“Blessed God of all grace, God of salvation,
God of comfort and the essence of a thousand other descriptions -
we cannot adequately nor fully describe you.
From hearts softened and awakened to the gospel,
liberated from the penalty of sin,
cleaned from the stain of sin,
indwelt by the Holy Guest,
prepared for an eternal dwelling in a city
whose builder and maker is God -
We praise you that mere man when born again can then love you and enjoy you forever.
This is all your doing,
your initiative,
your completion -
yours alone.
To God be the glory,
Great things he has done.
It was not my interest before, but now
help me to seek first your kingdom and your righteousness.
You know what I need even before I ask.
May I never think I prosper unless my soul prospers -
or that I am rich unless rich toward you,
or that I am wise unless wise unto salvation.
May I value all things in relation to eternity.
Many of us in this place today praise you for the blessed memory
of a Christian home.
Our prayers of thanksgiving join those of Timothy,
for the incredible blessing of learning the Holy Scriptures at a mother’s
and a grandmother’s knee.
We thank you, Father God, for our mothers who have loved us -
taught us -
prayed with us and for us -
and lived before us as women of faith.
May that heritage continue on in this generation.
Prepare our hearts to receive the seed of your Word.
Grant that it may take deep root and bring forth fruit to your glory.
Visit us with your salvation and instill faith in every heart. Amen.”
from Wendell C. Hawley’s book of prayer, A Pastor Prays for His People
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