Daily Prayer - For those who will believe

Good Friday morning, my friends.

 

After washing his disciples feet at the Last Supper, Jesus' prays for us:

 

"I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,  that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,  I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.  Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.  O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me.  I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them." (John 18:20-26)

 

Let us similarly pray for those who will believe through our word, let us pray for unity, and let us pray for all to understand the depth of God's love.

 

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

 

We pray not only for ourselves but also for all who will believe in Jesus through our message.

 

We pray that we will all be one, just as the Father and the Son are one.

 

May we be in them together so that the world will believe that Jesus was sent from God.

 

May we glory in the Godhead and be one in headship, salvation and anointing.

 

We rejoice that Jesus is in us and we are in him.

 

May we experience such perfect unity that the world will know that the Father sent the Son.

 

May we understand together the depth and riches of the love of God.

 

Then the Father's love for the Son will be in us, and we will be in God.

 

Amen.

 

(a paraphrase of Jesus' prayer in John 17, from http://bobhostetler.blogspot.ca/2014/05/prayer-for-unity.html)

Daily Prayer - Unloading

Good Wednesday morning, my friends.

 

Does your load need to be lightened today?  Does your heart need lifting?  My experience has been that praising God and recognizing Him for Who He truly is always lets my shoulders relax a little and the stress to slip away.

 

When I can get beyond merely my words and thoughts, and get it into my heart, then the effect is multiplied.

 

 

Grace and peace and stresslessness be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

 

Adonai, I praise you with my lips

and with my mind,

and ask that you bring my heart along,

so that I can praise you with my whole self.

 

I praise you for your majesty,

evident in the skies;

 

your artistry

evident in the clouds;

 

your power

evident in the storm;

 

your gentleness

evident in the breeze;

 

your beauty

evident in the trees;

 

your grace

evident in the fawn that feeds by the tree;

 

your strength

evident in the firmness of the earth beneath it all.

 

I praise you Lord, Adonai,

for your greatness and your goodness,

for all splendor and majesty,

glory and power belongs to you,

and you are the sum

and the source

of all that is good, amen.

 

(http://bobhostetler.blogspot.ca/2014/05/praise-of-my-lips.html)

Daily Prayer - Give me a heart of prayer

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

 

Is prayer a joy or a chore for you?  I confess, despite my "Daily" messages, that for me it is often a chore.  My prayer today is that God would change that for me, and for you if you struggle with this as well.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

 

O God, give me a heart of prayer.

 

Let prayer be easy for me.

 

Help me see it as a joy, not labor, and a privilege, not a chore.

 

Precious God, do as your Word promises.

 

Make me joyful in your house of prayer!

 

(a prayer of Will Davis, Jr., from his book, The Power of Praying Boldly by way of http://bobhostetler.blogspot.ca/2014/05/a-prayer-to-love-prayer.html)

Daily Prayer - Today

Good Monday morning, my friends,

 

The purpose of the Church is to reach out to the lost and give them hope.  This is a 7-days-a-week mission, not just something we do on Sundays.  The "lost" are all around us - in our homes, at our workplaces, in the rinks and on the soccer fields, even in our churches.

 

This was the subject of discussion at our church yesterday.

The questions is: How do we do it?  The answer: We look for, and pray for, opportunities.  Everyday.  Today.

 

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

 

 

Open my mind and heart, Lord,

open my eyes and ears

and help me know

whose life you'd bless and heal

today, through mine...

 

Open my eyes to the needs

of those whose paths cross mine

and help me know what I might do

to lift their heavy burdens...

 

Open my ears to hear the cry

of those who need just the word

of encouragement I might give,

the comfort I might share...

 

Open my mind and heart, Lord,

open my eyes and ears

and help me know

whose life you'd bless and heal

today, through mine...

 

(http://concordpastor.blogspot.ca/2014/05/pause-for-prayer-friday-523.html)

Daily Prayer - Watchmen

Good Thursday afternoon, my friends.

 

"I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest" (Isaiah 62:6).

 

"Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from Me" (Ezekiel 33:7).

 

Are you a watchman (watchperson?) for those around you?  Are you standing in the gap?  Looking out for, and giving warning of approaching danger?

 

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

 

Father, it is through devout godly people that You repair, restore and rebuild lives as they raise up the unchanging, ever relevant ancient words of Scripture.

 

It takes faithful watchmen who serve with great vigilance, untiring in presenting the unchanging truths of the Holy Scriptures to a world that is continuously and increasingly desecrating that which was once sacred.

 

Father, help us to be watchmen for our families, co-workers, and friends as we carefully measure the present principles of this world by the eternal principles established in Scripture.

 

Grant us courage to speak out when the foundations are being shaken just as the watchmen were not silent night or day.

 

We do not stand in the gap alone but You, our Father, are with us and we stand in Your courage and strength! 

 

Amen.

 

(http://adailyprayer.wordpress.com/2014/05/22/a-prayer-for-spiritual-watchmen/)

Daily Prayer - May I burn for You

Good Wednesday morning, my friends.

 

This is a dangerous prayer.  This is a courageous prayer.  I am of two minds as I pray it - wanting it, but not wanting it - like the man who cries out to Jesus "I believe!  Help my unbelief!".

 

Let us pray this with conviction, even in our fear.

 

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

 

 

God, I pray,

light these idle sticks of my life

and may I burn for you.

 

Consume my life, my God,

for it is yours.

 

I seek not a long life,

but a full one, like you, Lord Jesus.

 

(a slightly updated prayer by Jim Elliot, martyred missionary to the indigenous people of Ecuador by way of http://bobhostetler.blogspot.ca/2014/05/may-i-burn-for-you.html)

Daily Prayer - When ...

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

 

Perhaps one of these short prayers may be a prayer you need today...

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

 

When fears and worries overwhelm

then give me courage, Lord,

to keep it in today...

 

When darkness tempts and beckons me

then draw me to the light

 and let your face shine bright upon me...

 

When easy answers seem enough

then lead me to the truth,

 that in your truth I'll be set free...

 

When angry grudges weigh me down

then teach me to forgive, Lord,

just as you have pardoned me...

 

When gossip's brewing in my thoughts

 then bless my speech with kindness,

 with your word upon my lips...

 

When my heart's green with envy

then show me just how much I have

of all you've freely given...

 

When I must choose the right from wrong

then give me wisdom, Lord,

and help me do what you would do...

 

When time for me is all I have

then open me to others

 and to you in others' needs...

 

When I've run out of words to pray

then let me listen, Lord, and hear

what you would say to me...

 

(http://concordpastor.blogspot.ca/2014/05/pause-for-prayer-tuesday-520.html)

Daily Prayer - No day should pass

Good Thursday morning, my friends.

 

As you pray the prayer below, consider how many of the tasks on this "To Do" list you have completed today. Yesterday.

 

Yeah, I'm a little behind on my list too.

 

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

 

On any given day, Lord,

countless tasks demand my time

and vie for my attention...

 

And surely among these

there are some much more important

than the others...

 

    No day should pass

    without my thanking you

    for all I have and what you promise...

 

    No day should pass

    without my looking to the needs of others first

    and reaching out to serve them...

 

    No day should pass

    without my listening, in the quiet,

    for the word you want to speak to me...

 

    No day should pass

    without my seeking to make right

    my careless errors and mistakes...

 

    No day should pass

    without my working hard to meet

    the obligations that are mine...

 

    No day should pass

    without my pausing and discerning

    where your Spirit leads and guides me...

 

    No day should pass

    without my asking for your pardon

    for the ways I've failed to love...

 

On any given day, Lord,

countless tasks demand my time

and vie for my attention...

 

Help me see what's most important

and attend to first things first,

with your guidance and your grace

- today, Lord...

 

Amen.

 

(http://concordpastor.blogspot.ca/2014/05/pause-for-prayer-thursday-58.html)

Daily Prayer - What is the Gospel?

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

 

So what is "the Gospel"?  I want to share with you a devotional I received this morning:

 

The sum and substance of the church's defined doctrine is the gospel itself, the good news of how our Creator has become our Redeemer through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Modern usage tends to shrink the gospel to a threefold declaration, often set forth as an ABC in evangelistic contexts:

 

•             All have sinned and now stand under God's judgment.

•             Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.

•             Confess Christ as your Saviour and Lord.  Commit yourself to lifelong service to him. (Two C's for the price of one.)

 

Though this is certainly its [central application], the gospel says far more than that.  In the New Testament the gospel includes all that is contained in the Apostles' Creed: creation; the incarnation, dying, rising, reigning, and return of the Son; and the ministry of the Holy Spirit generating the holy universal church of forgiven sinners, who no longer fear condemnation but anticipate heaven's eternal joy.  The gospel is the full declaration of this gracious saving plan that God is fulfilling in and for his spoiled world, plus the full demonstration of the proper response: faith in Christ and repentance, good works, and love both Godward and manward, with gratitude and joyful hope.

 

     — J. I. Packer in Taking God Seriously

 

I love a good profession of faith, don't you?

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

 

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

  creator of heaven and earth.

 

I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,

  who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

  born of the Virgin Mary,

  suffered under Pontius Pilate,

  was crucified, died, and was buried;

  he descended into hell.

  On the third day he rose again;

  he ascended into heaven,

  he is seated at the right hand of the Father,

  and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

 

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

  the holy catholic Church,

  the communion of saints,

  the forgiveness of sins,

  the resurrection of the body,

 and the life everlasting. Amen.

Daily Prayer - The week ahead

Good Monday morning, my friends.

 

As we begin a new week, let us offer it to God, and request His help and His presence as we go through it.

 

This is a beautiful prayer that we could pray every day.  Take your time as you lift it this morning - there is much to ponder in here.

 

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

 

Good morning, good God!

 

A new week stretches before me, Lord:

and I pray you'll walk with me day by day...

 

I offer you the week ahead...

 

Keep me by your side,

day and night...

 

Be with me

from the moment I wake

until I wake again...

 

Slow me down, Lord,

when I go too fast...

Give me strength to do well

the things I really need to accomplish

and give me the wisdom to lay aside

the cares I needn't carry,

the burdens I needn't bear...

 

Lighten the burdens that are, indeed, mine

and open me to ask for and to accept

the help that others offer...

 

Amid the worries of this week, Lord,

calm my fears,

lift my spirits,

and give me rest...

 

Keep me from worrying about yesterday

- and tomorrow:

keep me mindful of the moment, now,

in which I find myself...

 

Open my eyes to see the burdens of others

and give me the grace and courage to offer

my hand, my arm, my shoulder;

my heart, my support, my comfort;

my smile, my story, my understanding...

 

Show me your face this week, Lord:

open my ears to your voice,

my eyes to your beauty,

my heart to your mercy,

my mind to your counsel,

my weary limbs to your strength

and my mouth to give you praise...

 

A new week stretches before me, Lord,

a week I offer to you,

praying you'll help me live it

a day at a time,

in your time,

in peace...

 

Accept my prayer this morning, Lord,

all day long

and through the week ahead...

 

Amen

 

(http://concordpastor.blogspot.ca/2014/05/monday-morning-offering-may-12.html)

Daily Prayer - I have no idea

Good Thursday morning, my friends.

 

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. (Isaiah 55:8)

 

God has many ways of reaching out to us - and not always in ways we expect.  Be watchful for His hand at work in your life today.

 

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

 

I have no idea, Lord,

of how or when or where

you'll come into my life today...

 

I have no idea, Lord,

whose voice will speak your word to me,

whose ears will hear and bear my prayer,

whose hand you'll use to lift me up...

 

I have no idea, Lord,

of where you'll want to lead me,

where you'll want to take me

or what you hope I'll leave behind...

 

I have no idea, Lord...

 

So, open my eyes and ears, my heart,

open my mind and thoughts and dreams,

open my soul to your ideas, Lord,

of how you'll come into my life today...

 

(http://concordpastor.blogspot.ca/2014/05/pause-for-prayer-sunday-54.html)

Daily Prayer - Remind me

Good Wednesday morning, my friends.

 

These days I need a LOT more reminders than I used to.  Age is a terrible thing. 

 

This prayer asks God to remind us of his care and love in our lives.  Think about this: nothing that happens to you today will surprise Him.

 

And I find Adonai ("my Lord") one of the more beautiful names attributed to God in scripture.

 

 

Grace and peace and good memory be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

 

 

Adonai, please remind me today that I am yours.

 

Remind me that I am in your hand,

and all things are in your control.

 

Remind me that nothing that happens to me today

will surprise you or throw you off your game.

 

Remind me to keep my eyes on you,

whatever storms may come.

 

Remind me not to fear,

not to hurry,

and not to rely on my own strength and wisdom,

 

in Jesus' name, amen.

 

(http://bobhostetler.blogspot.ca/2014/05/remind-me.html)

Daily Prayer - Springtime in my soul

Good Monday morning, my friends.

 

Well - it is finally Spring outside.  However, in my soul the winter seems to hang on. But through prayers like this one, I can hear the trickle of melting snow ...

 

 

Grace and peace and tulips be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

 

Good morning, good God!

 

I remember last fall, Lord,

and thinking of you under night's dark cover,

painting the trees in autumn hues...

 

I pictured you with brush in hand,

carefully coloring the leaves, one by one,

'til trees and forests, blazed in red and gold,

smoldered in deep crimson: a season's last hurrah...

 

And now you're back for spring, Lord,

coaxing every shade of green to bud

on bush and tree, in fields and yards:

a new hurrah and alleluia,

harbingers of life refreshed,

renewed, restored, reborn...

 

So, while you're here, Lord,

I pray you'll come cajole a springtime in my heart,

a graceful budding in my soul,

a greening of what's dry and dusty deep within me...

 

Let new growth spring to life in me

and burst from winter's hold upon my heart

to burgeon with great promise, unrevealed 

 but waiting even now to blossom

once its time has come...

 

I want, I need, I pray

a springtime in my soul, Lord...

 

Take my winter-wearied self,

and warm me to your grace:

draw forth from me what none, not I,

expect to spring from tired, barren limbs...

 

Work your miracle of spring within me, Lord:

bring out the beauty and the strength,

the life and promise you have never failed to see

and I've so often failed to find...

 

Raise a springtime in my soul, Lord...

 

Bring a greening and a budding to my heart,

good God of Monday mornings

and of every day this week...

 

Amen.

 

(http://concordpastor.blogspot.ca/2014/05/monday-morning-offering-55.html)

Daily Prayer - Remind me

Good Friday morning, my friends.

 

The following prayer reminds me of Proverbs where two parallel yet opposite thoughts are expressed in pairs of lines.  As I read the first line of each of these, I recognize myself.  As I read each second line, I recognize God.

 

Contemplate these as you go through your day.

 

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

 

Lord,

When I can't see where you are,

remind me how you never lose sight of me...

 

When I strain to listen but just can't hear you,

remind me how you never miss a word I pray...

 

When I'm alone and feel abandoned,

remind me how you hold me in the palm of your hand...

 

When I just can't seem to find you

remind me how you seek me out, night and day...

 

When I find it hard to trust in you,

remind me how you never give up on me...

 

When I can't forgive myself

remind me how your mercy is forever...

 

When I don't know where to turn,

remind me how you guide and watch my every step...

 

And when I can't...  (well, whatever!)

remind me that you can, you do and always will

love and care for me...

 

Amen.

 

(http://concordpastor.blogspot.ca/2014/04/pause-for-prayer-thursday-51.html)