"Be Merciful to Me, O God" - 10 December 2017


“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me” (Psalm 57.1-2). We look around our big world and see trouble on the right and turmoil on the left. We implore you, O God, for all the nations of the world, but especially the USA, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica and Cote d'Ivoire: to bring peace in our time, to preserve the downtrodden and demoralized; but also to raise up leaders who will seek good, and not evil, that life may flourish, who will hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate; and who will let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream (from Amos 4.14-15, 24). And preserve, prosper, promote and pilot your Church, our brothers and sisters in all places, to include this congregation; both Emmanuel Baptist churches in OKC; Enterprise Baptist; and the Evangelistic Baptist Church of Christ. Raise up and rebuild the tent of David that is fallen and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old, that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the nations who are called by your name (taken from Amos 9.11-12 and Acts 15.16-18).

“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me” (Psalm 57.1-2). We look around our families, neighborhoods, friends and colleagues, especially those undergoing trials and tribulations. We implore you hear us as we prayer on their behalf…let them know that you are God who lifts up the humble; who restores the fainthearted; who heals the wounded. But also we pray that you will show yourself as the one who stands up for the weak and vulnerable and hunts down the abuser; condemns the violator; and resists the proud.

“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me” (Psalm 57.1-2). We look at all of these children, and the ones baptized today, with warm hearts. Lord Jesus you said very pointedly “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And then you took them in your arms and blessed them, laying your hands on them (Mark 10.14-16). Take these children in your arms, and may we, the adults and parents, be purposefully bringing them to you, endeavoring to set before them a godly example, praying with and for them, teaching them the doctrines of our holy religion, and striving, by all of your appointed means, to bring them up in your nurture and admonition. 

We ask this all in your name, Lord Jesus. Amen.

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