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A Prayer of Increased Longings for the Redeemed Creation

     I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped. Rev. 5:13-14
     Dear Lord Jesus, two years ago today, I was sitting in this same chair, looking out the same window at the same spectacular body of water—the Gulf of Mexico. On that day I was raw with anger over the oil spill which devastated the livelihood many and dealt a cruel blow to the world you made, as a revelation of your glory. Though that particular crisis is over, my longings for the arrival of the never-to-be-broken-again world of the new heaven and new earth have grown exponentially, many times over.
     O for the Day when creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will enjoy the glorious freedom of the children of God (Rom. 8:18-25). By faith I can hear the faint but sure shouting of every creature “in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them” (Rev. 5:13) worshipping you, Jesus—Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer of all things! Turn the faintness into fullness, Lord, make the volume dial go from one to ten…
     I am so ready to see and hear the frustration-free (Rom. 8:20), fully engaged, full-throated, pan-creature symphony and chorus extolling the excellencies of your name. Lord Jesus, I am so ready for you to come back and finish making all things new, including me. I’m so ready for there to be no more sin in me and around me. I’m so ready for all knowing in part, loving in part, worshiping you in part to be done away with, forever. I’m so ready to be fully and finally free to be everything for which you gave your life and offered your blood…
     Until that Day, grant me the passion to want the conversion of your people more, much more, than I want an undisturbed holiday by the sea. If by hurricane, earthquake, flood, tornado, oil spill, or whatever else your saving purposes are realized, I’ll humbly submit, even as I’ll also keep seeking to be a good steward of “the first heaven and the first earth” (Rev. 21:1). Maranatha, Lord Jesus, Maranatha! So very amen I pray, with a glad and hope-filled heart.

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