A Prayer about Jesus Transforming Worship

There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child [Jesus] to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:36–38 NIV)

I have enjoyed sharing the prayers written by Pastor Scotty Smith. Since Sunday is the last one in 2012, I thought this prayer on worship was very timely for us.

Jesus, there are so many reasons to love and praise you. Today I’m grateful for how you radically transformed the worship of God. The main reason we’ve been created is to glorify God and enjoy him forever, so nothing is more important than how we worship God.

Though I admire Anna for her life of devotion—worshiping God ceaselessly in the temple—I adore you for removing all the limitations temple worship imposed. You were just eight days old when Anna met you in the temple. There’s no way she could have imagined you came into the world to fulfill and replace temple worship forever.

By giving yourself for us on the cross, you have once and for all atoned for our sins and exhausted God’s righteous judgment against us. You fulfilled the entire sacrificial system. It will never resume. Hallelujah!

Not only is there now no condemnation, there is now full celebration, for we are fully and eternally acceptable to God in you. The sacrifice we make is one of praise, for you are the Lamb of God who has taken away our sin forever. The gospel put an end to all self-centered fears and concerns in worship.

I also praise you, Jesus, for removing all spatial and calendar limitations on God’s worship. Because of what you have done for us, “true worshipers” are those who worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:21–26), not just in one place but in every place. Though we are still to gather with our brothers and sisters for services of worship, you have transformed the entire Christian life into worship service.

Because of you, Jesus, one day the entire earth will be covered with the knowledge of the glory of God. The final sanctuary will be the new heaven and new earth. Every creature and all creation will be liberated for the praise of your glory and grace. Oh, hasten that glad and glorious day!

Until that day, Jesus, may the gospel free us to worship God more passionately and faithfully through prayer and fasting, like Anna, but also by everything else we do in life—with our thoughts, by our words, and through many gospel deeds. We pray in your holy and loving name. Amen

Smith, Scotty (2011-09-01). Everyday Prayers for a Transformed Life: 365 Days to Gospel-Centered Faith (Kindle Locations 9003-9028). Baker Book Group. Kindle Edition.

What have you learned from today’s prayer? Next week I will share two additional challenges for you to prayerfully consider. Thanks for joining me this week.

Running with joy,

Bill Welte
President/CEO America’s Keswick

Daily Bible Reading: Zechariah 5-8; Proverbs 28; Revelation 19

Quote of the day:  “Learn to let God within you spring forth from within your spirit. Nothing is so sterile and cold as someone who only loves himself. There is nothing to compare to the tender and lovely gentle-ness that God’s love produces in a human heart.”—Francois Fenelon

Bible Memory: Level 1: James 5:12  Level 2: James 5:13-18

Prayer Quotes:  Quit praying about yourself, and be spent in vicarious intercession as the bondslave of Jesus. Oswald Chambers