Context with Clayton: For September 13
Hey Church! Welcome to Context with Clayton!
This is a way for me to communicate with you about what songs we are singing this week, why we are singing them and some ideas that really emphasize what we are going to be learning about this through our scripture this week. I want to use this space to say what I wish we had time to say on Sunday mornings.
Welcome back! I had a little bit of a break but I am back again!
This week is going to be a bit different. Our scripture is in Nehemiah chapter 4 and the focus is going to be on prayer. So, in the spirit of prayer I wanted to hone in on that this week.
Every song we sing this week is going to be sung as a prayer and we will be proclaiming our faith together. So I am going to list the songs and then a prayer surrounding the words. As you read this please take some time to be present with the Lord and pray this with me.
- Rest On Us by Maverick City Music – Lord we pray together that you would rest on us. Be present with us, move in and through us. As you were in the beginning, hovering over the waters would you hover over us. We pray that you would help us remember that you are all we want. We want to be with you, we want to be used by you for your purpose and your Will. Would you grant us the desire to constantly seek you. We pray that You will be enough for us. That we would not go seeking fulfillment in anything other than your presence. Amen.
- Come Thou Fount – Dear God, please teach us to appreciate the work you do in our lives. Help us to sing songs without shame to you. Help us to stay in your Will even though we are prone to wander. We are prone to forgetfulness, selfishness, and jealousy. We are subject to envy, fear, and anger. Would you give us your spirit and peel back the scales from our eyes, so that we can see as you do. Help us be open hearted to serving those around us, just as you would. Lord we are grateful for you, turn our hearts to sing your grace. Amen.
- This I believe by Hillsong United – God we come before you broken, divided, and weary. We pray the words of the Apostle’s Creed as one unified voice. We pray together that
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.
4. Build my Life by Passion – Lord we come before you, moved by your spirit and by your word. We are promising that we will build our lives upon your love, for it is a firm foundation. We will trust in you alone and we will not be shaken. We sing to Jesus the name above all names. We sing to you O God, you are the only one worthy of our praise. You are the almighty God of heaven and earth and we are grateful for your presence among us. Would you heal us, teach us, and love us deeper still. You are worthy of every breath we could ever breath, we promise to live for you and you alone. We love you and praise you, Amen.
Closing Thoughts:
Thank you for being here, and thank you for coming back! It is a joy to serve you and we love worshiping God together with you every single Sunday! That being said, worship is not designated for Sunday morning church or Sunday School/Small Group. It is for every breath we draw, every scenario and trouble we are faced with, it is a condition and perspective of the heart. May we go through this week energized, filled with God’s love and purpose for our lives.
Grace and Peace,
Clayton Hill