I moved down to the South in July, but I still have not unpacked all of my boxes from the move (mostly papers). This two-week break from teaching seemed as good a time as any to finish unpacking. Tonight, while I was going through a box of papers, I came across a sheet of paper from a Graduate Intervarsity Women’s prayer meeting this past Spring. The scripture and prayer written on this paper is a wonderful reminder of the things that every Christian has in Christ:
But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? … Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life… And we all with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 Corinthians 2:14-16; 3:4-6; 3:18-4:1
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith – that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and the length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:14-21
The Spirit of Jesus – Valley of Vision Prayers
Lord Jesus Christ,
Fill me with thy Spirit
That I may be occupied with his presence.
I am blind – send him to make me see;
Dark – let him say, ‘Let there be light’!
May he give me faith to behold
My name engraven in thy hand
My soul and body redeemed by thy blood,
My sinfulness covered by the life of pure obedience.
Replenish me by his revealing grace,
That I may realize my indissoluble union with thee;
That I may know thou hast espoused me to thyself forever,
In righteousness, love, mercy, faithfulness;
That I am one with thee,
As a branch with its stock, as a building with its foundation.
May his comforts cheer me in my sorrows,
His strength sustain me in my trials,
His blessings revive me in my weariness,
His presence render me a fruitful tree of holiness,
His might establish me in peace and joy,
His incitements make me ceaseless in prayer,
His animation kindle in me undying devotion.
Send him as the searcher of my heart,
To show me more of my corruptions and helplessness
That I may flee to thee,
Cling to thee,
Rest on thee,
As the beginning and end of my salvation.
May I never vex him by my indifference and waywardness,
Grieve him by my cold welcome,
Resist him by my hard rebellion.
Answer my prayers, O Lord, for thy great name’s sake
thoughts and songs 