Lead on, O King eternal, The day of march has come;
Henceforth in fields of conquest Thy tents shall be our home.
Through days of preparation Thy grace has made us strong,
And now, O King eternal, We lift our battle song.
As we turn to another year
And some of us start a new home and ministry
And some of us face a year of change--
As we consider time passing out of our control
we look to You, the King of time
The Eternal One who doesn't fear death or challenges
the One for whom nothing is impossible
As we look into Your face, we can't help but be joyful and triumphant
ready to take on whatever battle You lead us into.
Lead on, O King eternal, We follow, not with fears,
For gladness breaks like morning Where'er Thy face appears.
Thy cross is lifted o'er us, We journey in its light;
The crown awaits the conquest: Lead on, O God of might.
May we see Your face daily this year, Lord
May we turn to You with every hardship
with every glimpse of beauty
with every smile
with every loss and every win
And Lord may this be the year Your warriors shine Your light.
Use us to spark revival throughout our ranks.
May Your Spirit be unleashed in every airplane and helicopter,
every battleship and cutter,
every stryker, humvee, platoon of marching soldiers,
every office and command center.
We thank You for the exciting growth to come in our kids this year, and we pray for them.
We thank You for Your hand in the world's affairs, and we pray for peace.
We thank You for our warriors, and we pray for their courage and skill.
We thank You for healing the broken hearts of our veterans, and we pray they will hold to You.
We thank You for the privilege of managing our homes, and we ask for Your perspective in it.
We thank You for our passions and ideas, and we ask You to lead us in using them.
We pray for those who are traveling.
We pray for those who are hurting and sick.
We pray for those who need You.
We thank You that You have conquered all.
CCLI#7051633
Lead On, O King Eternal by Ernest W. Shurtleff
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
Monday, December 18, 2017
December 17, 2017
When there is weeping in Ramah...
When family, friends are suddenly no more
When hearts are broken through separation of a PCS
When little ones lie in hospital beds
And mothers refuse to speak of their deadly cancer
God with us
God with us in the tears at the gravesite
God with us when we feel so very alone
God with us in the unknown
When our loved ones are on the other side of the world, surrounded by hatred
Or when they are right next to us, but a world away in their heart
When the worry of what's to come takes us away from the here and now
When we dread the morning's light because of the decisions of the day
God with us
When a shadow covers our Christmas
we remember the shadow of the cross over Your manger
Thank You Lord for truly being with us in all our days
for coming, for knowing our hurts, for crying with us, for feeling the pain
We pray we would shine Your light so brightly through our brokenness
that others will be so pulled in they can see You.
We pray for the extended family whose son had a severe skiing accident.
We pray for Your help in containing the California fires.
We pray for those who are terminally ill--may they find You in their last days.
We pray for those who are sick. May they acknowledge Your healing touch.
We pray for our deployed. Please keep them safe and give them peace in their hearts. May their families be encouraged.
We pray for safety for those who are on the road.
We pray You will go ahead of those PCSing and prepare a home for them.
We pray for peace in our homes, peace in the world. May Your Holy Spirit overflow.
And we pray for our hurting veterans, military members. Please hold them close. May the spirit of suicide be pushed away.
Cup our face Lord, turn our eyes to You. We look to You to dry our tears. We hold unswervingly to You for hope.
We thank You for the moment of laughter, the unexpected gift, the glimpse of a sparrow being cared for by Your hand. We thank You for the fresh, white snow creating new beauty. We thank You for the Christmas hymns running as a soundtrack through our days. We thank You for extra time with people we love. We thank You for deep breaths of cool air--for our life. We thank You for the cookies and the cards and the preparations reminding us of joy to come.
We thank You for turning our mourning into joy.
When family, friends are suddenly no more
When hearts are broken through separation of a PCS
When little ones lie in hospital beds
And mothers refuse to speak of their deadly cancer
God with us
God with us in the tears at the gravesite
God with us when we feel so very alone
God with us in the unknown
When our loved ones are on the other side of the world, surrounded by hatred
Or when they are right next to us, but a world away in their heart
When the worry of what's to come takes us away from the here and now
When we dread the morning's light because of the decisions of the day
God with us
When a shadow covers our Christmas
we remember the shadow of the cross over Your manger
Thank You Lord for truly being with us in all our days
for coming, for knowing our hurts, for crying with us, for feeling the pain
We pray we would shine Your light so brightly through our brokenness
that others will be so pulled in they can see You.
We pray for the extended family whose son had a severe skiing accident.
We pray for Your help in containing the California fires.
We pray for those who are terminally ill--may they find You in their last days.
We pray for those who are sick. May they acknowledge Your healing touch.
We pray for our deployed. Please keep them safe and give them peace in their hearts. May their families be encouraged.
We pray for safety for those who are on the road.
We pray You will go ahead of those PCSing and prepare a home for them.
We pray for peace in our homes, peace in the world. May Your Holy Spirit overflow.
And we pray for our hurting veterans, military members. Please hold them close. May the spirit of suicide be pushed away.
Cup our face Lord, turn our eyes to You. We look to You to dry our tears. We hold unswervingly to You for hope.
We thank You for the moment of laughter, the unexpected gift, the glimpse of a sparrow being cared for by Your hand. We thank You for the fresh, white snow creating new beauty. We thank You for the Christmas hymns running as a soundtrack through our days. We thank You for extra time with people we love. We thank You for deep breaths of cool air--for our life. We thank You for the cookies and the cards and the preparations reminding us of joy to come.
We thank You for turning our mourning into joy.
December 25, 2017
All is well
Because of Your love
All can be well, all will be well
and all is well
Lord help us hold to that as the rush and roar of this world spools up. Help us to cling to the joy and wonder that the God of the universe would come to be with us, that You would enter our mess to save us from it. Lord help us not to have soul amnesia, but to remember You hold us, and we can trust You.
Lord, may Your will reign supreme on the Korean peninsula, in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Iran and so many other hurting places.
We pray all is well with our deployed troops. May the hard times bring them closer to You. Please bless their efforts to bring peace on earth. Please keep them safe and bring them home.
We pray for the young military member, away from home for the first time this Christmas. May they feel Your presence.
We pray all is well with our military families--the ones struggling in their marriage, the ones struggling with sickness, the ones grieving over loss, those who are PCSing, those who need houses bought/sold/rented,
in all these things, Lord, may we seek Your face and do Your will.
We pray for those who have lost loved ones recently.
We pray for the chaplain's wife who is losing her mother.
We pray for the families of our fallen military as they face a new year.
We pray for those fighting cancer.
We pray for parents--from the tired parents of toddlers to the anxious parents of teens--please give us wisdom.
We pray for the little girl with pneumonia and the baby boy recovering from heart surgery.
We pray for those retiring. Lord, please guide their steps.
We pray for those deploying and going to training. Lord, please grant safe travel. Please be with their families and give them endurance.
Father, please give peace and wisdom to our leaders, especially as they decide on assignments and choose new people for positions (including the Chief of Chaplains' office).
Lord God, please be with our veterans and please calm their personal wars.
It is only through You, Lord, that our soul can find rest in the midst of such need. We will tell of it. We will sing it. We will remember it and live like it. Help us Father. Thank You for making all well.
Click here to hear All Is Well with Carrie Underwood & Michael W Smith
Because of Your love
All can be well, all will be well
and all is well
Lord help us hold to that as the rush and roar of this world spools up. Help us to cling to the joy and wonder that the God of the universe would come to be with us, that You would enter our mess to save us from it. Lord help us not to have soul amnesia, but to remember You hold us, and we can trust You.
Lord, may Your will reign supreme on the Korean peninsula, in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Iran and so many other hurting places.
We pray all is well with our deployed troops. May the hard times bring them closer to You. Please bless their efforts to bring peace on earth. Please keep them safe and bring them home.
We pray for the young military member, away from home for the first time this Christmas. May they feel Your presence.
We pray all is well with our military families--the ones struggling in their marriage, the ones struggling with sickness, the ones grieving over loss, those who are PCSing, those who need houses bought/sold/rented,
in all these things, Lord, may we seek Your face and do Your will.
We pray for those who have lost loved ones recently.
We pray for the chaplain's wife who is losing her mother.
We pray for the families of our fallen military as they face a new year.
We pray for those fighting cancer.
We pray for parents--from the tired parents of toddlers to the anxious parents of teens--please give us wisdom.
We pray for the little girl with pneumonia and the baby boy recovering from heart surgery.
We pray for those retiring. Lord, please guide their steps.
We pray for those deploying and going to training. Lord, please grant safe travel. Please be with their families and give them endurance.
Father, please give peace and wisdom to our leaders, especially as they decide on assignments and choose new people for positions (including the Chief of Chaplains' office).
Lord God, please be with our veterans and please calm their personal wars.
It is only through You, Lord, that our soul can find rest in the midst of such need. We will tell of it. We will sing it. We will remember it and live like it. Help us Father. Thank You for making all well.
Click here to hear All Is Well with Carrie Underwood & Michael W Smith
Monday, December 11, 2017
December 10, 2017
Glory to God in the highest!
When the stars shimmer and the aurora lights dance, and we breathe, "Glory!", it is a small glimpse of Your Glory.
When the waves roar and the wind blows, we yell to You, "Glory!"
When the first delicate pink petal pops open until the whole tree puffs pink, we join it in singing of Your Glory.
When the rainbow arches over the meadow, and Your promises arch over us, we nod "Glory!"
When the clouds glow gold over the dark purple mountains before the sun bursts through the cracks, we whisper "Glory!"
When peace settles over the baby, and his breathing slows to sleep, we feel Your Glory.
When the child's language of a smile erupts in a mountain village, at a fish camp, in the desert, in the city, we see Your Glory.
When a man lays down his life for his brother, we know Your Glory.
When a man and woman live as sacrifice for each other, we learn to live Your Glory.
More beautiful than anything we can see--
More calming than anything we can sense--
More awe-inspiring than any tale we tell--
More awesome than we can comprehend--
More loving than we could ever give--
Glory to You God! Glory to You in the highest!
Lord we thank You for our military marriages. For all those tough warriors who fight the battles of the day, then come home to have their hearts calmed and muscles smoothed by their help-mate. For the partnership in facing the challenges that mirrors the partnership we have with You. For someone to love and be loved by.
And Lord, help us in these marriages. As we follow our warriors off to all kinds of unknown lands, give us strength, and joy. As you bless us with children to raise, with homes to care for, with more money to manage, give us wisdom. Always Lord, we pray for unity. Lord teach us how to help each other more, to grow into the best you would have us be.
We pray for those who cannot be together this Christmas. Lord, guard their hearts and heal their wounds.
We pray for the single soldier, Lord, hold them. Give them peace, patience, wisdom.
We pray for the unrest of our world. Please calm the tensions.
And Lord please stop the terrible fires.
We pray for those traveling and PCSing. Lord please keep them safe.
We pray for those with homes to sell/rent/buy, and those looking for new places to make a home.
We pray for those who are hurting this Christmas, including the Chaplain's wife whose mother is dying of cancer.
And always, Lord, we pray that our veterans' hearts would not succumb to the spirit of suicide. May they be aware of Your pursuit. May they hold to hope.
Thank You Lord for loving us so--
Amen
When the stars shimmer and the aurora lights dance, and we breathe, "Glory!", it is a small glimpse of Your Glory.
When the waves roar and the wind blows, we yell to You, "Glory!"
When the first delicate pink petal pops open until the whole tree puffs pink, we join it in singing of Your Glory.
When the rainbow arches over the meadow, and Your promises arch over us, we nod "Glory!"
When the clouds glow gold over the dark purple mountains before the sun bursts through the cracks, we whisper "Glory!"
When peace settles over the baby, and his breathing slows to sleep, we feel Your Glory.
When the child's language of a smile erupts in a mountain village, at a fish camp, in the desert, in the city, we see Your Glory.
When a man lays down his life for his brother, we know Your Glory.
When a man and woman live as sacrifice for each other, we learn to live Your Glory.
More beautiful than anything we can see--
More calming than anything we can sense--
More awe-inspiring than any tale we tell--
More awesome than we can comprehend--
More loving than we could ever give--
Glory to You God! Glory to You in the highest!
Lord we thank You for our military marriages. For all those tough warriors who fight the battles of the day, then come home to have their hearts calmed and muscles smoothed by their help-mate. For the partnership in facing the challenges that mirrors the partnership we have with You. For someone to love and be loved by.
And Lord, help us in these marriages. As we follow our warriors off to all kinds of unknown lands, give us strength, and joy. As you bless us with children to raise, with homes to care for, with more money to manage, give us wisdom. Always Lord, we pray for unity. Lord teach us how to help each other more, to grow into the best you would have us be.
We pray for those who cannot be together this Christmas. Lord, guard their hearts and heal their wounds.
We pray for the single soldier, Lord, hold them. Give them peace, patience, wisdom.
We pray for the unrest of our world. Please calm the tensions.
And Lord please stop the terrible fires.
We pray for those traveling and PCSing. Lord please keep them safe.
We pray for those with homes to sell/rent/buy, and those looking for new places to make a home.
We pray for those who are hurting this Christmas, including the Chaplain's wife whose mother is dying of cancer.
And always, Lord, we pray that our veterans' hearts would not succumb to the spirit of suicide. May they be aware of Your pursuit. May they hold to hope.
Thank You Lord for loving us so--
Amen
Monday, December 4, 2017
December 3, 2017
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Emmanuel. God. With. Us. Thank You Lord for the truth of this. No other god comes to us because of love for us.
And You Lord will be with us. We have the promise of seeing You face to face.
Yet, Lord, today is that in-between time. We long for Your full presence, when there will be no suffering.
And ransom captive Israel
We still need saving, Lord! Please save us today from ourselves--our selfish, greedy, basic sin nature.
That mourns in lowly exile here
Cast out. Away from Your presence. We are in this fallen land, and trouble engulfs us. For many, Christmas is anything but a time of joy. And even for You, Jesus, the manger was in the shadow of the cross. Thank You for being one of us, for understanding our sufferings.
Until the Son of God appears
What unspeakable awe--the Son of God with us. You have saved our soul; You have promised us a future with You; and You've given us life--now--today--with You in Your abundance.
Don't let us squash that present in the midst of wrapping silly trinket presents. As moms, influencing the attitudes of our homes and teaching our children with every little act we do, make our joy in You overflow. As we change our homes, may we change our streets, our communities--Ft. Wainwright and Ft. Benning and Ft. Polk, and Fort Bragg seeing Your glory this season!
May we not see Christmas as a to-do, but as a reminder of time with You.
May we not see work as a drudgery, punishment, but as a light-burden, a mission You have given us.
May we not be overwhelmed by all to come, but remember each day has enough trial of its own.
Lord, for our communities, we pray:
--for the illnesses plaguing many families
--for safety in traveling many miles, especially those PCSing in this season
--for grace to prevail in the homes, especially with returning warriors
--for those suffering loneliness, despair, pain--especially our veterans and soldiers. Lord, ransom them from the hell they find themselves in. Use us to rescue and save...
--for the many social events these days, show us how to reach out to people for You
--for our soldiers who are far from home this season. Hold them in Your arms Lord.
--for our leaders, may they hear Godly wisdom
Emmanuel. God. With. Us. Thank You Lord for the truth of this. No other god comes to us because of love for us.
And You Lord will be with us. We have the promise of seeing You face to face.
Yet, Lord, today is that in-between time. We long for Your full presence, when there will be no suffering.
And ransom captive Israel
We still need saving, Lord! Please save us today from ourselves--our selfish, greedy, basic sin nature.
That mourns in lowly exile here
Cast out. Away from Your presence. We are in this fallen land, and trouble engulfs us. For many, Christmas is anything but a time of joy. And even for You, Jesus, the manger was in the shadow of the cross. Thank You for being one of us, for understanding our sufferings.
Until the Son of God appears
What unspeakable awe--the Son of God with us. You have saved our soul; You have promised us a future with You; and You've given us life--now--today--with You in Your abundance.
Don't let us squash that present in the midst of wrapping silly trinket presents. As moms, influencing the attitudes of our homes and teaching our children with every little act we do, make our joy in You overflow. As we change our homes, may we change our streets, our communities--Ft. Wainwright and Ft. Benning and Ft. Polk, and Fort Bragg seeing Your glory this season!
May we not see Christmas as a to-do, but as a reminder of time with You.
May we not see work as a drudgery, punishment, but as a light-burden, a mission You have given us.
May we not be overwhelmed by all to come, but remember each day has enough trial of its own.
Lord, for our communities, we pray:
--for the illnesses plaguing many families
--for safety in traveling many miles, especially those PCSing in this season
--for grace to prevail in the homes, especially with returning warriors
--for those suffering loneliness, despair, pain--especially our veterans and soldiers. Lord, ransom them from the hell they find themselves in. Use us to rescue and save...
--for the many social events these days, show us how to reach out to people for You
--for our soldiers who are far from home this season. Hold them in Your arms Lord.
--for our leaders, may they hear Godly wisdom
--for the Chaplain's wife whose mother is suddenly dying
--for the family who just lost a son
Lord we long for You!
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!
Sunday, November 5, 2017
November 19, 2017
Our Great God,
We get lost in the dark and forget You hold the stars.
We get enamored with glitter and forget Your throne above all.
We get overwhelmed by our grief and forget You are eternal.
We drown in our shame and forget Your grace has no end.
We get frustrated in our helplessness and forget Your power.
We despair in our lack of resources and forget You own it all.
We get confused in our decisions and forget Your wisdom.
We get caught up in our exercise wheel of daily life and forget to look up to You.
Help us, Lord, to look up. Forgive us for our unbelief.
Help us to praise You--with all of our mind, heart, and soul--today.
And thank You, Lord, for taking care of our needs.
Thank You for giving strength and joy for today.
Thank You for protecting us from the enemy's poisoned arrows.
Thank You for showing us the way for each day.
Thank You for surrounding us with beauty we don't have to buy.
Thank You for hope beyond what we can see.
Thank You for Your peace.
We pray for the many things that concern us as we try to hold down the home front.
We pray for Your guidance in houses that need bought/sold/rented/fixed.
We pray for Your hand in vehicles and washing machines and computers and all the things that cost money.
We pray for clear priorities and discipline and margin in the use of our time.
We pray for wisdom in leading our children.
We pray for growth in our marriage.
We pray we would be shining witnesses for You.
We pray our lives would be full of praise.
Lord, please surround our hurting veterans with the wonder of Your love.
May our deployed see Your hand keeping them safe.
May the nations bow to Your will, Lord.
And may we all be in awe of You today Lord. May Your praise rise from all over this earth.
Amen
Click here to join Powell and Ortega in praising Our Great God
We get lost in the dark and forget You hold the stars.
We get enamored with glitter and forget Your throne above all.
We get overwhelmed by our grief and forget You are eternal.
We drown in our shame and forget Your grace has no end.
We get frustrated in our helplessness and forget Your power.
We despair in our lack of resources and forget You own it all.
We get confused in our decisions and forget Your wisdom.
We get caught up in our exercise wheel of daily life and forget to look up to You.
Help us, Lord, to look up. Forgive us for our unbelief.
Help us to praise You--with all of our mind, heart, and soul--today.
And thank You, Lord, for taking care of our needs.
Thank You for giving strength and joy for today.
Thank You for protecting us from the enemy's poisoned arrows.
Thank You for showing us the way for each day.
Thank You for surrounding us with beauty we don't have to buy.
Thank You for hope beyond what we can see.
Thank You for Your peace.
We pray for the many things that concern us as we try to hold down the home front.
We pray for Your guidance in houses that need bought/sold/rented/fixed.
We pray for Your hand in vehicles and washing machines and computers and all the things that cost money.
We pray for clear priorities and discipline and margin in the use of our time.
We pray for wisdom in leading our children.
We pray for growth in our marriage.
We pray we would be shining witnesses for You.
We pray our lives would be full of praise.
Lord, please surround our hurting veterans with the wonder of Your love.
May our deployed see Your hand keeping them safe.
May the nations bow to Your will, Lord.
And may we all be in awe of You today Lord. May Your praise rise from all over this earth.
Amen
Click here to join Powell and Ortega in praising Our Great God
November 5, 2017
God of the winds,
the One Who moves the storms
and sends the tickling breeze
Who lifts the monarch on its way
and rolls the waves in
Who blows in the seasons
God Who can comfort a mother's heart
Who can turn a tyrant's will
Who can still the nations
It is to You we pray
to You we bring our soldiers, our sailors, our warriors in the air, our defenders of the coasts
We pray for their protection
We pray for skills in their tasks
and wisdom for their missions.
We pray for courage
We pray for food and water and supplies
strength and rest
We pray for revival.
Stir the winds of Your Spirit throughout our ranks.
May they turn their hearts to You.
We pray for mental fortitude
steady their hearts, secure their resolve
may they find their confidence in You.
We pray against suicide in our military
and our hurting veterans.
Lord please heal as only You can.
We thank You Lord for these men and women, willing to serve and sacrifice.
We thank You for Your love and protection.
We thank You for pursuing us.
And we give You the glory.
the One Who moves the storms
and sends the tickling breeze
Who lifts the monarch on its way
and rolls the waves in
Who blows in the seasons
God Who can comfort a mother's heart
Who can turn a tyrant's will
Who can still the nations
It is to You we pray
to You we bring our soldiers, our sailors, our warriors in the air, our defenders of the coasts
We pray for their protection
We pray for skills in their tasks
and wisdom for their missions.
We pray for courage
We pray for food and water and supplies
strength and rest
We pray for revival.
Stir the winds of Your Spirit throughout our ranks.
May they turn their hearts to You.
We pray for mental fortitude
steady their hearts, secure their resolve
may they find their confidence in You.
We pray against suicide in our military
and our hurting veterans.
Lord please heal as only You can.
We thank You Lord for these men and women, willing to serve and sacrifice.
We thank You for Your love and protection.
We thank You for pursuing us.
And we give You the glory.
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