I love to use the words of songs as prayers and worship.
1. “Open your heart! Show mercy to all those in fear. We are called to be hope for the hopeless so hatred and blindness will be no more.” We are called (hymn 720 in Evangelical Lutheran Worship.) The refrain says, “We are called to act with justice, we are called to love tenderly; we are called to serve one another, to walk humbly with God.”
God, please guide me as I look for opportunities to love others, stand up for justice and serve my fellow man as this song says that You have called me to do.
This song reminds me of a Bible verse.
2. “Lord, use our voices, Lord, use our hands, Lord, use our lives, …All that we have, all that we are, all that we hope to be, we give to you…” We are an offering (692 in ELW)
I posted these words on the wall near my bed for years. I try to offer all of this to God but I fall short repeatedly.
3. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.” Create in Me a Clean Heart (185 in ELW)
This song is based on one of the Psalms.
4. “I am weak, and I need Thy strength and power to help me over my weakest hour…
Help me tread in the paths of righteousness; be my aid when Satan and sin oppress. I am putting all my trust in Thee..
I am lost, if you take your hand from me; I am blind, without Thy Light to see.”
The refrain says, “Lead me, guide me along the way; for if You lead me, I cannot stray; Lord, let me walk each day with Thee. Lead me, O Lord lead me.” Lead Me, Guide Me (ELW pg. 768)
5. Will you love the you you hide, if I but call your name? Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same? Will you use the faith you’ve found to reshape the world around, through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?
Will You Come and Follow Me (ELW 798)
6. When we are tested and wrestle alone, famished for bread when the world offers stone, nourish us, God, by your word and your way, food that sustains us by night and by day.
When in the desert we cry for relief, pleading for paths marked by certain belief, lift us to love you beyond sign and test, trusting your presence, our only true rest.
When we are tempted to barter our souls, reading the truth for the pow’r to control, teach us to worship and praise only you, seeking your will in the work that we do.
When we have struggled and searched through the night, sorting and sifting the wrong from the right, Savior, surround us with circles of care, angels of healing of hope, and of prayer.
When We Are Tested in the ACS page 922.