This Sunday, as part of our Light in the Darkness sermon series, we’ll be looking at The Great Reversal (Luke 1:46-55). The focus will be on Mary’s Song. Below is Pastor Scotty Smith praying through Mary’s Song, and reflecting on the passage for his life. It’s a fine example for us of how to pray through a Bible passage:

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation (Luke 1:46-50).

Lord Jesus, I woke up today very thankful for the gift of music, especially Christmas music. Every Advent [Christmas] hymn, carol, and chorus ignites my gratitude and fuels my hope. The story and implications of your birth make this non-dancer want to dance; this vocally-deficient singer break forth in song; this inhibited introvert to do cartwheels in the square. I praise you for giving me multiplied reasons sing, and for songwriters who capture my feelings and give me a means expressing what I long to say to you. I include your mother, Mary, in that list of great songwriters.

Though her story is unique, her song really isn’t. Indeed, I can sing her song—I must sing her song, for you’ve been mindful of my humble, broken, sinful state. You are being formed in me differently, but just as surely as you entered the world through Mary’s womb. You came to me when I wasn’t seeking you. Like Mary, I was chosen before the creation of the world—singled out to know you, worship you, serve you. I have nothing to boast in but you, Lord Jesus.

How inexhaustible is the treasury of your mercies; how bottomless is the ocean of your grace, how incomparable are the wonders of your love!

I consider myself as blessed of a man as anyone in the world or in all of history, because you’ve done great things for me, and you continue to do great things for me. Holy is your name, Lord Jesus. I have no concern for what any generation may say about me. It’s enough to know what you say about me. You tell me that I’m yours, that I’m forgiven, that I’m righteous in you, and that nothing can separate me from your love.

Jesus, help me to ponder and treasure these things… like a blind man seeing for the first time, a deaf man hearing for the first time, a starving man sitting down to an endless buffet of goodness and nourishment.

Indeed, your mercy has been extended to my generation and to me personally. Therefore, my soul glorifies you, Jesus, and my spirit rejoices in you, my God and my Savior. As the gospel goes deeper into my heart, free me from all fears except the fear of the Lord. May I hate only sin and love you with a love that is a perpetual “first love”. So very Amen, I sing, dance and pray, in your most glorious and gracious name.

In the 5:17 church vision night that we held a few weeks ago (here’s our vision), something we seriously want to grow in as a church is prayerful dependence on God. To help us as individuals and as a church to do this, I’ll (God willing) be posting some helps in the coming weeks. Here are 5 “Ds” that John Piper made part of his daily prayers. I’ve found them to be quite memorable and useful:

Whatever it takes, Lord, give me…

Delight in you as the greatest treasure of my heart. “Delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)

Desire to know you, be with you, and seek your kingdom above all else. Again: “Delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)

Discernment that comes from a renewed mind that I might know your will. “But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” (Hebrews 5:14)

Discipline to plan for what I discern as your will. “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)

Diligence to do your will with all my heart. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)

Maybe you could print the 5 “Ds” and put them in your Bible, and then pray them for yourself and 5:17 church whenever you read the Bible.

In all our busyness, especially leading up to the SMBC team joining us next week, let’s not forget about Japan, and their continued need for our prayers. See here for the ongoing work post-earthquake / tsunami, and the prayer points are at the bottom of the page

With lots of 5:17ers feeling sick and quite fatigued at the moment, I thought I’d share a prayer that I’ve found helpful. It’s from Pastor Scotty Smith’s blog (I highly recommend it!).

A Prayer When Feeling Tired and Weary

The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isa. 40:28–31

Gracious Father, this was one of the first Scriptures I memorized as a young believer, yet reading it today is like finding a new treasure in an old field. That’s one of the things I most love about your Word. It’s never antiquated or redundant but always vintage and ever new. You’re the God who speaks in specifics and without stuttering. You’re the Father who knows what we need even before we ask, and you provide before we ask.

This passage from Isaiah is underlined multiple times in my favorite Bible, and for good reason. It reminds me that you’re not like me, in so many ways. You never get tired or weary. I do and I am. Accepting limitations, finiteness, and weakness has never been one of my strengths. But I must. Since youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall, why do I think I’m exempt from “running on empty” and hitting a wall?

Father, I’m not asking to soar like an eagle, as cool as that might be, and I’m not seeking to run like a marathoner, though I’d love the legs and lungs to do so. Just walking upright with a renewed heart, a steady gait and replenished energy will be enough.

My hope is in you, Abba, Father, for you promise daily mercies, steadfast love and sufficient grace. I’m not depleted, though I’m heading in that direction. I’m not medicating in destructive ways, though tempted at times. I’m not depressed, but have enough of the blues and blahs to take my condition seriously. I look to you for all the spiritual, emotional, mental and physical strength I need. The next few months are going to really busy. Send your Spirit. Please grant me good sleep and real Sabbath.

Because Jesus embraced the ultimate weakness and weariness of the cross, I’m confident of your burden-bearing love. You are the perfect, present and persistent Father. I may be weary in my servanthood, but I’m secure in my sonship. Nothing can separate me from your love. So very Amen I pray in Jesus’ tender and triumphant name.

August 13, 2011

Source: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/scottysmith/2011/08/13/a-prayer-when-feeling-tired-and-weary/

Just before we went on holidays as well as while we were away, Jakey’s sleep went pear-shaped. We’ve been incredibly blessed in that he’s been a good sleeper since birth and started sleeping through the night very early on. But then in March he got sick and then in April he experienced jet-lag in North America, and he started waking up 3-4 times each night for a feed. As you can imagine, my weary, groggy prayers through the nights have been, ‘God, PLEASE help Jakey sleep!’ and by that of course I mean ‘help him sleep through the night again so I can sleep!’.

And of course it’s fine to pray like this. Apparently such prayer is traditionally known as ‘Simple Prayer’ and it’s the gut-level type of praying that just blurts out before you even think about it. But as I stopped to think about my prayer and the fact that night after night, God didn’t appear to be answering it in the affirmative, I realised that the motive underlying that prayer was basically my own comfort and convenience. Sure, I want Jakey to sleep well for his sake too, but really I’m suffering more than he is so it’s pretty much a self-centred prayer request! And God doesn’t exist or answer my prayers simply for my own comfort and convenience.

Romans 8:28 tells us that God works everything for the good of those who love Him, and Philippians 1:6 tells us that God is bringing His children on to completion (perfection, maturity) in Christ. So while it’s not necessarily wrong to pray for things that make me comfortable (or happy, or physically and financially stable and secure) it may be a bit wrong-headed. Such motivations put me at the centre of my prayers rather than God’s glory or my Christlike good – and God obviously doesn’t measure what’s good for me in the same blinkered way that I do! I need to pray for things that are good for me from God’s point of view – that is, for whatever will help me to become more like Jesus.

So if that means I learn selflessness, endurance, compassion, and patience through Jakey not sleeping well (and even if it means I’m not clear-headed enough to write all the blog posts I’d like to), and if this is the good God would like to work in me, I want to learn to submit to that. So I try to modify my weary, groggy, overnight prayers – ‘God, please help Jakey sleep so I can too, but ultimately, please make me and him more like Jesus through this time’.

Steve was chatting with his cousin about babies and overnight feeding, because like us, they have a relative newborn eating up their sleep too. Although what W said was actually that though he used to be a very light sleeper, now he sleeps through their bub’s ‘wake-up-mum!’ cries, because he’s back at work and in his words, ‘not sleeping is just not an option’.

The funny thing is that for a mum of course, sleeping through your bub’s cries is just not an option.

In both cases, the common factor is what is most needed. If you need the sleep, your body will shut your ears down to allow you to sleep. And if you need to stay awake despite lack of sleep, your body will somehow keep you going (I believe it’s called ‘adrenalin’!).

It got me thinking more generally about what’s needed when I’m in need. Of course the answer for a Christian, is prayer. Need drives us to pray.

When Jacob first came home from the hospital with us, we desperately needed a whole lot of wisdom to know how to look after him. This need drove me to pray constantly as an expression of my utter dependence on God (and God constantly heard and answered!). Pastor Ben wrote recently in the morning service bulletin that ‘prayer is faith articulated’. Indeed, prayer is an expression of our dependent need on Someone and Something greater than ourselves. When we pray, we’re expressing our belief that that Someone can help us in our time of need where we can’t help ourselves.

And of course the opposite is true – if and when I don’t pray, I’m effectively saying I have no need, I can do it myself, I don’t need to humbly trust Another. The Bible tells us this is human arrogance and folly; we are creatures dependent on our Creator for even our every breath (Colossians 1:16-17) – and so we need to pray.

The more used to being a mum I get, the less I pray – which is kind of ok in that it’s a reflection of God’s very answers to my prayers for wisdom! I need less wisdom than I used to in the sense that God’s grown my wisdom in various areas, so I can rely on that God-given wisdom to look after Jacob. But if I stop praying altogether that would be foolish – and sometimes (like you?) I’m in danger of doing just this – through busyness, laziness, pride, and self-deception.

So how are you going at expressing your needs to God, in trusting dependence on Him? Don’t let your needs drive you to helplessness, rather let them drive you to prayerfulness. God is willing and able to do for us what we can’t, and is exalted when we express in and by our prayers, that He is great and we are not.

Psalm 23 – (a song about needs fulfilled)

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Yesterday at 4:30pm, our first official ‘before the service’ prayer meeting began (thanks to Grace for organising this). As Grace said in her email to the 5:17 group:

Prayer is where the real groundwork is laid, in that we realize that without Christ we can do nothing, without Christ 5:17 can do nothing. So let us gather together in prayer in full dependence in Him as we seek to grow closer with Jesus, with each other, and with our non-christian friends & community.

May I encourage as many 5:17ers as possible to join this group – for the above reasons.

But as we meet and pray, let’s remember that it’s not only us praying. Who is praying with us and for us?

Jesus Christ

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them (Hebrews 7:25).

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:1-2).

Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us (Romans 8:34).

The Holy Spirit

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God (Romans 8:26-27)

Over the last month, I’ve been praying through the 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World (2010). It has been a really encouraging, challenging time – in learning the needs of the Muslim world, as well as how to love and pray for them. One particularly striking feature of the 30 Days booklet was the Grace and Truth Affirmation. In contrast to horrible actions of a church in Florida which is planning to burn copies of the Koran on 9/11, the following is an affirmation that was made by a Global Network of Christians who love, serve, and live among Muslims. It’s quite long but it’s a very important read.

Jesus calls his followers to experience and live out the love of God. This love is made accessible to all people through Christ, who came to the world “full of grace and truth.” However, because of cultural differences, threats of terrorism and negative stereotypes of Muslims, many of God’s people shrink back from fulfilling Jesus’ command to love all people. Scripture teaches us how followers of Christ can interact with Muslims in a Christ-honoring fashion.

We note that the Islamic World contains significant theological and ideological diversity. The spectrum of Muslim perspectives and practice ranges from secularists, modernists and some traditionalists, to extremist Islamists who promote militant jihad. Recognizing this great diversity, we affirm ten biblical guidelines that can enable Jesus’ followers to serve as his representatives in relationship with Muslims of every persuasion.

1. Be Faithful to God’s Truth – the Whole Truth

We seek to relate to Muslims on the basis of the core convictions of Christian faith, not by hiding or diminishing them. Relating to Muslims with respect, understanding and love includes bearing faithful witness to essential truths of the gospel. Jesus is Lord. Forgiveness, salvation and eternal life are free gifts of God’s grace available to any person through repentance and faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection. We seek to obey the whole will of God, with its implications for every part of our lives in this world (Matt 22:37, 39; 28:20; Micah 6:8).

2. Be Jesus-Centered in our Interaction

Our focus is Jesus because he is the essence of the gospel. God has revealed himself to us by taking human form. We say with Paul: “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Cor 2:2 NIV). We affirm a Jesus-centered approach to Muslims because it highlights the treasure of the gospel. It does not confuse the good news with Christendom, patriotism or our civilization. Jesus is our model, and we seek to embody his life in all we say and do.

3. Be Truthful and Gracious in our Words and Witness

We seek to be accurate when we speak about Muslims and their faith. Overstatement, exaggeration and words taken out of context should not be found among followers of Jesus, for he calls us to be careful about the words we speak (Matt 12:36). God commands us not to bear false witness against our neighbor (Ex 20:16) and to do unto others as we would have them do unto us (Matt 7:12). Thus we endeavor to speak truthfully about Muslims, and we seek to be clear and positive in our communication of the gospel to Muslims.

As much as it depends on us, we seek to live at peace with all people, while acknowledging that speaking the truth, even graciously, will offend some. We acknowledge that respectful and gracious witness does not imply naiveté or silence about troublesome issues. We are called to speak the truth in love. At the same time we refuse to project onto all Muslims a violent agenda espoused by only a minority. We choose to relate to Muslims as unique individuals rather than assuming they fit our stereotype of a “Muslim.” Moreover, we refuse to prioritize concerns of political power and self-protection above the commands of Scripture, such as love for neighbor (Matt 22:39). We affirm that proclaiming the Good News of Christ’s love is a higher priority than defending our culture.

4. Be Wise in our Words and Witness

God’s Word calls us to share our faith wisely. “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity” (Col 4:5). What does wisdom look like in practice? According to James, “the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness” (James 3:17-18 NIV).

In our interaction with articles, books and commentators, we need to discern between those reflecting the wisdom from above and those whose approach is “earthly”. We need to embrace that which is impartial and sincere, neither glossing over vital truths nor telling only one side of a story.

5. Be Respectful and Bold in our Witness

In the spirit of the Prince of Peace, respectful witness focuses on giving a positive presentation of the gospel. It does not attack the other or avoid presenting truth. As the apostle Peter says: “In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV). Numerous biblical examples (i.e. Acts 4:31; 9:27-28; 13:46; 14:3; 17:30-31; 19:8) invite us to emulate the boldness of early believers in sharing the good news. In obedience to the Scripture, we seek to be both respectful and bold in our witness.

6. Be Prudent in our Google-ized World

In the past, when leaders in a religious community spoke, it was only heard by their own community. But today our words ricochet around the world. When we try to explain who we are, what we believe, what we do, and why we do it, our words may reach beyond our primary audience and enter the global marketplace of ideas. After saying something controversial, an outspoken leader may try to clarify his statement. But the damage is already done. Words are powerful. Prudence is required. “A man of knowledge uses words with restraint” (Prov 17:27).

7. Be Persistent in our Call for Religious Freedom

We affirm the right of religious freedom for every person and community. We defend the right of Muslims to express their faith respectfully among Christians and of Christians to express their faith respectfully among Muslims. Moreover, we affirm the right of Muslims and Christians alike to change religious beliefs, practices and/or affiliations according to their conscience (2 Cor 4:2). Thus we stand against all forms of religious persecution toward Muslims, Christians, or anyone else.

8. Be Peaceable and Uncompromising in our Dialogue

Dialogue between Muslims and Christians provides us with opportunities to understand Muslims, build relationships, engage in peacemaking and share our faith. We seek to share the gospel respectfully and boldly, without compromise – as Paul “reasoned with” people (Acts 17:2, 17). Through dialogue, we work toward mutual respect, graciously bearing witness to our faith and working toward religious freedom. Ultimately, we long to see as many as possible reconciled with God, through the person of Christ.

9. Be Loving toward All

The world’s Muslims are our neighbors, as Jesus used the term (Luke 10:29-37). The command of God to his people stands for all time: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev 19:18; Luke 10:27b). How can a follower of Christ take seriously Jesus’ command to love our neighbor, and at the same time address the real threat of terrorism (by those who position themselves as our enemies)? Jesus’ teaching about love of enemy (Luke 6:35) is among the most radical and most ignored commands in the Bible. We do not want to engage in the “hermeneutics of evasion” – figuring out ways to interpret Jesus’ command so it doesn’t apply to our lives.

Both peacemakers and those who love their enemies are described as “sons [or daughters] of God” (Matt 5:9, 44; Luke 6:35). They are called children of God because they are acting like their Father: the God of Peace (Phil 4:9; 1 Thess 5:23). In other words, peacemakers and those who love their enemies demonstrate their authenticity as children of God by their words and acts of peace. Jesus modeled this by loving us and laying down his life for us, “while we were enemies” (Rom 5:10; cf. Col 1:21). Responding to enemies with self-giving, sacrificial love demonstrates the gospel.

10. Differentiate between the Role of God’s People and the Role of Government

In Romans 12:9-13:10, Paul describes a godly response to evil (which includes terrorism). He portrays a sharp contrast between how God’s people are to respond to evil versus how the government should respond. Jesus’ followers are called to a peacemaking ethic of sacrificial love. Paul begins the section with an appeal to love (Rom 12:9-10) and closes the section by a repeated call to loving our neighbor (13:8-10). Moreover, he exhorts believers to bless our persecutors, respond non-violently to evil and seek peace with all.

By contrast, a government is clearly called to bring justice within its borders, using force if necessary. Thus the justice wrought by the state reflects a partial and provisional manifestation of God’s justice on earth against evil. A truly biblical response to Muslims makes two important distinctions: 1) We distinguish between the role of God’s people and the role of the state, and 2) We differentiate between terrorists and the majority of Muslims in the world.

Conclusion

We have been entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18, 19). The commission to “make disciples of all nations” has not been rescinded. Neither have the commands to demonstrate sacrificial love and to work toward peace. There is no separate gospel for wartime and peacetime. The message of God’s love in Christ is for all times, places and peoples. We affirm the ten biblical guidelines presented here for all followers of Christ, that we may remain faithful to him and become more fruitful in our relationships with Muslims.

Source: http://www.30-days.net/reveal/wp-content/uploads/2010/grace_and_truth_affirmation.pdf

The people who wrote and signed ask Christians to seriously consider the statements in the text above and to pray this for ourselves, our church and the Body of Christ. They encourage believers to repent concerning all un-Christlike attitudes towards Muslims which are unworthy of our crucified and risen King. I want to encourage all of us to do so, and thus shine the light of Christ to our Muslim neighbours near and far.

If you are ever struggling to think of something to pray for 5:17 church, here’s a great 8-second prayer that we would love you to bring to God our Father:

“Lord, cause your Word to run and be glorified in the ministries of 5:17 and the missions we support. Amen!”

You can find the source of this prayer here, reflecting on 2 Thessalonians 3:1