This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.
Even in this hibernating winter, we see Your beauty. We see reasons for hope and life amongst the frozen land. Thank You for keeping Your eye on the sparrow. Thank You for the joy of the little chickadee, and providing the hundreds of seeds each one needs. Thank You for the individual crystals of the snow--the blanketing and watering of the earth for the coming growth of plants. Thank You for the scurrying squirrels. Thank You for the precious sunrises--how we need them. Thank You for the subtle pastels in the snow.
This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.
Lord, we want to hear You pass. Open our ears. Quiet our hearts. Help us to hear.
And please help the hurting soldier hear. May they see hope in the midst of all this suffering. May they hear You in spite of all the noise. May the suicide thoughts be restrained. Lord Jesus, in Your Name, please comfort their hearts and heal their wounds.
This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done:
Jesus Who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heav’n be one.
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done:
Jesus Who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heav’n be one.
Oh how we long for that day! Don't let us be bitter about the tragedies. Don't let us--Your people--give up optimism. That would prove our distrust of You, Your plan, Your ability to carry it out. Help us to balance the seriousness of the spiritual battle we are in with the joy in Your ultimate victory.
Help us to shine out that light, Lord! Use us in the lives of these wounded brothers and sisters.
We pray for the families of those who have given in to the depression. Only You can turn their mourning into dancing, can make it good in the end. May this terrible event bring them closer to You.
We pray for wisdom for our chaplains, doctors, and other leaders. Help them to be Your tool to save these lives.
And we pray for those in theater--those who are confronting a flesh and blood enemy. Lord protect them. Make their mission clear and give them success.
We pray for those PCSing right now--moving to new parts of Your world. Go before them, come behind them, and place Your hand on their head. Please give them safety in their travels.
It's only because of Your gift to us, Lord, that we can come with such boldness to You. Thank You for hearing our prayers. Thank You for never tiring of listening to us. Thank You for being in all of our parts of the world--we can never get away from You, can never hide.
Amen!
