January 7, 2010

• are we groaning over the Church?

  I've been reading through "The Fight of Faith," the second volume of Iain Murray's biography of Dr. David Martyn Lloyd-Jones. I would like to share a portion of the book with you here. (As way of background: this incident took place in 1949 when Dr. Lloyd-Jones was pastor at Westminster Chapel in London; he had lived most of his childhood in Wales and his first pastorate was in Wales before coming to Westminster Chapel.)
  
  Roger Weil, who was  a member of Westminster Chapel, recalls seeing a side of his minister's character in a new light when he happened to visit the Lloyd-Joneses during one of their summer holidays in Aberystwyth [in Wales]. They spoke together in the course of an evening on the state of the Welsh churches, past and present, and this was followed by family prayer which, as usual, closed the day. The English visitor writes:

  I will always remember the deep note of sadness in that part of his prayer when he interceded for Wales, that God who had so signally blessed her in days gone by would revive His work there once more. It was that tone of sadness that stuck in my mind at the time — I did not realize how it grieved his heart. I suppose it was memorable, too, because while on our knees there together we were privileged to glimpse him on a more personal level than ever we could in the services at the Chapel. It was not so much the words but something more like a groan in how he said what he did.

  –"The Fight of Faith," (Banner of Truth Trust: 1990), 202-203

  Romans 8:20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

  Our Father,

  Because we still dwell in this fallen world even though we are saved out of the world and even though we are no longer of the world, even though we are your new creation, even though we are your children, we are still subject to that same bondage to decay, we are still subject to temptation and the lusts of the flesh and the wiles of the devil.

  We have seen the decay to some extent, but help us to see it through Your eyes. Certainly You are sad, groaning and grieving for us, for Your Church, for Your children, today.

  O, yes, we do look forward with hope to the redemption of our bodies! But we also look forward with hope to Your coming to revive us again before that time.

  We confess we have become an astonishment, a proverb and a byword in the world today. Have mercy on us, forgive us our sins. Cleanse us from all unrighteousness for Jesus' sake. Purify us.

  Place into our hearts such a deep note of sadness, such groaning of spirit, such grieving for the Church today.

  Along with the creation, may we grieve and groan over the state of the Church today. Stir our hearts, O God. (How can we say we love You if we do not grieve and groan? How can we say we are Yours if we do not grieve and groan along with You? How can we remain apathetic about these things?)

  O, how much decay there is in Your Church today and in our own lives. We are to be a glorious Church, a chaste virgin, called out of the world to live holy and blameless lives, yet we fall so short of that. How we have taken Your Holy Word and corrupted it. How we have continued to obey our lusts and remain yoked to the world. Forgive us, O holy God, our Redeemer, for Jesus' sake.

  Almighty and eternal God, You have promised to give us all things since You have given us Your Son. You cannot lie. We are appealing to You and Your sure promises to give us an increased burden for Your Church, a greater love for You and for her, a clearer vision of You and the Church You have called us to be. May we be driven to Your throne of grace day and night, never ceasing in prayer for Your Church, the way our Lord continues at Your right hand in prayer for us. This is a great time of need for us. There are many enemies of You and Your Gospel within the Church and all around us. Strengthen us to persevere in prayer before Your throne of grace so we might find grace and mercy to help us for we are in a great time of need. We are in need of Your Spirit coming once again to revive us. There is no hope apart from Your falling fresh on us once again. We are at the end of our resources. We are looking by faith and with hope to You, O Lord God. Be gracious and merciful to us. Hear our prayers for Jesus' sake. We know Your timing is perfect and You are waiting to be gracious to us so You alone might be exalted. We wait on You. We trust You. We know we will not be ashamed as we wait on You to come in fullness of power. We know You are for us for Christ died for us. We know it is Your intent that we be a glory and praise in the earth once again. We know You will not forsake us for we are Your people, we are Your children purchased with the precious blood of the Lamb. O, how we long to be revived for Your glory, honor and praise. Have mercy on us, O God. Amen.

  Please add your prayers for yourself and the Church as the Holy Spirit leads you.

  • 11:38 AM
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