Deus Misereatur

6 November 2012 "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come! Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed." We bow before you knowing that you have cared for us and will continue to do so. Your might and majesty are far above and beyond our comprehension or conceptions. We acknowledge and admire your works of providence, whereby your most holy, wise and powerful preserving and governing of all your creatures and all of our actions is to your glory and to our good. Confident in you, who has promised “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” we boldly say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?" Therefore, help us to rise up trusting you, and to “build houses and live in them; plant garden...

I have asked my Senior Pastor and long-time friend, John Owen Butler, to have the prayer for this election day. This prayer is adapted from John Newton's letters found here . ----- Tuesday, 6 November 2012 Lord, today, I am reminded of the truth "The Lord reigns! Let the nations tremble!" ( Psalm 99:1). Help me to keep that truth before me. As I draw near to vote today, let me draw near to your throne of grace. You have commanded us to seek the peace of the place where you have placed us. You have put us here at this time, in your sovereign design. But Lord, the times look awfully dark indeed; and as the clouds grow thicker--the stupor of the nation seems proportionally to increase. If you, Lord, had not a remnant here, I would have very formidable apprehensions. But you love your children; some are sighing and mourning before you, and I am sure you hear their sighs, and see their tears. I trust there is mercy in store for us at the bottom of this; but I expect...

Monday, 5 November 2012 O our God, we have been told repeatedly, “ It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes ” and “ Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. ” Please forgive us for making our politicians and magistrates out to be more than what they are, and for not placing our utmost confidence in you. As we head to the ballot box tomorrow, guide us to vote conscionably, and then to cast our whole trust on you, the God who is larger and more powerful, and more just than any government or nation. We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ, whom you have made Israel’s Messiah and the world’s true Lord. Amen. (Prayerfully reflecting on Psalm 118.8-9 and 146.3) Mike

Sunday, 4 November 2012 O God, you have shown us what is good, and what you require of us; that we are to do justly, to love mercy, and the walk humbly before you. Guide us through this election that we the electorate, and those seeking to be elected, will be a people who do justly at home, in the business world, the courtrooms, the legislative halls, and the executive offices. That we would be a nation who loves mercy, who seeks to work it out in all of our actions and decisions. And that we, the governed and the governing, would always walk humbly before you. Have mercy on our nation, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. (Prayerfully reflecting on Micah 6.8) Mike

Saturday, 3 November 2012 Holy and mighty God, who practices steadfast love, justice and righteousness in the earth, and delights in them; direct the hands and hearts of the electorate this coming Tuesday, that we may see clearly who would be best  to lead our land in steadfast love, justice and righteousness, and then to vote appropriately. May the end result be wholesome leaders set up in office; people of genuine integrity, honesty, and godly virtue; people who will unflinchingly stand on the principles of rectitude, honor and uprightness. May our country thrive, and our nation’s inhabitants prove to be a moral and honorable people, for the common good, and for the wellbeing of your Church. We ask these things in the joyful fellowship of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayerfully reflecting on Jeremiah 9.23-24) Mike

Friday, 2 November 2012 Merciful God, your Scriptures warn us for our good with these words; “A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.” For generations we have voted for programs, laws and politicians out of a heart dripping with envy, jealousy and greed, and now it feels as if the bones of our country are rotting. Angry that others were prospering, we have pushed for heavier taxation, consoling ourselves with “they can afford it; they don’t have a right to so much money. How dare they!” Jealous that some have better privileges and advantages, we have yearned for them to be dragged down to our level. Greedy for our own personal peace and affluence, we have clamored for greater and heavier dependence on governmental safety nets and securities. We have increasingly been looking to our civil authorities (and others) as if they were gods, or demi-gods who should be able to fix every catastrophe, ailment and trauma; and if they don’t (because they can’t)...

Thursday, 1 November 2012 Almighty God, in whose hands the king’s heart is as a stream of water, turned whichever way you will; regardless of the results of this upcoming election, please bring around what is best for our nation. And please restore the gift and value of God-ordained marriage - one man and one woman, where for better or for worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, they will love and cherish one another until death parts them; similarly, please rebuild the important, godly virtue of celibacy for those who are gifted with singleness; so that whether married or single, the people of this land may flourish in chastity and purity. We ask this in union with your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen. (Prayerfully reflecting on Proverbs 21.1, and marriage vows) Mike