Ironworks Prayer Time

If you were in bed at 5:30am this morning you missed it. Or you have sense enough to stay in bed. 8 men came together in the sanctuary this morning for ironworks our weekly men's prayer time. We meet for a devotional time as well as individual and corporate prayer. This morning our devotional came out of the book "The upward Call Spiritual formation and the holy life" Long name great book. The topic was worship and fittingly we began by reading Psalm 96. We discussed the obvious form of worship singing as well as other aspects. Preparing ourselves for worship was one. Taking the time to pray and quiet our spirit in preparation of hearing from The Holy Spirit. You may see some men gathered quietly in the sanctuary Sunday morning. This is what they are doing. Preparing to hear from their creator.


The study also addressed our praise and singing. It quoted from Walter Brueggemanns study of the Psalms. He discusses the way in which life tends to rob us of hope and praise. He talks about praise as "world making" in the midst of the current tension."Praise has the power to transform the pain. But, conversely' the present pain also keeps the act of praise honest. The pain creates a context in which we dare to trust God to do a new thing for us. He talks about the cries of israel. Cries of rage,doubt,vengeance and isolation. Most importantly cries not buried , not stifled but passionately addressed out of the reality of life.

The author continues. If Israel can sing to the Lord in the beauty of holiness(psalm 96) the new creature in Christ can sing and praise with greater depth.


We also discussed worship in prayer,hearing the preached word,the sacraments. We came to the conclusion that all aspects of worship depend on us. Showing up prepared to hear.



Psalm 96


1-2 Sing God a brand-new song! Earth and everyone in it, sing!
Sing to God—worship God!
2-3 Shout the news of his victory from sea to sea,
Take the news of his glory to the lost,
News of his wonders to one and all!
4-5 For God is great, and worth a thousand Hallelujahs.
His terrible beauty makes the gods look cheap;
Pagan gods are mere tatters and rags.
5-6 God made the heavens—
Royal splendor radiates from him,
A powerful beauty sets him apart.
7 Bravo, God, Bravo!
Everyone join in the great shout: Encore!
In awe before the beauty, in awe before the might.
8-9 Bring gifts and celebrate,
Bow before the beauty of God,
Then to your knees—everyone worship!