For those of you who read this blog, I’m doing something a little different with my prayer journal this morning. When I woke up a bit ago, I was wondering what scripture I should use to inspire my prayer time with God today. I looked at the Revealed: A Storybook Bible for Grown-Ups book and found an interesting image for Joseph interpreting dreams while in prison, but it didn’t really inspire me–at least not now.
When I went in to make my breakfast, I thought of some of the Christian music my wife and I listened to in the 80’s and 90’s. I started shuffling through some old Michael W. Smith songs and found some great lyrics and good memories. A couple of them really made me think about some people I know and how they struggle to be free from shame and guilt. A couple reminded me of what Jesus actually did here on earth and what he offered to us. So I have four songs I’m putting below that are my prayer today. I’m praying the lyrics of each of these songs to God as a prayer on behalf of those who are struggling and as worship to the God that make a bridge to wholeness.
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“Cry for Love” — Michael W. Smith
My life is like a racing car hurtling towards the wall
At the speed of sound
My time has been so finely tuned
But I’ve never seen a human being so tightly wound
At times it seems beyond belief
I just need a bit of relief
Like a war-weary soldier
Marching up and over the edge
Take my hand and pull me up cause I’m falling too fast
Somehow I’ve lost my way – I’m cryin’ save me
Can you hear me…I’m calling out
I’m crying out…a cry for love
I can feel you…you’re touching me
You healing me…my cry for love
I will be the first to admit
I don’t have the strength to handle it alone anymore
I don’t have to fret, don’t have to explain
All my worrying’s in vain
I’m not alone anymore
Why is this so hard to believe
What is mine is mine to freely receive
Like the changing of seasons
This is the beauty of the word
And for all that I have seen and heard
Oh I want to come home
Somehow I’ll make my way – my way home to you
Can you hear me…I’m calling out
I’m crying out…a cry for love
I can feel you…you’re touching me
You healing me…my cry for love
Oh Father hear my call (Oh Father hear my call)
I know you’ll catch me when I fall
Oh Father hear my call
I know you’ll catch me when I fall
Oh I pray that you’ll hold me now
Hold me
And take my fear away
I’m cryin’ save me
Oh I know that you can hear me
Hear me crying out for love
Oh I know that you can feel my cry for love…ooh…
I can feel you – you’re calling out
You’re crying out – a cry for love
I can feel you – you’re touching me
You’re healing me – my cry for love
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Michael W. Smith / Brent Bourgeois
—
“I’ll Lead You Home” by Michael W. Smith
Wandering the road of desperate life
Aimlessly beneath a barren sky
Leave it to me
I’ll lead you home
So afraid that you will not be found
It won’t be long before your sun goes down
Just leave it to me
I’ll lead you home
[Chorus]
Hear me calling
Hear me calling
Just leave it to me
I’ll lead you home
A troubled mind and a doubter’s heart
You wonder how you ever got this far
Leave it to me
I’ll lead you home
Vultures of darkness ate the crumbs you left
You got no way to retrace your steps
Just leave it to me
I’ll lead you home
Hear me calling
Hear me calling
You’re lost and alone
Leave it to me
I’ll lead you home
So let it go and turn it over to
The one who chose to give his life for you
Leave it to me
I’ll lead you home
Hear me calling
Hear me calling
You’re lost and alone
Leave it to me
I’ll lead you home
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Michael W. Smith / Wayne Kirkpatrick
—
“Rocketown” by Michael W. Smith
A Friday night affair
Out in the city heat
Always a party there
Along the sordid street
And it was guaranteed
The place to be was Rocketown
The drinks were two for one
Inside the crowded bars
The girls would make their run
Out on the boulevard
It was the idol place
We lived the ways of Rocketown
Hang around by the street light
In the heart of the night life
There came a certain man
A stranger to the crowd
We didn’t understand
What he was all about
He walked a different pace
So out of place in Rocketown
They made a fool of him
They teased him when he’d speak
But when they knocked him down
He’d turn the other cheek
He told me I could find
A life outside of Rocketown
Hang around by the street light
In the heart of the night life
What was his mission
Where was he going
Why was his heart light
Always glowing
All I was missing
He stood there holding
What was his secret
Could I know it
Some didn’t like him near
Some laughed and turned away
But me, I longed to hear
All that he had to say
He had a peace of mind
I couldn’t find in Rocketown
And when I reached down inside me
I could feel the emptiness
What was his mission
Where was he going
Why was his heart light
Always glowing
All I was missing
He stood there holding
What was his secret
Could I know it
He said it’s in the heart
This change that comes to be
Now he had done his part
The choice was up to me
As we were standing there
He said a prayer for Rocketown
As we were standing there
He said a prayer for Rocketown
As we were standing there
He said a prayer for Rocketown
He walked off silently
And prayed for me
And Rocketown
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Wayne Kirkpatrick / Michael W. Smith
—
“Secret Ambition” by Michael W. Smith
Young man up on the hillside
Teaching new ways
Each word winning them over
Each heart a kindled flame
Old men watch from the outside
Guarding their prey
Threatened by the voice of the paragon
Leading their lambs away
Leading them far away
Nobody knew His secret ambition
Nobody knew His claim to fame
He broke the old rules steeped in tradition
He tore the holy veil away
Questioning those in powerful position
Running to those who called His name
But nobody knew His secret ambition
Was to give His life away
His rage shaking the temple
His word to the wise
His hand healing on the seventh day
His love wearing no disguise
Some say, “Death to the radical
He’s way out of line.”
Some say, “Praise be the miracle
God sends a blessed sign.
A blessed sign for troubled times.”
Nobody knew His secret ambition
Nobody knew His claim to fame
He broke the old rules steeped in tradition
He tore the holy veil away
Questioning those in powerful position
Running to those who called His name
But nobody knew His secret ambition
Was to give His life away
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Michael W. Smith / Wayne Kirkpatrick / Amy Grant Gill
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