How Luther Taught Me to Pray
A consideration of Martin Luther's teaching on how to approach prayer. ...
Keep ReadingNot Looking Too Far: A Prayer for a Soul's Calm and Quiet
A reflection on Psalm 131: A Song of Ascents of David. O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. As a "Psalm of ascents," this was likely a Psalm that was su...
Keep ReadingConfession and Assurance 9
Read during worship in the Lord's Day at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church 8/20/17 Based upon Galatians 5:16-25 with promise of forgiveness in Acts 10:43 Almighty God, heavenly Father, we come before you confessing that we have too often gratified the desires of our sinful nature and have not borne the fruit of your Spirit as we ought. We are deeply sorry and we humbly ...
Keep ReadingConfession and Assurance 1
Confession Based upon Isaiah 6:O Lord Most High, You are holy and we are unholy, utterly unworthy of coming into your presence. We have unclean lips and live among a people of unclean lips; and apart from Christ, we are ruined. O Lord, send forth your great mercy once again: cleanse our lips and take our guilt away through the merits of your dear Son, whose death washes aw...
Keep ReadingConfession and Assurance 2
Based upon Psalm 2 Our Father in heaven, we confess that we have too often sided with the rulers of this world and stood as the kings of our own hearts against the cause of Christ in our lives. And yet we give thanks that You have installed Your Son, Jesus, as the head of the church and pray that He would subdue us more and more to his loving rule. Help us by your Holy Sp...
Keep ReadingConfession and Assurance 8
Confession based upon Philippians 2:1-13; Matt. 6:31-33 Heavenly Father, we confess that we have often acted out of selfish ambition in our lives. We have not considered others more significant than ourselves, but instead, we have sought to put our own desires and ambitions first. When given opportunities to look to the interests of others, we have asked "What's in it for...
Keep ReadingConfession and Assurance 7
Confession and Assurance based upon Philippians 3:7-11; 4:10-13, 19-20 Almighty God, we confess that we have often valued the things of this life more than the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord. Instead of suffering loss for His sake, we have pursued the things which we desire- even good things- at the cost of obedience and faithfulness to You. Instead of ...
Keep ReadingConfession of Faith and Confession of Sin 4
Confession of Faith from Lamentations 3:21-25 When affliction comes, what can we "call to mind and therefore have hope"? The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in Him." The LORD is good to those who wait for him, t...
Keep ReadingA Psalm/Prayer for a Particular Thursday Night
From Psalm 143 Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my pleas for mercy!In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done;I ponder the work of your hands.I stretch out my hands to you;my soul thirsts for you like a parch...
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