O LORD OF GRACE

PR EVANGELINE CHEONG

Three times I (Paul) pleaded with the Lord about this,

that it should leave me. But he said to me,

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness…

for when I am weak, then I am strong.”

2 CORINTHIANS 12:8-10

~~~~~

“When are you getting married? Why no girlfriend? Which school are you going? What are you working as?” It seems like Lunar New Year conversations are a constant reminder that some of our relatives and the world are jostling to boast of their achievements and status. And it can make anyone nervous to meet such relatives when one had lost a job, broken up with a significant other, or failed an exam in the past year.

Yet in a world where strength, power, intelligence, and popularity are celebrated, I am glad that we as God’s people can celebrate weakness. For in weakness, we are put in a position to celebrate God’s grace and power working in our lives, sustaining us sufficiently for each day.

Let me share this wonderful prayer by the Puritans taken from the prayer book “Valley of Vision”, so we can pray this together in our weakness. May the loving God of grace be our strength for this week and this new year.

~~~~~

“O Lord of grace,

The world is before me this day, and I am weak and fearful,

but I look to Thee for strength;

If I venture forth alone I stumble and fall,

but on the Beloved’s arms I am firm as the eternal hills;

If left to the treachery of my heart

I shall shame Thy Name,

but if enlightened, guided, upheld by Thy Spirit,

I shall bring Thee glory.

Be Thou my arm to support,

my strength to stand,

my light to see,

my feet to run,

my shield to protect,

my sword to repel,

my sun to warm.”