Mary Sullivan

John was shown by the Lord a heaven that was new.

The former heaven passed away.  John saw a new earth too.

The former earth was now gone, and with it gone the sea.

But the Holy City had come down, in all of its glory.

The Lord would come, and He would dwell among His people.

In a place where virtue reigned, in a place void of all evil.

In a place where peace prevailed, no more conflict and no wars.

He would wipe away our tears.  Our tears would be no more.

The old order passed away.  No more mourning, no more moans.

Just the glory that awaits with the Lord upon His throne.

He will be forever with us.  We forever be with Him.

Forever will the truth now shine, no more will truth grow dim.

The Master had triumphed.  For us He had come through.

He pronounced the words: “Behold, I make all things new.”

All was glory, now made new, by Him upon Whom we depend.

He Who is the Alpha, the Omega, the beginning and the end.

Dear Lord, when our earthly trials seem too much to bear.

When life’s burdens weigh us down, help us remember You are there.

You wait for us to come to You.  You are our true and loyal friend.

Help us remember, dear Lord, the glory of our final end.

Help our loved ones to stay faithful, to what You said and taught.

Set their feet on the path to heaven, that they be no more distraught.

Guide them toward Your glory, guide them with truth, in unison.

May we one day all dwell in glory when our earthly work is done.

(Based on Rev. 21: 1-6)

Christ showed himself alive by many proofs; in so many different ways.

After He had suffered, He appeared during those forty days.

He would speak of God’s Kingdom.  Enjoined them in Jerusalem to stay,

To await the Father’s promise.  The Lord was going away.

John baptized with water.  The disciples were advised,

The Holy Spirit would come to them.  By Him they’d be baptized.

Would Israel’s Kingdom be restored?  Set right from long ago?

The answer to this question was not for them to know.

The Father had fixed the times and seasons.  To them, this was proclaimed.

But power would come upon them, when the Holy Spirit came.

They would witness in Jerusalem, to places far and near.

To earth’s ends they would be witnesses.  The Lord had made this clear.

And just as He had said this, as they were looking on,

Christ was lifted up into a cloud. From their sight He was gone.

And as the Lord was going, while they were looking at the sky,

Two angels stood beside them.  They asked the disciples why

They were standing there looking at the sky?

This Jesus who has been taken up… into heaven, the angels would say,

Will return in the same way… We still await Him this day. 

Dear Father, do make haste, send the Holy Spirit to our lives,

Send Him with His gifts and fruits.  May He soon arrive,

To help us live Your holy will and speak Your Holy words.

May the Holy Spirit help us to tell others all that we have heard.

Send Your Holy Spirit to the hearts and minds of those we love.

May the Holy Spirit bring them truth and peace, with light from up above.

May He bring good gifts to them, a desire to repent.

May He bring peace and joy to them, free each loved one from dissent.

Come now Holy Spirit.  Guide each daughter and each son,

Back to finding life in Christ, that this battle may be won.

Come Holy Spirit, come now and take control,

Of our lives and of our hearts, and each one of our souls.

(Based on Acts 1:1-11)

The crowds in Phlippi had joined in the attack,

Paul and Silas stripped and beaten.  The crowd held nothing back

Into prison they were thrown. Of this the scriptures tell.

The jailor had them both put in an inner cell.

Their feet were fastened to a stake.   Things must have looked quite grim.

But Paul and Silas prayed to God.  They kept singing hymns.

The prisoners were listening, no doubt they were all ears.

For the praying and the singing was likely calming fears.

About the time of midnight, things began to shake,

The foundations of the jail were rumbling, from a strong earthquake.

The chains were now pulled loose.  Bound no more were they by chains.

The wakened jailor saw doors opened, and that caused him some pain.

He thought they had escaped, with no place to run or hide

The jailor drew his sword, to commit suicide.

But Paul shouted to himself he should do no harm; he said we are all still here.

The jailor asked for light, then rushed in, trembling with fear,

The jailor somewhat humbled, before Paul and Silas he fell down.

He was now seeking answers, and an answer would be found.

He asked Paul and Silas, as if of truth he had a clue,

how he could be saved; what would he need to do?

They said “believe in the Lord Jesus… You and your household will be saved.”

That’s what they told the jailor, that’s the answer that they gave.

The jailor took them home with him, and their wounds he bathed.

He gave to them a meal.  The truth he now realized.

He and his family came to God and they were all baptized.

The jailor and his family, had found faith worth more than gold.

He rejoiced at having faith in God, rejoiced with his household.

Lord, this jailor had found faith in You amidst the earthquake’s strike.

From this both he and his household were saved and given life.

We have faith in You dear Jesus, and in the truths which You have told

We ask You now to find a way to save all of our households.

Use our faith to save our sons and daughters, to draw them back to You.

Use our faith to grant them grace to embrace life anew.

Help them find the faith passed down in Bible truths of old.

Save our families Jesus.  Save each of our households.  (Acts 16:22-34)

Holy Spirit! With gifts, now come!

May God’s perfect will in us be done.

Do now come, possess our souls.

Bless us with all self-control.

Bare to us gifts now from above.

Come now and fill us with Your love.

Of error leave but not a trace.

Bring to us wisdom and Your grace.

Bring us patience.  Still our hearts.

Bring us pure thinking.  Ne’er depart.

Bring us peace, from God on high.

Make us holy.  Hear our cry.

From all evil, may we flee.

May we do good for love of Thee.

Help us fight with fortitude,

In faith, live the beatitudes.

For righteousness, may we now thirst.

In meekness, may we put God first.

Show us how to bring forth peace.

May conflict now at long last cease.

Though persecution come our way,

May we on this and every day,

Stand righteously for what is true.

May we give the glory unto You.

.

Come Holy Spirit, our hearts are battered.

Heal our hearts broken so shattered.

With forbearance, may we persevere.

Not just today, but through the years.

Until eternal joy received,

What earthly eyes cannot conceive:

Celestial glory will await,

when one day we reach heaven’s gates.

Holy Spirit, make us Yours,

Into our minds, Your wisdom pour.

As on this rugged road we trod.

Let us give all we are and have to God.

Dear Sanctifier, loved ones are lost.

Melt their hearts grown cold like frost.

Fill their darkened minds with light.

Fill their eyes with holy sight.

Holy Spirit, come make haste.

There’s not one moment left to waste.

Fill them with a love Divine.

Make their hearts like unto Thine.

Heal each bruised and bloodied wound.

For Thy love, now make room.

Heal their hearts.  Hear this prayer

for souls now lost, and in despair.

Set captives free.  Release their chains,

May faith in You be what sustains.

Dismiss all sadness and depression.

Call each soul now back to confession.

Help them seek to do God’s will.

May all give You honor, and be still.

Christ has triumphed!  The victory’s won!

Most Holy Spirit, we beg Thee, come!

God loves a cheerful giver.  (2 Cor 9:7)

Lord, if we sow sparingly, then sparingly we will reap.

Let our sowing be bountiful, lest we have cause weep.

Without sadness or compulsion, may we cheerfully give.

Since You love a cheerful giver.  Cheerfully, may we live.

Multiply the righteous seeds we sow—let righteousness abound.

Increase Your harvest now in us, that faith in us be found.

Thank You for all You’ve given us.  In Your will may we be thankful.

Keep us ever close to You, with spirits ever tranquil.

Bless our loved ones too, dear Lord.  Grant them pure hearts anew.

May they sow seeds of holiness, and forever trust in You.

May each loved one now give cheerfully.  Let cheerful love be given them.

May they spread truth throughout the world.  To Your truth now say “Amen.”

Go to them now dear Jesus.  A good harvest may they reap.

Help them to scatter seeds of faith.  Grant them a faith that’s deep.

Be the light upon their journey.   Be the light which guides their way.

Be the truth which draws them back. Bring them back to You today.

(Based on 2 Cor 9:6-11)