Septemeber 11, 2009

It's hard to believe how fast time goes by. I remember on Sept 11, 8 years ago I thought I'd never see this day. At age 13, I thought the world was ending and I'd die no older than 14 or 15... I realize I was a little dramatic, but my world was seriously shaken. I had always felt safe and thought no one would ever want to do such harm and evil to anyone else.

Since then, I have seen more clearly the evil effects of sin in a depraived world. Without Christ, we are all at enmity with our Creator and one another. Events like 9/11 help us to hold loosely to this world and yearn eagerly with all creation for the coming of our Lord.

Romans 8:22-23 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

Here is a prayer from The Valley of Vison:

A Present Salvation

CREATOR AND REDEEMER GOD,

Author of all existence, source of all blessedness,

I adore thee for making me capable of knowing thee;

for giving me reason and conscience,

for leading me to desire thee;

I praise thee for the revelation of thyself in the gospel,

for thy heart as a dwelling place of pity,

for thy patience and thy graciousness,

for the vastness of thy mercy.

Thou hast moved my conscience to know how

the guilty can be pardoned,

the unholy sanctified,

the poor enriched.

May I be always amongst those who no only hear but know thee,

who walk with and rejoice in thee,

who take thee at thy word and find life there.

Keep me always longing

for a present salvation in Holy Spirit comforts and rejoicings,

for spiritual graces and blessings,

for help to value my duties as well as my privileges.

May I cherish simplicity and godly sincerity of character.

Help me to be in reality before thee

as in appearance I am before men,

to be religious before I profess religion,

to leave the world before I enter the church,

to set my affections on things above,

to shun forbidden follies and vanities,

to be a dispenser as well as a partaker of grace,

to be prepared to bear evil as well as to do good.

O God, make me worthy of this calling,

that the name of Jesus may be glorified in me and I in him.