Beseeching the Father

Some of you know that I spent New Year at Netherside Hall in Yorkshire for its annual end-of-year camp for teenagers. There was a posh dinner, country dance, talent show (with performances of questionable quality) and the inevitable countdown. Shortly after midnight, a couple of guitars were produced, and we were all led in the worship of Almighty God, singing, without books or projection, a few songs including There is a Higher Throne and How Great Thou Art, and concluding with the Lord’s Prayer. I set little store by feelings, but truly, the Spirit of God was among us. Tears came to my eyes as His very presence could be sensed. Although beds beckoned and the usual cheery greetings, handshakes and hugs were demanded, it was a real privilege to have entered a new year before the Throne.

Unable to lead anything at Salem Chapel, one of our elders led a service of the Litany, a rather lovely work of liturgy from the old Prayer Book. A peculiar affair for a dissenting chapel, but one from which Thomas Crannmer’s evangelical spirit continues to shine forth, it was well received and appropriate.

Let worldlings soak up the booze, dullards glue their eyes to electrical screens and the uninterested retire to their beds, but let the people of God do now what they shall do in the eternal realms: enjoy the beautiful and dazzling presence of their Saviour.

We humbly beseech thee, O Father, mercifully to look upon our infirmities; and for the glory of thy Name turn from us all those evils that we most righteously have deserved; and grant that in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercy, and evermore serve thee in holiness and pureness of living, to thy honour and glory; through our only Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

-Archbishop Cranmer

There is a higher throne

than all this world has known,

where faithful ones from every tongue

will one day come.

Before the Son we’ll stand,

made faultless through the Lamb;

believing hearts find promised grace:

salvation comes.

-Keith & Kristyn Getty

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

-God, Isaiah 43:19