the world to Thee I'll psalms accord.

Yes, God, we will give thanks to you among the peoples. We will raise our songs of praise to you amidst our brethren; amidst the nations we will exalt you as Lord. For your love is as vast as the heavens above us. Your mercy is as deep as the oceans below. Your faithfulness is more steadfast than the mountains and rocks of earth.

And we pray that your glory would be advance. That today, in this hour your might receive us again into your presence, and accept the praises we bring. We pray too that our voices would resound with melodies of adoration. We pray that the unison of our voices would match the harmony of our hearts. Lord, would even that the tones of our lips might resonate beyond these walls—touching those who still do dwell in the darkness of their sins.

Yet, whatever may occur beyond us, we pray that this room would be wholly devoted unto you. That our souls might be taken up to heaven, that we might meet with you and be sanctified by your Spirit.

Facination with the Lesser

Gracious God,

How we stand in need of your mercy and grace. Every minute we need you. For not a moment goes by where we do not defiled ourselves in sin. Even the few moments we have been united together—ever since we were called to worship you—we have let our minds wander to carnal things. This just shows our fascination with the world and its cares.

Why is it our hearts chase after lesser things? This we cannot even fathom. For what could be more desirable than you? What is more satisfying? What could ever bring more happiness and consolation?

This indeed is a great mystery to us, O God. But what is more, it is a great sin. And we confess it to you now and do pray that you would mend our hearts from this incurable disease. Let our hearts be fettered that they might always meditate upon your kindness. Let our roaming minds be stilled and stayed upon Jehovah.