Why, Lord, do you seem to stand far off?
Why do you seem hide yourself when the wicked seem to be prevailing?
The arrogant and wicked hunt down the weak, who are caught in the schemes the wicked devise.
The wicked boast about the cravings of their hearts and bless the greedy while reviling the Lord.
In their pride the wicked do not seek God; in all his ways there is no room for God.
Their mouths are full of lies and threats; trouble and evil are under their tongue.
Their victims are crushed, they collapse; they fall under the strength of this wickedness.
God, in this world there seems to be so many layers of wickedness and genuine evil. Move against these forces, in Jesus's name! Break the spirit of the enemy and stop the spirits of fear, hatred, destruction, division, anger, dishonesty, and distrust that have pervaded our nation. Proclaim, "NO MORE" to these dark forces. Instead, may the Light of your Truth, Hope, Joy, Peace, and Love be poured out on people who are trapped in every variety of darkness and hopelessness.
Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.
God, you see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand.
The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.
Break the strength of the wicked ones in this world;
call the evildoers to account for their wickedness that would otherwise be hidden.
For those who are trapped in criminal lifestyles, in pornography, in addiction, in trafficking, in debt, in lack of skills or opportunity, in oppressive systems, in their own doubts, hopelessness, and despair, we pray you would arise, Lord! May you and your Church help bring Light into this darkness so the darkness will not overtake these precious ones.
You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
defending the fatherless and the oppressed, so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror.
Take mercy on your downtrodden ones so they can be rescued from the wicked and see the Glory of Your Abundant Life for them. In Jesus's Name, Amen.
(Adapted from Psalm 10 NIV)
No comments:
Post a Comment