My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit (Psalm 51:17; NIV).
1. Lord,
May my prayers,
Though meagre, dry, and bleak,
Rise, like the dust
To which I will return.
2. Lord,
May my thanks,
However poor and weak,
Rise, like the distant stars
Where I will burn.
3. Lord,
May my joy,
So frail, and swiftly crushed,
Rise, like sweet incense
To your paradise.
4. Lord,
May my trials,
Through which I learn to trust,
Rise, like the pleasing smoke
Of sacrifice.
You will be like a pleasing sacrifice to me (Ezekiel 20:41; NLT).
References
1. Pray constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:17; NIV).
You were made from dust and to dust you will return (Genesis 3:19; NLT).
2. Give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18; NIV).
It is the Lord who created the stars (Amos 5:8; NLT).
The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end. Nothing can hide from its heat (Psalm 19:6; NLT).
3. Rejoice always (1 Thessalonians 5:16; NIV).
All around the world they offer sweet incense […] in honour of my name (Malachi 1:11: NLT).
4. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows (John 16:33; NLT).
You will offer special gifts as a pleasing aroma to the Lord (Numbers 15:3; NLT).