My Grandfather was a pastor for 50+ years in East Central Indiana (Richmond). He planted Hillcrest Baptist Church 50 years ago next month. I was so fortunate to gather a few books from his office when he retired a few years ago and one of them has truly been a gift that keeps on giving. John Bailee’s Diary of Private Prayer has been a spring of living waters and I wanted to share with you the prayer for the 30th day of the month.
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Creator Sprit, who hovers everlastingly over the lands and waters of the earth, filling them with forms and colours which no human skill can copy, give me today, I ask you, the mind and heart to rejoice in your creation.
Forbid that I should walk through your beautiful world with unseeing eyes.
Forbid that the lure of the marketplace should ever entirely steal my heart away from the love of the open acres and the green trees.
Forbid that under the low roof of the workshop or office or study I should ever forget your great overarching sky.
Forbid that when all your creatures are greeting the mornings with songs and shouts of joy, I alone should wear a dull and sullen face.
Let the energy and vigour which in your wisdom you have infused into every living thing stir today within my being, that I may not be among your creatures as a sluggard and a drone.
And above all give me grace to use these beauties of earth without me and this eager stirring of life within me as means whereby my soul may rise from creature to Creator, and from nature to nature’s God.
O Lord whose divine tenderness does ever out-soar the narrow loves and charities of earth, grant me today a kind and gentle heart towards all things that live. Let me not ruthlessly hurt any creature of yours. Let me take thought also for the welfare of little children, and of those who are sick, and of the poor; remembering that what I do unto the least of these His brethren I do it unto Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.
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Take a moment now to walk outside and breath in the fresh air, smell the fresh cut grass, and maybe even fire up the charcoal for a BBQ. If you do that please let me know and I will join you! When you’re walking about let The Lord know that what He has created is really a beautiful thing to behold and enjoy. Remember those as well who are unable to go outside and enjoy it.
Consider these:
1. Is there a person confined in a wheel chair that would enjoy a stroll outside with your assistance?
2. Is there a child in the house on the first day of summer break that needs to come away from the TV and get outside to throw a ball around in the yard with you?
3. Is there someone in Hospice, or prison that would like a visit from you today?
Ask The Lord how you can be of service to Him today and enjoy the beautiful day as well.
Tim Holman, Writer 