Scripture reading: Exodus 25:1–9

Fill This Place

As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. (II Chronicles 7:1)

 

While serving a pastor of a church in Albany, New York, we had the joy of building a new sanctuary. In anticipation of our first Sunday in the beautiful new building on June 2, 2002, I wrote the following poem, expressing our desire that this new place of worship be filled with the glory of God!

 

Fill this place With your grace

So as we gather here in your Name; We will meet You in power

In this holy hour,

And never again be the same.

 

May this room Be a womb

Where children of God come to birth; Then nurtured and fed,

Anointed and led,

We go forth to transform the earth.

 

On these pews Help us choose

What is holy and righteous and true; And come dwell within,

Defeating all sin,

As we model our lives after You.

 

May we all Hear the call

Of the millions today who are lost;

And give us the nerve To love and to serve,

Like Jesus, not counting the cost.

 

Let our walk Match our talk

When we get up and walk out the door; Sent forth on a mission

Of holy ambition

To follow the One we adore.

 

Went to church today and was not greatly impressed.

—Robert Louis Stevenson (in his journal)

 

point to ponder • When your church gathers for worship is it obvious that God is present?

prayer focus • Your church and its Sunday morning worship services.