A Pentecostal Day Gathering of His Children

I shared at my site today, of our church’s and community’s participation in Global Day of Prayer. It was an absolutely powerful weekend of drawing closer to God and then coming together as a city, putting denominations aside, and seeking God for our communities and for the world. And so fitting that is was done on Pentecost Sunday, the day we remember when the believers were all gathered together in one room seeking God and the Holy Spirit came as a rushing wind, anointed them and then they went out and powerfully preached the gospel. Acts 2 tells all about it.

This morning, this prayer was brought to mind, for as we prayer for the world, we also pray that our hearts would be cleansed and pure before the Lord, that He would see fit to use us to reach a lost and hurting world. If we seek the Lord to cleanse us and show us where He would change us, we become like clay in His hands, that He might form us into the vessel of His choosing.

BEFORE THY THRONE O’ GOD WE KNEEL
William Boyd Carpenter 1841 – 1918

Before Thy throne o’ God we kneel,
Give us a conscience quick to feel
A ready mind to understand
The meaning of Thy chastening hand.

Whate’er the pain and shame may be
Bring us O Father nearer to Thee
Search out our hearts and make us true
Wishful to give to all their due.

From love of pleasure, lust of gold,
From sins which make the heart grow cold
Wean us and train us with Thy rod
Teach us to know our faults, O God.

For sins of heedless word or deed
For pride, ambitious to succeed
For crafty trade and subtle snare
To catch the simple unaware.

For life bereft of purpose high
Forgive, forgive, O Lord we cry!
Let the fierce fires which burn and try
Our inmost spirits purify.

Consume the ill, purge out the shame
O God be with us in the flame
A newborn people may we rise
More pure, more true, more nobly wise.

Father God, as we seek your face, may you cleanse our hearts and minds today. May the fire of your Spirit burn away all chaffe and may we be refined by you. We can do nothing apart from you Lord. Transform us that we might be used of You, to reach the lost and hurting. Around the world in missions, yes, Father, but also the mission of our own children, families, friends, neighbors and communities. Fill us with your mercy and love for those lost and hurting and open our eyes for when you bring them our way. May you be exalted in the earth today!

For more information on the Global Day of Prayer you can access their website at www.globaldayofprayer.com

Did your church or community participate in the Global Day of Prayer? What did you bring away from it?