‘I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the House of the Lord”’(Psalm 122:2). Why do we go to the House of the Lord? We go ‘to give thanks to the Name of the Lord’(Psalm 122:4). We seek His mercy for our past sins: ‘Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us!’(Psalm 123:3). We seek His help for our future temptations: ‘Our help is in the Name of the Lord…’(Psalm 124:8). As we receive mercy and help from the Lord, we worship Him: ‘Blessed be the Lord’(Psalm 124:6). In our worship, we ‘look to the Lord our God’, drawing encouragement from His Word: ‘The Lord is on our side’- In Him we have the victory (Psalm 123:2; Psalm 124:1-5). Rejoicing in God’s blessing, we pray for others: ‘May they prosper who love You’(Psalm 122:6).
So often we leave church with the same burdens we had when we came in. This should never be. We turn and greet the person behind us, shake their hand, maybe a hug and smile, maybe give our name. All the while our hearts are aching. God never intended that. "And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." Acts 2:42
I attended a prayer service last night and it was really a blessing. Just getting together to talk to God, lift each other up. That is when it gets real, and sometimes that can be scary. Emotions show up, and tears....but after all is said and done, burdens lifted, hearts lightened, strangers grow closer. Real change happens from the inside out.....
Today I am thankful for the circle of prayer that reaches around the world. Heads bowed, hands clasped....in homes, churches, battlefields, sporting events, commuting cars, hospitals, in hearts and heads. He keeps them all in His bowl of gold.
"And when He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, having each one a harp, and golden bowls of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." Rev. 5:8
Thankful for the promises of God today, my gratitude list grows:
57. All our needs will be met. Phil. 4:19
58. We will have enough Grace to do whatever He asks. 2 Cor. 12:9
59. Blessings are ours through the promise of Abraham and the redemptive work on the cross. Genesis 22:18
60. We have deliverance from ALL temptation. 1 Cor. 10:13
61. We have victory over death itself. Acts 2:32
62. If we keep trusting Him, ultimately everything will work out for our good. Romans 8:28
63. We never have to be alone. John 14:26
64. Peace in every circumstance. Phil 4:7
65. Assurance that our prayers are heard. 1 John 5:14
66. With God there is always hope. Heb. 6:19
Continue counting your blessings with Ann here:
Wonderful post. I hope many people read this. Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment. I preached at the Central Church of Christ on Sutter Street in Stockton for almost twenty years--from 1970 until the end of 1989. We liked Lodi a lot. Charlotte's parents are buried there. Have a great day.
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