Deus Misereatur

  Years ago, in a situation long ago, in a different space and time continuum, I wrote these prayers. They were for me, as a pastor, in the midst of disappointment and feeling of deep defeat. I have drawn them back up out of the bowels of long unused files to dust them off and re-use them. I'm using them again not in the midst of disappointment and deep defeat, but because I think they are decent prayers, no matter my situation. I share them with you, fellow pastors, so you can use them, and hopefully find your heart lifted and the face of God smiling on you. He loves you, more than anyone else ever could, and he loves your congregation more than you ever can. FOR CONTENTMENT:   O Lord God - help! ·          Help me to flourish and fill out in faith, hope and love, as well as all other Christian virtues  - here . ·          Help me to find satisfaction with where I am, with whom I am with, wit...

    Not many biblical scholars make it the height of their academic work to finally write a commentary on Ezra and Nehemiah. And very few pastors long to do a sermon series on these two books. But there are adventurous souls out there who will take the risk, come what may, and Dr. Dale Ralph Davis has taken that plunge with the 224-page softback, “Ezra & Nehemiah: The Quest for Restoration” published by Christian Focus. This volume is another installment in the “Focus on the Bible Series.” Dr. Davis was Minister in Residence, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina. Prior to that he was pastor of Woodland Presbyterian Church, Hattiesburg, Mississippi and various other churches through the years. He was also Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi.   This readable work is truly a commentary on Ezra and Nehemiah, for their own sakes. Though there are leadership principles to be gleaned, lessons on prayer, and c...

  Strengthener of the weak; fortifier of the faithful, rescuer of the wayward, restorer of the repentant, it is you who does great wonders, and it is you who delivers your people from their enemies, elevating them from their low estate in due time, drawing them from the miry bog and setting their feet on a rock; you are good, for your steadfast love endures forever (Psalm 136:1)! O LORD Most High who is to be feared, for you are the great king over all the earth; we pray for all nations and all leaders. Bring all peoples of every land to clap their hands, to shout to God with loud songs of joy. Bring the princes of the peoples to gather as the people of the God of Abraham, for you reign over the nations, you sit on your holy throne (Psalm 47)! You are good, for your steadfast love endures forever! We pray on behalf of your Church world-over, this congregation, Prospect Baptist Church, Ridgecrest, Rising Star, and St. Jude Baptist Church, along with Dan and Becky Young with MTW in N...