Sunday Morning Devotion: Week 4
Opening Prayer
Trustworthy God, to whom else shall I turn? You alone have the words of eternal life. You alone are worthy of my hope. Forgive me for those times when I have not trusted you, when I have first turned to other places and people to meet my needs. Out of pure grace you have been faithful to me and my loved ones time and time again. Your track record in my life is long and spotless. And yet, my faith in you can still be feeble and fleeting. Forgive me. Please give me greater confidence in you, a longer memory of your great work in my life, and help me to draw closer to you, so that I might know you better and love you more. In Christ I pray. Amen.
Come, Thou Almighty King
Anonymous
Come, thou almighty King,
Help us thy name to sing,
Help us to praise!
Father all-glorious,
O’er all victorious,
Come, and reign over us,
Ancient of Days!
Come, thou incarnate Word,
Gird on thy mighty sword,
Our prayer attend;
come, and thy people bless,
And give thy Word success;
Spirit of holiness,
On us descend!
Come, holy Comforter,
Thy sacred witness bear,
In this glad hour:
Thou who almighty art,
Now rule in every heart,
And ne’er from us depart,
Spirit of power!
To thee, great One in Three,
Eternal praises be,
Hence, evermore:
Thy sovereign majesty
May we in glory see,
And to eternity
Love and adore! Amen.
Key Principles from this Hymn
- The hymn opens with a call to the “almighty King” and “Father all-glorious,” recognizing God’s supreme power and authority. It speaks to God’s sovereignty over all creation and his eternal reign.
- Each stanza of the hymn addresses a different Person of the Trinity – Father, Son (incarnate Word), and Holy Spirit (Comforter). This highlights the distinct yet unified roles of the Trinity in the life of believers, from creation to redemption and ongoing sanctification.
- The hymn is a prayer for God’s presence and help. It acknowledges our need for God’s assistance in worship (“Help us thy name to sing”), guidance through His Word (“give thy Word success”), and continual indwelling of the Holy Spirit (“rule in every heart”).
Questions for Discussion and Personal Reflection
- What aspects of God’s sovereignty and majesty are most meaningful to you, and how do you experience them in your daily life?
- How do you understand the distinct roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in your faith journey?
- In what ways do you seek and experience God’s help and presence in your worship and prayers?
- How can you actively invite the Holy Spirit to rule in your heart and life?
- What does it mean to you to see God’s “sovereign majesty” and how does it affect your outlook on eternity?
- Reflect on a time when you felt the presence of the Holy Spirit as a “Comforter” in your life. How did it impact you?
- How do you incorporate the understanding of the Trinity into your daily spiritual practices?
Related Bible Verses to Reflect Upon
- Psalm 145:1-3: I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.
- John 1:1-3: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
- John 14:26: But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
- 2 Corinthians 13:14: May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
- Revelation 1:8: ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.’
Action Steps
- Set aside time each day to worship and praise God for his majesty and sovereignty. Use hymns, psalms, or spontaneous praise as part of your devotion.
- Read and meditate on Bible passages that highlight the roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Reflect on how each Person of the Trinity is active in your life.
- Intentionally pray for the Holy Spirit to guide and rule in your heart. Ask for the Spirit’s presence in your decisions, interactions, and personal growth.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Gracious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for your promises. You promise you will never leave us nor forsake us. You will help us fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith. We know that were we to go one day without your sovereign grace and strength undergirding us, we would fail miserably. And so, O Lord, we give you our deepest thanks. You have promised that there is a crown of righteousness awaiting us for seeking you in this life and desiring your appearance. This is not something you owe us, but another expression of your grace in our lives. O Lord, for this and more, we give you our thanks. In Christ we pray, Amen. (based on 2 Timothy 4:6-8)
Prayer Prompts
Use the following prayer prompts to encourage you to pray beyond your usual prayer requests. These prompts are included here to help get your own creative juices flowing and not to be regarded as strict and legalistic requirements. Use them or do not use them according to your need. May the Lord bless you as you go deeper with him in the holy communion of prayer.
Petition – prayers for yourself
- Spiritual Warfare
- Growth in Christlikeness
- Increasing faithfulness in the spiritual disciplines
- My health
- For my ordinary appointments and activities to become divine appointments and activities.
- Other needs
Intercession – prayers for others
- My Family
- Mercy for those who are poor and hungry
- Justice for those who are oppressed and persecuted
- Love for those who oppress and persecute others
- Peace for those in the midst of war, crime, and violence
- Other needs
Quotation from Church History
“Let us with one heart and mind return to the Fountain of life and light, to the original source of all our blessings. Let us daily look up for more of his light and life, and walk with him in meekness and lowliness of heart, with growing affection and delight.” (John Wesley)
Thank you for joining me for this Sunday Morning Devotion. If it has encouraged you, please share it with others. For more devotionals, Bible studies, and resources, visit Walking Points. May God bless and strengthen you as you live for his glory!
