Declaring the Glory

IMG_3641

Lake Muskallonge in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
– Psalm 19:1

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature,
have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,
in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
– Romans 1:20

Begin in Mercy a New Work

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,
that so 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.

– A. W. Tozer in The Pursuit of God

Declaring the Glory

IMG_3634

Lake Muskallonge in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
– Psalm 19:1

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature,
have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,
in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
– Romans 1:20

Sunday Morning Prayer Guide

I wrote the following guide for a Sunday morning prayer time.  The requests are all about asking God to prepare our hearts to worship Him.  I wonder what might happen in our lives and churches, if we prayed prayers like this each Sunday morning. So here is a prayer guide for your consideration as you prepare to worship the Lord this Sunday, and maybe the Sundays beyond.

Pray through God’s Word
Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your steadfast love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.
– Psalm 85:6-7

Pray for Myself
• A heart to worship the Lord for his great love and salvation
• God’s Word to convict, challenge, and comfort me this morning
• God’s help to encourage and build up others this morning

Pray for Our Church
• For people to come, and Holy Spirit to work mightily among us
• Growing joy and delight in the Lord, desire and thirst for God
• Deep hunger for the Word, and abundant grace to live it out
• Growing burden to pray – individually and corporately
• Reverent awe of our great and glorious God
• Gripped by the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection
• Personal revivals leading to church revival
• Practical love and care for one another

Saturday: Pray for Our World

Pray for our World:

  • Gospel to spread, people to be saved, and churches to be planted
  • A world-wide Great Awakening that transforms cultures
  • Unreached people groups to be reached with the gospel
  • Relief work in Nepal, Refugees in Syria and Iraq
  • Peace in Ukraine, Middle East, African countries

Friday: Pray for Our Nation

Pray for our Nation:

  • Growing recognition of the hollowness of the idols of our age: money, material things, sex, homosexuality, technology, social media, fame, power, alcohol, drugs, entertainment, government
  • Growing openness and response to the hope of the gospel
  • Many in our country to come to Christ and grow in Him
  • Another Great Awakening that transforms lives and our country
  • President Obama and his Cabinet, Congress, and the Supreme Court – wisdom, follow truth, righteousness, and justice
  • Supreme Court decision on “same-sex” marriage
  • State – Governor Snyder, Legislature, Judicial – wisdom
  • Families – strong marriages, children, finances/work
  • Economy – national/state growth, job growth
  • Education – federal/state policies, curriculum, teachers, safety, public schools, private schools, home-school freedom
  • Entertainment/Media – Christian influence, positive impact

Thursday: Pray For Your Community

Pray for your Community:

  • Growing openness and response to the hope of the gospel
  • Many people in our communities to come to Christ
  • Fruit from your church outreaches
  • A Great Awakening that transforms our community
  • Families – strong marriages, children, finances/work
  • Economy – local businesses, jobs
  • Education – local schools, teachers, safety, graduates