A Prayer for Sunday Worship: Thirsty for More

O God, I have tasted Thy goodness and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. 

I am painfully conscious of my need of further grace.

I am ashamed of my lack of desire.

O God, the Triune God,

I want to want Thee;

I long to be filled with longing;

I thirst to be made more thirsty still.

Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, so that I may know Thee indeed.

Begin in mercy a new work of love within me.

Say to my soul, “Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.” Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Note: A Prayer from A. W. Tozer.

RPM Ministries: Equipping You to Change Lives with Christ’s Changeless Truth

Tags: Church, Prayer, Tozer, Worship

Paul Prays for the Elephant in the Room

This past Thursday I provided a host of links about the Elephant Room 2 (ER2) in A Special Elephant Room 2 Edition of Five to Live By. 

James MacDonald launched the Elephant Room to provide a place for Evangelicals to talk to one another about controversial issues rather than talk about one another behind each other’s back. Thus it is ironic and sad that the invitation of T. D. Jakes and his subsequent participation in ER2 resulted in the larger Evangelical world talking about one another.

In this post, I’m not “taking a side.” Rather, I’m pondering how we might apply the words of the Apostle Paul in Philippians to the aftermath of ER2.

With that goal in mind, I offer the following “paraphrased applied prayers.” As I offer them, I wonder how our discourse might be different if we applied these principles of Christian relating to our ER2 interactions.

A Pauline Prayer for Truth as the Foundation for Unity: Philippians 1:9-11

“Father, as I reflect on the Evangelical world’s response to ER2, this is my prayer: that our love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight. This is not a ‘truth only’ issue; nor is it a ‘love only’ issue. It is a ‘living the truth in love’ issue. It is both/and: a ‘clarity and charity’ issue.

Regardless of ‘what side we’re on,’ may we all pray for Your wisdom to be able to discern what is best—to your glory and praise. Regardless of ‘what side we’re on,’ may our actions and interactions be pure and blameless until the day of Christ—to your glory and praise. Regardless of ‘what side we’re on,’ may we all be filled with the fruit righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to your glory and praise.”

A Pauline Prayer for Humility as the Foundation for Unity: Philippians 2:1-11

“Father, I wonder what might occur relationally if, regardless of “what side we’re on,” we did nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit? What if, instead of trying to ‘win the argument,’ in humility, we each considered others better than ourselves? What if, instead of trying to ‘come out on top in the competition,’ in humility, we each looked not only to our own party interests, but also to the interests of others?

For each of us, may the encouragement we have from being united with Christ, may the comfort we have from Christ’s love, may the fellowship we have with the Spirit, may the tenderness and compassion we receive from You, produce in us the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus. Since we are nothing, may we make ourselves nothing. Since we are servants, may we take on the very nature of a servant. May we humble ourselves even as Your Son humbled Himself on the cross. May our every spoken and written word about ER2 be prompted by the desire that the name of Christ be exalted so that every knee may bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to Your glory, Father.”

A Pauline Prayer for Christ’s Supremacy as the Foundation for Unity: Philippians 3:7-11

“Father, may ‘each side’ consider whatever was to our profit, loss for the sake of Christ. May ‘each side’ consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord. May we consider rubbish any flesh-oriented motivation for our ‘defense of truth’ (orthodoxy) and our ‘defense of love’ (orthopraxy).

May we, instead, be motivated by the desire to be found in Christ not having our own righteousness, but that which is through faith in Christ. May we, instead, be Gospel-centered and Christ-centered: motivated by the desire to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering, becoming like Him in His death.”

A Pauline Prayer for Purity as the Foundation for Unity: Philippians 4:1-9

“Father, therefore, on the basis of Your Words to us through Your servant, Paul, may we stand firm as brothers and sisters and dear friends in the Lord. May we conduct ourselves in all interactions about ER2 in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ.

I pray and plead that ‘both sides’ will agree with each other in the Lord. May you send loyal spiritual friends to encourage and exhort the brothers and sisters to stand firm in one spirit, contending together as one for the faith of the Gospel. May our gentleness be evident to all.

May we take all our concerns to you through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, presenting our requests to You. And may the peace of God, which transcends all understanding guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

May we pass every word we speak and write and think through the grid of: whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. May we put into practice—may we walk the talk—living truth in love. May we live and breathe with the awareness that You, the God of peace, will be with us.

In Jesus Name, Amen.”

Join the Conversation

Whether with ER2 or any other “issue” in your life and ministry, how could prayers like these impact your actions and interactions?

RPM Ministries: Equipping You to Change Lives with Christ’s Changeless Truth

Tags: Elephant Room, Elephant Room 2, ER2, James MacDonald, Prayer, T. D. Jakes

A Puritan Prayer for Sunday Worship: Grace Active

O God, may Thy Spirit speak in me that I may speak to Thee. Lord Jesus, great high priest, Thou hast opened a new and living way by which a fallen creature can approach Thee with acceptance.

Help me to contemplate the dignity of Thy Person, the perfectness of Thy sacrifice, the effectiveness of Thy intercession.

O what blessedness accompanies devotion, when under all the trials that weary me, the cares that corrode me, the fears that disturb me, the infirmities that oppress me, I can come to Thee in my need and feel peace beyond understanding!

The grace that restores is necessary to preserve, lead, guard, supply, help me.

And here Thy saints encourage my hope; they were once poor and are now rich, bound and are now free, tried and now are victorious.

Every new duty calls for more grace than I now possess, but not more than is found in Thee, the divine treasury in whom all fullness dwells. To Thee I repair for grace upon grace, until every void made by sin be replenished and I am filled with all Thy fullness.

May my desires be enlarged and my hopes emboldened, that I may honour Thee by my entire dependency and the greatness of my expectation.

Do Thou be with me, and prepare me for all the smiles of prosperity, the frowns of adversity, the losses of substance, the death of friends, the days of darkness, the changes of life, and the last great change of all. May I find thy grace sufficient for all my needs.

Note: Taken from The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions, edited by Arthur Bennett

RPM Ministries: Equipping You to Change Lives with Christ’s Changeless Truth

Tags: Prayer, Puritan Prayers, Valley of Vision, Worship

A Puritan Prayer for 2012

As we enter a new year, this prayer drawn from the collection of Puritan prayers in The Valley of Vision provides perspective. 

I Launch My Bark on the Unknown Waters of This Year

“O Lord,

I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year:

With Thee, O Father as my harbour,

Thee, O Son, at my helm,

Thee O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.

Guide me to heaven:

With my loins girt,

My lamp burning,

My ear open to Thy calls,

My heart full of love,

My soul free.

Give me:

Thy grace to sanctify me,

Thy comforts to cheer,

Thy wisdom to teach,

Thy right hand to guide,

Thy counsel to instruct,

Thy law to judge,

Thy presence to stabilize.

May:

Thy fear be my awe,

Thy triumphs my joy.

Length of days does not profit me except the days are passed:

In Thy presence,

In Thy service,

To Thy glory.

Give me a grace that:

Precedes,

Follows,

Guides,

Sustains,

Sanctifies,

Aids every hour,.

That I may not be one moment apart from Thee, but may rely on Thy Spirit:

To supply every thought,

 Speak in every word,

Direct every step,

Prosper every work,

 Build up every mote of faith.

And give me a desire:

To show forth Thy praise;

Testify Thy love,

 And advance Thy kingdom.

Amen.”

Tags: 2012, New Year Resolution, Prayer, Puritan, Puritan Prayer, The Valley of Vision

A Thanksgiving Prayer

This Thanksgiving, I wish you a thankful heart. Here’s a Puritan prayer from The Valley of Vision that speaks to our praise of and thankfulness to God.

O My God,

Thou fairest, greatest, first of all objects, my heart admires, adores, loves thee, for my little vessel is as full as it can be, and I would pour out all that fullness before thee in ceaseless flow.

When I think upon and converse with thee ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up, ten thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed, ten thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart, crowding into every moment of happiness.

I bless thee for the soul thou hast created, for adorning it, for sanctifying it, though it is fixed in barren soil;

I bless thee for body thou hast given me, for preserving its strength and vigour, for providing senses to enjoy delights, for the ease and freedom of my limbs, for hands, eyes, ears that do thy bidding;

I bless thee for thy royal bounty providing my daily support, for a full table and overflowing cup, for appetite, taste, sweetness;

I bless thee for social joys of relatives and friends, for ability to serve others, for a heart that feels sorrows and necessities, for a mind to care for my fellow-men, for opportunities of spreading happiness around, for loved ones in the joys of heaven, for my own expectation of seeing thee clearly.

I love thee above the powers of language to express, for what thou art to thy creatures. Increase my love, O my God, through time and eternity.

Tags: Prayer, Puritans, Thanksgiving, Valley of Vision

Six Prayers of Renewal 

Note: Read Part One, Six Prayers of Repentance. 

In chapter twenty-seven of Soul Physicians, I outline a biblical theology of putting on the new person we already are in Christ (compare Romans 6:1-14; Ephesians 4:20-24; Colossians 3:1-11). I embed within that theology a “Prayer of Renewal” related to each of six areas of our spiritual life:

• Our Relationship to God

• Our Relationship to Others

• Our Relationship to Ourselves

• Our Rational Beliefs/Mindsets

• Our Volitional Behaviors/Motivations

• Our Emotions

Today’s post shares these six prayers.

A Prayer of Relational Renewal: My Spiritual Relationship to God

“Father, I long for You more than gold or silver. Nothing else could ever satisfy my soul. Reorient my affections toward You and what You choose to provide. May my nearness to God be my Chief Good. Show me the beauty of Your holiness so that in worshipping Your loveliness, I exalt You. Empower me to enjoy You so that the universe marvels in amazement at how fulfilling You are. Silence all the clamoring of false lovers of the soul who would seek my attention. I want to worship You with everything I am, with undivided adoration. Give me a heart for You. A constant longing after you. Incite within me a deep passion for You.”

A Prayer of Relational Renewal: My Social Relationships to Others

“Father, Oh to be like You. Oh to be like the Trinitarian community. Mold me and make me, scour and shape me. Empower me to love like Jesus. Spirit, empower me to shrink not from the scars of death-to-self relating. Through my communion with You, enable me to give others a taste of Your grace love. More than anything, I want to give sacrificially like Jesus. You made me, recreated me, to give—to love with agape love. Thank you!”

A Prayer of Relational Renewal: My New Identity in Christ

“Father, I choose to live according to the peace that I have with You in Christ. I recall that one of Satan’s primary tools is the power of his false accusation that You are not generously accepting and that, therefore, I am Your enemy. The power of the Gospel renews my mind to the assurance that I am Your child, Christ’s bride, and the Spirit’s best friend! I put on wholeness, consciously reflecting on and resting in who I am in Christ. I put on my new identity in Christ. I enjoy who I am in Christ and who I am becoming through Christ as I become like Christ. I renew my mind to my new core identity in Christ. I reckon on this, and I reignite and fan it into flame. I clothe myself in my new peace. I cover myself in my new cleared, cleansed, and good conscience. I envelope myself in contentment with who I am in Christ.”

A Prayer of Rational Renewal: Putting On My New Beliefs and Mindsets

“Father, I surrender my mind to You. I consent to the truth of Christ’s grace narrative. I allow You to transform me by the renewing of my mindsets. Moment by moment fill my thought life with images of God-reality. Enlighten me to know You and the power of Your resurrection and the fellowship of Your suffering. Enlighten me together with all the saints to grasp how high and deep and wide and long is Your love. I commit to being a spiritual mathematician, adding life up from Your perspective. When I face suffering, I promise to believe that though life is bad, You are my Supreme Good. When struggling against sin, I promise to believe that even when I am sinful, You are gracious. And I promise not to take Your grace for granted, for though I know that it is wonderful to be forgiven, I understand that it is horrible to sin. Empower me to gird up the loins of my mind, to aim my mind toward heavenly things, to reckon on my new mindset, and to rest in my new mindset in Christ.”

A Prayer of Volitional Renewal: Putting on My New Behaviors and Motivations

“Holy Spirit, I yield to You. I consciously choose to admit that I’m a coward without You. With You, I can do all things. With You, no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. I put on choosing to depend upon You. I put on choosing to live for You. I put on seeking not only Your power to do right, but also Your guidance to know what is right. Step by step please lead me, all of the days of my life. In each relational interaction, empower and enlighten me to know what other-centered living looks like. Flow through me so that the disciplined, habitual passion of my soul reflects Your fruit. Show me how to connect to You, how to depend upon You, how to be nourished by You. Then let my greatest purpose be being like You, like Jesus.”

A Prayer of Emotional Renewal: Putting on My New Mood States 

“Father, thank You for feelings. Thank You that You have them. Thank You that I have them. Sometimes, many times, I feel like wishing them away. But then I would be a shell of a person. A Stoic, not a Poet. I don’t want that. What I want is heaven—no more cryin’ there. No more tears. No more looking in the eyes of a hurting loved one and feeling more pain than I ever thought possible. But until heaven, I want to be real. Raw. Honest. I want emotional integrity. I want emotional maturity. Help me to bring spirituality, rationality, and volitionality to my emotionality. Help me to be as emotional as King David, as Jeremiah, as Job, as Asaph, as Jesus, as You, as the great saints throughout Church history. Help me to feel life fully. Fortify me to feel the feelings of others. Deeply. Sincerely. Accurately.”

Join the Conversation

Which of the six prayers hits home the most for you today? How would you word your prayer in that area?

Tags: Christian Living, Prayer, Soul Physicians