Pastor Scotty Smith

A Prayer of Hope When Hoping Isn’t Easy

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 11:07:00 +0000

A Prayer of Hope When Hoping Isn’t Easy
     Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Cor. 4:16-18
     Heavenly Father, the gospel makes all the difference in the world, period. What but the gospel of your grace could possibly explain Paul’s attitude of faith and hope reflected in these few verses? He experienced crazy-making, danger and betrayals, from both outside and inside the Body of Christ. He was flogged five times by the Jews, beaten with rods, stoned, thrice shipwrecked, floated boat-less in the ocean 36 hours; he went sleepless and foodless, was cold and naked… among other loses and crosses. (2 Cor. 11:23-33). And yet—and supernaturally yet, he didn’t lose heart and he didn’t kill hope. Nothing but the truth and power of the gospel can explain this.
     No pity-parties or numbing binges; no throwing in the towel or throwing of temper tantrums; no excuse making or excusing himself from life; no angry blaming or cynical shaming. Rather, Paul modeled for us the way of the cross, the way of the gospel, the ways of your heart. Please cultivate the same attitude of hope in our lives, Father. Though most of us will only experience a small percentage of the disappointments and suffering Paul experienced, nonetheless, we need the transforming power of gospel-hope in our lives.
     When we are tempted to lose heart, harden our hearts, numb our hearts or indulge our hearts, help us to see Jesus clearly—the author and perfecter of our faith. Help us to see the glories of the new heaven and the new earth, and not just the brokenness of the first heaven and earth. May a vision of unseen eternal realities transcend and transform our vision of temporal heart-wreckers and heart-breakers. May the endless triumph of heaven be more real to us than the momentary troubles of today.
     Help us, like Paul, to be honest about the ways we are outwardly “wasting away,” for you’re not asking us to pretend or deny the reality of our weakness. But also, help us to be convinced about the inward renewal that you effecting in our lives, day by day. You will bring to completion the good work you have begun in us and all around us. How we praise you for this great assurance.
     Gracious Father, as you renew and deepen our hope, help us to live as conduits of hope. Every gift and grace you give us is meant to be shared with others, every one of them. So very Amen we pray in Jesus’ name, with fresh humility and eternal gratitude.

A Prayer for Treasuring Jesus

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 11:09:00 +0000

A Prayer for Treasuring Jesus

For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him [Jesus] will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. 1 Pet. 2:6–7
     Lord Jesus, when I hear the word precious, my first instinct is think about silver, gold, and platinum, all called “precious metals.” Or I think about “precious gemstones” like diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds. But if anything or anyone deserves the designation, “precious,” it is you. To know you and to be known by you; to consider your incalculable worth and your incomparable worthiness, compels me to sing…
    “Jesus, priceless Treasure, fount of purest pleasure, truest Friend to me. Ah, how long in anguish shall my spirit languish, Yearning, Lord, for Thee? Thou art mine, O Lamb divine! I will suffer naught to hide Thee, naught I ask beside Thee.” (Johann Franck, 1618-1677) May it be Lord, may it be.
     For you are God’s chosen cornerstone and the precious capstone of our redemption. The combined worth of all precious metals and gemstones that have ever existed does not compare with the unsearchable riches that are found only in you. To trust in you, Jesus, is to be free from the burden of our guilt and the paralyzing power of our shame. I praise you for taking the guilt of our sin and the shame of our brokenness on the cross.
     I cannot rehearse this too glorious promise too often; “the one who trusts in you will never be put to shame”, never. To believe the gospel—to boast in the gift of your righteousness, to rest in the constancy of your love, to wake up each day to your endless mercies, to hear you sing to us in the gospel… what else could we possibly long for in life and eternity?
     You became sin for us that in you we might become righteousness of God. Because of you, judgment day holds no terror for us. The cross was our judgment day. We no longer fear the gaze of God because of the grace of God we have in you.
     May you become increasingly precious to us, Jesus. May the gospel continue to change the price tags on everything in our world. May yesterday’s values be considered today’s loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing you. Fill our hearts to sing your praise and our hands to extend your compassion. So very Amen we pray, with humility and joy unspeakable.

A Prayer about the Freedom of Gospel Goodness

Sat, 24 Sep 2011 10:28:00 +0000

A Prayer about the Freedom of Gospel Goodness
     Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 1 Pet. 2:13–17
     Lord Jesus, as I pray through this gospel admonition from Peter, it’s obvious that your grace alone can explain the amazing change that took place in his life. The same disciple who nervously tried to protect you from being arrested by the authorities by cutting off the ear of the high priest’s servant (John 18:10–11); the same disciple who then fled into the night and denied you three times out of fear; this same disciple calls us to fear only God and to live as model citizens in our broken world—a world filled with broken kings, governors, and authorities. Nothing but the gospel can explain his movement from fear to faith, and frenzy to freedom.
     As this political year heats up, please make the same change in our lives. Make us good gospel people. Only you—who reattached Malchus’s ear (Luke 22:51) and who could’ve dispatched “more than twelve legions of angels” to wipe out your opposition (Matt. 26:53)—only you can give us the freedom and courage we need to be good citizens of our cities and your kingdom.
     Though your kingdom is “not of this world” (John 18:36), your kingdom has broken into this world and one day will utterly transform it. Because this is true, Jesus, free us the extremes of naïve passivity and fear-mongering aggression. Show us what “obeying God and not men” looks like when the claims of your kingdom clash with the values of this world. How do we submit to the authorities for your sake while primarily only bowing our knees and heart to you as our King?
     May we only suffer for doing good, Jesus, not for being fearful, obnoxious, or paranoid. May we be busy with your kingdom and not simply be spiritual busybodies (2 Thess. 3:11). Keep changing us the way you changed Peter. Give us all the grace we need to, “honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” So very Amen we pray, in your most glorious and liberating name.

Scotty Smith
Pastor for Preaching
Christ Community Church
1215 Hillsboro Rd.
Franklin, TN 37069
615-468-2230

It’s good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace Hebrews 13:9

A Prayer for Believers Who Just Can’t (Won’t) Agree

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 10:32:00 +0000

A Prayer for Believers Who Just Can’t (Won’t) Agree
     I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Eph 4:1–3
     Gracious Jesus, there are times when your faithful servants don’t see eye to eye on very important matters. Our best efforts at keeping “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:3) get stressed and tested, even bruised. Differing perspectives often lead to sharp disagreements; and sharp disagreements can lead to the parting of ways; and parting of ways can lead to self-righteousness, gossip and cynicism. This happens among good friends, in seminary boardrooms, on the mission field, in our church families… really, in any relationship.
     This morning I’m bringing you a few situations which are “exhibit A” of this very scenario. My heart’s heavy, but not as heavy as it would be if I didn’t believe you to be the Prince of Peace; if I didn’t believe in the power of the gospel to effect change; if I didn’t believe your name is Redeemer and Restorer. Here’s my prayer for friends in the throes of turmoil.
     Lord Jesus, may seeking first your kingdom and your righteousness far outweigh any other seeking—seeking to win, seeking to be right, seeking to avoid pain, seeking to get our own way. Your glory and story matter so much more than our issues and agenda.
     Help us to recognize and resist the schemes of Satan in these conflicts. He hates you, your followers, your church—he is passionately committed to destroying all expressions of beauty among your people. Help my friends keep the main issues in view and not get drawn into biting and devouring one another (Gal. 5:13–15).
     May friends who see the issues so differently still honor one another as family and beloved servants of Jesus. How we handle our conflicts is just as important as the issues which generate our conflicts—maybe even more important at times. I pray for both the confronters and the confronted. May the gospel supplant all defensiveness and offensiveness with humility and gentleness. May bearing with one another in love trump besting one another with rhetoric.
     Even as you redeemed the painful story between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:36–40; 2 Tim. 4), so bring redemption in these broken stories which are breaking the hearts of many. So very Amen I pray, with sadness but trusting in your powerful name.

Scotty Smith
Pastor for Preaching
Christ Community Church
1215 Hillsboro Rd.
Franklin, TN 37069
615-468-2230

It’s good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace Hebrews 13:9

A Prayer for Serving by Faith, not Surviving by Fear

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 11:09:00 +0000

A Prayer for Serving by Faith, not Surviving by Fear
     When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and pleas before his God. Daniel 6:10–11
     Heavenly Father, I am so drawn to the heart which beat in Daniel’s breast—a heart filled with praise for you, not fear for himself. He just learned of a decree that anybody praying to any other god or man but King Darius would become lions’ lunch. So what did he do? The same thing he’d been doing for decades in Babylon. The windows were open, his knees were bent, his gaze was set, and even before he asked you for help, he offered you thanks. He was neither paranoid nor presumptuous, but he was most definitely at peace.
     What freedom, what beauty, what intimacy your aging son and servant enjoyed. But why am I surprised? Haven’t you promised, “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green”? (Psalm 92:12–14)
     Father, you never commanded Daniel to get on his knees three times a day. You didn’t have to—it was his delight. No government decree could keep him from praying to you, loving you, seeking you or worshiping you. He was much, much more committed to your eternal glory than his mere personal survival.
     How much more should this kind of peace and praise mark our lives—no matter what spiritual warfare looks like in our day; no matter how intense the clash between the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of God gets. For even as our adversary—the devil, “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8), he’s a defeated lion and defanged foe. For your Son, “the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed!” (Rev. 5:5) Jesus is the only Lion who is worthy of our full attention and utter preoccupation. O what peace, joy, confidence and boldness the gospel gives us!
     Father, as we get older, please keep us fresh, green and fruitful. There’s really no such thing as retirement in your kingdom. Spiritual shuffleboard isn’t in our future. A fritter is something to eat, not something to do with the rest of our lives. Fill our hearts with your glory, grace and Spirit; fill our gaze with a vision of your redeemed people and your restored creation; fill our hands with the basin and towel of servants. Use us, however you choose, all the remaining days you’ve numbered for us. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ magnificent and merciful name.

Scotty Smith
Pastor for Preaching
Christ Community Church
1215 Hillsboro Rd.
Franklin, TN 37069
615-468-2230

It’s good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace Hebrews 13:9

A Prayer for Churches Experiencing Intense Spiritual Warfare

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:14:00 +0000

A Prayer for Churches Experiencing Intense Spiritual Warfare
     “The dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.” Revelation 12:17
     Heavenly Father, I’ve never been more aware of how much Satan hates the Bride of Jesus—your called out, beloved people. Having lost your sons and daughters for eternity, he will do anything and everything he can, overtly and covertly, to wage war against (and in) the church. We come to you today interceding for churches in the pernicious crosshairs and ugly vortex of Satan’s rage and schemes (2 Cor. 2:11).
     Father, we praise you for what Satan knows. “He is filled with fury because he knows that his time is short” (Rev. 12:12). He knows Jesus has already defeated him. He’s the mortally wounded dragon, whose head has been crushed (Gen 3:15), whose works have been destroyed (1 John 3:1-10) and whose destiny has been sealed (Rev 20:10). “Hallelujah!”, we shout with joy and confidence.
     Though we “tremble not for him,” knowing that one word from Jesus “will fell him” (A Mighty Fortress Is Our God) nonetheless, we are aware that he is constantly threatening to “undo us”.
     So hear our prayers for our church families: We pray for a fresh work of the Spirit in the hearts of our leaders—pastors, elders, deacons and staff. One of the most effective ways Satan attacks a church is by injecting the venom of distrust, divisiveness and disunity among its leaders. If leaders bite and devour one another, before long the whole church will follow suit.
     Father, smite the hearts of our leaders with fresh gospel astonishment. Bring back convictability, humility, civility and charity. May the leaders of our church families be the ones most obviously committed to keeping and guarding “the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3). May they be the ones most obviously committed to keeping God’s commands, especially the great commandment (Matt. 22:36-40) and the new commandment (John 13:34).
     Father, we also pray for renewed gospel-centrality in every ministry of our local churches—in the children’s, youth, adult, preaching/teaching and worship ministries, in every ministry of the church. Because when a church ceases to “hold fast their testimony about Jesus” (Rev. 12:17)—cherishing, applying and defending the gospel of God’s grace, it becomes vulnerable to every scheme of Satan. No gospel? Then no center, no heart, no love, no sanity, no God-honoring witness to the community. Rescue our churches from pettiness and petulance.
     Bring our churches back to the life-giving lyric and the heart-transforming the music of the gospel, Father. A hypothetical gospel only works for hypothetical sinners. Let us once again know that we are much more broken and in need of your grace than we presently realize. And also convince us that we are much more accepted and loved by you, than we ever dreamed or imagined. For the glory of your name, Father, be swift and sure in answering our cry. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ exalted and triumphant name.

Scotty Smith
Pastor for Preaching
Christ Community Church
1215 Hillsboro Rd.
Franklin, TN 37069
615-468-2230

It’s good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace Hebrews 13:9

A Prayer about Loving Enough to Confront

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 10:02:00 +0000

A Prayer about Loving Enough to Confront
Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. Prov. 27:5–6
     Merciful Jesus, I need courage today for loving in sticky, broken, messy relationships. Sometimes the fear of making an even bigger mess makes it easier just to avoid or ignore certain people and issues. But that’s kind of like trying to ignore a compound fracture, skin cancer or a 102 temperature. The matter will only get worse. To say I’m conflict avoidant is not an excuse, but an acknowledgement of weakness and a confession of sin. Grant me, and others like me, the grace we need to love enough to confront.
     Thank you for the stark frankness of your Word. When I multiply kisses but withhold life-giving rebukes from my friends, I’m living as their enemy—not merely as a poor lover, but as an enemy. When I’m not willing to offer a redemptive wounding, I’m a bad friend, not just someone suffering from busyness or a lack of priorities. Have mercy on me, Jesus. Grant me, and others like me, the courage and words that we need to love to your glory.
     I bring to you my fear of man and love for relational placidity, which I know to be a snare. I confess it as sin and repent. I also acknowledge that I need the truth of the gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit for change. Jesus, it’s because of your open rebuke that my life is now hidden safely in you. It’s because you clearly revealed my need of your grace that I now rest in your love. It’s because you cared enough to confront me that I will eternally enjoy your comfort and peace.
     Jesus, you took the ultimate unfriendly wounding of sin and evil on the cross that we might know your kisses to be those of a Savior-Bridegroom. So very Hallelujah! No greater love can be found anywhere. In the coming days, help me to love well in messy stories among other messy people like me—help me and others like me. Bring the beauty of redemption, reconciliation and restoration. So very Amen we pray, in your compassionate and restorative name.

Pastor for Preaching
Christ Community Church
1215 Hillsboro Rd.
Franklin, TN 37069
615-468-2230

It’s good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace Hebrews 13:9

A Prayer to Pray for Our Friends

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 11:23:00 +0000

A Prayer to Pray for Our Friends
     As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and right way. Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. 1 Sam. 12:23–24
     Lord Jesus, there’s a lot more to friendship than praying for our friends, but we haven’t really been a good friend unless we’ve prayed and continue to pray for them. Knowing you call us friend is astonishing, and knowing you’re are always praying for us is all the motivation we need. Indeed, how can we enjoy such a rich standing in grace and not “stand in the gap” for our friends?
     For our friends with broken hearts, Jesus, we pray for the reach and touch of your tear-wiping hand. Loss, betrayal and personal failure can be devastating. Bring the gospel to bear with tenderness and power. Help us take our friend’s pain seriously, yet keep us from trying to heal their wounds quickly or lightly. Give us grace to stay present in their hurt. Please heal them in ways that will leave them merciful toward others, not merely pain free.
     For our friends with angry hearts, Jesus, please dialogue with them the same way you entered Jonah’s rage. “Do you have a right to be angry?” you asked the conflicted prophet. Help them see the sad behind their mad, the pettiness in their petulance, and the real hurt being mishandled in even more hurtful ways.
     For our friends with fearful hearts, Jesus, we ask you to bring your centering, calming presence to bear. To be fearful is one thing, but to be fearful and alone is almost unbearable. Place your gentle hand upon them in the gospel—the way you touched the apostle John. Let them hear you say the same words you spoke to the trembling apostle, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One” (Rev. 1:17–18).
     Jesus we pray for our friends with divided and deluded hearts. We’re all prone to wander but, thankfully, you’re even more prone to come after us. Rescue those with hearts en route to being hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. May the pleasures of sin come to a screeching halt. Run after those under Satanic spells, who are ready to trade relationship with you in for a relationship with another lover. Humble those who are simply selfish and stubborn—humble them before they bring any more harm to themselves and others.
     Jesus, help all of us heed Samuel’s advice—to constantly remember what great things you have done for us, so that we might fear you with affectionate reverence and serve you faithfully with all our hearts. Remind us that, apart from the gospel, we are as guilty as anyone and capable of doing anything we see in our friends. So very Amen we pray, in your merciful and mighty name.

Scotty Smith
Pastor for Preaching
Christ Community Church
1215 Hillsboro Rd.
Franklin, TN 37069
615-468-2230

It’s good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace Hebrews 13:9

A Prayer for a Dancing Heart, and Feet

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 11:11:00 +0000

A Prayer for a Dancing Heart, and Feet
     You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever. Ps. 30:11–12
     Lord Jesus, was there ever a king more into dancing than King David? His victory over Goliath was the inspiration for singing and dancing by many in Israel (1 Sam. 21:11). When the ark was returned to Jerusalem, he danced before the Lord with all his might, and very little modesty (2 Sam. 6:14). It’s obvious he wrote this psalm as a dancer for other dancers, whose joy at the dedication of the temple was simply uncontainable.
     But Jesus, you’re the real Lord of the Dance. Though King David didn’t realize it, his work and joy point to yours. You’re the only monarch who can turn the wails of our sin and brokenness into the dance of hope and joy. You’re the only ruler merciful and mighty enough to replace our hearts of stone with hearts of flesh. By your cross, you’ve removed the filthy garments of unrighteousness that we might be clothed us with the white robe of your own righteousness. Astounding . . . astonishing . . . and so very true.
     How can we not sing and make music to you in our hearts? How can we possibly remain silent and still, in response to who you are and everything you’ve done for us, Jesus? Forgive us when we, like the elder brother, remain smugly on the outside of the house of redemption—off the dance floor of your reconciling love (Luke 15:25).Cause us to hear the Father speaking to us right now: “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours” (Luke 15:31).
     Indeed, Lord, forgive us for confusing reverence with rigor mortis. Forgive us for giving you ardor-less order when we worship you. Forgive us for living more by our temperament tests, Myers-Briggs profiles, and personality types than by the lyric, music, and dance of the gospel. Free us from giving you a measured response to a measureless gospel.
     One day, King Jesus, we will give thanks to you with all our might. All personal inhibitions, cultural limitations, and ecclesiastical prohibitions will be gone. May that great day of liberation have much greater impact on this day’s celebration. So very Amen we pray in your grace-filled and gladsome name.

Scotty Smith
Pastor for Preaching
Christ Community Church
1215 Hillsboro Rd.
Franklin, TN 37069
615-468-2230

It’s good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace Hebrews 13:9

A Prayer for Remembering Gospel Benefits

Sat, 17 Sep 2011 11:39:00 +0000

A Prayer for Remembering Gospel Benefits
     Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Ps. 103:1–5
     Dear Jesus, though I’m growing forgetful, I pray I will never forget you or a single benefit you’ve freely given us in the gospel. But irrespective of changes in my brain chemistry, you will never, ever forget us—your beloved children. This is my great hope and peace. As this day begins, here are a few of the innumerable gospel benefits for which I am especially grateful.
     I praise you for forgiving all my sins—past, present, and future—sins of thought, word, and deed. How staggering a thought. I used to think you forgive only confessed sins, but now I realize I’m probably aware of only 4 percent of my sins. But your blood covers the other 96 percent as well. Praise the Lord, O my soul, for perfect and pervasive forgiveness!
     I praise you for healing all my diseases—diseases in my body, heart, and mind. Though I wish you would completely heal me before you return, nonetheless, I have this sure hope: the healing I’m already receiving in the gospel will be brought to completion. Praise the Lord, O my soul, for present, ongoing, and a secured complete healing!
     I praise you for redeeming my life from all pits—the pit of eternal separation from God, the pits others throw me into, the pits I naively fall into, and the pits I foolishly dig for myself. You’ve bought and brought me out of all pits into your embrace by taking the ultimate “pit” of God’s judgment for us on the cross. Praise the Lord, O my soul, for an all-pit redemption salvation!
     I praise you for crowning me with your love and compassion. You have taken away all my guilt and you’ve borne my shame. My conscience is no longer under the law and condemnation but under the gospel and freedom. But you haven’t just crowned me, you’ve also clothed me in the royal raiment of your righteousness. Praise the Lord, O my soul, for a coronation of mercy and the garments of grace!
     I praise you for satisfying my desires with good things. Lord, I praise you for the smile of my grandson, the kiss of my wife, the taste of dark chocolate, the rainbow you painted on the side of a trout, the encouragement from a friend, and the sounds of great music, just to name a few. Praise the Lord, O my soul, for a God who takes my desires seriously and satisfies them in countless ways!
     Lord Jesus, may the unsearchable, innumerable, and inexhaustible riches of the gospel renew me today with youth-like energy, that I may soar like an eagle and live to the praise of your glorious grace! So very Amen I pray, in your exalted and peerless name.

Scotty Smith
Pastor for Preaching
Christ Community Church
1215 Hillsboro Rd.
Franklin, TN 37069
615-468-2230

It’s good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace Hebrews 13:9