Bethlen Naptár, 1945 (Ligonier)
Dr. William Toth: Five Seasonal Prayers
144. OLDAL BETHLEN NAPTAR AZ 1945-IK ESZTENDŐRE that when our emotions blend into the spirit of prayer we feel ourselves lifted toward Thee. Blessed be Thou that this house of common prayer becomes Thy dwelling-place. 0 that all Thy children might seek Thy face and know that Thou art God and Father through our Lord Jesus Christ. For, 0 Lord, we rejoice that Thou didst reveal Thy heart as Jesus walked the dusty highways and climbed the hill of our redemption. Praised be Thy mercy shining brightly in His Cross. The ages waited not in vain and the words of the prophets returned not to Thee unfulfilled. For time, 0 God, was truly fulfilled in Him and now Thy children can turn their faith toward the coming of the great day, when He shall truly overcome our weaknesses, bind up our wounds and in reigning majesty carry us to Thy throne as Thine own. Grant us, 0 Father, an abundance of humility that we may accept Thy gift offered us in Jesus Christ. From pride and vainglorious trust in ourselves, from the denial of our kinship with all Thy children on the face of the earth, from hate that magnifies the weaknesses of others and turns one blind, from loving only those who us and passing others by, from a selfish ambition for power and the things that turn to dust, we beseech Thee to save us together with all Thy people. Rather, deepen the sources of penitence that our hearts may be truly prepared for Christ to find room there. Release into our hearts Thy spirit that love and pity may dwell therein. Turn our minds to the invisibles that in loving Thee all our days we might build our lives' upon faithfulness to duty and steadfastness in trial. Bring to clearer focus Thy holy will for our lives that in serving Thee we might further the interests of Thy kingdom in a world gone wayward. Fling wide the portals of our heart; Make it a temple, set apart From earthly use for heaven’s employ, Adorned with prayer, and love, and joy; So shall our Sovereign enter in, And new and nobler life begin; To Thee, 0 God, be praise For word and deed and grace! We make our prayer in the spirit of Him, whose coming our souls await, even the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
