Unchanging Love

Lord,

thank you for your eternal, unfailing love.

When I succeed in some endeavors,

and stumble and fail in more,

thank you for your love for me.

When I’m happy, secure, and confident,

when I’m discouraged, sad, and timid,

thank you for your love for me.

When I’m praying, reading your Word, and soaring in spirit,

when I’m exhausted, dull in my flesh, and rebellious,

thank you for your love for me.

When I’m believing, full of faith, and victorious,

when I’m fearful, anxious, and distrusting,

thank you for your love for me.

When some accept me,

and others reject me,

thank you for your love for me.

Whether the sun is shining and the sky is bright,

or darkness comes with storms and clouds,

thank you that your love for me never changes.

Lord, I am up one moment,

down the next,

limited, temperamental, capricious, and fickle.

You are my rock,

your love my anchor,

your grace and mercy

a refuge and respite

from the world and from me.

Thank you that your love never depended on me,

you love because you are love,

please give me the grace,

to delve into the heights, lengths,

widths, and depths of your love,

to never be familiar and always in awe of you,

seeking, open, wondering,

asking, knocking, trusting

expectant in faith and hope

of knowing you more.

I need you and I love you Lord.

Amen.

I Will Praise

Lord,

I praise you in all my circumstances,

thankful that this can be my offering

when the enemy overwhelms

and life gets dark,

I’m blessed to praise you.

It’s a chance to exercise my faith

on this side of heaven,

such a simple act

where there’s sorrow, frustration, and pain,

where my eyes are still veiled,

and I only dimly perceive your Spirit,

I’m blessed to praise you.

Thank you that it’s what I’m made for,

the eternal preoccupation of my spirit,

to gaze upon your beauty,

worship you in truth and Spirit,

and wait upon your presence.

The enemy lies with distractions and anxieties,

tasks that push and press.

He’s a liar and deceiver,

and I cast these thoughts that overwhelm

into your care,

and I praise you.

I praise you for your salvation,

your mighty healing and deliverance,

your lovingkindness, mercy, and care,

your guidance, counsel, and leading.

I praise you for your timing,

your perfect will and ways,

your holiness, your mystery,

revealing yourself to the world,

to me.

I praise you Abba, Son, and Ruach,

I’m secure, I’m safe, I’m well content

in the fellowship of your beautiful presence.

Amen.

Live Worthy

Lord,

let me see you rightly,

holy, sovereign, powerful, beautiful,

loving you and obeying you rightly.

Cleanse me

with your spirit of repentance,

the spirit of the fear of the Lord,

burn away all bondages in my heart

that cling to the material elements

of this world that will all pass away.

Open my eyes, ears, and heart

to see straight through to the heavens

peering into eternity,

realizing my days are less than a breath,

my time fleeting here on earth,

it will all pass away,

so may my earthly life be forfeit,

dying with you,

that I would gain eternal life,

rising in you.

Help me to surrender all,

letting go of what seems so important,

my priorities, my ways, my plans…

and want you alone,

laying down personal gain

so I will gain all of you.

Be my everything,

set yourself as a seal upon my heart,

a seal upon my arm,

be who and what I live for,

your glory, your Name, your honor.

Because you alone are worthy Lord.

Amen.