Pre-Publication Ponderings
The pre-publication copy came in the mail today. This is where the final edits take place, and I get to see how the book feels (size) and looks. To say I'm excited would be a bit of an understatement.
As I was going back through the book, looking for misprints and placements, I was reminded of the valuable nature of these prayers. For example, the very first confession of sin is for Reformation Sunday. It's a reflection on Philippians 3:2-7. Here's the passage:
"Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ."
"Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ."
After reading this section, and contemplating how that translates into our present moment, it brought me to write the following confession of sin:
"Mighty and merciful Father, reflecting on Paul’s biography,
it quickly becomes clear that we often forget who
you have made us to be and what you have richly given
us; and we are confronted by the ways we have put confidence
in the flesh. We have been proud of our ethnic
heritage, self-reliant because of our nationality, enthralled
by our wealth and status, and impressed with our own
religious zeal. O God, we confess that we have sought to
justify ourselves, by ourselves, to ourselves. And the
results have been destructive in our families, our homes,
and our lives. Father, all these assurances we now count
as loss for the sake of Christ; because you have saved us by
grace alone in Christ alone to your glory alone, and we
receive your loving kindnesses by faith alone. Lord, have
mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Amen" (3).
The book should be out sometime soon. Keep a watch for it.
Mike
"Mighty and merciful Father, reflecting on Paul’s biography,
it quickly becomes clear that we often forget who
you have made us to be and what you have richly given
us; and we are confronted by the ways we have put confidence
in the flesh. We have been proud of our ethnic
heritage, self-reliant because of our nationality, enthralled
by our wealth and status, and impressed with our own
religious zeal. O God, we confess that we have sought to
justify ourselves, by ourselves, to ourselves. And the
results have been destructive in our families, our homes,
and our lives. Father, all these assurances we now count
as loss for the sake of Christ; because you have saved us by
grace alone in Christ alone to your glory alone, and we
receive your loving kindnesses by faith alone. Lord, have
mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Amen" (3).
The book should be out sometime soon. Keep a watch for it.
Mike
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