by Pastor Chris Jameson
The following is a prayer excerpted from our pastor’s Substack, Furnishing Faith.
Stand Up, Speak Up, Lift Up
Have you ever felt as though your perspective as a committed Christian in the public sphere would earn you humiliation, denigration, or outright hostility? Has that ever had the effect upon you that maybe it might be easier to simply say nothing? Maybe it’s happened over lunch at work, when colleagues are discussing religion or its political effects; maybe it’s during the holidays, while meeting with family who are frustrated with the state of the world or your choices; maybe it’s even during a Bible study or class, where you feel that God’s word is being undermined, avoided, or reinterpreted. Many times in the life of a Christian we are called to stand up for our faith (1 Cor 16:13; Eph 5:11), to speak up in defense of it (2 Cor 10:5; Rm 1:16), and to lift up the name of Christ (Col 3:16; 1 Pt 3:15-16) among those who are unaware of or outright opposed to Him.
Scripture has much to say also, especially in the Proverbs, about being careful and gentle when speaking out, and not rushing in where you may be unequipped. However, it seems to me to be the case that in our current culture we have far more Christians who are equipped to speak up and stand out, but who nonetheless remain silent for the sake of fear. After all, it is not our eloquence or expertise that give the gospel its power, but to the contrary it is gospel power which supplies and qualifies our ability to speak out (Rm 1:16; Col 1:28-29). Even Paul, who by all accounts was “rough” and “difficult to understand” in his speaking and writing was nonetheless a tool God used to stand up, speak up, and lift up Christ among his generation.
As Christians we are called to make known exactly who we are, what we hope in, and why it is reasonable, worthy, and essential to believe such things. So important is our cause that life and death are at stake. In the life of the Christian, the need for bravery comes often, especially in a culture which is less and less tolerant of Christian ideas, but more and more tolerant of all things which oppose them. Our tongues have the power of life and death (Prv 18:21), how much more life may be given in the gospel, the “words of eternal life” (Jn 6:63-69)? Therefore we must be brave, using the gifts God has given us in our tongues, our voices, and our new hearts, to cry out in the midst of a culture which is deceived.
This prayer is intended for those who have need of bravery, who have felt themselves laying down far too often, staying silent, avoiding the gaze of opponents to the faith, or hiding themselves lest they be identified as belonging to it. This prayer is designed to remind us of our firm hope, the only truth, of our God as stronghold, and of the thorough reliability and inevitability of our evidence and cause. For those times when you fear to make yourself known as a Christian, or to stand in defense of truth, may this prayer give the unction to stir your faith, enkindle your tongue, and animate your limbs. May you move forward in confident assurance that your faith is no second-rate truth, futile hobby, or unauthorized cultural intrusion. For God’s word is the fundamental truth of reality, His calling is the highest honor and greatest good, and His authority and power exceed all imitations and competitors.
To the Transcendent One, the Preeminent God of All,
I have fallen in the face of fear.
When my Savior is subjected to public slurs and slander,
I have sealed my lips in silent surrender.
I have stood only so as to flee,
as those disciples from before the cross,
fearing that I am to be next,
that I may be found out, affronted, and humiliated.
Though equipped with life eternal,
I have feared derision, denigration, and disdain.
Though supplied with the Spirit,
I have imagined I am unarmed.
Though wielding Your words of life,
I am timid in my echo.
But who is it who stands in the gap for Your name’s sake?
Far be it from You that I should ever be there alone,
even until the end of time.
For You hem me in, both before and behind,
Your power is only sharpened when I am but dull,
You humble the proud wise through foolish lips,
Your principles prevail in perpetuity, though tested incessantly by detractors.
Far be it that I should ever believe agents of our enemy,
that my faith is unfounded,
that my hope is hollow.
Your claim is incomparable,
Your glory ineffable,
Your fame irrefutable,
and Your power insurmountable.
Why should I keep silent?
The test of time tells true,
whose boast exceeds such evidence?
My power is insufficient to stand in trial;
So be it!
The One who upholds me is stronger than my opponent,
offering grace even to adversaries.
My tongue is tactless to defend in dispute;
So be it!
The One whose words accomplish all His purpose has placed His words in my mouth,
and hidden them in my heart.
Let me not speak on my own,
but only as You commanded and crafted.
Let me find full assurance,
for You make small spoken seeds into towering timberland.
Let me not despair,
for my failure may never impede Your success.
Let me reject fear and silence,
for You have given it to me to destroy arguments, speaking truth in love.
Let me respire on words breathed by You,
so that I may be equipped for every good work.
Amen.
Hebrews 13:13-15 –
“13 Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. 15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.”
