“In Prayer” – Valley of Vision

O Lord, in prayer I launch far out into the eternal world, and on that broad ocean my soul triumphs over all evils on the shores of mortality. Time, with its gay amusements and cruel disappointments never appears so inconsiderate as then.

In prayer I see myself as nothing; I find my heart going after Thee with intensity, and long with vehement thirst to live to Thee. Blessed be the strong gales of the Spirit that speed me on my way to the New Jerusalem.

In prayer all things here below vanish, and nothing seems important but holiness of heart and the salvation of others.

In prayer all my worldly cares, fears, anxieties disappear, and are of as little significance as a puff of wind.

In prayer my soul inwardly exults with lively thoughts at what Thou art doing for Thy church, and I long that Thou shouldest get Thyself a great name from sinners returning to Zion.

In prayer I am lifted above the frowns and flatteries of life, and taste heavenly joys; entering into the eternal world I can give myself to Thee with all my heart, to be Thine for ever.

In prayer I can place all my concerns in Thy hands, to be entirely at Thy disposal, having no will or interest of my own.

In prayer I can intercede for my friends, ministers, sinners, the church, Thy kingdom to come, with greatest freedom, ardent hopes, as a son to his father, as a lover to the beloved.

Help me to be all prayer and never to cease praying.

Sometimes

 

My wife and I heard this song while volunteering at Passion, and were encouraged by it; having received the new Passion cd in the mail today, we were encouraged all over again.  Thinking about a fellow from our church who might easily be discouraged right now, and praying for him, thought I’d record it and post it for him and others to hear…

Sometimes – David Crowder* Band

Sometimes every one of us feels
Like we’ll never be healed
Sometimes

Sometimes every one of us aches
Like we’ll never be saved
Sometimes

When we’ve given up
Let Your healing come
When there’s nothing left
Let Your healing come
‘Til we’re rising up
Let Your healing come

Where you go, we will follow 
Where you go, we will follow 

It’s Your love that we adore
It’s like a sea without a shore
We’re lost in You, we’re lost in You 
It’s Your love that we adore
It’s like a sea without a shore
We’re lost in You, we’re lost in You 
Sometimes 

Sometimes it’s like we’ll never atone
For all the love that we’ve known
Sometimes like in a smile or a song
When you feel it come
And that feeling’s gone
It flies

When we’ve given up
Let Your healing come
When there’s nothing left
Let Your healing come
‘Til we’re rising up
Let Your healing come

Where you go, we will follow 
Where you go, we will follow 

It’s Your love that we adore
It’s like a sea without a shore
We’re lost in You, we’re lost in You 
It’s Your love that we adore
It’s like a sea without a shore
We’re lost in You, we’re lost in You  
Don’t be afraid
Don’t be afraid
Just set your sail

And let’s risk the ocean – there’s only grace 
Let’s risk the ocean – there’s only grace 
Let’s risk the ocean – there’s only grace 
Let’s risk the ocean – there’s only grace  

God Moves in a Mysterious Way

God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up his bright designs
And works his sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence,
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain;
God is his own interpreter,
And he will make it plain.

William Cowper

i thank You God for most this amazing

i thank You God for most this amazing
day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
wich is natural which is infinite which is yes

(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun’s birthday; this is the birth
day of life and love and wings: and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)

how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any – lifted from the no
of all nothing – human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?

(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)

e. e. cummings