"The LORD is Righteous" Congregational Prayer - 28 July 2019


{Today's congregational prayer interacts with Psalm 11}


In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, “Flee like a bird to your mountain, for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart; if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” O Lord our refuge, the shelter in the midst of the storm, for those who are taunted and teased by their afflictions, ailments, burdens or biliousness to “flee like a bird to your mountain,” we pray… enfold them in your compassion and fill them with courage that they may rejoice in your goodness. For those being aimed at by the bow of the wicked, shot at in the dark and dimness, we pray…shield them from the fiery darts, and screen them from slander and spite. For those who are rocking and reeling and feeling as if the bottom is falling out, we pray…may they find in you their sure foundation and be built up in sturdy strength. 
           
The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD's throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man. The LORD tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence. O LORD, high and lifted up, many in academia, and many in positions of power and prominence in our broadcasting and print outlets act and function as if they are gods, high and mighty in their own opinions and derisiveness. Many in our institutions of science and medicine proceed and pronounce as if the sun rises and sets at their bidding. Bring them to know that they are mere dust before you, that they are faulty and frail mortals who are given each breath and each opportunity to think and speak and live from your hand. And bring them to bow the knee before your Son, Jesus Christ, now, before he returns to judge the living and the dead. And for our own country and all the nations of the world, we pray: “Arise, O LORD! Let not man prevail; let the nations be judged before you! Put them in fear, O LORD! Let the nations know that they are but men” (Psalm 9.19-20)!

Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup. For the LORD is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face. O Father, we pray for your church that spans this round globe, including this congregation, and Church of the Redeemer, Church of the Resurrection, St. Anslem of Canterbury and St. Augustine of Canterbury. You who are righteous and love righteous deeds, may your righteousness triumph among us. Produce repentance where there has been a history of hardheaded recalcitrance; grace where there has been hardnosed legalism; peace where there have been heartless divisions; hope where there has been helpless trouble; ongoing fortitude where there has been Biblical faithfulness; and outright success where there has been Gospel outreach. Hasten the day when the upright will behold your face; by the saving power of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen (From Psalm 11).

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