A Prayer from Jon

Jon, who turned 50 on 3 August died on 27 August. He was a very good man, a friend and an elder at the Church where we worship (Bethel Presbyterian PCA). As an Elder Jon would take his turn giving opening prayer for worship. What follows is a prayer that Jon wrote and gave at the start of worship services earlier this year.

A Prayer For Worship

We praise You, Triune God. We praise you Father, Son and Holy Spirit; for You are the only true and living God. You are not like the idols of the ancient nations, which were made of silver and gold - the work of human hands. These were the idols of the ancients and are the idols of modern man, though these idols are not recognized as such. They have mouths but do not speak. They have ears but do not hear; nor is there any breath in their mouths. Those who make and trust in them become like them. But You are not like those idols, the imaginations of men.

You are the the true and living God. You have eyes that see, a mouth that speaks and ears that hear. You have spoken to the fathers through the prophets, but in the last days you have spoken to us by Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. You are high and lifted up, yet You bend down to regard the lowly. You have seen us and made us lowly that we may see and know you. You have heard our cries for mercy and have lavished upon us abounding grace. You hear our prayers when we are in difficult circumstances, and You comfort us and answer out of Your abundant compassion. You see us, and You know our struggles. You care for us and provide for us every instant of every day, in ways that we can not see. For these things we praise You, our God and Father: for seeing us and not leaving us alone to our own devices but guiding us by Your Word and Your Spirit; for hearing us and answering us in our every need. It is in our Saviour's name, the Lord Jesus, that we pray. Amen.

Jon will be missed by all, BUT we will meet again in glory.

Coram Deo,

Kenith