You have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. For they could not endure the order that was given, ”If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. Heb. 12:18-24 (ESV)
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for the honor of gathering with my brothers and sisters in Christ to worship you. We have no greater calling, privilege, or delight. Hallelujah! We’re not coming to Mt. Sinai, but to Mt. Zion; not to the unfulfilled law, but to the glorious gospel; not to Moses, but to Jesus; not to satisfy ourselves, but to glorify you. Therefore…
- Free us to humbly receive your Word, not judge the sermon
- Free us to sing and make music to you from our hearts, not simply like or not like the worship music
- Free us to be open to whatever you want to do in our midst. Convict us. Gladden us. Heal us. Transform us.
- Free us to extend your welcoming heart to one another and visitors, with a view to the ingathering of the nations into the New Jerusalem
- Free us from no or low expectations; complacency and chilled affections for you; and from our penchant for sitting in the same seat, talking to the same people, and going through the same predictable motions. Forgive us and free us, Father.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ worship-worthy and loving name.
