From those who mourn for loved ones called from this world to the next,
(So, so many)
to those who have lost or not found The Way in this world
(so, so many)
sorrow-storms roll, and what can we do
where no one can restore loved ones departed,
or force repentance,
or faith in God
or love for Him?!
Ah, yes. We can pray!
(for faith and love's increase in all of us)
It's been a little while since I shared
one of my most beloved hymns
(lyrics in above link)
What we can do nothing about (save pray) we ought to then
Rather than shake our fists and shout and berate fellowmen
Rather than fret and forget who (when we pray) hears us plead
The first thing that we ought to do is trust God with our need
Prayer is more than religious sport or platitude-regale
More than a sorry last resort, when all our efforts fail
Prayer is faith’s tender fellowship, as man to God confides
Where through His Word God will equip us for what life betides
Sweet hour of prayer, God meets us there; He comforts and sustains
He bids us leave our burdens where surrender rends dark chains
He stretches out His arms and draws us close; Love never fails
His whisper calms the storm that was, as ‘peace, be still’ prevails
What we can do nothing about (save pray) ah, pray we would
Rather than yield to dismal doubt while God works for our good
God, who is rich in mercy hears the humble heart’s request
And through our dialogue of tears, He works for our best
God, who is rich in mercy because of His great love for us
While we were dead in sin, He made us alive through Jesus
Thus, now no matter what we face His kindness can afford
Exceeding riches of His grace through Jesus Christ, our Lord
What we can do nothing about (save pray) where evil lurks
We ought to then; faith without prayer is like faith without works
With meek and contrite attitude, then pray and do not cease
Until hope's cup of gratitude flows over with God’s peace
© Janet Martin
The past two Sunday morning messages
were focused on one of my most beloved passages of Scripture;
Many are the times I whisper the sweet treasure of the beginning of verse 4:
But God, who is rich in mercy,
because of His great love with which He loved us,
5 even when we were dead in trespasses,
made us alive together with Christ
(by grace you have been saved),
6 and raised us up together,
and made us sit together
in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7 that in the ages to come He might show
the exceeding riches of His grace
in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
No comments:
Post a Comment
I hope you enjoyed your pause on this porch and thank-you for your visit!