LEAN INTO LENT DAY 15
(Psalm 63:6-7) Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise You. So, I will bless you as long as I live; in Your name I will lift up my hands.
There are many ways to worship. Some kneel, some bow, some raise their hands, some dance, some play instruments, some fold hands, some speak Scripture, some speak in tongues. Actions speak louder than words sometimes. Have you ever been so surprised by something you read, saw, or heard that you have an immediate emotional response? True worship often evokes an emotional or physical response. When you lose yourself in adoration, or maybe even in feelings of unworthiness, you have found your love language to the Lord. What is yours?
PRAYER: When I recognize Your majesty, a manifestation like the beauty of a child’s face or an astounding sunset, will You remind me to worship You? Will You bring me to raise my eyes in praise, or bring me to comment to someone nearby that God has spoken to my heart? When I need to write that note to someone who has loved me in Jesus’ Name, or express my grief when someone has lost a loved one, help me act on those opportunities to worship You because You taught me to care. Allow me to express back to You, God, that I’ve been in Your presence. Thank you for affecting my soul and teaching me to worship. Amen.
From my book Restore My Soul: A Lenten Journey,
MY PSALM 318 ASSURANCE
Abba, Father in Heaven,
Praised be Your Name in all the earth,
For You are my Creator, Sustainer,
And my reason for being.
From the beginning You have charted my course,
Developed my life-plan, chosen me to be Your child.
I am thankful beyond what words can express.
Thank You for the family You chose for me,
Parents, siblings, grandparents
And clouds of witnesses who spoke faith to me,
Praying on my behalf and teaching me to pray.
I thank You for faithful educators
Who developed my talents,
Who gave me confidence to share with others,
And ultimately to teach hundreds of children
In a fruitful career.
Thank You for sustaining me in a long marriage,
For the mate You chose for me from the beginning,
And the children You provided for us to love and nurture.
I have the blessed assurance that You have protected,
You have guided, and You will be our strength in aging
And guiding us soon to be in Your Eternal Presence.
Your Word contains the wisdom of the ages,
The covenant of grace, Your plan for salvation.
It teaches, refreshes, directs, admonishes,
And provides hope and assurance
That Your guiding Hand brings the best for us.
Through days of comfort, You provide peace.
Through days of conflict, You direct our paths.
Through times of decision, You give insight,
Through times of wandering, You bring us back,
Through days for suffering, You salve with comfort,
Through days of hope, You cause us to shout Hallelujah.
Thank You for being our strength,
Our comfort, our protector, our shield and buckler,
A very present help in times of trouble
And the Rock of our salvation
Our Abba Father, and our joy. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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