December 28, 2020 Prayer - Pause/Psalm 37

God ,

As we walk through this week between 2020 and 2021, we thank you for your faithfulness in this year. We thank you that "though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet," and that your mercies are new every morning - and new every year.  We thank you that you invite us to ponder the things you have taught us this year and to move forward in faith, especially where our relationships with you have been strengthened in this year of strife and trial.   Help us not to fret because of the evil and wrongdoers in the world, but to trust in you, our Lord, and to do good.  Remind us that you call us to take delight in you so you will give us the desires of our hearts, to commit our ways to our Lord and trust you.  We thank you for this resting time between Christmas and the New Year and pray you would use it to refresh and renew us further, by your Spirit.   Help us to be still and wait patiently for you.  Even when it seems that evil succeeds in our individual circumstances or our world, you promise that those who do evil will be destroyed and those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.  So, whether we look back to 2020 or forward to 2021, remind us of your faithfulness and mercies.  Remind us that you promise that the meek - those walking in righteousness with God - will inherit the land.  God of Hope, fill us with all joy and peace in our believing so that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can abound in hope for 2021.  In the powerful name of Christ we pray, Amen. 

1 "Do not fret because of those who are evil
    or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither,
    like green plants they will soon die away.
3 Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
    your vindication like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the Lord
    and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
    when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
    do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For those who are evil will be destroyed,
    but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.

10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
    though you look for them, they will not be found.

11 But the meek will inherit the land
    and enjoy peace and prosperity." (Psalm 37)

"This is my Father's world:
O let me ne'er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father's world:
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King: let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let earth be glad!"  - M. D. Babcock

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." (Romans 15:13)

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."  (Lamentations 3:22-23)