One of the normal ways in which we can praise God is prayer. At Circle Church, we stipulated that if prayer was to be used during the time of worship, it must not drift into requests. Rather, it must stay centered on crediting God for His exceptional qualities.
Such praying should be very stimulating. We were in considerable agreement that most of the worship prayers intoned in the churches of our backgrounds were unplanned, uninteresting, and probably unheard by the people. We seriously doubted if they constituted worship at all. Quite possibly God wasn’t all that taken up with them either!
Somehow the sententious drone was a signal to tune out—to make a fast prediction on the score of the afternoon football game or mentally to serve the Sunday meal to waiting guests.
At Circle Church we wanted to make legitimate expressions of our deep appreciation to God for who and what He is. Therefore, the invocation, far from being thrown together, represented insight and thoughtfulness. It was not unusual for a staff member without a preaching assignment to spend an hour or two in writing the invocation.
In this example, you will note that the prayer doesn’t include requests. It centers totally on praising God for who He is.
Father, the cry of our country from thinking people is not for law and order but for justice. Justice only reigns where mandates are fair, enforcement is adequate, and capable people sit in judgment. Admittedly, our laws fall short. More offenders escape detection than are arrested. And today, judicial halos come tainted.
We praise You, Father, that Your commands favor no lobbying interest group. As Christians we admire Your wisdom that establishes guidelines for us that protect the freedom of individuals without endangering society. We are pleased to know that nothing escapes Your attention and that someday, as reigning Sovereign of the Universe, You will bring all to light. We honor You further by stating that we believe You to be an omnipotent God who is capable of enforcing your judgments; and these will be fair because You are omniscient.
You know not only the transgression but the background of the transgressor. You are infinitely just. No greater justice can be imagined.
We worship You. And unlike any other judge, You not only punish the offender, You reward the righteous.
Thank You. Amen
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Sunday’s coming. Do you have your sermon ready? Is it relevant? Will it effectively motivate your congregation to walk more in step with the Master? What about that Sermon Series you’ve been thinking about? Or, what will you preach for your Easter Sermon, your Advent Sermon, your Christmas Sermon? David Mains and Mainstay Ministries can help. We offer a wide variety of Sermon Starters and Full Sermons that will give you Sermon Ideas to help you prepare for regular Sunday sermons, Mid-week Bible Sermons, and Sermons for special occasions. We also offer assistance as you create Topical Sermons, Sermons Series, and sermons for special times of the year. We have resources available to help you with Advent Celebrations, Advent Sermons, Christmas Sermons, Easter Sunday Sermons, Patriotic Sermons, and more.
For more information on how to create better Bible Sermons and how to turn Sermon Ideas into Sermon Outlines, and then into effective, meaningful Sunday Sermons, please click here to visit David Mains’ website.
You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Just click here.
