Preparing our Hearts to Worship
In an effort to help you prepare for the August 25, 2019, Sunday morning corporate worship gathering and to aid you in your own reflections on the Psalms of Lament. I wanted to pose a few questions and provide a few resources to prayerfully consider over the coming days. Our sermon is entitled, “When words are not enough”. The main Scriptures for the day are the Psalm 5.
(Pick and choose from the many resources and options, which I have tried to make available for your devotional life.)
From the Scriptures
Please read and reflect upon Psalm 5.
From the Creeds and Confessions
Heidelberg Catechism Q116 Why is prayer necessary for Christians? Because it is the chief part of the thankfulness which God requires of us, and because God will give his grace and Holy Spirit to those only who with hearty sighing unceasingly beg them of him and thank him for them.
Heidelberg Catechism Q117 What belongs to such prayer as God is pleased with and will hear? First, that from the heart we call upon the one true God only, who has revealed himself in his Word, for all he has commanded us to ask of him; Second, that we right thoroughly know our need and misery, in order to humble ourselves before the face of his majesty; Third, that we be firmly assured that, notwithstanding we are unworthy of it, he will, for the sake of Christ our Lord, certainly hear our prayer as he has promised us in his Word.
Westminster Larger Catechism Q182 How doth the Spirit help us to pray? We not knowing what to pray for as we ought, the Spirit helps our infirmities, by enabling us to understand both for whom, and what, and how prayer is to be made; and by working and quickening in our hearts (although not in all persons, nor at all times, in the same measure) those apprehensions, affections, and graces which are requisite for the right performance of that duty.
From the songs, hymns and spiritual songs of the Church
When the Tears fall (Tim Hughes): Lyrics, Video
When my Heart is Torn (Wickham): Lyrics, Video
Desert Song (Hillsong): Lyrics, Video
For Thoughtful Reflection, Prayer, or further Study
Read and reflect upon Why we should include lament songs in our worship.
Read and reflect upon Themelios’ Belting out the Blues as Believers: The Importance of singing Lament.
The Sermon will be available online on August 25, 2019 at 12:30 pm.
Disclaimer: Reference to a particular article or website does not constitute endorsement or agreement with everything in that article or on that website.
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