Song Lyrics
A Thousand Hallelujahs
[Verse] Who else would rocks cry out to worship? Whose glory taught the stars to shine? Perhaps creation longs to have the words to sing. But this joy is mine.
[Chorus] With a thousand hallelujahs, we magnify Your name. You alone deserve the glory, the honour and the praise. Lord Jesus this song is forever Yours. A thousand hallelujahs, and a thousand more.
[Verse] Who else would die for our redemption? Whose resurrection means I'll rise? There isn't time enough to sing of all You've done. But I have eternity to try.
[Bridge] Praise to the Lord. To the Lamb. To the King of heaven. Praise for He rose. Now He reigns. We will sing forever.
10,000 Reasons
[Chorus] Bless the Lord O my soul O my soul. Worship His holy name. Sing like never before O my soul. I’ll worship Your holy name.
[Verse] The sun comes up it's a new day dawning. It’s time to sing Your song again. Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me. Let me be singing when the evening comes.
[Verse] You're rich in love and You're slow to anger. Your name is great and Your heart is kind. For all Your goodness I will keep on singing. Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.
[Verse] And on that day when my strength is failing. The end draws near and my time has come. Still my soul will sing Your praise unending. Ten thousand years and then forevermore.
[Ending] Sing like never before O my soul. I’ll worship Your holy name. Worship Your holy name. Worship Your holy name.
How To Pray: Simplicity, Honesty, Perseverance
Pete Greig - How To Pray (page 15)
The best bit of advice I ever received about how to pray was this: keep it simple, keep it real, keep it up.
You've got to keep it simple so that the most natural thing in the world doesn't become complicated, weird, and intense.
You've got to keep it real because when life hurts, you're going to be tempted to pretend you're fine. And when you make a mess of things, you're going to be tempted to hide from God (which never really works) and end up hiding from yourself (which works quite well).
And you've got to keep it up because life is tough, the battle is fierce, and God is not an algorithm.
The journey of faith demands a certain bloody-mindedness of us all, not least in the realm of prayer.
Simplicity
Simplicity in a Busy Life - Mark 1:32-37
That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. The whole town gathered at the door to watch. So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons…
Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. Later Simon and the others went out to find him. When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
Honesty
Honesty in Grief - Matthew 14:13
As soon as Jesus heard the news (of John’s death), he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns.
Honesty in Temptation - John 6:14-15
When the people saw him do this miraculous sign [feed 5,000 with a few fish and bread], they exclaimed, “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!” When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.
Honesty in Suffering - Mark 14:33-36
[Jesus] took Peter, James, and John with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by. “Abba, Father, he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
Group Discussion
When you pray, what do you mostly talk to God about?
What do you think about this statement, “Keep it simple, keep it real, keep it up.” Which one speaks to you?
Do you find it hard to be honest with God when you face failure, problems or doubts?
Closing Prayer
Loving Father, help me to live this day to the full, being true to you in every way.
Help me to give myself to others, being kind and generous to everyone I meet.
Help me to love those who don’t know you, proclaiming Christ in all I do and say.
Amen.