Words for Winter

This liturgy copied below reminds me of the beautiful generosity of our God. Unfortunately, forgetfulness often marks my days, so I need reminders like this. And as we embark on a new year together as a church, these words serve as a timely reminder for all of us. Despite our imperfections, we can approach the God of the universe in prayer and in daily Scripture reading, and yet we choose distractions rather than the pearls of wisdom in the word. This year, let’s resolve to commit to dedicated, disciplined Bible reading. The word of God is the only way we’ll endure what challenges are ahead. While the excitement of a new year typically brings hope and confidence in our potential, we’re certainly going to encounter challenges that only God’s word can help us endure. The word gives us more than optimism, which is rooted in our circumstances. It gives us biblical hope, which is rooted in what God is doing in and through our lives as we encounter whatever God has planned in this new year. May we be a people who love the word and rightly treasure its richness and power.

~Rob El Fattal

Words for Winter

“As another year begins, O God in Heaven,

I pause to remember

Every molecule in the universe,

Every square inch of this earth,

Every bone in my body,

And every single second of this new year,

Is sustained and upheld by the power of Your Word.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

Creator and Ruler of Heaven and Earth,

Your Word instructs us of Your goodness and grace.

It shows us who You are:

When mankind rebelled in the garden, forgot Your law,

Worshiped idols, defiled Your temple,

And bowed before the kings of Earth,

You disciplined them, so You could call them home.

And when there was no hope for righteousness in man,

You became one of us—enrobed in flesh—To walk this earth and show us perfection,

And die to cover our sins.

We, Your people, deserved none of this.

Yet out of Your great love and Your great mercy,

You created us, saved us, and revealed Yourself to us.

We, Your people, now hold Your words in our hands,

Father, I confess I take this too lightly.

The God of all creation has revealed Himself to me.

The Author of life has shown me His character.

Yet so often I engage with You begrudgingly,

Treating precious pearls of wisdom like mere gravel.

Father, forgive me for growing bored with Your Word.

Forgive me for taking Your words and Your character for granted.

I have given myself over to distractions, selfishness, and sloth,

And forgotten the miracle of Scripture.

In this new year, Spirit, grant me repentance.

Change my heart, transform it, purify it.

Grow my love for Your Word.

Use Your story to shape me

Into the image of Christ.

Thank You, God in Heaven, for the gift of Your Word!

It shapes me and reveals me for who lam

It carries the truth of Your law,

The goodness of Your wisdom,

And the beauty of Your love.

It is a window into the heart of God—

A revelation of Your very own character—

Displayed now before me.

Spirit, enliven my heart, and give me ears to hear.

Grant me the wisdom to read Your Word clearly

Grant me the fear of one glimpsing the holy.

Grant me the love to obey it fully.

Grant me the faith to trust it eternally.

Amen.”

-The Austin Stone Institute, Words for Winter