October 12, 2016 – The Peanut Gallery

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? – Romans 10:13-14 (NLT)

Prayer: a loving Christian Witness

Heavenly Father – Over the past week we have seen the sinful nature of Donald Trump on full display before the whole world. It wasn’t pretty.

But, truth be told, everyone’s sinful nature is ugly; and no one can withstand the scrutiny of everything that we’ve said and done in private. We cringe at the thought of the final judgement when all of our sins will be laid bare before You. Apart from the cross of Christ, we are eternally damned.

And that’s the point, Lord. Even though You see how far we have fallen, You still love us and have given us Your Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins that we may be presented faultless before You on the day of judgement. Jesus came to save us, not condemn us – and that’s the story to be told to our nation. There is redemption.

And so, I pray for Donald Trump – that this public humiliation would prepare his heart to hear and receive the Good News of Your love and forgiveness. Surround him with people who will befriend him, pray for him, and lovingly share the Gospel with him in a way that he can understand.

I pray, too, for all Americans – that we might examine our own lives, confess our own sins, private and public, and seek Your mercy and forgiveness. Prepare all of us for the day of judgement, and cover us with the blood of Christ that we may be presented faultless before You.

I also pray for those who have been quick to condemn and abandon Donald Trump. Forgive their hypocrisy for they are no better or worse than he is in Your sight. They will have their own day of reckoning when all will be made clear.

Thank You, heavenly Father, for Your desire that none should perish – we are all redeemable. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for paying the price of our redemption on the cross. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for empowering us to be loving witnesses of redemption in these troubling times.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit – one God forever. Amen.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Sentence

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Reading: Psalm 119:73-78 (NLT)

You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands.

May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy, for I have put my hope in your word. I know, O Lord, that your regulations are fair; you disciplined me because I needed it. Now let your unfailing love comfort me, just as you promised me, your servant. Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live, for your instructions are my delight. Bring disgrace upon the arrogant people who lied about me; meanwhile, I will concentrate on your commandments.

Reading: Jeremiah 18:1-6 (NLT)

The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, “Go down to the potter’s shop, and I will speak to you there.” So I did as he told me and found the potter working at his wheel. But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over.

Then the Lord gave me this message: “O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand.

Reading: Romans 8:25-26 (NLT)

If we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.

Prayer

O God, forgive the poverty and pettiness of our prayers. Listen not to our words, but to the yearning of our hearts. Hear beneath our petitions the crying of our need. (Peter Marshall)

I cannot speak, unless You loose my tongue; I only stammer, and I speak uncertainly; but if You touch my mouth, my Lord, then I will sing of Your wonders!

I have a dream that all the world will meet You, and know You, Jesus, in Your living power, that someday soon all people everywhere will hear Your story, and hear it in a way they understand.

So many who have heard forget to tell the story.

Here am I, my Jesus: teach me. (Caedmon)

“The Potter’s Hand” – Hillsong

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!