Proclaimer Blog
EMA prayer (and public praying)
I've had a couple of emails this morning about the opening prayer on Day 2 of the EMA. Is it written down somewhere – i.e. did I nick it! Well, yes… and no. I';m a great believer in public prayer of writing out prayers or at least where prayers are going. I find that helps my extempore praying when I lead churches from the front. It makes sure I am theologically accurate and trinitarian and warmly pastoral – or at least, it's an attempt to do so. So, yes, I the prayer is written out, but no, I didn't nick it from anywhere. It's all my own work, honest. Here is it, if you're interested (or something like it, as a sermon manuscript, I don't stick to it completely):
Almighty God and everlasting Father; we stand in wonder at the amazing grace you have shown us in the Lord Jesus Christ;
For you are mighty, over all the universe;
You are holy, without any sin or deceit;
You are awesome, your word is sufficient to create planets and stars;
You are majestic, ruling and reigning over your creation;
You, O Lord God, are high and lifted up.And what are we? What is man that you are mindful of him? What is man that you care for him?
And yet, we praise you that you, the high and exalted One have, in your gracious plan lifted man up and crowned him with glory and honour. But, O Lord, we don't see it yet. O, we long for the day when we see it – but we don't see it yet.But we do see Jesus. Thank you that we see Jesus. Thank you that we see the One who was made a little lower than the angels for a little while;
Thank you that we see the One who was cut off for sins but not his own;
Thank you that we see the One who has swallowed up Satan and his pretended throne;
Thank you that we see the One who gives us his merits;
Thank you for helping us see Jesus.Today, help us to see more of him. By your Spirit help us to know how to serve him. In your word help us to hear his voice.
Almighty God and everlasting Father; we stand in wonder at the amazing grace you have shown us in the Lord Jesus Christ.
In his name. Amen.