Prayer before church service... (a pastor's cry)
God,
We are so used to this habitat that we can't imagine the kingdom reality. We are so conditioned by our surroundings that we struggle to comprehend that there is a heavenly economy that you want to bring earth as it is where you are, where you dwell, where you reign. This admission is the place I want to start, to recognize that I don't even know what I really want that is deeper than my carnal wants. I don't even know what I'm missing because I'm so satisfied with the counterfeits afforded me by the angel of light who masquerades himself as my god. But I want you to draw me away from the stupor of this lie that I've become accustomed to calling home.
Awakening. This is the word that comes to mind as I cry out for revival in my heart. When Your Word says, "Wake up, Oh sleeper, and let Christ shine on you."...I want that. Shine down so bright that I'm woken out of the slumber of this virtual reality that passes for the real thing. I want the real thing. I want the real you. I want the real kingdom. I want the real salvation of Jesus. I want the real conversion of the heart. I want the real thing, Lord. Nothing else will satisfy...not really. Even if it appears to satiate my appetites, it's not lasting. I want you. Ever, always, only you.
Reveal the obstacles that stand in opposition to your reign and rule in my life. What have I given myself over to that forfeits my allegiance to You? What habits and patterns have become normal to me that are anything but normal for the believer? What things have I called functional that are dysfunctional? What things have I called nourishing that are malnourishing? Show me the viruses filling me with toxins that I call entertainment or hobbies or harmless activities. And when you shine your light on them, may I not rename them in order to not feel their danger and destruction. No justification, no compromise, no games. No games, Lord. There have been too many games I've played, tricks I've used to rationalize lies. No more, Jesus.
Root out the rebellion. Take an ax to my anger. Pull your sword on my selfishness. Slay my flesh and live your life through mine. I submit to your authorship and authority. You are the Lord and Master of my existence. In every area I've stolen your glory and sat on your throne, clean the castle and take your rightful place. Dethrone me; enthrone yourself.
Awe and wonder, Lord. That's what I want to be a part of. I don't even care if I lead it...I want to be a part of this atmosphere, this environment of supernatural transformation and transfiguration. I want to see you in all your glory and power and wonder. I don't care about signs and wonder as much as awe and wonder. I don't want cheap tricks and gimmickry. I want the real thing. I want the real you. I want the real affects of your presence and when they happen I want to point to you as the source. I don't want to get in your way or take your attention. I want you to receive all the credit for any demonstration of power, and manifestation of the miraculous. I bow to you and ask humbly for you to break into our church and do what you will. Where we are honoring you, keep us faithful. Where we are missing you, crash our party and disturb what we've gotten used to without You. You are what we want even if it is completely different than what we have come to know as You. What we've come to know as church. What we've come to know as discipleship. Have your way.
I lift this to you as I go into this weekend of services. I don't want it to be just another weekend that leads to another weekend that leads to another, etc. I want you to show up and surprise us. Shock us, even. I offer you the leadership of our church and take my place as your under-shepherd. Keep my heart bound to yours. Where you go, I will go. What you want, I want.
Come, Lord Jesus.
We are so used to this habitat that we can't imagine the kingdom reality. We are so conditioned by our surroundings that we struggle to comprehend that there is a heavenly economy that you want to bring earth as it is where you are, where you dwell, where you reign. This admission is the place I want to start, to recognize that I don't even know what I really want that is deeper than my carnal wants. I don't even know what I'm missing because I'm so satisfied with the counterfeits afforded me by the angel of light who masquerades himself as my god. But I want you to draw me away from the stupor of this lie that I've become accustomed to calling home.
Awakening. This is the word that comes to mind as I cry out for revival in my heart. When Your Word says, "Wake up, Oh sleeper, and let Christ shine on you."...I want that. Shine down so bright that I'm woken out of the slumber of this virtual reality that passes for the real thing. I want the real thing. I want the real you. I want the real kingdom. I want the real salvation of Jesus. I want the real conversion of the heart. I want the real thing, Lord. Nothing else will satisfy...not really. Even if it appears to satiate my appetites, it's not lasting. I want you. Ever, always, only you.
Reveal the obstacles that stand in opposition to your reign and rule in my life. What have I given myself over to that forfeits my allegiance to You? What habits and patterns have become normal to me that are anything but normal for the believer? What things have I called functional that are dysfunctional? What things have I called nourishing that are malnourishing? Show me the viruses filling me with toxins that I call entertainment or hobbies or harmless activities. And when you shine your light on them, may I not rename them in order to not feel their danger and destruction. No justification, no compromise, no games. No games, Lord. There have been too many games I've played, tricks I've used to rationalize lies. No more, Jesus.
Root out the rebellion. Take an ax to my anger. Pull your sword on my selfishness. Slay my flesh and live your life through mine. I submit to your authorship and authority. You are the Lord and Master of my existence. In every area I've stolen your glory and sat on your throne, clean the castle and take your rightful place. Dethrone me; enthrone yourself.
Awe and wonder, Lord. That's what I want to be a part of. I don't even care if I lead it...I want to be a part of this atmosphere, this environment of supernatural transformation and transfiguration. I want to see you in all your glory and power and wonder. I don't care about signs and wonder as much as awe and wonder. I don't want cheap tricks and gimmickry. I want the real thing. I want the real you. I want the real affects of your presence and when they happen I want to point to you as the source. I don't want to get in your way or take your attention. I want you to receive all the credit for any demonstration of power, and manifestation of the miraculous. I bow to you and ask humbly for you to break into our church and do what you will. Where we are honoring you, keep us faithful. Where we are missing you, crash our party and disturb what we've gotten used to without You. You are what we want even if it is completely different than what we have come to know as You. What we've come to know as church. What we've come to know as discipleship. Have your way.
I lift this to you as I go into this weekend of services. I don't want it to be just another weekend that leads to another weekend that leads to another, etc. I want you to show up and surprise us. Shock us, even. I offer you the leadership of our church and take my place as your under-shepherd. Keep my heart bound to yours. Where you go, I will go. What you want, I want.
Come, Lord Jesus.
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