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Today, Pentecost Sunday, is the Global Day of Prayer.
The Global Day of Prayer is a world-wide celebration centered around Pentecost Sunday. The mission of this celebration is to unite the global body of Christ, to seek God for revival, intercede on behalf of our world, and collaborate for the blessing and transformation of our cultures. It is preceded by ten days of prayer (Acts 1:14); celebrated in public venues on Pentecost (Acts 2:1) and followed by “90 Days of Blessing” on communities after Pentecost (Acts 2:42). Please join me and millions of other Christians around the world in prayer for the peoples and nations of the earth. O God, who hast made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the whole earth, and didst send thy blessed Son to preach peace to them that are far off and to them that are nigh; Grant that all men everywhere may seek after thee and find thee. Bring the nations into thy fold, pour out thy Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten thy kingdom; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Technorati Tags: Global Day of Prayer This introduction of Jesus Christ by comedian, actor, and radio show host, Steve Harvey, gives me goosebumps.
The 2008 Prayer for Our Nation was written by Dr. Ravi Zacharias, Honorary Chairman, National Day of Prayer Task Force. Holy Father, in a world where so many are hungry, In a world where so many are hurting, In a world where so many are lonely, In a world longing for peace, Yet, we are so stubborn and resistant. Our nation is at a crossroads this year; Please give us the guidance to elect one who will honor you In God’s holy name. The following prayer for our country is from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer: ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage; We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favour and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honourable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogancy, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Global Day of Prayer is Pentecost Sunday, May 11, 2008. Download a prayer guide to participate in ten days of constant prayer leading up to the Global Day of Prayer. Wherever you are, I hope you will participate in praying for our world. Technorati Tags: National Day of Prayer, Global Day of Prayer
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia! But the pains which he endured, Alleluia! ~Compleat Psalmodist, 1749 Technorati Tags: Easter Holy Week, which started last Sunday on Palm Sunday, is an intense week of devotion to recall the sacrifice Jesus made to cleanse us of our sins and give us eternal life.
Yesterday was Maundy Thursday, commemorating Jesus’ institution of the Eucharist and His washing of the disciple’s feet to demonstrate servanthood. The worship service included a foot washing ceremony in which the priests washed the feet of parishioners designed to represent us all, followed by Holy Communion. At the conclusion of the service, the altar was stripped as the congregation chanted Psalm 22. After the altar is bare, the parishioners depart in silence following the priest carrying the Presence to the Altar of Repose. Today on Good Friday I attended the Way of the Cross service, in which the congregation walks from one station of the cross - an event in Christ’s journey on the road to Golgotha and the cross - to the next. The service our church uses has fourteen stations, where the people stop for a meditation and prayer. The service lasted only about half an hour, but it is a very powerful devotion. After the Way of the Cross, I took my took in the Vigil at the Altar of Repose. I wrote about my experience at the Vigil last year.
Participating in the Vigil at the Altar of Repose gives us the opportunity to watch and pray for an hour with the Lord.
The veil was torn asunder at the moment of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, and now we can each enter God’s presence without fear, but with love and joy. Good Friday was a dark day indeed, but we know the rest of the story. Easter is coming! Technorati Tags: Holy Week, Good Friday, Maundy Thursday, Crucifixion Thanks to Annette at Fish and Cans for bringing this amazing video to my attention. Table of contents for Magical Thinking
In my earlier posts about what I call magical thinking, I said magical thinkers have a sense of entitlement and believe whatever they want should be provided by someone or something outside themselves. If we had been born without limbs, most of us would feel we should be cared for and supported by family, the government … somebody. Yet Nick Vujicic has turned his disability into a testimony. He travels the world sharing the Gospel. He relies on God for strength, but he takes care of himself and inspires others. No magical thinking … but the magic of faith. [tags]inspiration, Nick Vujicic[tags] This is the most powerful rendition of Amazing Grace I’ve ever heard along with a fascinating bit of history about Negro spirituals, white spirituals, and the “slave scale.” |
Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asked His disciples to wait as He prayed. When he found them sleeping, He asked:
The world turned dark when Jesus died on the cross, and the veil of the altar was torn from top to bottom. The veil separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple. When a priest went into the Holy of Holies once a year, he wore a bells and had a rope tied to his leg. The bells were assure the other priests that the priest inside had not been struck dead for entering God’s presence. The rope was for his fellow priests to pull him out without having to enter the Holy of Holies if he was struck dead.