This Pleasing Aroma

Raise a shout of prayerful praise;
Like sweet incense, let it float up to God’s throne.
Offer this pleasing aroma to the Ancient of Days,
Who, to us, much grace has shown.

For, we have been told,
This is how God receives the prayers of the saints.
As children approach a loving Father, let us be bold,
To bring Him thanks, praise and complaints.

We have been granted this privilege and joy;
Constant communion with the Most High.
Our petitions do not, Him, annoy;
Our God delights to hear us and reply.

However, as a wise and loving Father,
He does not give us our every want.
But He withholds not to be a bother,
Rather, as a delightful Giver, He’s an overflowing font.

Nothing He does not give,
Can be truly necessary.
For us, the Lord God Christ went through death’s sieve,
So, to doubt His goodness, we must be ever wary.

No greater love has ever been shown,
Than by the one Who died for us.
The weight of our sin has all been thrown,
On the strong back of King Jesus.

Let us now then be quick to ask,
But even more quick to trust.
Trust God’s loving, “No.” and bask,
In the comforting knowledge He’s not unjust.

Bringing our requests to God builds our faith,
And is also a declaration we believe Him, Lord.
It demonstrates we trust the words He saith,
And recognize Him as the fount from Whom life is poured.

Out of loyal love and reliance on God,
Let us continually offer up this pleasing aroma,
Of prayer whether in a palace we trod,
Or in deep dark we lay like Jonah.

Our God is mighty to save,
Forever blessed be His Name.
He, Jesus, rose up from the grave,
And has devoured our sin and shame.

No power, whether seen or unseen,
Can snatch us from His hand.
Even when we pass through death’s ravine,
He will deliver us home to His undying land.