So They Know

They are hurting. My Family. My friends.
Some in their body. Others in their heart,
Sick, or lonely, maybe even defeated,
Their lives seem to be coming apart.

Heal their hurts, God.
From dark paths remove them soon.
Show them light in such a way
So they know it comes from you.

Without explanation but one,
Astonishing as it may be.
Rescue them from darkness,
So they can clearly see.

That your love, Father, covers in comfort,
And Christ’s blood cleanses white as snow.
How the Holy Spirit can guide them,
Strengthen their faith so they may know.

Bring them into the fold, Dear Lord,
Draw them near to you now.
Do so in such a way,
they can only say,
It must’ve been God’s doing.
So they know,
What I know,
Of your incredible, powerful, awesome, healing love.
Please.

Thank you, God. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Holy Spirit.

Photo on Pixabay by skeeze

A Judging Lament

Neither judge or jury am I,
Forgive me my thoughts.
Allow me to discern with love,
passing judgment or punishing not.

Other may share practices and opinions,
I think are wrong and in error.
To hold my thoughts about it too long,
Does not give you honor.

Seeking first your kingdom,
Showering them in charitable love:
Either in word, deed, or silent prayer.
Trusting in you for all things good.

Forgive me for such thinking, my God
Through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Holy Spirit keep my thoughts on high,
From trying to make things right.

Whenever I see an action or word,
Let me remember with Christ-like care:
Grab hold of me not to pass judgment,
Rather move me to love in prayer.

Photo on Pixabay by succo

To Church

As I prepare to enter your house of worship, Lord
With plenty of people in entering within:
Let me focus my whole being and mindset
seeking and praising your mighty name.

No matter what is going on with me (or others)
This is a place of refuge, a safety zone.
Remind me some arrive hurting or wanting,
Seeking … something, some even showing off.

In all the moods and purpose of others,
Keep my heart and mind focused on you.
If the preaching is dry, I will pray around the room
If my singing is off, I will sing to you in my heart.
If my mind wanders, may it wander in your direction.

Let my greetings please you,
May my singing honor you,
Hear my praying thanking you,
Allow my service to glorify you,
Make my listening wait on you,
Move my way with others to love you.

Not just on this day,
Not only with these people.
Nor because I’m in your house.
But every day, with all, anywhere.

Always, in worship of you
praising you, loving you!

Photo on Pixabay by hamist, overlay with PicMonkey

Thank You, Holy Spirit

Thank you, Holy Spirit:
For your guidance,
For your counsel,
For your intercession.

My faith strengthens,
with your continual presence.
My hope brightens,
as you draw others near.

With each passage of Scripture read,
Some already familiar and known,
You bring new light and understanding,
In my life to apply.

I want never to ignore your tug,
Nor to turn away from your whisper.
Keep my mind and actions focused
On the righteous paths you lead me.

Guide me through Scripture,
to better understand.
Guide me through the days,
so stronger I withstand.
Guide to ones in need,
for me to offer a helping hand.

Thank you, O Holy Spirit!
My God and wise teacher,
for bearing witness,
and enveloping me in prayer.

Photo on Pixabay by lholtz1023

Let me see, as best as I can,
With perspective from a Jesus lens.
Loving others regardless of means,
Status high or low, opponent or friend.

To notice beauty and blessings,
in the simplest of things:
the bud of a flower blossom,
the sound of dawn as birds sing.

To pause and look around,
and wonder at the work of your hand;
And see amazing testimonies,
of your design throughout the land.

Let me see as best as I can,
And look after things with Jesus eyes.
While gathering with others,
Loving them without disguise.

Seeking You first and always,
in every thing and situation to find,
Your Glory, presence and majesty,
At times overpowering my mind.

Rather than asking you to show yourself,
I need only to open my eyes to see:
The miracles of life and living
Thank you, Lord, for setting me free.

Photo on Pixabay by Gellinger

Into Joy

Your wonderful Word guides me into joy,
Yet I stumble at points now and too often, again.
Let me hide behind you, Lord
Protect me from my own selfish vain.

It sometimes seems like a constant fight
My enemies and opponents in numbers grow
I feel their gossipy and flattering lips,
At least in my silly mind I think it is so.

In my weakness, I dishonor you,
In my shining moments, I neglect to credit you,
In my boasting, I shame you,
In my shame, I hide from you.

Forgive me my sins, my errors so plenty.
Mold me into the man you’ve designed me to be.
Create in me a beacon for others,
to look right through me unto you, Lord.

As I recall things I’ve done or thought,
My stomach turns at those words or deeds.
Not to crucify Christ twice on the cross,
Yet forgiveness, I once again plead.

With thanksgiving for your tender mercies
Your enduring love, Your amazing grace.
And as I read Scripture with diligent study
Your wonderful Word guides me into joy.

Image from Pixabay by FeeLoona

Praying Grace

Lord, teach me what to pray,
Reveal to me your desire for me.
Put in my heart the want of your wants,
What to do, where to go, how to be.

Take away from me selfish requests,
That are not in your plan or will.
Remove from me the high hurdles of life,
Creating in me a battle uphill.

I don’t want or seek what is against thee,
But sometimes I don’t really know.
Illuminate me with your Word, O God.
Holy Spirit, I count on you to show,

Inspire me with song and sight,
Your wonderful creation has me in awe.
Move me into line with your way
In prayer and worship, full of joy I call.

Image via wikipeida
Original Photo: GRACE by Eric Enstrom

Have mercy on me, Father.
Guide me through difficulties well.
Upon my lacking understanding,
Oh Spirit lead me, show me, tell.

Thank you, Jesus, for taking my burdens,
Every problem, every woe.
Quicken me Lord, remember me,
When my heart or foot is slow to go.

As I plod through life’s problems,
When opponents I must face,
Calm my nerves with Scripture,
Give my foothold a secure place.

And when your Word presents a hurdle,
When comprehension, I do lack,
Give me peace more than wisdom,
Relying only on You and the Bible I pack.

Thank you, Holy Spirit,
For through prayer and scripture you guide.
Nudge me along during my struggles,
In time, understanding please provide.

So grateful am I, O God on high,
Father, Son, and Spirit most Holy.
with Forgiving, Loving, and Enduring Faith,
Keep me humble, nimble, every lowly.

The enemy has such a distracting voice
Floods of content, or echoes of voices past
Other times in my own imaginations
It seems those especially linger and last.

Drown out those voices, Oh Holy Spirit
Bring me back to verse or song
Re-focus me on things noble and good
So I stop thinking things bad and wrong.

Bring me back to a Bible verse
I’ve written on my heart with pen
Remind me of a gospel song
Singing in my heart remembering when

How to rest and abide in Jesus
knowing all He has done for me
and rescue my mind into comfort
so again my thoughts will be free

Photo on Flickr by probablyokay