Restore us, O Lord God of hosts!
Dear Mosaic Family,
The most powerful place to be is on your knees before God. The most powerful prayers come from a posture of bold desperation. Lord. Please. Help!
Bold desperation? Sound like an oxymoron. How can desperation be bold? Desperation seems cowardly. No? Bold courage. Cowardly desperation. That seems more appropriate. But it's not accurate theologically.
Prayers cried out with bold desperation are some of the most powerful prayers we can pray. Lord, I have absolutely nothing to lose, because I've lost it all. Lord, I've hit rock bottom. Lord, since I've got nothing to lose, I've got nothing to save, I've got no ego to protect, so I'm going to ask for the greatest possible thing I can think of. I'm going to ask for complete restoration. Please fix everything. That's what restoration is: fixing everything and making it as good as new.
Lord, we're desperate. And Lord, from this position of desperation, we're going to ask for complete restoration. Actually, no, we're not just asking. We're asking and believing with everything we've got, so it's kind of like we're telling. We're asking and simultaneously thanking you in advance for doing what we've asked. There's literally a verse: "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." (Mark 11:24)
Look at the bold desperation in Psalm 80. The people of God aren't just asking God to help. They're telling Him. Imperatives: Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, Restore us, O God, Let your face shine, Stir up your might and come to save us! This is prayer with impudence, audacity, boldness, yet desperation. These are prayers God loves to answer.
Queen Mary of the Scots once said, "I fear John Knox's prayers more than all the assembled armies of Europe." What was John Knox's most famous prayer: "God, Give me Scotland, or I die." Humble Dependence. Bold Desperation. What are you praying for with bold desperation?
Praying for you all,
Pastor Jan
This Week's Announcements
Mosaic Membership 101 Class
THIS Sunday, July 18th at 1pm
If you'd like to learn more about Mosaic Boston Brookline, join us to hear why we are here and how you can join the church through membership. Visit our website to RSVP.
Kids Summer Nights
July 26-30th from 6-8 pm
Registration is open for kids ages 4-11 to attend our free, weeklong VBS program this summer! You can register your child(ren) here.
Serve With Us
Our amazing volunteers work together every week to create a space where Jesus can be worshiped, the Gospel can be preached, and people can draw near to God. Visit our website for more information about how you can serve with us at Mosaic.
Songs for Sunday
If you would like to know what we'll be singing on Sunday, you can find the playlist here.