07.09.23 EChurch@Wartburg Pastor Lew Upchurch: It’s Not Easy

A prayer of Augustine, (354 – 430)

Look upon us, O Lord,
and let all the darkness of our souls
vanish before the beams of thy brightness.
Fill us with holy love,
and open to us the treasures of thy wisdom.
All our desire is known unto thee,
therefore perfect what thou hast begun,
and what thy Spirit has awakened us to ask in prayer.
We seek thy face,
turn thy face unto us and show us thy glory.
Then shall our longing be satisfied,
and our peace shall be perfect.
Amen

A prayer of Clement of Rome from the 1st century

We beseech thee, Master, to be our helper and protector.
Save the afflicted among us; have mercy on the lowly;
raise up the fallen; appear to the needy; heal the ungodly;
restore the wanderers of thy people;
feed the hungry; ransom our prisoners;
raise up the sick; comfort the faint-hearted.
Amen

Prayer of St. Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 link

Lord Jesus, let me know myself and know Thee, And desire nothing save only Thee.
Let me hate myself and love Thee.
Let me do everything for the sake of Thee.
Let me humble myself and exalt Thee.
Let me think nothing except Thee.
Let me die to myself and live in Thee.
Let me accept whatever happens as from Thee.
Let me banish self and follow Thee, and ever desire to follow Thee.
Let me fly from myself and take refuge in Thee,
that I may deserve to be defended by Thee.
Let me fear for myself, let me fear Thee, and let me be among those who are chosen by Thee.
Let me distrust myself and put my trust in Thee.
Let me be willing to obey for the sake of Thee.
Let me cling to nothing save only to Thee, and let me be poor because of Thee.
Look upon me, that I may love Thee.
Call me that I may see Thee, And forever enjoy Thee.
Amen

Benediction

May God the Father
prepare your journey,
Jesus the Son
guide your footsteps,
The Spirit of Life
strengthen your body,
The Three in One
watch over you,
on every road
that you may follow.
Amen

Comments

07.09.23 EChurch@Wartburg Pastor Lew Upchurch: It’s Not Easy — 2 Comments

  1. I propose the ARC make it obligatory for pastors “restored” by Hodges or Robert Morris¹ to include the text “Restored by the ARC” in their church-website bios, their resumes, the blurbs of their books. Maybe with an appropriately golden “restored”-text. It would be good maketing for the ARC 😉 and would help the rest of us to be forewarned.
    A win-win situation.

    ¹ He’ll restore anything, even a mouldy piece of cake someone found at the back of their fridge.