Two Prayers for the Lord's Day by John Knox

I've taken on the project of making some prayers of the Reformers more readible for the 21st century believer. These are meant not to be a substitute for your prayers, but primers for your own communion with God. We need not be giants to gain the insight these spiritual masters acquired by their extreme devotion, just good imitators. Follow them as they followed Christ. For the Lord’s Day (Morning) Grant,

O heavenly Father that we may spend this day wholly in your service, so that all our thoughts, words, and deeds may glorify you, our heavenly Father. And for as much as of your mere love and favor you have not only created us in your own image and likeness, but has also chosen us to be heirs with your dear Son, Jesus Christ, of that immortal kingdom which you prepared for us before the beginning of the world, we pray increase our faith and knowledge, and enlighten our hearts with your Holy Spirit, that we may walk in godliness and integrity of life. Amen.

(John Knox, 1513-72)

Evening For the Praying Church

Almighty God and Merciful Father, we do not present ourselves here before your majesty in our own merits or worthiness, but in Your manifold mercies according to which You have promised to hear our prayers, and grant our requests which we make in the name of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who also commanded us to assemble together in His name, with full confidence that He will not only be among us, but also our Mediator and Advocate before You, that we may obtain all things which shall seem expedient to Your blessed will for our needs. Amen.

Another View of the Belltower (ie. copula & Cross)

This week the belltower is being dismantled and then rebuilt. It is a unique feature of the church building, with a rounded copula and a cross. This represents the rule of Christ over the world.

The Bell Tower Work

Construction in April - Windows and Belltower

Much progress has been made in April with great weather from the Lord and major enhancements to our old sanctuary now making it more open, bright and appropriate for the proclaimation of God's Word. The Reformers were keen on how we ought to worship God being directed by the God we worship. This is our driving impulse in this project, to extol the beauty of true Biblical worship of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Prayer of John Knox for the Church in times of Injustice

O Lord, most strong and mighty God, who destroys the counsels of the ungodly and at Your pleasure disposes the tyrants of the world, so that no counsel or force can resist Your eternal counsel and everlasting purpose; we Your poor and humble servants, urgently desire, for the love that You have toward Your well-beloved and only begotten Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, that You will look upon Your cause. For it is time, O Lord to bring to nothing all those things that have risen up against You and Your Holy Word. And we promise before Your divine Majesty to use Your gifts better than we have done, and to order our lives more strictly, according to Your holy will and pleasure. And we will sing endless praises to Your most blessed name, world without end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Pictures From March -Church Renovation

These pictures show how the inside of the sanctuary was gutted out and the beginnings of the new chancel area where there will be new pews in the side cross-section of the sanctuary. The old offices and restroom will now be a part of the enlarged spacious sanctuary with an additional sitting space. It is a testimony of God's goodness that we are seeing this happen. For His Glory!

The Prayers of John Knox

Scotland’s history was altered by one man on his knees.
Let your strength, O Lord, sustain our weakness, that we being defended by the power of your grace, may be safely preserved against all the assaults of Satan, who continually goes about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour us. Increase our faith, O merciful Father, that we may not swerve at any time from your heavenly Word; but so deepen within us hope and love, with a careful keeping of all your commandments, that no hardness of heart, no hypocrisy, no lust of the eyes, no enticements of the world, may draw us away from your obedience. Amen.

It is a manifest sign, that such as are always negligent in prayer do understand nothing of perfect faith: for if the fire be without heat, or the burning lamp without light, then true faith may be without fervent prayer. John Knox
Grant, O heavenly Father, that we may spend this day wholly in your service, so that all our thoughts, words, and deeds may glorify you, our heavenly Father. And for as much as of your mere love and favor you have not only created us in your own image and likeness, but has also chosen us to be heirs with your dear Son, Jesus Christ, of that immortal kingdom which you prepared for us before the beginning of the world, we pray increase our faith and knowledge, and enlighten our hearts with your Holy Spirit, that we may walk in godliness and integrity of life. Amen.