"I see trees of green, red roses too, I see 'em bloom, for me and you.
And I think to myself...what a wonderful world." Louis Armstrong
I do not often find myself praying at a coffee shop. Sure, I may say a prayer here and there. But for daily, set apart time in prayer, I prefer the quiet of my office before the workday begins or morning time in my living room. But, in part, due to the hectic nature of this season, I found myself one day this week reading God's Word and writing in my prayer journal in a coffee shop.
Earlier in that coffee shop, prayer would have been unthinkable. There was a large group of high school girls who, I am certain, were making noise that would challenge even the record breaking noise of Century Link field during a Seahawks game. Thankfully, when I was turning to prayer, there were only a couple of younger teenage kids sitting across from me, obviously waiting for mom to pick them up after a violin lesson. Not only were these kids quiet, but one was fast asleep (as signified by the drool rolling down the leather seat—which his sister promptly wiped up with a napkin).
It was in this quiet moment, with a sunset sky streaming in through the windows, that I began my prayer time. I had only just read, in Deuteronomy 13:17-18, "...He will show you mercy, have compassion on you, and increase your numbers, as he promised on oath to your forefathers, because you obey the LORD your God, keeping all his commands that I am giving you today and doing what is right in his eyes." And it was after recording these words about the Lord's faithfulness that I found myself praying...
Dear God,
Thank you for the privilege of witnessing this sunset this evening. If I were only able ever to witness just one such sunset, surely that would be enough to prove not only your existence, but your majesty. For an extraordinary sunset bespeaks an extraordinary God.
I am so grateful that I belong to an extraordinary God. I could never be worthy of your goodness, your faithfulness, your love. And yet, I am daily the recipient of all of these and so much more. (What is man that you are mindful of him?)
Thank you, God, for your blessings beyond numbering—for a healthy family, a healthy church, a beautiful place on your planet to call home. Thank you for the Son, by whom I have forgiveness, reconciliation and unshakable hope. Thank you for the Spirit who dwells within me, strengthening me for each day's labors and guiding me in paths of righteousness. (O God, you are so good!) Thank you, Father, for your matchless mercy by which I have been called, justified and made an inheritor of life eternal.
O God, what can I give in response to your great goodness? Certainly, I could never repay your kindness. And yet, I want to spend my life trying. Lord, let me be for the glory of your name. Let me live for the work of your kingdom. Let me strive for the spread of your Gospel. Let me not be content with keeping this good news of salvation to myself, but let me daily, intentionally and zealously share it with others.
I love you, Lord. Teach me how to love you with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind, with all my strength. And in my life...be glorified!
It was while I was writing this prayer that Louis Armstrong's voice came over the speakers crooning, "What a wonderful world." I do not usually find coffee shop music the most conducive to prayer. However, on this evening, I could think of no song more appropriate.
As I come to the end of another year on planet earth and look to the beginning of a new one, my heart is filled with gratitude for all God's goodness. And this gratitude only motivates me, all the more, to want to, in the words of Renton Bible Church's 2013 vision, "Respond to God's Blessings" by living my life more wholeheartedly for Him. I pray for you that 2014 will be a year of beholding the blessings of the living God, not only for you and yours to enjoy, but to share with those around you. May we pursue the will of our wonderful God in a faith-stretching, world-changing way in this New Year.
In Christ,
Pastor Dan