Are We There Yet?

As noted in an earlier post the Voice of the Martyrs, a ministry dedicated to raising awareness for the persecuted church, is calling Christians to pray for the Church in China as our attention is drawn there due to the Olympics.  They have been issuing Olympic prayer bands that people can wear as a daily reminder.  President Bush was presented with one.  My wife, Connie, received the following info in an e-mail today:

Pastor Zhang “Bike” Mingxuan, known for traveling across China on a bicycle to evangelize, was arrested by Chinese police just two days before the Olympics began. Pastor Bike was the inspiration for the recent partnership between The Voice of the Martyrs and China Aid Association to create the Olympic Prayer Band.

I read this prayer, titled “The Life Look”, this morning in The Valley of Vision.  Well worth sharing…

O God, I bless Thee for the happy moment when I first saw Thy love fulfilled in Christ, wrath appeased, death destroyed, sin forgiven, my soul saved.  Ever since, Thou has been faithful to me, daily have I proved the power of Jesus’ blood, daily have I known the strength of the Spirit, my teacher, director, sanctifier.  I want no other rock to build upon than that I have, desire no other hope than that of gospel truth, need no other look than that which gazes on the cross.  Forgive me if I have tried to add anything to the one foundation, if I have unconsciously relied upon my knowledge, experience, deeds, and not seen them as filthy rags, if I have attempted to complete what is perfect in Christ.

May my cry be always, “Only Jesus!  Only Jesus!”  In Him is freedom from condemnation, fulness in His righteousness, eternal vitality in His given life, indissoluble union in fellowship with Him.

In Him I have all that I can hold; enlarge me to take in more.  If I backslide, let me like Peter weep bitterly and return to Him.  If I am tempted, and have no wit, give me strength enough to trust in Him.  If I am weak, may I faint upon His bosom of eternal love.  If in extremity, let me feel that He can deliver me.  If driven to the verge of hope and to the pit of despair, grant me grace to fall into His arms.

O God, hear me, do for me more than I ask, think, or dream.