Psalm 46 Prayer

God, Our Fortress,

You are our refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way to violence, destruction, and death or the mountains of security and peace fall into the heart of the sea.  Though the waters of fear, anger, and bitterness roar and foam and the mountains of division and hatred quake with their surging, we know there is a River of God who cools the passions of this world - a holy place where the Most High dwells.  You are within this community, this nation, and this world; we will not fail when we call on you for help for this day.  If we watch or read the "news," it seems nations are in uproar and kingdoms are falling; BUT GOD is with us, our fortress who speaks and the earth melts.  God, we remember what you have done, how you make wars cease, how you break the weapons of war and call us to peace.   In our internal worlds, we hear your call to, "Be still and know that I am God."  We speak "Peace, be still" to our fears and worries and, instead, recognize that the Lord Almighty is with us.  You are God our Fortress and we give you praise and thanksgiving for the deliverance we may or may not see yet, but we claim anyway.  You are not delaying and you will keep your promises.  For that and so much more we give you thanks, worship, and praise.  In Jesus's name we pray, Amen!

10 

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

    I will be exalted among the nations,

    I will be exalted in the earth.”

11 

The Lord Almighty is with us;

    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Psalm 46

1 

God is our refuge and strength,

    an ever-present help in trouble.

2 

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way

    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

3 

though its waters roar and foam

    and the mountains quake with their surging.

4 

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

    the holy place where the Most High dwells.

5 

God is within her, she will not fall;

    God will help her at break of day.

6 

Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;

    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 

The Lord Almighty is with us;

    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

8 

Come and see what the Lord has done,

    the desolations he has brought on the earth.

9 

He makes wars cease

    to the ends of the earth.

He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

    he burns the shields with fire.

10 

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

    I will be exalted among the nations,

    I will be exalted in the earth.”

11 

The Lord Almighty is with us;

    the God of Jacob is our fortress.