No journey is complete that does not lead through some dark valleys. We can properly comfort others only with the comfort wherewith we ourselves have been comforted of God.
From Matthew 5:4: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
Vance Havner (1901-1986) was an American pastor and Christian author. During his many years of service to the Lord, he preached throughout America.
Welcoming
Father’s door
Opens with grace
Finding joy in hope
Prayer
Opening
Wounded heart
Coming to Father
Asking for mercy’s aid
Prayer
Enabling
Faith’s voice
Light replaces darkness
Gratifying conversation with Father
Prayer
This series of poems (written in the German-inspired style of Elfchen or Elevenie) shares a total of eleven words in each poem, with a sequence by line of one, two, three, four, and one words.
Prayer is not so much an act as it is an attitude–an attitude of dependency, dependency upon God.
From Jeremiah 17:7: “Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose confidence is the Lord.”
Arthur Walkington (A. W.) Pink (1886-1952) was an English Bible teacher and Christian writer. Following his death, many of his writings were well-received by readers. This turnabout established him as an influential evangelical author.
Alone
With Father
Emptying of self
Asking for His forgiveness
Transformation
Time
With Father
Filled with grace
Praying for others’ needs
Devotion
Comfortable
With Father
Accepting life’s burdens
Glory always to Him
Restoration
The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer.
From Philippians 4:6: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
F. B. (Frederick Brotherton) Meyer (1847-1929) was an English pastor, evangelist, and Christian writer. He was heavily invested with inner city mission work in both his native country as well as the United States.
From Ephesians 6:10-11: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
God’s people under attack
Roaring lion on the prowl
Looking for prey to devour
Evil presence brings a scowl
Days becoming the darkest
Running away from the Lord
But, hope waits like eagles’ wings
Holy Spirit comes aboard
Remaining strong with our Lord
Under His mighty power
Wearing protective armor
God’s Word will carry the hour
Our Father’s righteousness speaks
Spirit with us on this day
Withstanding what evil brings
Defeating darkness His way
Time to witness hope-filled faith
Praying daily for action
Quench evil’s flaming arrows
Calling for man’s retraction
Behind His truth, standing firm
Urging others to repent
Proclaiming Gospel of peace
Our Holy God will relent
From Psalm 85:6-7: “Will you not revive us again, so that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.”
Originally published June, 2020.
Thine to work as well as pray, clearing thorny wrongs away; plucking up the weeds of sin, letting heaven’s warm sunshine in.
From Isaiah 61:11: “For as the earth brings forth its shoots and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.”
John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892) was an American poet. His Quaker background entrusted him to advocate for the abolition of slavery in the United States.
From Habakkuk 2:4: “Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faithfulness.”
Too many demands
Fewer precious hours
Life out of control
Darkness set to devour
Light beams from God’s Word
Life’s frantic pace slows
Moment by moment
Steps finding high plateau
Fresh landscape of peace
In God, faith shall trust
Heart fills with new hope
Priorities adjust
Hidden darkness flees
Armor of light worn
God’s grace stretching out
His answers come each morn
Prayer’s conveyance
Journey with God’s love
Freedom at last found
Guidance breathes from above
From Romans 13:12: “The night is far gone; the day is near. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”
From Psalm 86:2-3: “Preserve my life, for I am devoted to You; save Your servant who trusts in You. You are my God; be gracious to me, O Lord, for to You do I cry all day long.”
Devoted to Father
Hearing His endless thoughts
Witnessing heavenly goodness
Life’s lessons always taught
Filled with Father’s steadfast spirit
Trusting His timely grace
Lifting wayward heart from darkness
Love offers mercy’s place
Called to walk in Father’s vision
Turning away from sin
Answering each burden’s prayer
Faith’s glorious linchpin
Delivered light shines upon thee
Words filling confession
Lifting soul from forgotten place
Forgiving transgressions
Comforted with Father’s favor
Rising from empty tomb
Sowing with every seeded field
Peace gathered from each bloom
From Psalm 86:11-12: “Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere Your name. I give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify Your name forever.”
From 1 Timothy 3:16-17: “Without any doubt, the mystery of godliness is great: He was revealed in flesh, vindicated in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory.”
Receiving Father’s love
Heavenly provisions
Learning His trusted ways
Fulfilled with hope’s vision
Living with Father’s peace
Righteousness always leads
Blessing journey ahead
Strengthened with mercy’s seed
Seeking Father’s counsel
Daily conversation
Linking up through prayer
Rejected temptation
Fulfilling Father’s joy
Spirit nurtures each soul
Coming to Lord Jesus
Sanctified, faith made whole
Completing Father’s work
Upon His foundation
Accepting light’s guidance
Restored through salvation
From 1 Thessalonians 5:23: “May the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely, and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do this.”
Big Sky Buckeye 