Tag: a prayer

Be My Vision, O LORD. Today

Jesus had no pointing finger—only arms stretched wide.
In silence.

Yielded.

His love letter to each of us was written with blood.

He rose from the dead. Ever-living.

In believing, we receive . . .

sight, salvation, freedom. Light. Hope.

Eternal life is given.

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Dear Lord, we remind ourselves today Your never changing Good News.

I Am the LORD, I “will fight for you; you need only be still,”Exodus 14:14.

I Am the LORD, I “give strength to the weary and increase the power of the weak,” Isaiah 40:29.

I Am the LORD, those who “hope in Me will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint,” Isaiah 40:31.

I Am the LORD, “So do not fear, for I am with you,” Isaiah 41:10.

Our Father in heaven, holy is Your name. We choose You, we are Your sons and daughters.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Remind us. Holy Spirit imprint on our minds, a picture of Jesus and His nail-pierced hands reaching out for each and every one of our sins.
For the sins of the entire world . . .

You willingly paid.

Give us the ears to hear Your words, throughout our day “Follow Me.”

And we respond, “I will follow You.”

We wait with great expectancy . . .
We choose to worship You now, and watch our anxieties flee. We choose to worship You Jesus, Be Thou our Vision. Restore Peace to our restless hearts.
Let us exalt the Lord as we take time to meditate and speak:

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tow’r:
Raise Thou me heav’nward, O Pow’r of my pow’r.

If I lose the world, but have You, I have the King of Heaven as my friend. No one can take that away. You are an ever-lasting love and hope.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’n’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.
Be Thou My Vision, Irish Hymn, c.8th Century

Offering a Prayer of Hope: Be Thou My Vision

Do you have great desire to pray for the hurting around you? 

“Teach us to pray,” the disciples asked of Jesus.

Jesus gave them example in Matthew 6:9-13, to give God reverence due His name, to ask of needs, of forgiveness, deliverance, and proclamation of His glory in what we call the Lord’s Prayer. 

And we’re encouraged to “Pray continually,” in 1 Thessalonians, 5:17.

How can we do this?

Today, I am praying for many needs, far and near. We have many prayer needs.

Join me in praying a hymn and meditating on it’s rich thought through the day?

The hymn,

Be Thou My Vision. Perhaps one of the oldest recorded hymns in history, dated as early as 8th Century BC.

“Be Thou My Vision, O Lord of my heart;

Naught be all else to me, save that thou art;

Thou my best thought by day or by night,

Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.”

These words bring to our mind, Your Word, Lord,  “You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all of your heart.” Jer. 29:13.

We’re seeking You, Lord God. For many general, as well as specific prayers and needs.

You’re our best thought, day or night. You’re our present help, (Psalm 46:1).

Be thou my Wisdom, and thou my true Word;

I ever with thee and thou with me Lord;

Thou my Great Father, and I thy true son,

Thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.

Softly and tenderly, O God, You comfort, because You are with us, and we lift many hurting and broken hearts specifically to You. 

Cover the hurting and broken under the shadow of Your wings, (Psalm 91).

I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5.

And, 

The LORD is my helper; I will not fear . . .  Hebrews 13:6.

Cover the weak with your truth.

Be thou my Battle-shield, Sword for my fight,

Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my delight;

Thou my soul’s shelter, Thou my High Tower,

Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my Power.

We have little strength, be our High Tower.

In brokenness, Jesus, comfort the downcast with Your presence.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise;

Thou mine inheritance, now and always;

Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,

High King of heaven, my treasure thou art.

Yes, the treasure of Your Word, dear Lord reminds us of Your great love, now . . . 

You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever (Psalm 16:11).

Yes, forever. 

High King of Heaven, my victory won,

May I reach heaven’s joys, bright heaven’s Sun!

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,

Still be my Vision, O Ruler of All.

We recite a hymn, which speaks our heart, even broken and sad. 

Heart of my own heart, 

whatever befall,

Still be my Vision, 

O Ruler of All.

In Your Name, Jesus we lift our prayers,

Amen.”

Give a Gift of Song, With or Without Singing

December has begun, and people are . . . not all jolly. How do we overcome and move forward when life is filled with loss,

or sickness, or falls,

and pressures, and messes,

and great amount of cares?

Is there a rescue place? Well, those who believe in God take comfort in spending time and thinking on His love and sufficient gift in His Son.

But what about when the song is gone when the holiday season has begun? Like a tire gone flat? Where’s the lift?

I’m telling you, it’s in the hymn-book! One that’s opened and read aloud that is.

This is the one-stringed guitar that I play, so-to-speak: the hymnal has amazing power. But my favorite of all time are Robert J. Morgan’s Then Sings My Soul editions. 

I brought one of the editions into the infusion room many years ago when I was undergoing chemotherapy. The cancer patients in close vicinity to my voice were lifted immediately by the hymns and the stories of the writers. 

We were changed. A deep joy, courage, and most important, hope returned to our sick bodies.

Many were reminded that God’s gracious love never left their side, even though they had nothing to do with Him for long and past years.

Yesterday, I was thinking of my elderly neighbor while I was able to be at church on Dec. 1. She’s unable to get to church because of many reasons, and struggling in many ways. 

Thank you Robert. J. Morgan, for writing Then Sings My Soul Special Edition. I scooped up this book and went on my way to pay a short visit to my neighbor.

Coffee came first, but then pages were opened:

His Eye is on the Sparrow by Civilla D. Martin, 1905.

The Scripture of choice for this hymn was, “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will” Matthew 10:29.

Always to the left was the hymn, to the right, a story. With no melody at all, just the words of the hymn read aloud, “Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come? Why should my heart be lonely And long for heaven and home.

When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He: His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me . . . “

Yes, it’s true, the Word has been told us, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”) Matthew 1;23.

Isn’t this one of the most precious promises of God?
My eyes scroll up for verse 2 with anticipation of the thoughts: “Whenever I am tempted, Whenever clouds arise, When song gives place to sighing, When hope within me dies,

I draw the closer to Him; From care He sets me free; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me . . . “

Hope is restored with the speaking, (or singing, if you choose) of a hymn. Change comes. The promises of God fill the mind instead of troubles and pain. For example,

“. . . God has chosen to make known . . .  the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

And then my eyes roamed to Morgan’s writing in regards to this hymn by Civilla Durfee Martin, and I was reminded of other verses regarding God’s faithfulness within this theme:

“Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will” Matthew 10:29.

“Do not fear . . . you are of more value than many sparrows” Luke 12:7.

What a wonderful gift this book is to me over and over again. Perhaps, this year the most meaningful gift you might give yourself, or others, is a Robert J. Morgan’s, Then Sings my Soul edition.

The win in a hymn, defeat to fear: Praise God Forever

“Tune up my heart strings, Lord.” She prays, as her heart beats in a flat, minor chord.
“All things are possible with You by my side,” she believes.

“Help my unbelief,” she asks ready to defeat the perfectionist, the giant enemy of thought.

“Change me. C-H-A-N-G-E me!” She pleads with the One who is able.

In stillness, a gentle voice reminds:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord you God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9.

Faith has new breath, and a word of direction: “Sing a new song. Praise God as the victory is won. Sing praise!”

A hymn comes to mind.
The hymn tunes the heart’s theme for hope.

With a prayer for mercy and power of God.

Read aloud. Yes, sing aloud:

Come thou fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing thy grace

Streams of mercy never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise

Teach me some melodious sonnet
Sung by flaming tongues above

I’ll praise the mount I’m fixed upon it
Mount of thy redeeming love”

Change happens in a moments time. God’s Word comes to mind:
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
 He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber;” Psalm 121,

Lifted. Transformed, through the speaking of a psalm.

What comes next? Her heart needs to know, she reads aloud:

 The Lord watches over you—

    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
 the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.

This is how the hymn is sung. By the help of the Living Word giving persevering strength to the weary saint.

Here I raise my Ebenezer
Hither by thy help I come

And I hope by thy good pleasure
Safely to arrive at home

Jesus sought me when a stranger
Wondering from the fold of God

He, to rescue me from danger
Interposed His precious blood

She receives the Spirit’s Comfort and Hope and thankfulness pours forth:

O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be!
Let thy goodness like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee

Prone to wander Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.

Victory is won in her heart this moment. A new song is sung. Prayers have been answered and change for good themes continues on . . .

Will we choose to read aloud and sing? “Yes, because ‘new’ is a glorious thing.”

New heart strings, and ultimately, a new me.

Will you also agree?

Come Thou Fount, hymn by Robert Robinson

Because of His new mercies, my meditation is a song.

A Psalm of David, so long ago, was penned and written for the Chief Musician.

Psalm 139, I pray will stay close to my heart as I take hold of His hand.

Before my feet hit the floor, may I meditate on who He is, and by His help better understand.

My walk is as a messy poem, but God in His great mercy never leaves me alone:

 O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
 You know my sitting down and my rising up;

You understand my thought afar off.
 You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.

 For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.

 You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.

 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.

If these words be true, (You have pronounced Your Word as truth), help me today to believe.
Help me remember . . .You.
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth, John 17:17 states.
So, in knowing and seeing it all, You can see clearly, I often make many mistakes.
You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. John15:3.
I don’t completely understand, but I receive a washing in the morning as  I read.
Let this Word be a continual song I sing:

Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You are there;

If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

 If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.

 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;

Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;

The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

Yesterday’s pain, struggle, and loss feel like heaviness falling on me, but if even the night shall be light about me; . . . and the night shines as the day;

I receive Your Word that I don’t completely know, but when I look at a candle, only light surrounds it, so . . .

I can see that You are with me, and light even my night.

You are greater than all of my anxiety, ugliness, and fright. Your Word, the powerful sounds, are healing the doubt that so often surrounds.

 For You formed my inward parts;

You covered me in my mother’s womb.
 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.

 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

Deep calls to deep. These thoughts are not as man’s. These Words pierce me through. My days you write in a book? Truly from beginning to end? I clearly see, I want more faith, more faith each day to trust You!

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!

How great is the sum of them!
 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.

Clearly, a lifetime it will take to comprehend such thoughts. Give me wisdom and knowledge. Help me understand the price You paid on the cross.

A Love so real. You laid down Your life for me. Even though You knew how wretched many of my steps would be.

I want to be on Your side, dear Lord.

Please keep me from being an enemy. With doubt, and unbelief. Making excuses to sin.

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. Psalm 119.

Get my eyes in Your Word, more and more, dear Lord.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
 And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.

This is a hard prayer to pray in the morning, and even more so, at night.

Dear Lord Jesus, I thank You for covering my sin with Your blood. I thank You for showing me You walk with me and know, every step that I take, and every word I speak, and even the thoughts that I think. And You still love . . .

You knew me in the beginning and promise to know my end days as well. Today, let me be new, tear down, rebuild, clean up and move.

Help me walk more closely. Help me let You lead. Let this be my song that I continually sing,
making the choice each day, to acknowledge You,  King:

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
 And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.

In Jesus Name, I, and all who believe ask, “Let it be, yes, let it be. Amen.”

A Moment’s Getaway, Like a River Glorious

Like a River Glorious

In the old church hymnal, Frances Havergal, paints a moving picture with song, yet with a constant under-girding of calm.

Like a river glorious, Is God’s perfect peace, Over all victorious In it’s bright increase;

Perfect, yet it floweth Fuller every day, Perfect, yet it groweth Deeper all the way.

Stayed upon Jehovah, Hearts are fully blest; Finding as He promised, Perfect peace and rest. 

Like a river glorious, is God’s perfect peace!
Hidden in the hollow Of His blessed hand, Never foe can follow Never traitor stand;

Not a surge of worry, Not a shade of care, Not a blast of hurry Touch the Spirit there.

“Then, like a river glorious I desire to be. Moving steadily on, Dear Lord, in trust of Your security. Hide me in the hollow of Your great hand, mighty.

Reliable and more.
This world spins out of control leaving me fatigued and confused. Take me the way I am. Move me, like a river glorious.

Transform me, because You can—through Your gracious and gentle Hand.

Perfect, yet it floweth Fuller every day, Perfect, yet it groweth Deeper all the way.

Peace. Rest. Victorious. Bright increase. Words speak. As the stars across the heavens at night. As an abundance of roses on a stem. Wherever I may be, Lord, let this hymn energize me to believe.”

Could it be? Words, lead me, to my refuge and help? The pages in a hymnal read aloud. A remedy constant to revive. I turn to it’s page. I find Rock of Ages, on the other side.

Rock of Ages, cleft for me let me hide myself in Thee.”

The Lord is speaking. He is ministering to me. Like a River Glorious, a Rock of Ages that I might hide. Two different pictures, bringing about a solid theme, that wherever I go, I am being held and protected from Fear and Anxiety, two of my greatest foes.

Peace came to this furious world. Willing to allow the water and the blood from His wounded side to flow. . .  His death gives life to me, and all the people of the world, who see.

Like a River Glorious.

These words are living. Hymns teach of hope! Refreshment and revival. “Stayed on Jehovah, hearts fully blest! Finding, as He promised, Perfect peace and rest!”

Moving forward, constant. Like a River Glorious. Yet, Stayed on Jehovah, our mighty God, Hidden in the hollow Of His blessed hand, Never foe can follow, Never traitor stand.

To this morning meditation, let all the people say, “Amen.”

Holding Fast. A Prayer for Today

“This world, this wilderness, this desert place— where You watch our steps, it’s ruthless and rough, scary and often-times, a disgrace. This world, O Lord, that You ‘so loved.’ You sent Your precious Son that the people might see  with their eyes, and experience Love.

But at each turn, moment by moment, for us, (and 2,000 years ago, for You, Jesus), there’s strife, accusing, and distrust. This world is broken with edges that are sharp. So often, Lord, our hearts are left bleeding all over the place.
You know all about that, and remind us: My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. (1)

Pour out that ‘sufficient grace’, Lord. Give us ears open, for listening. Give our hearts increased understanding:
I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one may rob you and deprive you of your crown. Revelation 3:11.

God, these words seem at times, foreign and distant. What do we have? How do we hold fast? Remind me of the crown. What’s the meaning of all this?
The old folks are weary, fighting to persevere. The children are caught in a cultural fast-paced race. Your Book is open. We will be still, and hear:

These are the words of the Holy One, the True One, He Who has the key of David, Who opens and no one shall shut, Who shuts and no one shall open.
Oh, Lord, in awe and reverence, we are listening, with the Book open in Revelation 3:

I know your [record of] works and what you are doing. See! I have set before you a door wide open, which no one is able to shut; I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept My Word and guarded My message, and have not renounced or denied My name. (2)

But God, You can see that I have not always kept Your Word. Please forgive me. You see my shame. Wash me new, today. Help my eyes acknowledge the work You have done for me:

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, Psalm 103. (3)

Yes, I see a door in my mind, open, with Your nail-pierced hands before me. You speak ever gently, Remember Me.
Flooding now in my memory from Your Word: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me, all the days of my life . . . Psalm 23. (4)

And then a hymn comes cleansing me:

I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms
In the arms of my dear Savior
Oh, there are ten thousand charms (5)
Dear Lord, the Welcome mat to Your house of Love is often an Hymn from so long ago:
Come, ye thirsty, come and welcome
God’s free bounty glorify
True belief and true repentance
Every grace that brings you nigh
Come, ye weary, heavy-laden
Lost and ruined by the fall
If you tarry ’til you’re better
You will never come at all
He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God; he will most certainly never be put out of it, and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which descends out of heaven from My God, and My [own] new name. 
 He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.’ (6)
Today, as if it were my first. Today, as if it were my last:
I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms
In the arms of my dear Savior
Oh, there are ten thousand charms (5)

(1) 2 Corinthians 12:9.
(2) Revelation 3:7-8.
(3) Psalm 103:2-4.
(4) Psalm 23:6.
(5) I Will Arise and Go To Jesus/ Joseph Hart/ 1759.
(6) Revelation 3:12,13.

Lord, Give us a Fragrance of Light and Peace

What is our fragrance as we go about our day?

Do we smell of fear and let doubt lead the way?
Like a skunk that’s afraid, pray we are not near.

Or as a pig slopping in a muddy mess, doing only as he pleases, “Dear Lord, save us from the stench of selfishness. May displeasing You, be our greatest dread and fear.”

“Dear Lord, give those who claim to know Your name, a cleansing stream, an emptying. That newness of life and acceptance with joy, peace like a river would splash on us a fragrance of Light.”

Today, a meditation on words penned almost a hundred years ago; Ina D. Ogden, “Speak your exhortation to ears ‘poor in spirit'”:

Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,
Do not wait to shed your light afar;
To the many duties ever near you now be true,
Brighten the corner where you are.

Brighten the corner where you are!
Brighten the corner where you are!
Someone far from harbor you may guide across the bar;
Brighten the corner where you are!

What kind of fragrance do we bring in the room? Is it a critical spirit. Thinking we know what’s right? “Dear Lord, reveal to us our failure and sin, that we might ask forgiveness and let Your light shine in us again.”

Perhaps the brokenness and deep hurts will prove to be, a place where we might have a gentle spirit and compassion. Perhaps God will help us have a tender spirit, gracious, gentle, a-c-c-e-p-t-i-n-g.

When pain comes, and darkness, we are tested and tried. Are we going to believe the Good Word only, when things go right?

Oh, to believe that “The LORD is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does,” Psalm 145:17.

Oh, how we are tested during times of loss, to believe:

Just above are clouded skies that you may help to clear,
Let not narrow self your way debar;
Though into one heart alone may fall your song of cheer,
Brighten the corner where you are.

The Lord is my strength and my song;
    he has become my salvation, Psalm 118:14.

This is the phrase I must sing. Let us today, wake up in faith, knowing, that God is with us. Let’s forget about ourselves and allow His light to beam:

Here for all your talent you may surely find a need,
Here reflect the bright and Morning Star;
Even from your humble hand the Bread of Life may feed,
Brighten the corner where you are.

A fragrance of light. A fragrance of peace. The Lord Jesus will take our burdens so today, we are free to sing:
Brighten the corner where you are!
Brighten the corner where you are!
Someone far from harbor you may guide across the bar;
Brighten the corner where you are!

Let us go now, in increased faith, to love and consider others and be a fragrance worth . . . remembering.

True Riches: Faith in God through Jesus His Son

Earthly riches we see and often desire. And once acquired, there is almost always, the let down: “Is that all there is?”

But Jesus, who came to be Savior, was also the unparalleled Teacher. He, Wisdom came down and spoke to ears that would hear:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” Matthew 6:19-21.

The heavenly treasure of faith in God through Jesus His Son is higher and deeper, richer and forever. “Blessed—happy, fortunate, prosperous and enviable—is the man . . . whose delight and desire are . . .

What comes next? What’s this key to happiness? What makes a man “fortunate?”

What is possessed by the man or woman who is “prosperous and enviable?”
The possession of the glorious key to open the closed-door of Peace is faith in God through Jesus His Son.

Lasting. Forever. Promises enduring:

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God,” Romans 5:1,2.

This sounds rich. This rings glorious, but can we understand what it all means?”
“Give us faith. Help us understand the glory of God!” We pray. And . . .
He does.
Having faith to call out to God and pray, the Bible says, is all pleasing:

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him,” Hebrews 11:6.

Heavenly riches, heavenly rewards—this is what I desire. You and me alike?
Just as if I have never sinned, my Jesus sees me now. Faith in what He did for me on the cross is the beginning of riches and glory and hope for all eternity for me, and you, and anyone who believes.

The Bible says it. The Bible is truth.

“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him,” Proverbs 30:5.

Let us sing in our hearts, even in the midst of sorrow and loss, praises to God, because God will build in us a character that counts:

“Faith God, in Your Son who suffered and died. We stand at the foot of the cross and ask for help that we may at this time,

“glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope.
 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us,” Romans 5:3-5.

To the One whose name is “Faithful and True,” (Revelation 19:11), no matter what happens, help us remember time and again, that the greatest of riches is faith and trust in You. Thank You for giving us the key of faith to unlock the door of Peace with each breath we take.

Amen, and Amen. Shall we continually say, “Let it be, and to Your glory. Let it be.

Blessed is the man whose, “delight is in the law of the Lord,
And on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] meditates day and night.
And he will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season;
Its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers [and comes to maturity], Psalm 1, Amplified.”

Believing. In God. According to His Word, indeed reaps True riches. Lasting. Forever.

In Brokenness, The Lord’s Prayer, a Hymn.

“Our Father in heaven, holy is Your name, . . .” May I come to You with pure motives.

So many times I don’t.

I come for myself. You already know.
May I draw near to seek Your holy face.

But God, our Holy Father, you see when I only seek Your hand of blessing, without a thought to give You praise.

My thoughts aren’t Your thoughts. My ways aren’t like Yours.

May I seek to worship now. Thank You for Your everlasting love. You see my heart, Your know my thoughts, You know . . .

I have failed to stop and remember, of what You’ve already done. You’ve carried the cross up that steep, rugged path. You willingly suffered nails in Your hands.

You loved me first. You love me last. You love beyond the farthest star in the Universe.

I am held in Love’s grasp.

I love You Jesus. I draw near to You. And You draw near because Your name is Faithful and True. Not because of anything about me. You died on the cross.
“Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, . . .” in this heart, right now. Cover me with the blood of Your Son.

You rose from the dead.

May I come to know the power of Your resurrection.

“Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us, . . .” from our natural ways.

All to Jesus, I surrender, all to Him I freely give, 
let me do whatever lies before me as if it were for You Lord.
For You Lord, may my work be my praise. May this hymn be my song, all of my days:

All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live. 

I surrender all,
  I surrender all.
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
    I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
Take me, Jesus, take me now.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel Thy Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Now I feel the sacred flame.
Oh, the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory to His name!

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, Colossians 3:23.

May I praise with all that I do, today. In Jesus name, Amen.

New Year, New Directions, New Hopes, Old Foundations

If holiness is the music God hears and a broken heart the sacrifice He honors, let us turn aside our eyes each morning and be moved by the cross.

And each night in the coming year, let us give thanks and worship Him, Who faithfully and patiently watches and keeps, and never fails to zealously love us.

“Transform us Lord, these coming days, as we wholly desire to know You more, and more, and grow in Your grace to trust more fully in Your ways. This is my prayer me, Your Church, Your Bride—and for all who choose to draw near and abide.”
This is the closest thing to a New Year’s resolution.

I remember the first time the Lord put on my heart,

“You’re a worship leader.” It was many, many years ago when my second child was in a baby seat.
I thought I had an image of what a “worship leader” was to be, but God had plans way beyond my imagination.

Through the course of over 30 years, marriage, pregnancy, chronic laryngitis, children, teaching, serving, moving, sickness, and recovery, and the beauty of brokenness, God has shown me,

“Toni, to lead in worship is simple and true. Look to Me. Talk to Me. And Believe Me and My Word, through and through, no matter the rough terrain, the pain;

I wash all the stains.

Look to the cross, and lead others there—children, and hurting, and feeble, and doubting. Talk of Me and pray, I will strengthen and empower.

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself, John 12:32. 

So, to begin a new year with old foundations laid, I set out to frame God’s Word, powerful and true:

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth, Psalm 46:10.


Jesus. Old words, prayerful songs, I pray I will remember and consider the whole year long.
It seems easy, yet not—to let sound out on these words so sweet. The reality is, . . . these thoughts are difficult to speak,  in truth and honesty.

The Lord God Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, He knows my heart, He sees. He knows and understands the wrestling.

As a child, I want to open up my voice. Will you join me? Not reluctantly, but the best we can today, faith-fully:

“Open my eyes, Lord. I want to see Jesus. To reach out and touch You, And say that I love You. 
Open my ears, Lord, and help me to listen. Open my eyes, Lord, I want to see Jesus.
To mean these words, with all my heart, soul, and mind, I need help from Him, but I believe. Help me grow to believe more, . . .

In His time.
In His time.
He makes all things beautiful,
In His time.
Lord, please show me everyday,
As You’re teaching me Your way,
That You do just what You say
In Your time.
Lord, our lives to You we bring
May each song we have to sing
Be to You a lovely thing
In Your time.”
I never thought a worship leader could lead with a pen. But I hope and pray that I have put a song on your heart to sing to Him.
“Dear Lord, Open my, (our) ears, open my, (our) eyes, help me, (us) to trust that You will make all things beautiful, in Your time. In Jesus name, I, (we) pray, Amen.”

O Lord, may our consolation be speaking the hymn, Nearer, My God, to Thee

Let us pour out our broken and sad hearts to You. Our lips are parched, we thirst. Be to us as the morning dew:

Near-er, my God, to Thee, Near-er to Thee, E’en though it be a cross That rais-eth me!

Still all my song shall be, Near-er, my God, to Thee; Near-er, my God, to Thee,
Near-er to Thee!

“Speak in Psalms, speak in hymns,” perhaps this is our only consolation in,
pain, and suffering, and agony of spirit. “Draw near to God, and He will draw near,”(1) this is our prayer, that we feel Your love and not the fear.

Though like the wan-der-er, The sun gone down, Dark-ness be o-ver me, My rest a stone; Yet in my dreams I’d be, Near-er, my God, to Thee;

Near-er, my God, to Thee,
Near-er to Thee!

Oh God, help us let our thoughts rise to heaven.

“For we know that if this tent which is our earthly home is destroyed, we have from God a building, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2)

There let the way ap-pear, Steps un-to heav’n; All that Thou send-est me, In mercy giv’n An-gels to beck-on me, Near-er, my God, to The;

Near-er, my God, to Thee, 
Near-er to Thee!

“In everything give thanks,” (3)

O God, we can’t without You showing us, revealing to us, healing and carrying us through.
God, You are love. You are light. We are poor and needy, Lord Jesus come rescue us in our plight.

We worship You because You loved us first. You suffered and died for each one of us as you hung in the cross.

Then, with my wak-ing tho’ts Bright with Thy praise, Out of my ston-y griefs Beth-el I’ll raise, So by my woes to be, Near-er to God, to Thee;

Near-er to God, to Thee,
Near-er to Thee!

Your word is sweet as honey sometimes. Your word is bitter as well. Help change and transform our hearts and our minds. That we might” prove what is the good and acceptable will of God,” (4) that we might say, ” I am Yours.

No matter what, I will trust in Your Love.”

Or if, on joy-ful wing Cleav-ing the sky, Sun, moon, and stars forgot, Up-ward I fly, Still all my song shall be, Near-er my God, to Thee, 
Still all my song shall be, Near-er my God, to Thee, Near-er to Thee.

Our song is sad in light of today, but God, only You are able to comfort our pain, with word pictures of life forever with You. . .
With streets of gold, praises to sing,  in the presence of the King of all Kings, for all eternity.

We sing a psalm. We speak a hymn. Or perhaps we simply cry, in hope and the light of Him.

(1) James 4:8
(2) 2 Corinthians 5:1
(3) 1 Thessalonians 5:18
(4) Romans 12:2
Nearer, My God, to Thee (Sarah F. Adams 1840).

O God I need You, I am the U.S. of A.

“There is a draught, O God, a great draught of heat and stubbornness and parched lives, but some don’t even know it. Some can’t even see.
“Rain down mercy LORD.” What else can we pray? “Merciful Lord, ‘not giving us what we deserve today.”
“Rain down Your Spirit Lord- “Not by might, nor by Power – Rain down Your Spirit Lord, Cleanse us this hour.”
“Turn the hearts that are stone, back to flesh…back to flesh. Remove the hands from the ears. We need to hear…let us hear.”
“There is a draught, O God. Great heat, fatigue and stubbornness. Rain down Your Spirit Lord, flood this dark world with Your Light. That the stains of arrogance and pride that make us ‘turn to our own way’  – would they be washed away… even washed away from all sight.”
“This is impossible with men, impossible it is. But O God, with You, all things are possible to come true. Dear Jesus, fill us with hope, and increase our faith. Our faith to believe that You can create – even new creations . Yes, today in our hearts, create in us a clean heart. Give us a new start.”
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation. Old things have passed away, behold all things become new!” (2 Cor. 5:17). This is Your Word – ‘in You, this is True.’ “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”(John 23:34). This is Your prayer on the cross for us, and this, O God, must be our prayer …too. Forgiveness and humility, these were taught by You.
“God help us!” “God save us from ourselves!” Rain down mercy Lord, Mercy Lord, on us!” “Since You have paid our debts, complete and in full – even though our eyes can’t see…BUT, Your Spirit is able to accomplish all things. O that this ‘grain of wheat’ would fall into the ground and die, and would spring up ‘anew’ by the rain that has poured down,
and ‘spring up’ with beauty bearing fruit of love.” And, no matter what happens, even if we ‘go it alone’ we will now ‘set our minds on things above’. Our help comes from You, our Emanuel, God with us! You never left us. We left You, all of us.
“‘We don’t wrestle against flesh and blood!’ We wrestle against rulers of darkness that invade this desert place! So pour out Your Spirit, and remind us what’s true. Help us put off the old and put on You!
We love You because You first loved us! Shower us with Grace and Your great kindness. We don’t deserve on ounce of Your grace. but we humble ourselves and turn to Your face. You are the Lord, the bond of perfection. In each of our human hearts, be  our Resurrection!
Help us to know the Story You have written, and spend time to know our story as a nation. Without You … we are nothing. O God, help us turn around. Give us discernment of the lies and to know the speeches that are sound!
There is hope, one heart at a time. O God, O how I need You. I am seeking citizenship … in heaven.   Light this candle and let me pass it on, one by one, in this darkness – that it might multiply and illuminate hope and peace and life forevermore. It is good to be proud of the nation in which we live, but Dear Lord Jesus, secure my citizenship today, that in heaven I  might, in peace for always.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever would believe in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him, might be saved!” John 3:16, 17).

Please, child, take My hand – and walk…

“Please, take hold of My hand. Please, child, take My hand…I’m not ‘cross’ like you think, you must know, I understand. I have taken your sin on Myself, I’ve paid the debt in full. The pain and agony of sin, yes, I KNOW, oh, how I know. My nail-pierced hand is reaching out to you. Take hold of My hand, yes, it’s scarred, but it’s healed. Be as a child, and as you seek My face, you will discover, as you do, I am alive and filled and overflowing with grace.”
“Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” Do you remember that verse? Where were His eyes in that ageless Book?  They were on Me. I gave him instruction and guidance and courage and then, the story is told, I’m on every page, it’s all written down, Please, take time, take a look, and take notice. I love you my child, please take hold of my hand. Trust Me, and in time, you will understand…”
“The story is written, that you might believe – that God, the King, the I AM knows your need. I’ve provided not just words on a page, I’ve provided power through My Spirit to ‘whosoever’ calls out My name! “Jesus, Jeshua, Have mercy on me! Save me dear Lord, from myself and my sin!”
“‘Call unto Me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things that you don’t even know’ (Jer. 33:3). Lean not on what you think you understand, trust in Me to lead you through this often rough and dry wilderness – land. I will give you grace, grace indeed in your need. This world I have created, once all things good- is now fallen and hard, yes,  you walk among the thorns, and yes, your feet now bleed,  and your heart is torn.”
But,“I know My plans  for you, yes, a future and hope.” (Jer. 29:11). My ‘hope does not disappoint’,(Romans 5:5). you will see, as you keep your eyes upon Me. My grace all sufficient will overwhelm you with strength, that you don’t have in and of yourself, it comes by My Spirit, wait on Him, (He is ME!)  you will see.”
“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; As the Father loved ME, I ALSO have loved YOU.”Today, today, can you hear what I say? I love you, I love YOU! Yes, ME, “I do!” The God of the Universe,  the Three in One, the Creator of all things, the One who calls the stars by name, the One who is with you when you are alone and afraid. He who knows EVERY word that you say. Yes, the Father of Light’,  the Bread, and Living water, The good Shepherd – it is ME who is with you, the Immanuel, the Rock – do not fear my dear child, please take hold of My hand, I will guide you in Truth – please remember I AM!”
I meet you at the seat that is covered in mercy. I don’t give you what you deserve, I give you what you don’t. I give you grace, I give you grace, that sweet, and amazing sound – My grace all sufficient, My grace is alive. My Spirit like the wind, gentle and quiet -surrounds. Please, take hold of My hand my child. I will guide you with My eye. Read My word and stay near, you will then understand always, I AM nearby.”
“Take hold of My hand, My beloved, My bride. Walk with Me and a new song you will always sing, today, tomorrow and each day besides:
“I will rejoice in the LORD, yes, I will, ‘I do!”   And my soul will be joyful in God! He has clothed me with garments of salvation, and has  covered me with His robe. He took my old garments and covered me a-new, with His robe… His robe of righteousness.  He is as a bridegroom who decks Himself with ornaments of love, and as a bride I adorn myself with jewels of joy. As the earth brings forth its bud and the garden shines forth God’s glory, I will take hold of His hand, each day, each morning and sing praise to Him, now, and forever – THIS will be my story!” (my paraphrase of Is. 61:10,11).

Want to pray for America? Anne Graham Lotz gives us the words:

Does your heart break for our country? Do you lack the words to pray to God?  Anne Graham Lotz, the daughter of Billy Graham has given us words in which to pray for our America, (I share the prayer she invited us to pray in its entirety):
“JEHOVAH ELOHE ABOTHEKEM:
THE LORD, THE GOD OF YOUR FATHERS How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you? 2″
We worship You, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. You are the living God of our nation’s founding fathers: George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, and many others. We pledge our allegiance as one nation under You. Every time we use American money to buy or sell, we make the statement that in You we have placed our trust.
We acknowledge that You are the One who has set us high above all the nations on the earth. You have made us the head and not the tail. We have led the free world. The whole world has known that we are identified with You, and they have respected us.
Again and again, You have given us victory over our enemies.
You have blessed us when we have gone out and when we have come in.
You have blessed us in our bustling cities and in our beautiful countryside.
You have blessed our “fruited plain” so that we have had an abundance for ourselves and for others.
You have opened up the storehouse of Your bounty, and have blessed the work of our hands.
You have given us unprecedented prosperity so that we have lent to many nations but been debtor to none.3 Until now. O Lord God of our Fathers, what has happened to the United States of America, the land that we love?
We acknowledge that You______________
For one hour each day for the past five days, we have worshipped You and confessed our sin before You. Now, Lord God of our Fathers, we turn to You and confess the sin of our beloved nation, United States of America.
We are appalled by the blatant sin that is all around us. We dare not lift up our faces before You. We are covered with shame. How could we, in our arrogance, pride and rebellion, dare to even think, much less discuss and legalize defiance of Your institution of marriage? How could we publicly celebrate relationships that are an affront and a contradiction to Your Creator’s instructions for living the life You have graciously given us? How can we willingly, intentionally exterminate life that You created and that bears Your image…for our own convenience?
Life is still precious…to You. All life. Your rules still apply. Your principles still work. Your instructions are still valid. Your opinion still matters. More than anyone else’s. How could we even imagine that nine Supreme Court Justices could overturn what You have said? How could we have reached the conclusion that …
What we want is so vital,
What we think is so critical,
What we feel is so crucial…
That we elevate ourselves over You?
We are appalled by_______
We are so ashamed that our nation that was founded on faith in You has turned its back on You. And we know better. Our history records the faith of our fathers. If You do not judge us, then You will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah. We have had so much more truth then the Sodomites did, and therefore we are more accountable for our sin. We have heard Your warning. The Day of the Lord is near and it’s going to be ugly. In response, we fall at the foot of the Cross and repent of every sin that made the death of Jesus necessary. Every sin that even now is provoking Your judgment.
We confess national addiction to sex. To money. To pleasure. To entertainment. To pornography. To technology. To drugs. To alcohol. To food. To television. To popularity. To ourselves.
We confess we no longer fear You, and thus we have not even the beginning of wisdom with which to handle the vast knowledge we possess.
We confess our foolishness of denying You as the one, true, living God, our Creator to whom we are accountable, living as though our lives are a cosmic accident with no eternal significance, purpose or meaning.
We confess our greed that has run up trillions of dollars of national debt.
We confess our arrogance and pride that has led us to think we are sufficient in ourselves.
We confess to believing that the prosperity of our nation is because we are great while refusing to acknowledge that all blessings come from Your hand.
We confess that we depend upon our military might and our weapons systems to protect us from harm and danger, while denying, defying, and ignoring You.
We confess that we have succumbed to the pressure of pluralism in our desire to be inclusive so that we honor other gods as though You are just one of many.
We confess that we have allowed the material blessings You have given us to deceive us into thinking we don’t need You.
We confess that we feel entitled to what someone else has earned, instead of taking responsibility for ourselves and our families as we trust in You.
We confess that we live as though material wealth and prosperity will bring happiness.
We confess that we have marginalized truth and mainstreamed lies.
We confess that we have become one nation under many gods, divided and polarized, with license to sin and justice that no longer follows the rule of law.4
We confess________________
Therefore, we turn to You with tears of shame and a heart of fear for the judgment we are provoking. The Spirit within us witnesses to the truth that the Day of the Lord is soon! You are backing away from us as we tell You to get out of our national life. We are losing Your blessing as a nation. So we turn to You with humility. With sincerity. Out of necessity. With a desperate sense of urgency.
We turn to You with ________
Hear our prayer. Forgive our sin. Heal our land. We are standing in the gap for our nation. In the name of the One who was with You in the beginning,5 the One to whom our forefathers looked, and the One who is with us today. JESUS.

We come to You…
we bow before You…
in His name and for Your glory.
Amen.”
[1] John 17:11
[2] Joshua 18:3
[3] This paragraph is drawn from Deuteronomy 28:1-14
[4] Some of these confessions have been take with permission from The Daniel Prayer,Anne GrahamLotz, Zondervan Publishing, Grand Rapids, MI, 2016
[5] John 1:2
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