The Desires of the Lord

As You Have Forgiven

Lord, soften our hearts.

Where we’ve been hurt and become bitter,
Help us to heal and let go.

Where we have become set in our ways,
Help us to surrender to Your will. 

Where our thoughts are controlled by fear, pain, and resentment,
Help us to trust, heal and forgive, just as You have forgiven us.

Perfect Love

Lord, You have created each of us with a purpose.
You have Your very own desires for our lives,
And have placed us where we are for a reason.

Open our eyes to see Your desires,
And prepare our hearts to receive Your calling.
The struggles we face are not worthless;
Yes, even the trials You allow are for a greater good.

By our weaknesses Your power is seen;
Yes, by our failures Your perfect love is made known.

Who can understand the perfect love of our God?

Take My Heart

Oh Lord, take my heart and make it more like Yours!

Peel away the pride and self-centeredness,
The temporary pleasures and desires,
The arrogance and self-decieving thoughts. (How easy it is to be deceived!)

Replace them with humility and selfless love,
Your eternal hope that surpasses understanding,
A willingness to learn–and a willingness to be broken.

For while the desires of my heart are bound to bring harm and only last for a time,
Your desires have a value that stands forever–a value that cannot be taken away!

A Found Treasure

Oh Lord, how You have been patient that I may learn!
You have allowed pain that I may grow,
You have held me close that I may know Your ways,
And grafted me in that I may bear fruit for Your glory.

It is by You, oh Lord, that I have been changed,
And by Your blood that my sins have been washed away.

You have made my scars into a work of art,
And given a joy that far surpasses any pain.
From what was broken, You have made something beautiful;
Yes, You have turned what was lost into a found treasure.

My Redeemer

Lord, You are my foundation;
The Rock that I am standing on.

It is You that holds me upright;
You bring peace to my soul.

I was enchained, but You have set me free.
I was broken, but You have restored me.

Who am I, that by Your blood You have purified my soul?
Who am I, that You have shown me grace?

You, oh Lord, are my Redeemer!

You Alone

You alone know the perfect Way.
You perceive what is good and right,
What is just and what is holy.

In Your foundation is set a house that will stand;
No wind or storm can cause its walls to fall.

Your Way is narrow, but straight;
There are valleys, but Your Light shines even in the darkest nights.

Your presence never fails–
Always You are with us.
Your throne is high above all the earth:
You reign from everlasting to everlasting.

Who can break the chains of death?
Who is worthy to offer forgiveness and make us holy?

You alone, oh Lord!