God, I’m tired. Help me. Please open my eyes so I can see wonders in your word. O God. Mighty God! Maker of heaven and earth and all the galaxies of the universe. That you should lend an ear to me in this little room half awake. That you should occupy yourself with me while millions of your people pray and all the while you hold New York and Tokyo and Paris in the palm of your hand. That you should call this tempted flesh the temple of the Holy Spirit. That you speak to me from off this page as personally and powerfully as though you sat here on the couch and talked. O God, what condescension. What unutterable mercy to attend to a little ant like me. Help me believe, O God, and feel this truth: that all my hairs are numbered. Why are you downcast, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.
“And now my wife, Lord. Thank you for her. Protect her from harm and from the evil one. Give her joy in the ministry with me. Waken her this morning with a song of praise in her heart and on her lips. Give her vision for service in this neighborhood. Incline her heart to the word and not to getting gain. Fill her with your Spirit—of wisdom and joy and righteousness. Make her a wise and happy mother. O bind our hearts together as you bind our hearts to yours.”
“And finally, my sons. Even in their sleep, Lord, turn their hearts to you. And when I wake them with your word, sow that seed in humble, open soil. And send its roots down to the inner heart and make an oak of faith. O Christ, take my sons for your servants. Obliterate rebellion from their hearts. And may they grow to godly manhood, full of love to you and love to men. Let them not love the world, nor give a hoot for things or praise. But may your glory be their passion day and night until the Kingdom comes.
~John Piper
Be sure to read the entire article here.
With love,
Trisha
I love it Trisha. Its beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jedidja! I think so, too. So glad you stopped by. :)
ReplyDeleteSo encouraging! I am so not a morning person, but the kids getting up before me, hungry, arguing, waking me and baby in a frustrating manner is not the way I want to keep beginning our days. How much better should I rise first, spending time with the Lord, and preparing my heart before reacting! Thank you for this!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you're encouraged by this. I understand the struggle! I'm in a season of life when I'm up late with my older children and up early to help my husband get off to work. But you're right, it is such a blessing, a great start to the day, to have been up before everyone else and to have come before the throne of grace and feasted on His Word. God bless you!
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