There are many Deeper Still Retreats happening across the nation this weekend. In preparation for a Deeper Still retreat I am serving on, our worship leader asked the team members to each come up with one retreat example that is evidence of God’s enduring steadfast love. I wrote this poem in the spirit of Psalm 136 because I couldn’t come up with just one. Will you pray this Psalm with me for the participants coming to all the retreats this coming weekend? May each of them through the course of the retreat, come to know His steadfast love in deeper and deeper ways.
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,
for His steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of grace,
for His steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of love,
for His steadfast love endures forever;
to Him who alone heals the abortion-wounded,
for His steadfast love endures forever;
to Him who by wisdom formed every child,
for His steadfast love endures forever;
to Him who made them moms and dads,
for His steadfast love endures forever;
the Son to rule over their hearts,
for His steadfast love endures forever;
their lives to reflect His light,
for His steadfast love endures forever;
to Him who brought their stories out of darkness,
for His steadfast love endures forever;
and brought shame out from among them,
for His steadfast love endures forever;
with a gentle hand and an outstretched arm,
for His steadfast love endures forever;
He beckoned the weary and heavy laden come,
for His steadfast love endures forever;
and willingly died for their every sin,
for His steadfast love endures forever;
to break their chains with His blood,
for His steadfast love endures forever;
to make beauty from ashes,
for His steadfast love endures forever;
and collect every tear in His hands,
for His steadfast love endures forever;
To Him who is full of mercy,
for His steadfast love endures forever;
He breaks their every stronghold,
for His steadfast love endures forever;
past sinful relationships, every one,
for His steadfast love endures forever;
and places where little lives ceased,
for His steadfast love endures forever;
and gave them songs of praise and rejoicing,
for His steadfast love endures forever.
It is He who remembered their sin no more,
for His steadfast love endures forever;
and rescued their babies unto Himself,
for His steadfast love endures forever;
He who saves them to serve Him,
for His steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of freedom,
for His steadfast love endures forever.
Yes Lord, we thank you that your steadfast love endures forever. We ask for you to meet every single participant this weekend with your ever enduring steadfast love. Lord, we pray for you to speak life, hope, and healing and bring them into deeper more intimate relationship with you. We ask for open heavens over all the retreats and they would hear your voice clearly whispering your love and kindness. Give them courage to walk through the depths as you lead them in your way everlasting toward hope, healing and lasting freedom. In Jesus’ Mighty name, Amen.