"Seven Times a Day I Praise You" - 24 July 2016

[This prayer goes along with, and flows out of the sermon for today from Jeremiah 15.16: Critical Crossroads]

From Psalm 119:161-168

Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words. There are places in our world, O Lord, where injustice, immorality, illegality and inhumaneness sit enthroned and empowered, violently and viciously crushing people and seeking to harm your chosen ones. Lift up the downtrodden and demoralized, show strength with your arm; scatter the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; and bring down the mighty from their thrones (Luke 1.51-52). We especially ask for you to defend, direct, and deliver your Church in all places, and more pointedly, in Qatar; Romania; Russia; Rwanda, Turkey, and the Republic of South Sudan.

I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil. Eternal God, look upon these United States of America that there may again be great joy at your word, like the joy of those who have found a priceless treasure. Many who are in office claim to be disciples of Jesus, and fellow believers. Especially for them we beg you to shape their desires, direct their actions, protect their families, and build them up to pursue God-defined justice, equity, and the common good for all in this land – the free born, foreign born and unborn.

I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law. Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules. Great God, faithful God, God of truth and fidelity; we implore you to bring honesty and integrity to the forefront of our land, our own relationships, our families, in our jobs, throughout our schools and colleges, into civil office, and out to our international affairs. Rouse your people in this country to reclaim the importance of your word, and to return to committed, prayer-full connection with you, and resilient in pursuing what is right.

Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. We have loved ones and friends, Father, who seem to be tottering between heaven and hell, perdition and redemption…May they come to the peace your law promotes, the peace that can be found only in your Son, Jesus Christ, and by the fullness of your Spirit, that they may become steady and not stumble.

I hope for your salvation, O LORD, and I do your commandments. My soul keeps your testimonies; I love them exceedingly. I keep your precepts and testimonies, for all my ways are before you. Hear us cry out for those we know who have never known your great salvation: family, friends, neighbors, those kids and parents we interacted with in VBS…. Bring them into your family that they may know they’re forgiven in Jesus Christ, and bear the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control. / And please grant recovery, refreshment, and restoration for those in tight places, difficult spaces, and hard races...; through our great High Priest, Jesus the Son of God, we offer these prayers. Amen.