"I Shall Not Be Greatly Shaken" - 24 April 2022

 


(This prayer walks through all of Psalm 62)

For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken (Psalm 62:1-2). We lift up our hearts thankful that the new and living way into your presence has been opened up through your Son, and that we have the privilege to draw near with all holy reverence and confidence. Glory to you, Lord God!

How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. Selah (62:3-4). Father, behold how your people are being bludgeoned, badgered, and beleaguered in so many places! Grant us all to be faithful witnesses, and please restore safety and sanity in those places where it is hot and hostile. Turn the hearts of the god-haters and shut down their ability to do harm. Liquidate and bankrupt those institutions, sanctuaries, movements, and mobs that, in the name of God or in the name of Jesus or in the name of patriotism, stand opposed to you and your good ways and want to inflict and enforce outrageous and atrocious lifestyles on civilization and on your sacred society. Bring salvation where there is presently only scorning. Glory to you, Lord God!

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah (62:5-8). We implore your mercy, care, guidance, strength and help for your church in all places, including this congregation along with Hillside Baptist, Hillwood Baptist, Hispanic Baptist of Edmond, and Holy Divine Baptist Church. Be our salvation, fortress, rock, refuge, and glory. Guide your church to be reformed and always reforming into the kind of sacred society you desire. Glory to you, Lord God!

Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them (62:9-10). Mighty Lord, God Most High, govern the nations of the world (especially Yemen, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Russia and Ukraine), as well as our own country, so that neighborliness, respectfulness, wholesome morality, fairness, justice and equity would succeed. We long for the day when swords will beaten into plowshares, spears into pruning hooks, and lions lie down with lambs; give peace, O Lord, in our time. Glory to you, Lord God! 

Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work (62:11-12). Compassionate Father, to whom belongs steadfast love, be with those we pray for now who need our prayers, especially (…). Since your never-failing providence orders all things in both heaven and earth, remove what is hurtful, and replenish with what is helpful in Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord. Glory to you, Lord God!  And we pray as we have been taught, saying, Our Father…

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