A searchable, downloadable PDF of the original article appears below. Edward P. Mason is an elder at Calvin Presbyterian Church, Toronto. This is a prayer which reflects both personal witness while at the same time, has as its concern, the worshipping body. The blank spaces allow for centring the particular concern on a congregation, geographic location, meeting or group.
“So like ancient Israel, we who by faith in Christ had come out of the house of bondage, were nevertheless unable to enter into all God’s promises — because of our unbelief.”
(Thomas A. Smail, Reflected Glory)
Beloved Lord:
Today I come before you with thanksgiving in my heart and praise upon my lips. I also come, repenting of my sins and wayward actions and thoughts, seeking your forgiveness and cleansing of all sin. Too often, I ignore or turn away from your help, your love, your promises which you give freely in your grace to me your child. For this I ask forgiveness. Help me to be “expectant” within the body of your people here in ________, for your precious presence and promises to be a reality in its daily life and worship.
O Lord:
Too often I come to church quite unprepared to worship and praise you in spirit and in truth. Sometimes my mind is racing, my thoughts tending to wander, and I cannot bow down in adoration or in prayer in preparation for the gathering of your people in worship.
Lord, help me to be “expectant” among your people, to come each day of worship prepared to enter into your glorious presence; to worship you in mind, body and spirit with joy and thanksgiving.
Sometimes, I meet and socialize with my brothers and sisters in the body, not expectant of your blessed presence. Hence, that spiritual inner joy and communion are missing, and I feel very much “alone.”
Lord, help me to be “expectant” within the body of your people in ________, for your life to be a reality within our lives and work. Let your love so shine that I will be one with them, and in being so, I shall be one with you.
Too often, I do not expect you to reveal yourself through me or others, in power or in love, especially in ordinary everyday situations of life.
Lord, help me to always be “expectant” within the body of your people. Take my life, my all, and mould me so that through the Holy Spirit working within me, I may be a vessel through which you are revealed to others, and your promises become a reality to us all.
Too often, there are areas of my life which remain sinful, ineffectual, or hurtful because I have not been willing to surrender them completely to you so that you might be in control, and thus truly be the Lord of my life.
Lord, help me to be “expectant” within the body of your people here in ________. Flood me with your presence and power for good. Shine on and through me with the light of a thousand suns so that every aspect of my existence will have all darkness and evil exposed and cleansed through that light of truth and love. Fill me anew with the all-embracing Holy Spirit, that through your grace, “the world can look at that life and say, ‘Jehovah-Shamah, the Lord is there’.” Thus can I become one with my Saviour, to praise, worship, glorify you, and do your will here on earth as it is in heaven.
These things I ask in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.