Therefore since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus…and since we have a great High Priest over the household of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and full assurance of faith…
Praise and worship
Blessed are you, God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for you have blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as you chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before you. You destined us in love for adoption as your children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of your will, to the praise of your glorious grace that you freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our sins, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight you have made known to us the mystery of your will, according to your good pleasure that you set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to your purpose, as you accomplish all things according to your counsel and will, so that we, who set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him, when we had heard the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation, and had believed in him, we were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as your own people, to the praise of your glory.
Trust
Heavenly Father, I trust your love, grace and acceptance, and that you created and saved me to live for your glory. I trust in your Son Jesus Christ as the saviour of the world, and your gospel as your power for salvation for all who believe. I trust in your Son Jesus Christ as the loving, powerful and generous saviour, head, lord, and judge of his church. I trust you as the just judge of all people, and that you will bring glory to yourself in the church and in Christ Jesus.
Thanksgiving
I praise and thank you for the privilege of gospel ministry: for all ministry opportunities in speaking, preaching and teaching, encouraging, praying, and writing; for past and present ministries in Melbourne, London and Durham, especially at St Jude’s and Ridley, and for wider and overseas ministries, in speaking and writing; and for my present ministries. Thank you for every opportunity for ministry that you give me, and for your enabling power, forgiveness, and mercy.
Living before you
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Forth in Thy Name, O Lord, I go, My daily labour to pursue; Thee, only Thee, resolved to know In all I think or speak or do… The task Thy wisdom hath assigned, O let me cheerfully fulfill; In all my works Thy presence find, And prove Thy good and perfect will… Thee may I set at my right hand, Whose eyes mine inmost substance see, |
And labour on at Thy command, And offer all my works to Thee… Give me to bear Thy easy yoke, And every moment watch and pray, And still to things eternal look, And hasten to Thy glorious day… For Thee delightfully employ Whate’er Thy bounteous grace hath giv’n; And run my course with even joy, And closely walk with thee to heaven. |
Ministry
Please help me to: Avoid evil and corrupt teachers; Know the Scriptures which are able to make me wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus; Be equipped for every good work by the Bible; Preach the word, with all patience and teaching; Take my part in the gospel team, that the message may be fully proclaimed, and all the nations might hear it.
Every day
Please make me the person you want me to be, prepare me to do the good works you want me to do, and help me to do them. May I live today by these words of Paul: ‘For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain’. Today I offer myself to you, to love, worship and serve you. Please help me serve you today in all that I plan to do, and in the unexpected opportunities you send. Please increase my proactive love, friendliness, tolerance and generosity, and my sympathy, patience and forbearance.
Please increase and multiply the effects of my ministry and prayers, as the people I teach, train, pray for and encourage, continue to teach, train, pray for and encourage others as well.
I trust you: to provide all the gifts, time, energy and health for me to live for you and do the good works you have prepared for me to do; to place me where you want me to serve you; to use my life and ministry; and to hear and answer my prayers.
May this day be my best day of knowing, loving and serving you, and living for your glory.
I pray all these prayers in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and through him. Amen.
Image: Otto Greiner, Betende Hände
