"O LORD, MY Heart Is Not Lifted Up" - 27 June 2021

 


“O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.” Mighty God, high and exalted, you who are the greatest good, you who are the utmost in integrity, and you who are supreme over life and death: humility is a waning virtue. Thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought, we think ourselves mighty, magnificent, and marvelous in our modern technologies, scientific advancements, social sensibilities, medical feats, and military competencies. All of this egoism surfaces in our national and international politics, foreign policies, and business ventures. Help us, in our communities and in our country, to remember that we are but human, and therefore “surely all mankind is a mere breath” (Psalm 39:5, 11)! That “not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another” (Psalm 75:6-7). Mighty God, high and exalted; may we remember this! 

“But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.” Merciful Father, for those tumbling and tossing about in anxiousness and alarm, we pray (…). For those worn out and worn thin from sickness, sadness, sorrow, or scarcity, we pray (…). For those who found waking up this morning a challenge, we pray (…). For those pondering their future and all they can see are only storms or privations, we pray (…). May your presence and peace fill them with quietness and calm, lifting their hearts in hope and wholeness, we pray! 

“O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forevermore” (Psalm 131). High King of Heaven, give your strength and direction to your One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church throughout the world, at this place, including the PCA and 1st Presbyterian Church of OKC, Midwest City and Edmond. Remove all that fosters schism and everything that spawns heresy. Overcome all that breeds racism and bigotry. Restore to us the joy of your salvation and guide us by your Spirit of Truth into all truth. Help us to bear true faith and allegiance to Christ the Lord that with full courage now as always Christ may be honored in our bodies, whether by life or by death. “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:20-21). Grant our mission team to Carnegie all of the resources, funds and people we will need. Open hearts and doors that we may bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ mightily into the lives of many. And for our General Assembly, cause your hand to be upon us for good as you guide and direct our discussions, deliberations and decisions.

All we ask in union with Jesus Christ your Son, and our Lord and Savior, as we pray together what he taught us, saying; Our Father…

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