"Why Do the Nations Rage?" - 5 June 2016


From Psalm 2
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” O God, see how the peoples and nations of this world conspire and rage against your Son and his Lordship: through judication, legislation, execution of orders, shaming on the air waves, taunting and demonizing through social media and music, and in some places downright brutality and cruelty. See, O Lord; take note and come to the aid of your chosen ones. We long to see our own nation flourish as a just and lawful land. We long to see our neighborhoods, cities and State to show themselves to be the land of the free and the home of the brave. Hear our prayer, O Lord, and let our cry come to you!

He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” Though all the world scoffs and scorns the coronation of your Son, we and all of your church, declare him to be Lord, and head of all things to his church. We pray on behalf of your church in this place, worldwide, and specifically in Haiti; Honduras; Hong Kong; Hungary; Iceland; India; Indonesia; Iran; Iraq; Ireland; Israel and Italy: not only may we bow the knee to your Son, but may we be a people of utmost loyalty to him in our worship and ways, in liturgy and life. May we not be frightened in anything by our opponents but always live in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ. Hear our prayer, O Lord, and let our cry come to you!

I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.” For all national and international agencies that seek to subvert your church, and undermine your Son’s rule, we pray for them to be converted; like Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus, to be confronted by your Son and his majesty, and to call him “Lord” now. And if they will not, bring their power to nothing and their schemes down to the dust.  Hear our prayer, O Lord, and let our cry come to you!


Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. We pray for those of our family, friends and fellows who have turned away from Christ, or have never known him …, that they will “Kiss the Son lest they perish in the way. / We also pray for our brothers and sisters languishing in mental darkness of one kind or another…; those who are limping along with sickness, disease, or brokenness…; and those struggling with finances and family issues…; be their refuge and strength, lifting up their heads and hearts in hope, for truly “blessed are all those who take refuge in him.” Hear our prayer, O Lord, and let our cry come to you!

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