Thursday, May 6, 2010

prayers

My parent's pastor has a blog of daily prayers that he writes and I read many of them. Today's and yesterdays touched my heart in a deep way so I am posting them here...

A Prayer About the Antidote to Self-Pity

And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 2 Corinthians 8:1-4

Most wonderful and merciful Lord Jesus, I feel like I’m getting to watch this Macedonian miracle of generosity play out all over again. Throughout our flood-devastated area, those who’ve lost very much are extending themselves to those who have lost even more. Believers who’ve been without work for months are investing their “free time” to rip out no-longer-dry dry wall, tear up water-soaked floors, and simply serve in any and every possible way. Theoretical grace is becoming concrete grace, and it’s absolutely beautiful.

Jesus, is this the new math of the kingdom? Severe trial and extreme poverty + God’s grace = overflowing joy and rich generosity? Indeed, what but the gospel of God’s grace can explain the motivation to give beyond one’s ability to give? What but your irrepressible, extravagant, and outrageous love can account for the phenomenon of believers urgently pleading for the privilege of sharing?

Jesus, of this I am freshly convinced: Gospel-generosity is the best antidote for self-pity. As toxic as the water is that we’ve been sloshing though these past days in each others’ yards and homes, it doesn’t even begin to compare with the soul-shrinking and heart-decaying toxicity and poison of self-pity.

Continue to bring more and more of your Macedonian-styled grace to us, Jesus. Bring this kind of revival and renewal. We don’t need more of us cramming into creative enthusiastic services of worship just to enjoy ourselves. We need more of us moving into the broken places of our communities and neighborhoods living as your worship servants, loving others as you love us.

Just as we love you only because you first loved us, Jesus, we become cheerful givers only because you are the quintessential Cheerful Giver. You who were rich became poor for us, so that we who are poor might become rich in you… and generous with you wherever you send us. So very Amen, we pray, in your most glorious name.


A Prayer About the Every Nation Day of Prayer
After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." Revelation 7:9-10
Dear heavenly Father, on this “national day of prayer” in our country, several important things are milling around in my heart. First of all, I praise you for heavenly citizenship—the magnificent and merciful realm from which I so eagerly await the return of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He already has everything under control and he will, ultimately, transform all things—including my body, to be like his glorious body (Philippians 3:20-21). What comfort and what joy that good news brings…
Secondly, as broken as our country is, I’m still so very thankful to be an American citizen. I praise you for the many freedoms we still enjoy and the multiplied privileges that go with being a citizen of this nation. I bring our sitting president before the occupied throne of heaven, and ask you to be at work in his heart and through his hands. As with all “kings,” you set them up and you sit them down at your discretion. So I trust you for the accomplishment of your sovereign purposes through our president, in keeping with the eternal wisdom of your heart. I don’t look for a lasting city in our country, but for the City whose builder and maker is God… that would be you!
That brings me, to the last, largest and most glorious thing milling around in my heart this morning. Father, I choose to fill my faith-gaze with John’s vision of the “every nation day of prayer”—the Day when men and women from every nation, tribe, people and language will be wearing the white robes of grace-secured salvation… while waving palm branches of praise and shouting in perfect harmony… “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” That’s not inspirational hype, but our living hope.
Indeed, by the light of that eternal Day of prayer, this isn’t to be a day of fear, cynicism, and selfishness… but one of courage, humility and servant-love. Help me… help us to be good citizens of two countries… until the kingdom of God arrives in fullness with the return of the true King of glory… that would be Jesus. So very Amen, I pray, in his sovereign and saving name.
Scotty Smith
Pastor for Preaching, Teaching and Worship
Christ Community Church
1215 Hillsboro Rd.
Franklin, TN 37069
615-468-2230
It's good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace Hebrews 13:9

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