A Prayer for Resting in the Sovereignty and Goodness of God
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Rev. 1:4–5
Glorious Triune God, lately my attitude about politics in general, and the American political process in particular, has been a growing source of irritation and cynicism—a sure indication that I need the gospel to center me. This small portion of your Scripture confronts my bad attitude with your glory and grace; your might and mercy; your presence and your purposes. Nothing has greater power to convict me of my sin and help me regain perspective than your Word.
Sovereign Father, I’m greatly encouraged to remember that you are timeless in your engagement with your creation and your people. You always have been, you presently are, and you always will be the God who is working all things together after the counsel of your will. Nothing gets by you, vexes you, or threatens the execution of your eternal decrees. You never need a holiday, you never suffer from ADD, and you always bring your “A game.”
God the Holy Spirit, in your sevenfold perfection, you are constantly executing the will of the Father concerning all things—from feeding sparrows and clothing flowers; to revealing and applying the grace of Jesus; to raising up kings and putting kings down at the Father’s bidding. Nothing and no one can resist you.
Lord Jesus, you are the faithful witness who reveals everything we need to know about anything. You’ve never lied, exaggerated, or withheld any revelation we need for serving you in the world. You are the firstborn from among the dead, which means your death and resurrection are the guarantee and the firstfruits of the whole new creation order. Because you were raised from the dead, all who trust in you will be raised. In fact, the entire cosmos will be restored and brought to a grandeur of which the Garden of Eden was just a hint.
And, Jesus, you are presently the ruler of the kings of the earth. Forgive me when I pine and whine about who’s sitting in the biggest chair in the White House or the Kremlin, North Korea or China, Iran or Israel. Legitimate concerns don’t give me the right to illegitimate unbelief. The good news of your present and future reign should free us from all panic and paranoia.
It should also free us from all passivity and presumption. Show us how to live, simultaneously, as good citizens of heaven and our country. O, for the Day when your kingdom will come in fullness, your will be done perfectly, on earth as it is in heaven. So very Amen we pray, in your glorious and gracious name. by Scotty Smith
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Rev. 1:4–5
Glorious Triune God, lately my attitude about politics in general, and the American political process in particular, has been a growing source of irritation and cynicism—a sure indication that I need the gospel to center me. This small portion of your Scripture confronts my bad attitude with your glory and grace; your might and mercy; your presence and your purposes. Nothing has greater power to convict me of my sin and help me regain perspective than your Word.
Sovereign Father, I’m greatly encouraged to remember that you are timeless in your engagement with your creation and your people. You always have been, you presently are, and you always will be the God who is working all things together after the counsel of your will. Nothing gets by you, vexes you, or threatens the execution of your eternal decrees. You never need a holiday, you never suffer from ADD, and you always bring your “A game.”
God the Holy Spirit, in your sevenfold perfection, you are constantly executing the will of the Father concerning all things—from feeding sparrows and clothing flowers; to revealing and applying the grace of Jesus; to raising up kings and putting kings down at the Father’s bidding. Nothing and no one can resist you.
Lord Jesus, you are the faithful witness who reveals everything we need to know about anything. You’ve never lied, exaggerated, or withheld any revelation we need for serving you in the world. You are the firstborn from among the dead, which means your death and resurrection are the guarantee and the firstfruits of the whole new creation order. Because you were raised from the dead, all who trust in you will be raised. In fact, the entire cosmos will be restored and brought to a grandeur of which the Garden of Eden was just a hint.
And, Jesus, you are presently the ruler of the kings of the earth. Forgive me when I pine and whine about who’s sitting in the biggest chair in the White House or the Kremlin, North Korea or China, Iran or Israel. Legitimate concerns don’t give me the right to illegitimate unbelief. The good news of your present and future reign should free us from all panic and paranoia.
It should also free us from all passivity and presumption. Show us how to live, simultaneously, as good citizens of heaven and our country. O, for the Day when your kingdom will come in fullness, your will be done perfectly, on earth as it is in heaven. So very Amen we pray, in your glorious and gracious name. by Scotty Smith
