Text: Psalm 18:1-6, Hebrews 4:14-16, 9:11-14
As we walk through this season of reflection and repentance together, we want to provide time and space for us as individuals and a community to meditate on God’s Word and bow at His feet in prayer.
Each Saturday during Lent we will read a brief passage of Scripture and a corporate prayer, both carefully chosen for this specific place in our Lenten journey. Sundays will be dedicated to scripture memorization, one of our favorite habits here at She Reads Truth.
We pray you will not only meet with the Savior on these quieter weekend days, but linger there with Him, in prayer and in His Word.
Lord Jesus, take from us now everything that would hinder the closest communion with God. Any wish or desire that might hamper us in prayer remove, we pray you. Any memory of either sorrow or care that might hinder the fixing of our affection wholly on our God, take it away now. What have we to do with idols anymore? You have seen and observed us. You know where the difficulty lies. Help us against it, and may we now come boldly, not in the holy place alone, but in the holiest of all, where we should not dare to come if our great Lord had not torn the veil, sprinkled the mercy seat with his own blood, and asked us to enter.
– C.H. Spurgeon
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46 thoughts on "Take From Us Now"
Those who look to him will be radiant! Their faces will never be ashamed. Ps 34:5
Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence!! All confidence in Jesus!
Love both of these passages of scripture and the prayer! Praying God will take away all distractions from hinder me to live fully devoted to him!!!
I LOVE this prayer. It’s bold and challenging filled with humility. Longing for God alone to be in His rightful place.
He is my rock, not sleep or rest. He is my fortress, not my bed. I fight against anxiety. I have this desire to go to bed and sleep the anxiety off. I believe God understands my physical/mental weaknesses. But I need to believe that He is my rock and my fortress.
Amen! I’m so thankful that our Savior tore the veil so that we may be able to communicate with God Himself! The Lord is my rock, my fortress, my deliverer! Thank you Jesus!!
This reading tonight is exactly what I needed to hear. I have been filled with anxiety and fear due to a difficult day at work, finances, children ,just life. I want to give it up to the lord and allow him to be my rock, shield, and salvation. I want to trust him and know that he care for me and loves me. Why do i doubt and allow satan to be present instead of the Holy Spirit. Lord forgive me.
Oh I meant to spell your name A.S.H. {i} :)
Ash, you are a strong woman!!! God healing you of being paralyzed is just amazing! Keeping you in my prayers for everything else you listed. You are right about God being in control. Its hard when we are hurting but somehow He still makes a way and He is getting us through every day. Thank you for sharing your story sister. ♡
~Bria
Bria, Thank you soooo much. Looking back it has humbled me even more than I was then. To be healed from my paralysis (rib cage to my toes) just days before I would have died (my GBS attack was beginning it’s way to shutting down my lungs & heart), takes my breath away.
It is amazing for sure, seeing everything (tons I haven’t shared) that has fallen into place to have me where I am today.
The song – Our God is an awesome God, He reigns from heaven above…
Is filling my mind this morning.
How merciful He is to each one of us showing grace, power, love, faithfulness & forgiveness constantly without fail.
He is Glorious. (Another song in my head)
❤️️❤️️❤️️
No worries about ash. LOL
Hebrews 4:16 “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need”. Draw near with confidence. Because He has been tempted. And He offers grace & mercy. He offers help. But we have to ask.
This is such a beautiful prayer and portion of Scripture. Our God is near, not distant. My heart is blessed.
My best friend is dead as of yesterday. And this is much needed.
I’m so sorry to hear that, Bailey. Truly heartbreaking…you have my prayers tonight.
Oh Bailey, I'm so sorry you lost your best friend! I'm praying Jesus will hold you close.
I pray that during this season of lent that we fully turn our eyes to God. And if there is something that is turning our necks to the side causing us to strain to see God, I pray that the Lord covers us and is our refuge and our strength. That we will give all things up to Him and let Him do His will and constantly renew our hearts!!! I give up to God a possible relationship with this guy at my church. I don’t want to be distracted. I want to be on my hands and feet right at the cross bowing before my King. If this man is part of future great! If he is not that is ok too. All I know is God has the best planned for me. It may not be the most comfortable but it will build in me the best character!! Love you sooo much!!
This is what I’ve been stuck in for months. The scriptures and prayer are the exactly what has been on my heart.
When we are in distress or up against an enemy, let us FiRST turn to God in prayer. Christ alone is our strength, our rock, our fortress, and our savior. He alone is the power to save. Let us remember to grasp onto his power in our distress & shortcomings, let us remember we have the privilege required to enter into the holiest of holies.
~~~~~~~~~
“Lord Jesus, take from us now everything that would hinder the closest communion with God. Any wish or desire that might hamper us in prayer remove, we pray you. Any memory of either sorrow or care that might hinder the fixing of our affection wholly on our God, take it away now. What have we to do with idols anymore? You have seen and observed us. You know where the difficulty lies. Help us against it, and may we now come boldly, not in the holy place alone, but in the holiest of all, where we should not dare to come if our great Lord had not torn the veil, sprinkled the mercy seat with his own blood, and asked us to enter.”
– C.H. Spurgeon
“Lord Jesus, take from us now everything that would hinder the closest communion with God. … What have we to do with idols anymore?”
I have many idols. Those ‘things’ – good & bad – that hold me back from fully entering the presence of God. During this season, the Lord has been opening my eyes to these many things. It’s overwhelming. But He is ever so gently nudging me to come to Him. I am not to do away with these alone. He will be my rock. My strength. My hope. Full of grace. Overflowing with love.
Yet I still want to cry out for His help, to implore Him to help me feel His love. But He is already at my side. He has heard my small, mediocre cries during this time. He is with me. Even now. That is His beautiful, gracious love for me. Grateful for a glimmering of His peace this morning.
This week’s studies have been my heart’s cry. I’ve been dealing with chronic pain recently and discovered this week I have another herniated disc. I had surgery for the same thing only two years ago. This time it’s affecting the nerve in a way that could be permanent damage. I have cried many angry and fearful tears this week.
Praying for you, Krystle. May God wrap you up in His peace and love during this time.
I sympathize with you, my sister. I too received bad news about my health last week that shattered my feelings of good health. My husband and I had been planning to start a family in the coming months. Unfortunately, I now think we have to wait a bit until we can do that. Spent many moments crying with frustration. I’m praying for you, Krystle. I know deep down that He is greater than our illnesses and doubts and feelings of inadequacy. I’ll pray for you as I pray for myself, that God will use these health conditions for good and to draw us into a deeper relationship with Him.
Krystle, you are not alone. Give it to God. Though it is hard suffering our own physical pain – God knows you can handle this with Him. Love him for it. Ask God to do His will in you through it all, together.
Try to Laugh, have joy (I know it seems odd to say that, but laugh it off, telling yourself – I’m good, God has this, by laughing and trying to gather joy in our darkest times – we keep Satans pull away.
Be thankful for everything in your life, EVERYTHING! Even affliction, for it will be used for great things.
In Our Weakness, He IS Made Strong!
I am 41 – have two herniated discs LT/RT L5-S1, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, 1 disc has torn a nerve – impinging it and the other is impinging as well. I also have bursitis LT/RT hip, carpel tunnel LT/RT, muscle tissue damage lumbar/scar tissue, RT knee pain from lateral release in my 20’s, Chronic Pain since 1996, Fibromyalgia, Guillain Barrè Syndrome 2008(paralyzed me instantly – I almost died, was called in Hospital to read Job! – I have full body nerve damage from this on top of everything else), poly-cystic ovaries(1993 maybe earlier), kidney stones(2014) and lastly(if I haven’t forgotten anything-LOL, yes I am laughing) I have a painful skin disease Hailey-Hailey Disease(makes me feel like a leper, can only wear cotton clothing, hurts to be touched, no bras, errggg) this for the last 13 years(no cure DNA defect), whew.
Looking at myself above is overwhelming to say the least, however all these years suffering I knew at the bottom of my heart God is in control. That in my broken physical being I am whole in Christ!
Satan worked hard to keep me focused on ugliness to keep me from God and seeing His grace. Many years just hanging on a thread.
I have only shared with you all my physical pains, I have had rough life in many areas. Major condensed version: single mom – 3 kids, Me – an only child loosing my Mom my best friend(she was 57) to cancer after caring for her for 4 years.
It was then, God called on me deeper. 2013/2014, renewing my spirit, literally falling in God’s arms during my grief.
It is beautiful to see/feel the Holy Spirit work in our affliction for the good of others and in turn seeing so much good in ourselves God has carefully prepared.
In my preparations(trials/tribulations) – I was called by the Holy Spirit to a new church (previous one of 5yrs) March 2nd 2014 – literally awoken from sleep early that Sunday morning. In April my 2 oldest were baptized(their calling) I was rededicated(same day-Gods spur of the moment calling), by May I had to send my 17 year old daughter away (by Gods calling to release our 13 year stronghold in our family – very hard, I homeschooled my oldest kids and would never give up raising them right) However, God told me it was time, to trust him with her father who abandoned her 15 years, so I gave her to the wolves without looking back once(she did not come back to our home until Christmas Eve!).
By August 2014 – God called me to Women’s Ministry – putting me front & center (no experience) as Women’s Bible Study Host (all I was asking for was a group to join, definitely NOT to lead!).
It wasn’t up to me – God called me to serve others, Now I’m sharing my testimonies, learning Gods Word, growing with 5 other women through studies in His word – bringing us together embracing God’s Love. Amazing.
After the above and much more messiness in my life, This week God brought my daughter home! She is a different young lady – As is her Mom. She is Not consumed by constant defiance and the need to purposely disrespect me. We are close, She gives me hugs!!! Oh how wonderful it is. I want break down and cry (I am) THIS BLESSING alone, I GIVE PRAISE TO GOD – IN MY BROKENNESS, I AM SET FREE!
SO ARE ALL OF US!!! GLORIOUS!
Remember Krystle, and all my fellow sisters here, it is through us God does great things for the salvation of others. We are disciples, chosen by His Mighty Hand, just the way we are, broken.
The way GOD made us.
All we need to decide is this: Are we – in everything life throws at us – willing to forge through with God carrying us, to do His will in our lives.
Give it ALL to Him, keep giving it – daily. Seek Him in everything.
Love you All. ❤️️
ASH, thank you for sharing! Trust in God. Your story is beautiful!
Hugs, Crystal. ❤️️
Thank you, Tanya. Hugs! ❤️️
I will surely check this out. It’s been rough, I have cut a lot out of my daily intake with not much change – I’m open to see other options for sure. Once I’m done with my readings “God time” I’m heading to site.
Thanks bunches for sharing with me.
❤️️
Let me say "WOW". Okay, that's out of the way. Prayers and blessings for you. I want you to check into http://whole30.com
This might help you with the inflammation, fibromyalgia and PCOS that you're dealing with. There are no products and they aren't trying to sell you anything. Just a different way to look at food as medicine and super clean eating.
Thank you, Tanya. Hugs! ❤️️
I will surely check this out. It’s been rough, I have cut a lot out of my daily intake with not much change – I’m open to see other options for sure. Once I’m done with my readings “God time” I’m heading to site.
Oh I almost forgot. I am not paralyzed anymore. Healed in that. But everything else is the same. In His Glory – ❤️️
Krystle, you are in God’s hands. I’m praying for you and your recovery to be free from pain and hurt, and full of joy and health.
Beautiful prayer. My emotions and feelings have not been my friends. Bitterness and resentment have been constant companions these past few days. But they are just MY emotions and feelings, not always based on truths. I pray that I would find rest, peace, and hope in our Lord’s arms. And as I prayed and thought through the scriptures and prayer, I was struck by the realization that He paved the way for me to get to His arms. He loved, loves us that much. So much love. Lord thank you. Thank you for your overwhelming love. May that and You be my sole focus. You are worthy of so much more than my meager praise and thanksgiving. But thank you all the same.
This was beautiful sarabeth. Your confession was a blessing to me.
To make covenant in biblical times, there was always a sacrifice made. They would cut an animal in half as a sacrifice and walk between the pieces. This was a symbol of the establishment of the covenant. If you read Genesis 15, you'll see the first covenant take place. It was between God and Abraham when He tells Abraham that he would become a great nation. He had Abraham take animals, cut them in half, and then God walked between the peices. When Jesus was dying on the cross, He was that sacrifice. And when He said "It is finished" the Bible tells us the earth shook and the veil in the tabernacle tore in two. Now, this veil wasn't a little flimsy curtain, but an extremely thick piece of material. Before now, nobody had seen the holy of holies. Only a priest could go in and speak to God on people's behalf. So for it to be exposed was a HUGE deal. When the veil tore in two, it was symbolic of passing "between the pieces" like in a covenant. When Jesus died and we accepted His call, we entered covenant with Him. God tore the veil so we no longer had to go through anyone to meet Him. We could meet him for ourselves right where we are.
I suggest everyone who reads this, go to precept.org and buy the study on covenant. You can listen to the free discussion on Precept Camden's website. It explains what I explained in more depth and it talks about the covenant God made with Israel (old testament) and the covenant between us and Jesus (New Testament) and how they all tie in together. It just paints a beautiful picture of our relationship with God. It covers the promises God has made and it really helps you in your walk. This study has changed my life!
“Any memory of either sorrow or care that might hinder the fixing of our affection wholly on our God, take it away now. ” — feeling the effects of these today and just wanting to sit like a horse with blinders staring at God.
I agree so much Hannah! Reading that makes me feel I can do this with God, He has been here! I also love the prayer at the end, I needed to read and pray this today.
15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.”
Praise God! He has been where we are…
Beautiful prayer and scripture. Lord, let my focus be only on You! Let our communication be clear both ways, so I can do Your will.
Advance thy kingdom in me, father. Your sprinkled blood on the altar of this heart has claimed and marked me as your own. I´m not worthy, but I feel so loved by it. From these dead works I fly to living sacrifice– no longer duty, but joy. In the times where I am not joyful I pray for a merciful reminder of the slaughter of the most perfect lamb to purchase my freedom to do these works with joy, instead of out of duty.
Father, these dead words. For the Hebrews this work of death in sacrificing must have been relieved in Jesus with such, such joy. I thank you many were saved. Lord, for contemporary Jews I ask the same. Show them that there is a new law of grace and it is in you. Advance thy kingdom.
Amen and amen,
I love the prayer at the end!! Gosh it came so timely. For some reason things I’ve done in the past slowly became part of my present. I continue to ask God for help, and then I slip again. I am truly grateful for this scripture today!! It reminded me that I can speak to God and ask for help, and he will be right there with me. I love my Lord and Savior ❤️❤️❤️ thank you for your son Jesus and your unfailing love.
I love this prayer! I admit, this far in the lent season my feelings have not been my friends. There is such a numbness that I carry with me, and this prayer resonates so much. I pray that the “anesthesia ” I use to keep life and reality at arms length would fail me and that God would wake me to the blackness of sin and the gravity of the cross.
I agree, Anna. I’ve been struggling with the same thing. You put it into words beautifully.
You put into words perfectly some of what I have been feeling Anna…..prayers and blessings to you!
Always love the Saturday meditations
Me too, Madeline!