Tuesday, April 14, 2009, 8:43 a.m. – I was praying this morning through some things that were on my heart when I asked the Lord to “show me my heart.” Immediately the tune to this song came into my head, but I only remembered the first phrase, so I had to look it up. It is a great hymn:
A Worker’s Prayer / Frances R. Havergal / Robert A. Schumann
II Timothy 2:2: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”
Lord, speak to me that I may speak in living echoes of Thy tone;
As Thou hast sought, so let me seek Thy erring children, lost and lone.
O Lead me, Lord, that I may lead the wandering and the wavering feet;
O feed me, Lord, that I may feed Thy hungering ones with manna sweet.
O strengthen me, that while I stand firm on the rock and strong in Thee;
I may stretch out a loving hand to wrestlers with the troubled sea.
O teach me, Lord, that I may teach the precious things Thou dost impart;
And wing my words, that they may reach the hidden depths of many a heart.
O fill me with Thy fullness, Lord, until my very heart o’erflow
In kindling thought and glowing word, Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show.
O use me, Lord, use even me just as Thou wilt, and when, and where;
Until Thy blessed face I see, Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share. Amen.
That is definitely the prayer of my heart!! Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. I read I Timothy 1:12-20: The Lord's Grace to Paul
12I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 13Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
18Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, 19holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. 20Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.
My Thoughts: This song is truly the prayer of my heart, as well as I definitely identify with Paul’s words here when he said that he was the worst of sinners and yet by God’s grace through Jesus Christ, our Lord, God called him to His service. Paul was shown mercy so that Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience in Paul’s life “as an example for those who would believe on Jesus and receive eternal life.” And, God can call and use each and every one of us, no matter where we have been in the past or what we have done, if we will come to Him in humility, repentance, faith and obedience, seeking His face and His will for our lives. Amen!
A Worker’s Prayer / Frances R. Havergal / Robert A. Schumann
II Timothy 2:2: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”
Lord, speak to me that I may speak in living echoes of Thy tone;
As Thou hast sought, so let me seek Thy erring children, lost and lone.
O Lead me, Lord, that I may lead the wandering and the wavering feet;
O feed me, Lord, that I may feed Thy hungering ones with manna sweet.
O strengthen me, that while I stand firm on the rock and strong in Thee;
I may stretch out a loving hand to wrestlers with the troubled sea.
O teach me, Lord, that I may teach the precious things Thou dost impart;
And wing my words, that they may reach the hidden depths of many a heart.
O fill me with Thy fullness, Lord, until my very heart o’erflow
In kindling thought and glowing word, Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show.
O use me, Lord, use even me just as Thou wilt, and when, and where;
Until Thy blessed face I see, Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share. Amen.
That is definitely the prayer of my heart!! Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. I read I Timothy 1:12-20: The Lord's Grace to Paul
12I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 13Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
18Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, 19holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. 20Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.
My Thoughts: This song is truly the prayer of my heart, as well as I definitely identify with Paul’s words here when he said that he was the worst of sinners and yet by God’s grace through Jesus Christ, our Lord, God called him to His service. Paul was shown mercy so that Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience in Paul’s life “as an example for those who would believe on Jesus and receive eternal life.” And, God can call and use each and every one of us, no matter where we have been in the past or what we have done, if we will come to Him in humility, repentance, faith and obedience, seeking His face and His will for our lives. Amen!