Scripture and Prayer on Friday, March 5, 2021

Pastor David reads Jeremiah 5:1-9, 20-31 and offers a prayer from St. Augustine:

Come, Lord,
work on us,
set us on fire
and clasp us close,
be fragrant to us,
draw us to your love,
let us run to you.

Posted by Mt. Haley Church of God on Friday, March 5, 2021

Scripture and Prayer on Monday, March 1, 2021

Pastor David reads Jeremiah 1 and offers a prayer from Genna Rae McNeil:

Lord, it’s more than I’ll ever understand,
how I am preserved by thy hand.
But then there’s only two things required of me:
to be faithful (because I’ve been set free)
and to be willing to be used by Thee.
So Lord I come willing to be used by Thee.

(refrain)
Lord, I’m willing.
Lord, I am willing your will and way to see.
Lord, I’m willing. Lord, I’m willing.
Lord, I’m willing to be used by Thee.

Though sometimes I don’t feel worthy,
consecrate me. I’m saved, I’m not the same.
Though the world may under-rate me,
dedicate me so I’ll be wholly changed.

Lord, I’m willing. Here I stand.
Lord, I’m willing. Take my hand
and keep me by thy grace,
so I can run this race.

Posted by Mt. Haley Church of God on Monday, March 1, 2021

Scripture and Prayer on Friday, February 26, 2021

Pastor David reads Deuteronomy 10:12-22 and 11:18-28, and offers a prayer from Gardner Calvin Taylor:

Our Father and our God, we open now our very souls before you, for something within us craves food which the bread of this world cannot satisfy. We would slake our thirst at the everlasting fountain.

We thank you for all you have done for us, for the way you have shepherded us and provided for us all this journey through, for family and friends and the fulfillment of daily work. Above all, for Jesus your Son, our Lord.

We lift before you our nation, so splendid in possibility, so stricken and uncertain in this moment of its history. Give us again the vision of a nation under God, moving to be what you would have us be and to do what you bid us do. We pray for all political prisoners and, indeed, for all who languish in cells anywhere. Likewise we hold up before you those who have come within sight of the grave. Sustain them. Bless our young people seeking to find the point and purpose of their lives. Bless all who are here and those who worship with us beyond this visible company.

Bless this church and your churches everywhere. Put on your churches’ lips the old Gospel of Bethlehem and Galilee and Calvary’s resurrection morning. Come among us. Set the fires of God burning afresh in our hearts.

Let the words we utter here with our mouths and the thoughts we think with our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord our strength and our Redeemer.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord we make our petition – Amen.

Posted by Mt. Haley Church of God on Friday, February 26, 2021

Scripture and Prayer on Thursday, February 25, 2021

Pastor David reads Deuteronomy 9:23-10:5 and offers a story and prayer from Sojourner Truth:

She avers that, in her darkest hours, she had no fear of any worse hell than the one she then carried in her bosom, though it had ever been pictured to her in its deepest colors, and threatened her as a reward for all her misdemeanors. Her vileness and God’s holiness and all-pervading presence, which filled imensity, and threatened her with instant annihilation, composed the burden of her vision of terror. Her faith in prayer is equal to her faith in the love of Jesus. Her language is, “Let others say what they will of the efficacy of Prayer, *I* believe in it, and *I* shall pray. Thank God! Yes, *I shall always pray*,” she exclaims, putting her hands together with the greatest enthusiasm.

For some time subsequent to the happy change we have spoken of, Isabella’s prayers partook largely of their former character; and while, in deep affliction, she labored for the recovery of her son, she prayed with constancy and fervor; and the following may be taken as a specimen: —

“Oh, God, you know how much I am distressed, for I have told you again and again. Now, God, help me get my son. If you were in trouble, as I am, and I could help you, as you can me, think I wouldn’t do it? Yes, God, you *know* I would do it. Oh, God, you know I have no money, but you can make the people do for me, and you must make the people do for me. I will never give you peace till you do, God. Oh, God, make the people hear me – don’t let them turn me off, without hearing and helping me.”

Posted by Mt. Haley Church of God on Thursday, February 25, 2021

Scripture and Prayer on Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Pastor David reads Deuteronomy 9:13-21 and offers a prayer by Phillis Wheatley, “A Mother’s Prayer for the Child in Her Womb”:

Oh my Gracious Preserver! Hithertoo you have brought me. Be pleased when you bring to the birth to give me strength to bring forth, living and perfect, a being who shall be greatly instrumental in promoting your glory. Though conceived in Sin and brought forth in iniquity, yet your infinite wisdom can bring a clean thing out of an unclean, a vessel of Honor filled for your glory. Grant me to live a life of gratitude to you for the innumerable benefits. O Lord my God! Instruct my ignorance and enlighten my Darkness. You are my King; take the entire possession of all my powers and faculties and let me be no longer under the dominion of sin. Give me a sincere and hearty repentance for all my many offenses, and strengthen by your grace my resolutions on amendment and circumspection for the time to come. Grant me also the spirit of Prayer and Supplication according to your own most gracious Promises.

Posted by Mt. Haley Church of God on Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Scripture and Prayer on Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Pastor David reads Deuteronomy 9:4-12 and offers a prayer from Charles Price Jones:

Lord, rebuke Thy servant not
In Thine anger fierce and hot,
For Thy wrath I cannot bear,
Pity me and hear my prayer.
Leave me not in deep distress,
Look upon my helplessness;
Abba Father, oh, I pray,
Turn Thy heavy wrath away.

My shortcomings I confess,
But Thou art my righteousness,
Without Thee I would not dare
Even attempt to make a prayer.
Lord, if sin lies at the door,
Give me grace to sin no more,
But, O Lord, in pity heed
My heart-groanings as I plead.

Lord, Thy favor now restore,
Bind my wound and heal my sore,
Loose my body from this pain,
Give me health and peace again.
But, O Lord, deep in my soul
Let the floods of glory roll!
Hallelujah! I am free,
Lord, by faith, by faith in Thee.

Posted by Mt. Haley Church of God on Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Scripture and Prayer on Friday, January 15, 2021

Pastor David reads Ephesians 3:1-13 and offers a prayer from the 16th century:

O Lord, the Scripture says, “There is a time for silence and a time for speech.”
Savior, teach me the silence of humility,
the silence of wisdom,
the silence of love,
the silence of perfection,
the silence that speaks without words,
the silence of faith.
Lord, teach me to silence my own heart that I may listen to the gentle movement of the Holy Spirit within me and be aware of your depths.

Posted by Mt. Haley Church of God on Thursday, January 14, 2021

Scripture and Prayer on Thursday, January 14, 2021

Pastor David reads Ephesians 2:11-22 and offers a prayer from the Chapel of Unity in the Coventry Cathedral:

Father, we pray for your Church throughout the world, that it may share to the full in the work of your Son, revealing you to people and reconciling people to you and to one another; that we and all Christian people may learn to love one another as you have loved us, and your Church may more and more reflect the unity which is your will and your gift, in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Posted by Mt. Haley Church of God on Thursday, January 14, 2021

Scripture and Prayer on Wednesday, January 13, 2021

Pastor David reads Ephesians 2:1-10 and offers a prayer from Thomas Ken:

O my God, may I always keep myself in your love, by praying in the Holy Spirit. As your infinite love is always streaming in blessings on me, so let my soul be always breathing love to you.

Posted by Mt. Haley Church of God on Wednesday, January 13, 2021