Tumult
into your presence.
There show me what I am,
and what you have purposed me to be.
Than hide me from your tears.
O King and Savior,
what is your gift to me?
And do I use it to your pleasing?
(a prayer of Hild of Whitby)
I Bow
At Thy feet I bow, adoring,
Bending lower, lower still;
Giving up my all to follow,
Just to do my Master's will.
(photo by Jeremy Yap via unsplash.com)
A Prayer in Sadness
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Look on me, Lord,
look on my sad heart,
look on my low spirit.
Come to me where I am,
and carry me out of here.
You are the Lifter of my head.
You are my Shield and Strength.
You give me songs in the night.
Gracious God, please turn my mourning into dancing,
and replace this shroud of sadness
with the garment of gladness,
with a crown of joy.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with your Holy Spirit,
in Jesus' name, amen.
(photo by Lasse Møller via unsplash.com)
Hard Work and Small Rewards
I accept hard work and small rewards in this life. I ask for no easy place. I shall try to be blind to the little ways that could make life easier. If others seek the smoother path I shall try to take the hard way without judging them too harshly. I shall expect opposition and try to take it quietly when it comes. Or if, as sometimes it falleth out to Thy servants, I should have grateful gifts pressed upon me by Thy kindly people, stand by me then and save me from the blight that often follows. Teach me to use whatever I receive in such manner that will not injure my soul nor diminish my spiritual power. And if in Thy permissive providence honor should come to me from Thy church, let me not forget in that hour that I am unworthy of the least of Thy mercies, and that if men knew me as intimately as I know myself they would withhold their honors or bestow them upon others more worthy to receive them.
And now, O Lord of heaven and earth, I consecrate my remaining days to Thee; let them be many or few, as Thou wilt. Let me stand before the great or minister to the poor and lowly; that choice is not mine, and I would not influence it if I could. I am Thy servant to do Thy will, and that will is sweeter to me than position or riches or fame and I choose it above all things on earth or in heaven.
Amen.
(a prayer of A. W. Tozer; photo by jzoerb via unsplash.com)
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