Prayer for March 22, 2014

I trust in You, Lord.

My broken and weary heart, with it’s pathetic capacities, leans on You.

I will be glad and rejoice in Your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles and are moved with compassion for me; more than a Father who is moved with compassion on his son, you are always near and always desiring to help.

You care, God! You care about what happens to me, even more than I do!

You care about the anguish of my soul, so I am trusting in You with all my heart.

You are the God whom I seek. You are my God, I have nothing good apart from You!

My future is in Your hands, every moment and circumstance. You know, Father, how hard this is for me to believe! Almost every time I think of the future, I am overwhelmed with fear. Please continue to train my heart in Your ways, so I can rely on your solid faithfulness more than air and gravity! Your sufficiency is more real than these.

In Your hands, I confess that my future will be filled with your goodness, for you have stored up vast quantities of goodness for those who fear you and trust in You with all their hearts. You lavish everything good, sweet and tender on those who find their shelter in You!

You hide me in the sanctuary of your constant presence, safe and sound. Here there is no past to haunt me, no future to worry about; just your present Presence holding and keeping me. Please let me stay here, all my life!

-based on Ps 31:6-7, 14-15, 19-20

Can You Hear The Invitation?

The snow is melting here in Louisville, finally.

Queen Jadis has been defeated and Aslan is shaking his mane, causing ripples of life to spread throughout the land! Birds are singing and green things are growing again. The power and providence of God is new everywhere.

As you walk through it all, what is the invitation that you hear from God?

Get up, my dear friend,
    fair and beautiful lover—come to me!
Look around you: Winter is over;
    the winter rains are over, gone!
Spring flowers are in blossom all over.
    The whole world’s a choir—and singing!
Spring warblers are filling the forest
    with sweet arpeggios.
Lilacs are exuberantly purple and perfumed,
    and cherry trees fragrant with blossoms.
Oh, get up, dear friend,
    my fair and beautiful lover—come to me!
Come, my shy and modest dove—
    leave your seclusion, come out in the open.
Let me see your face,
    let me hear your voice.
For your voice is soothing
    and your face is ravishing. (Song of Solomon 2:10-14 MSG)