Fuel that feeds the fire of prayer

July 10, 2016

Worship: Ocean by Bebo Norman

If there is a love song left to sing
Then what I have is what I'll bring
Nothing more is more than I can give

If there is a light left in my eyes
It must be Your reflection from the sky
'Cause all I know is this
You are the wonder of my world

You are an ocean that I can get lost in
The first wind on my shore
You are the sunrise to open my eyes
And the dark night is no more
You are an ocean, You are an ocean

And every time I turn around
There's so much more left to be found
And every glimpse steals my breath away

So open up these eyes to see
More of You and less of me
And all my fear is turning into faith
You are the wonder of my world

You are an ocean that I can get lost in
The first wind on my shore
You are the sunrise to open my eyes
And the dark night is no more
You are an ocean, You are an ocean

I'm drowning in Your love
I'm drowning in Your love
Not coming up, I'm not coming up
'Cause You're all I'll ever want

You are an ocean
You are an ocean

You are an ocean that I can get lost in
The first wind on my shore
You are the sunrise to open my eyes
And the dark night is no more
You are an ocean, You are an ocean
You are an ocean, You are an ocean

You are an ocean

Songwriters

INGRAM, JASON / NORMAN, BEBO

Read more: Bebo Norman - Ocean Lyrics | MetroLyrics

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/ydqgl7EYaLc?list=RDEMJ2x7aQMaUtVLHXkYvzhfEg

Witness:

Lord I sit here groping for words to say. So much has occurred lately.

In the world, turmoil rears its ugly head and hate reigns in the heart of many who seek revenge on the innocent many because of the alleged sins of a few.

In my world, I am tortured by unreal dreams and wakeup to the reality of my empty arms and loneliness.

Debt seeks to strip me of my peace and joy.

Children, who walk in a way not pleasing to God, and I remain silent unable to articulate my concern over this. Perhaps, I wonder to myself, am I being chastised by my Heavenly Father because I am permitting this to take place without a word said. Oh, I have spoken briefly to one of them on two occasions but I have not really come out with full-blown displeasure over this. I fear the fallout. I keep saying I will say something when the time is right but that may just be an excuse to put things off.

In the midst of all this turmoil, failure, and sin the words to the song above speak to me and I breath these lines as a prayer:

So open up these eyes to see
More of You and less of me
And all my fear is turning into faith
You are the wonder of my world

When I see more of You and less of me, it moves me to get out of the way and follow you. When fear begins to disappear and faith grows within me and wonder abounds, then worry is cast out and a willing heart emerges to do Your will. So, I pray this prayer and fall into the ocean of Gods goodness, grace, mercy, and Love.


WORD:

Ps 25:8-15  Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. 9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. 10 All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.

Ps 25:8-10 8 The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. 9 He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. 10 The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands. Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.

Ps 25:8-10 8 Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. 9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. 10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. KJV

Ps 25:8-10 8 Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. 9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. 10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. ESV

David has paused his praying to reflect on the themes he included in his prayer in verses 4-5.

Wiersbe observes:


At this point, David paused to meditate on the character of the Lord his God. After all, why pray to the Lord if He can't be trusted?
(from The Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament © 2001-2004 by Warren W. Wiersbe. All rights reserved.)


Calvin is helpful here as well:



Pausing for a little as it were in the prosecution of his prayer, he exercises his thoughts in meditation upon the goodness of God, that he may return with renewed ardor to prayer. The faithful feel that their hearts soon languish in prayer, unless they are constantly stirring themselves up to it by new incitements; so rare and difficult a thing is it to persevere steadfastly and unweariedly in this duty. And, indeed, as one must frequently lay on fuel in order to preserve a fire, so the exercise of prayer requires the aid of such helps, that it may not languish, and at length be entirely extinguish.
(from Calvin's Commentaries, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database Copyright © 2005-2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)


Spurgeon puts it succinctly:


Ver. 8-10. These three verses are a meditation upon the attributes and acts of the Lord. He who toils in the harvest field of prayer should occasionally pause awhile and refresh himself with a meal of meditation.
(from The Treasury of David, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database Copyright © 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)


In the next few entries it is my desire to do just that.



Lord, not with clever words 

Nor pithy rhymes
But with hands that are clean
And a heart that is pure
May I Enter into Thy presence
Bringing thanksgiving and praise
For Your tender mercies
Your goodness and grace
Joining the chorus of heaven
Crying Holy, Holy, Holy is Your name
The whole world is full of Your glory!
-Amen