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  PRAYER - WE BEGIN THIS SUNDAY WITH YOU, OUR FATHER
  by J.R. Miller
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Summary: Sunday is a day of rest and spiritual privileges, a day to
reconnect with God and receive blessings.

Topics: "Spiritual Renewal", "Sabbath Rest"
Scripture References: Exodus 20:8

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DESCRIPTION
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J.R. Miller emphasizes the significance of Sunday as a day dedicated to
God, a time for rest and spiritual renewal. He expresses gratitude for
this day, recognizing it as a blessing that helps keep God at the
forefront of our lives. Miller prays for peace and the expulsion of
worldly distractions, asking for God's presence to sanctify the day's
privileges. He seeks guidance, comfort, and wisdom through prayer and
scripture, aiming to strengthen love for God and foster a spirit of
service to others. The sermon concludes with a heartfelt plea for the
mind of Christ to be instilled in us.

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CONTENT
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We begin this Sunday with You, our Father. It is Your day. You claim it
for Yourself, and we desire to make it Yours indeed. You have given it
to us, not as a hardship, a burdensome observance -- but a day of
blessing. We need its rest that we may keep well and strong; we need its
spiritual privileges that our hearts may be kept warm and loving. If we
had no Sunday, we would soon let You slip out of our thoughts, out of
our life. So we thank You for the day which You have ordained in love
for us.

May this Sunday be full of blessing for us. We would leave the world
outside. Help us to keep the day so as to please You and receive good
for ourselves. In the quiet around us may we hear Your voice of gentle
stillness speaking to us words of love.

May our home life be made sweet by Your presence with us. Our minds have
been ruffled and distracted by the cares of the week. Give us Your peace
this morning. May all fret and anxiety be taken out of our hearts. If
the world has gotten too strong a hold on us in the six days past, may
Your grace now so possess us that You shall rule again supreme in our
lives. May our love for You be strengthened, so as to expel the love of
the world.

Sanctify to us, all of this day's privileges. As we read Your word, may
its lessons be made plain to us. Help us to receive its instruction into
our hearts, so that our lives shall be controlled by it. As we pray, may
Heaven's blessings be given to us:

comfort for our sorrow,

strength for our weakness,

guidance for our feet, and

wisdom for our ignorance.

As we seek to be a blessing to others -- may we receive the mind that
was in Christ Jesus. We ask all in Jesus' precious name. Amen.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/jr-miller/prayer-we-begin-this-sunday-with-you-our-father/
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