The Lord's Day Prayer ~ John MacArthur

“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?  Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.”  ~ Psalm 43:5

 

  “Approaching God When Dismayed Yet Hopeful”

 

“Our Father, life in this sin-cursed world

     sometimes seems full of anguish—

     and we are too prone to fatigue and discouragement. 

Sometimes we can only groan inwardly,

     echoing the sigh of all creation in this fallen realm.[i]

We desperately need the help and comfort of Your Holy Spirit

    to endure the ravages of sin amid the trials of daily life.  

        Often we don’t even know how to pray,

          but He makes intercession for us with groaning of His own

           

              that are too deep for human words.

          And His prayers, unlike our feeble efforts

               to express the agony of our hearts,

               are always in accord with Your perfect will. [ii]

 

         As Your children, we thirst for You and trust in You deep down.

         We long to sense Your presence.

         We need Your tender mercy.

         We crave Your heavenly comfort.

         We stand in awe of Your wisdom,

                  Your faithfulness,

                  and Your perfect timing.

         Our experience confirms the testimony of Your Word:

            You have never forsaken us.

        Thus with settled confidence

             we echo the bold expentancy of the psalmist:

                  We shall yet praise You.

 

          Bearing in mind those precious truths,

                we approach Your throne once again

                    with both fearful trembling and holy boldness.

          You are both glorious and merciful;

                almighty and full of compassion;

                a righteous Judge but extravagant with tender mercies.

          We seek Your blessed favor in our times of need,

                 although  we know we are unworthy,

                 because  You have summoned us

                        to come confidently to the throne of grace. [iii]

We are vile, fallen creatures, and Your glory is above the heavens.[iv]

We are guilty but You are gracious.

We are weak but You are strong.

We are needy buy You are rich in lovingkindness.

We are defiled by sin but You are spotlessly holy.

We are without merit, but You cover us

     With Your own perfect righteousness.

Most gladly, therefore, do we boast about our weaknesses,

    so that the power of Christ may dwell in us.

Help us to be content with weaknesses

     With insults, with distresses, with persecutions,

         and with difficulties for Christ’s sake.

Because when we are weak, then we are strong. [v]

By faith we have been made dead to sin

    and alive in Your holy presence.

You have blessed us with love—

    The likes of which we have never before known—

       love for You and love for one another.

You have showered us with grace and glory;

   no good thing have You withheld. [vi]

You have brought us into the fellowship of the church,

     and you have supplied us everything

        that pertains to life and godliness. [vii]

Use us to advance Your kingdom and bring honor to Your name!

Cleanse us from everything

   that would hinder us in accomplishing Your will,

   and receive our earnest prayers and worship

      in the name of Christ.   Amen.”

---

[i]  Romans 8:22-23

[ii] Romans 8:26-27

[iii] Hebrews 4:14-16

[iv] Psalm 113:4

[v] 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

[vi] Psalm 84:11

[vii] 2 Peter1:3

 

At The Throne of Grace: A Book of Prayers - John MacArthur 

 Pg. 110-112;  Harvest House Publishers 2011

---

 

Print this post