Earlier this week, my husband and I were delighted to hear the Genevanss, a college choir from Geneva College in Pennsylvania. It reminded me of college tour times. They sang one of the anthems I remember singing. It is a song of intercession, of praying to God for something specific, but of a yearning for all Christians.
It was written during a night vigil by Ruth Manz and her husband, who set it to music. The scripture read before this song was Revelation 21:1-4; 22:1-5, 12-13, 1-17, 20 This song was created by Paul Manz and his wife Ruth as they waited at the hospital with their 3 year old son, whom they thought was dying. He lived and the song is dedicated to him. You can hear it on You Tube. Type in the title: “E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come,” and be blessed.
We often pray, as Jesus taught us to do, for the needs of others, of the world, of the church, of those troubled by circumstances beyond their control that only God can address, and when we pray that “His will be done,” Jesus said that even mountains can be moved. Even if we have faith the size of a mustard seed, God will listen, and Jesus will intercede for us. Prayer is answered now, or in the future, and the answer may be “not now, or yes, or no” but when we look back at the circumstance, we know God answers prayer.
Today, as we await Easter, and as we await the ultimate Easter of Christ’s triumphant return, let us be aware that the Holy Spirit prompts us to pray, not just for those in our immediate sphere of influence, but we are to pray for the “big things” too such as world peace, for the persecuted church, and yes, indeed, Maranatha, Lord Jesus, Come Soon.
“E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come” lyrics Ruth and Paul Manz based on Revelation 21 and 22
Peace be to you and grace from him
Who freed us from our sins
Who loved us all and shed his blood
That we might saved be
sing Holy, Holy to our Lord
The Lord, Almighty God
Who was, and is, and is to come
Sing Holy, Holy Lord
Rejoice in heaven, all ye that dwell within
Rejoice on earth, ye saints below
For Christ is coming, is coming soon
For Christ is coming soon
E’en so Lord Jesus, quickly come
And night shall be no more
They need no light nor lamp nor sun
For Christ will be their All!
MY PSALM 316 INTERCESSION
You are Mighty, Powerful, Omniscient and Omnipresent.
Thank you for governing my waking and sleeping.
In the silent recess of nighttime, You wake me to prayer.
Thank You for the silence which brings to mind
The names of those who need intercession.
You know their needs before I do, better than they do.
I pray Your Divine touch on each organ,
Even each rebel rogue cell.
Bring balance and strength and restore health.
For those troubled, I pray your calming spirit,
And the needed answers according to Your will.
For those in strained relationships,
I pray the look of love and forgiveness, just as You love us.
For those overwhelmed and anxious about situations,
I pray calm, clear direction, and Your lifting of burdens,
According to Your purposes in their life-walk with You.
You, Father God, have promised to be near us,
Utterly within us with Your Spirit.
I thank you expectantly for the changes in people’s lives,
Your Divine guidance and blessing, answers to prayer.
Just as You direct the paths of Your world,
Lord Jesus, be the intercessor
For those I lift up to Your throne.
Holy Spirit, bring direction and guidance,
The means of grace, evidences of Your compassion, mercy.
We rejoice even now
At the miraculous answers to prayers
You’ve taught us to expect.
For You alone, Triune God, are worthy of praise
And our very present help in times of trouble.
In times of trouble, our trust is in Your Name,
And our eternal gratitude belongs to You
For looking upon Your children with a Father’s love.
You hear our prayers as the sweet aroma of incense,
So let my prayer ascend to Your throne. Amen.
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