Deus Misereatur

I hesitate to put this out there because of the combative environment we are in at present. But I think some souls will take courage from this, and some will also join with me as we get to the end of this little composition. I am struck by the words of God in Zechariah 8. As he rehearses the waywardness and faithlessness of his people in the past, he clearly declares that he " set every man against his neighbor " (8:10). That got me thinking long ago. I started putting the pieces together and realized that one of God's acts of judgment is division, setting a man against his neighbor. That's what happened when he divided his people into the northern tribes and southern tribes (see 1 Kings 11:26-40). Because of Solomon's turning aside, allowing his wives to turn his heart away from the God of his father, David, the Lord brings about a rift in God's people. And this pattern of divisive judgment runs throughout Scripture. On the other hand, truthful unity is the g...

  Trinity Hymn #712 We pray, O Lord, for the hostile, hurtful and harsh conditions in our world situations, in our nation, but also in our communities, our relationships, our employments, our families, and other settings (…). O God of love, O King of peace, make wars throughout the world to cease; the wrath of sinful man restrain; give peace, O God, give peace again . O Lord, hear our prayer.   We earnestly pray for revival and reformation ! We pray for revival and reformation in our own country, and all other regions that once had a very clear and concrete Christian presence. We pray for revival and reformation among our families and friends, acquaintances and associates who also once were clearly and concretely Christians . And we pray for revival and reformation in our churches in this country and State, for those churches striving to be faithful, and those who have muddied and mauled the faith (…). Remember, Lord, your works of old, the wonders that our fathers told...

  From Psalm 128 Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways! You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. Since Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, we pray for the church here and world over, for this congregation, as well as Santa Fe Presbyterian, Westlake, Stonegate, and All Saints Community Church. We ask that by the blessing of your Son , by the reforming and revitalizing work of your Spirit , by the faithful reading, preaching and teaching of your Scriptures , and by the right administration of your sacraments , Jesus might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:25-27). Further, we ask you to be with those in our families and in our congregation, who need heart or healing or help ( …).   Y...