Spirit of the Lord
i found an old prayer book in word yesterday. pleasant green colour, drawings of Australian plants inside. church of England.
reading it this evening, when my internet was being mostly annoying, i discovered two prayers amoungst all the liturgy. to be said in the evening.
"Lighten out darkness, Lord, we pray: and in Your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of Your only Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen"
and the one i rather like,
"Be present, merciful God, and protect us through the hours of this night: that we, who are wearied by the changes and chances of this fleeting world, may rest on Your eternal changelessness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
(beautiful language)
as i was reading through more of the book (in the section 'prayers to be read at the end of the day') i found a bible verse to be read on a tuesday.
1 Peter 5: 8-9
"
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings."
i feel i have been a little under attack today. what a fitting verse.
and what a fitting verse right above it.
(1 Peter 5:7)
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
i have that verse stuck to the back of my door, though in a slightly different translation. "cast all your fears on Him, because He cares for you".
and that is something which i am trying to do.
i know i cannot do this in my own strength. i know because i have tried before, and i am still at the same place. i fear. i get terrified. i don't do anything. i try and hide. i am overwhelmed into non-action. and i hate it. and i want it to end.
the battle of fear is not one in the physical world, but one in the spiritual. Gods Spirit fills me, and dwells within me. He can, and He will take this battle for me, against the spirit of fear. against satan.
praise be to the Lord,
thanks be to God.
hear our prayers, O Lord,
for we put our trust in You.
(Spirit of the Lord - Youth Alive WA)
