10.

Sing my heart with joyous praise

A new song to the Lord

Day by day without fail

For my peace is in You, my Lord.

You renew my strength, My Lord

When I am worn and weary

You are the well of fresh spring

From which I draw in this desert place.

Oh, my Lord, I cry to You day and night

For the thoughtless words of my enemies are like poison to my veins

And the wounds they have afflicted upon my body

Bleeds as my heart weeps for Your help.

But my Lord, You have established my House

Upon Thy solid Rock

Its foundations inlaid with gold and precious stones

Immovable and everlasting, forever and ever.

The broken crown which I have laid at Thy feet

You have restored upon my head with grace

So that I will walk fearlessly among the lost

With Peace upon my wake.

My Lord, You have given me the garment of Love

As so that I can clothe the naked

You have given me spiritual food

As so that I can feed the hungry.

You have given me rich blessings

As so that I can share them with the poor

That through the gifts You have graciously given

Your Name be glorified on the lips of all nations.

You have bestowed me great gifts of healing

Immeasurable power of prayer

As so that I will constantly speak nothing but Life

Into a captive and enslaved nation.

As so that the blind can now see

The deaf can now listen

The lame walk now with confidence

And the mute shall proclaim Thy glorious Name.

For my Lord is an awesome God

That nothing can contain

And Thy fearful and wondrous might

Extends throughout the universe.

(Especially for Ee Ling on her birthday)

09.

My beloved Lord,

You have given me a beautiful field

A plot of land for me toil

A promise of a bountiful harvest.

A land that was once filled with briar and brambles

You have uprooted and burned them all

And the field is now fit for planting

A glorious harvest calls.

But I am no farmer my Lord

I have neither tools nor knowledge

Nothing but my bumbling hands

My Lord, what should I do?

My Lord then said:

“Do not fret or fear my child

I will teach you what to do

I have prepared the tools

For your dainty hands to use.

I will tell you which seeds to plant

And We will watch them grow

Be sure to water them often

With love, faith and hope.”

My Lord, I have done what You have asked

All the tilling and planting

Even the watering and caring

And now I know not how to continue.

My Lord replied:

“We wait my child

And let Time pass by

Keep watering the field

The harvest will arrive.

I will make the seedlings grow

Tall, graceful and strong

Handsome trees with juicy fruits a laden

And ever more seeds for more.”

But my Lord, the winter chill is coming

And the plants are still so small

How could I sit and do nothing

But helplessly watch?

My Lord smiled and answered:

“My child, I am the master of all

Have I not seen what cannot be foretold?

Be patient I ask you and do what I have taught

The harvest will be plenty and it is such.

For Time will strengthen the plants

And allow much growth

The winter chill will blow through

And they will not be harmed.

For I have given you tender shears to prune them

And with My eyes I am keeping watch

Not a leaf will be destroyed nor a twig be broken

As long as you diligently pray over them.”

My Lord, it is indeed as You say

That my worries are all for naught

The field is now filled with mighty trees

And the harvest will soon come by.

The flowers have budded and blossomed

And the many fruits are growing

My heart flutters with excitement

For it is almost time for reaping.

My basket at ready, my apron adorned

My heart is glad at the fruits galore

My hands are delighted as they reach out to pick

But stilled immediately as a soft voice speak.

My Lord spoke with knowing eyes:

“My child may I inquire

What is this that you plan to do?

The fruits may have grown prettily

Yet they are not ripe for plucking.

Love and Time has yet to seep their way though

To soften and sweeten the fruit

And I will not disappoint you my child

If you will obediently follow My guide.

For I will show you which fruit is ripe

And I will inform you the time

For it is important to get it right

As so the fruit will not be too sour or tough to bite.”

So forgive me my Lord for I am too hasty

And help me wait and listen patiently

For my Lord’s wisdom transcends all

And my Lord’s promise never falls.

08.

O’ Lord, You are my saviour and redeemer

My counselor, healer and sustainer

You are beautiful and wonderful

You provide me with all my needs.

And through it all I often forget

You are the King above all else

Oh how glorious is Your countenance

And I tremble within Your presence.

As an earthly king is celebrated

With flutes, lyres and zithers

Melodious songs and jubilant dances

When he returns victorious from battles.

Oh how much more should the King of Kings

Be welcomed with awed reverence

With echoing praise and endless worship

For He is triumphant.

He has trampled the enemies beneath His feet

With bare hands He ground their bones to dust

As the winds of His biddings scattered their remains

And on no earth will they lay in peace.

O’ Lord, You have freed Thy people from fear and oppression

A powerful King of great might

Overflowing with wisdom and knowledge

Holy, blameless and just.

Must I then demand answers to all the whys

And recount rewards to what I have done?

I am but a humble servant in Thy service

All I have worked is what I am due.

For my King extends His scepter

To whom He pleases

And reveal His thoughts and plans

Well in His own good time.

So forgive me my King when I am blinded

By my willful needs and petty wants

My careless grumbles and raging rumbles

That I fail to recall my utmost duty.

To first serve and praise You, my beloved King.

07.

My beloved King,

Let my days be filled with joyous praise

For every moment of great abundance

And every second of overwhelming depression.

That I will find in everything

The goodness of Your grace

And through all my flaws and failings

You are made perfect.

My eternal Father,

Let not the heavy weight of my expectations

Crush this miraculous sprout of potential

You have planted and nurtured within me.

But let me rest in the knowledge

That all Your works are marvelous

And I am no less wonderful or special

Than my brother or sister.

My constant Provider,

Let not this cup be too full or too empty

As so that I do not forget but be thankful

And that I do not contend but be content.

For You give generously to each

Their rightful portion

According to Your mercy and grace

And my Lord, You know the best.

My loving Healer,

Let me remember You fondly in my affliction

Not to curse with bitterness but embrace with gladness

The seemingly daunting trials You have set before me.

For You seek to test my spirit

Not to stumble me with rolling circumstances

But to train these sluggish feet

To stand firm and leap with joy in High Places.

My wondrous Redeemer,

Let me not chain myself with guilt

Of unchangeable things long past

And regrettable deeds and habits of the present.

For You have paid the ultimate price

To break me free from my bonds

So that I am renewed every single day

As I turn to You in hope and Your help to change.

My wise Teacher,

Let me seek diligently Your counsel

In all that I say and do

From the moment I awake to the moment I lay my head.

For Your plans are good

And Your lessons are stern

For You delight in molding me

Step by step into a better person.

My gentle Comforter,

Let me not fear to continue loving

Those who hurt me and hate me

To always remind me of the love You have for me.

For You have loved me even before I loved You

Even when I have shattered Your heart to pieces

Therefore, O’ Lord I ask You to break my heart

So the love You have continually poured into me overflows.

My Most High Lord,

Let this prayer be honest and true

So I will not toss my head in conceit

But share the greatness of You.

For my Lord, truly I am nothing without You.

(Especially for Charles, a prayer)