This week, I had an assignment due for a course. The prompt was this: You are in an elevator and someone says to you, “What is the Gospel of Jesus Christ?” How would you answer in a compelling, relational way that also reflects the way Jesus defined His Gospel? As I was reflecting on the question, the following prayer from The Valley of Vision was a great help.
O Thou Most High,
Creator of the ends of the earth,
Governor of the universe,
Judge of all men,
Head of the church,
Savior of sinners;
thy greatness is unsearchable,
thy goodness infinite,
thy compassions unfailing,
thy providence boundless,
thy mercies ever new.
We bless thee for the words of salvation.
How important, suitable, encouraging
are the doctrines, promises, and invitations
of the gospel of peace!
We are lost: but in it thou hast presented to us
a full, free and eternal salvation;
weak: but here we learn that help is found in one that is mighty,
poor: but in him we discover unsearchable riches,
blind: but we find he has treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
We thank thee for thy unspeakable gift.
Thy Son is our only refuge, foundation, hope, confidence;
We depend upon his death,
rest in his righteousness,
desire to bear his image;
May his glory fill our minds,
his love reign in our affections,
his cross inflame us with ardor.
Let us as Christians fill our various situations in life,
escape the snares to which they expose us,
discharge the duties that arise from our circumstances,
enjoy with moderation their advantages,
improve with diligence their usefulness,
And may every place and company we are in be benefited by us.
