Light of All Lights

Tags

Glory, God, God the Son, holiness, Holy Spirit, Light, Praise, Prayer

Light of all lights, illumine me with the brightness of your holiness, so that I may today reflect in some small measure your brilliant purity.  Put to flight, Light of light, the brooding clouds of the world, and shine into the darkness of my soul.  Warm my heart and guide my steps, so that my life may be worship and my worship glorifying to you.  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, shine upon us in your infinite majesty—Amen.

Transitions

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America, Coronavirus, COVID-19, God, Mercy, Pandemic, Prayer, Race, Reconciliation

Well, a lot has happened since my last blog post.

As a word of explanation, my family has undergone a major transition: new town, new home, new church. All of this has been wonderful, but it’s remarkable how much things have changed in the past couple of months.

Of course, this coincides with a major transition our whole nation and our whole world has been going through. The coronavirus pandemic has brought horrible death and suffering, and dealt an economic blow to people’s livelihoods that will perhaps not be fully realized until this is over.

On top of that, our nation has been grappling with the evil of our long legacy of racism, and the dark consequences of that, which show up in a number of ways. The horrible injustice done to George Floyd has led to unrest and destruction that will surely increase the suffering of the poor in these communities. If this, too, is a transition, we cannot see from here what the end result will be.

May God have mercy on us. May He, the great Healer, lift our world out of the grip of this disease. May He, the great Reconciler, grant us the mercy of repentance, reconciliation, justice, peace, and a brighter future to come. May He, the Lord of life, stir revival in our nation so that we will have His love for one another.

May He turn this dark transition to our transformation.

Easter Tuesday

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Christianity, Crucifixion, Easter, God, Grace, Hope, Jesus Christ, Mercy, Praise, Redemption, Resurrection, Salvation

I bless you, God Most High, for this day to declare your glory and the resurrection hope. Wonderful you are, and wonderful are your works for our redemption. Thank you for the love that sent your Son to the cross; thank you for the power that raised our Lord from the tomb. For your mercy and kindness, your majesty and strength, be forever praised, God Most High—Amen.

Easter Monday

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Creation, Easter, Father, God, God the Son, Holy Spirit, Hope, Life, Light, Mercy, Praise, Prayer, Resurrection, Trinity

Praise be to the Author of Life, in the new days of Easter. Days rainy, days sunny, you bring forth the bloom in its yearly parable of resurrection. Be glorified, Lord of light and wind and water. Be glorified, Lord of life and warmth and joy. Be glorified, blessed Triune Redeemer: Father Eternal, Spirit of Mercy, Victorious Son. Be praised and glorified now and forever—Amen.

Easter, Night

Tags

Comfort, Easter, Father, God, Holy Week, Praise, Prayer, Security, Strength

Be near to us, blessed Father, through the hours of night. We live in the glory of the resurrection life; but we walk in the night of the world, still awaiting the fulness of redemption. Be near, to guard and guide our steps, and bring us safely into the eternal light of your consummated kingdom. Your victory is certain and your throne unshakable. Be glorified in the people you have won for yourself, God Most High—Amen.

Easter, Evening

Tags

Christianity, Easter, Father, God, God the Son, Holy Spirit, Holy Week, Jesus Christ, Praise, Prayer, Resurrection, Salvation, Trinity

Ever-blessed, ever-holy, Lord of life and light and love, ever-righteous, ever-mighty, God be praised this Easter dusk. We bless your Name and praise your majesty, Father-Son-Spirit, One God in Persons Three. Thank you for the gift of Jesus our Savior, for His atoning death, for His victorious resurrection, and for the gift of new life in Him. Draw us near, blessed God, in your so wonderful redemption—Amen.

Easter, Afternoon

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Christianity, Easter, Father, God, holiness, Holy Week, Love, Power, Praise, Prayer, Resurrection

Father Almighty, we worship you on this joyful resurrection day. Be glorified, Almighty God, our Maker and Master, our Savior and King. Glory to you in your unfathomable love, in the mercy that delivered your Son for us. Glory to you in your invincible strength, in the power that raised Jesus our Savior from the dead. Glory to you in your unapproachable holiness, in your incomparable majesty, glory and honor and praise—Amen!

Easter, Noon

Tags

Christianity, Easter, Holy Spirit, Holy Week, Hope, Joy, Life, Praise, Prayer, Resurrection

Spirit of Life, fill us ever fuller with this newness you have brought. Spirit of Hope, draw us daily to the cross, daily to the living Lord; confirm in us your hope undying. Spirit of Glory, be glorified in this day of joy. Be glorified in your power, in your holiness, in your love, in your wisdom and presence and work. Praise and worship and honor be yours, now and forevermore—Amen.

Easter, Morning

Tags

Christianity, Easter, Glory, God, Holy Week, Jesus Christ, Lordship, Power, Praise, Prayer, Resurrection

Risen Savior, thank you for this day to celebrate your resurrection. Let your victory be the praise of my heart and your glory the theme of my joy. You have triumphed in majesty and might. Sin is broken, death dealt a mortal blow. The stone is rolled aside, and the tomb no longer holds a power over us. Glory to you, Christus Victor, Lord triumphant, King forever!

Easter, First Light

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Christianity, Easter, Faith, God, Holy Spirit, Holy Week, Hope, Jesus Christ, Life, Praise, Prayer, Redemption, Salvation, Trinity

All praise to you, God Triune, at the dawn of this resurrection day! You are worthy and wonderful, holy and glorious, far greater than any words can declare. How marvelous the miracle of our Lord’s resurrection, how merciful the grace you extend to sinners, how deep your love, how awesome your power. Spirit of Life, Father of Light, Risen and Reigning Lord, be forever glorified—Amen.