Deus Misereatur

  Habakkuk was a prophet who faced dark times socially, economically, politically, nationally, and personally. He foresaw the demise of his culture from within and without. It was in the midst of what he was being told by God that he heard the Lord remind him that pride brings destruction, but the better way is trusting in the Lord: “ Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith ” (Habakkuk 2:4).   The Apostle Paul saw the same thing hundreds of years later. He chronicled the downward spiral of society, a society that pushed hard against God and so God “ gave them up in the lusts of their own heart…gave them up to dishonorable passions…gave them up to a debased mind ” (Romans 1:24, 26, 28). But before he launched into this description, he takes us to God’s message in Habakkuk, “ For in [the gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith. ”” (Romans 1:17).  

  It is our privilege and honor to be invited into your presence to pray on behalf of the world and your church. And in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, you have given us bold access into your presence to bring our cares and petitions. We come, Lord, at your invitation and bequest. For those in our State, townships and neighborhoods who feel that all hope is gone; for those who are in despair and deep in darkness; for those who are in continual pain (…), and we pray for those grieving and groaning in Allen Texas, Georgia, Henryetta Oklahoma, and other places. We pray that you would place people in their lives who would hold on to them and walk with them through it all. And we especially pray for those who are having thoughts of suicide. O God, break into the grief and gloom with your hope, and raise them up to see your life and light in Jesus Christ. For those who are in great need, who have chronic health troubles, who are being treated for cancer, (…). We pray for them to have relief,