Saturday, June 19, 2010

the throne of grace...

We often tend to divorce social justice from personal sin and infirmity. The prayers, hymns and verses from "Daily Praise and Prayer" are good reminders that if we are to be agents of  peace and justice in the world, we could do worse than to seek the aid of grace.  Today's devotion from "Daily Praise and Prayer"...

 "SEEING then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

They who seek the throne of grace
Find that throne in every place;
If we live a life of prayer,
God is present everywhere.

In our sickness or our health,
In our want or in our wealth,
If we look to God in prayer,
God is present everywhere.

When our earthly comforts fail,
When the foes of life prevail, '
Tis the time for earnest prayer :
God is present everywhere.

ETERNAL Spirit, whose nearness to man is the beginning of all religion, grant us in all love and obedience to be reckoned thy children ; and through the breathing of thy Holy Spirit may the whole family of mankind be joined into one, and sanctified. Pour on thy servants the increase of faith, hope, and charity, that they may both faithfully serve thee in time 'and enjoy thee in eternity. Grant us so to have our inward sight quickened, and our better mind strengthened, that we may avoid what destroys and lay hold on what works perpetual peace. Grant that a new birth of heart may set free those whom sin would hold as slaves in the old bondage. As we are saved from all evil by partaking of thy thought, so may we ever be preserved by thy power. In the spirit of him who was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin, we would come boldly to thy throne of grace : may we obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need, and evermore enjoy the peace of thy kingdom. Amen."

Blessings

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