Psalm 77 Prayer for our nation

El Shaddai and Adonai, 

We hear the soul of this nation crying out.  The blood of those who died to begin and preserve her now cries out to you, All-Powerful God, for help.  The spirits of Christians all over this land cry out to you to hear us as we seek our Lord, stretching out untiring hands in the face of the attacks and darkness around us.  We remember, God, how you have guided men and women in the past; we remember and groan because the circumstances of today look so dark.  We think about the days and years of long ago, remembering the songs sung to you at night, and ask:  Will the Lord reject us today or will you show your favor again?  Has your unfailing love vanished from this nation and have you withdrawn your promises?  Have you forgotten to be merciful or, in your righteous anger, are you withholding your compassion upon this nation?  We remember your deeds in the past, your miracles of long ago.  Your ways, God are holy; there is no god as great as you.  You perform miracles and display your power among the people.  With your mighty arm you have redeemed your people and rescued them from storms of conflict, strife, and even war.  Just like you led the Israelites through the Red Sea, we cry out to you to create a safe path through this current storm of circumstances and chaos.  We beg you to lead your people deeply into your presence, into your holiness, and teach us your will and ways.  Instill in us a desire to live out your righteousness and speak your Truth into our circumstances.  Guard us as we cast off nonchalant and mediocre Christianity and religiosity and, instead, chase after you with full fervency.  Guard our faith, our finances, and our future.  Give us wisdom as to how to steward this nation that is divided and hurting so badly right now.  Break the power of the wickedness that is on our nation and uphold your righteous children.  We remember the many ways in which you provided good and godly leaders in our past, and we pray you will rise up a generation of good and godly leaders for such a time as now.  May there be Moseses, Joshuas, Esthers, Deborahs, Peters, Pauls, and many others who hear your voice and follow your leading as they boldly stand against the demonic forces at play today. May godly leaders and average people boldly stand for your Truth, Justice, and Righteousness.  By your Grace, may we remember our past, and may this nation be saved so it can be a beacon of Light for generations to come.  In the powerful name of Christ we pray, Amen.  

The power of the wicked will be broken,
    but the Lord upholds the righteous. (Psalm 37:17 NIV)

1 I cried out to God for help;

    I cried out to God to hear me.

2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;

    at night I stretched out untiring hands,

    and I would not be comforted.

3 I remembered you, God, and I groaned;

    I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.[b]

4 You kept my eyes from closing;

    I was too troubled to speak.

5 I thought about the former days,

    the years of long ago;

6 I remembered my songs in the night.

    My heart meditated and my spirit asked:

7 “Will the Lord reject forever?

    Will he never show his favor again?

8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever?

    Has his promise failed for all time?

9 Has God forgotten to be merciful?

    Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”

10 Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:

    the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.

11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord;

    yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

12 I will consider all your works

    and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

13 Your ways, God, are holy.

    What god is as great as our God?

14 You are the God who performs miracles;

    you display your power among the peoples.

15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,

    the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

16 The waters saw you, God,

    the waters saw you and writhed;

    the very depths were convulsed.

17 The clouds poured down water,

    the heavens resounded with thunder;

    your arrows flashed back and forth.

18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,

    your lightning lit up the world;

    the earth trembled and quaked.

19 Your path led through the sea,

    your way through the mighty waters,

    though your footprints were not seen.

20 You led your people like a flock

    by the hand of Moses and Aaron. (Psalm 77 NIV)

1 I poured out my complaint to you, God.

    I lifted up my voice, shouting out for your help.

2 When I was in deep distress, in my day of trouble,

    I reached out for you with hands stretched out to heaven.

    Over and over I kept looking for you, God,

    but your comforting grace was nowhere to be found.

3 As I thought of you I moaned, “God, where are you?”

    I’m overwhelmed with despair as I wait for your help to arrive.

Pause in his presence

4 I can’t get a wink of sleep until you come and comfort me.

    Now I’m too burdened to even pray!

5 My mind wandered, thinking of days gone by—

    the years long since passed.

6 Then I remembered the worship songs I used to sing

    in the night seasons,

    and my heart began to fill again with thoughts of you.

    So my spirit went out once more in search of you.

7 Would you really walk off and leave me forever, my Lord God?

    Won’t you show me your kind favor, delighting in me again?

8 Has your well of sweet mercy dried up?

    Will your promises never come true?

9 Have you somehow forgotten to show me love?

    Are you so angry that you’ve closed

    your heart of compassion toward me?

Pause in his presence

10 Lord, what wounds me most is that it’s somehow my fault that

    you’ve changed your heart toward me

    and I no longer see the years of the Mighty One

    or your right hand of power.

11 Yet I could never forget all your miracles, my God,

    as I remember all your wonders of old.

12 I ponder all you’ve done, Lord, musing on all your miracles.

13 It’s here in your presence, in your sanctuary,

    where I learn more of your ways,

    for holiness is revealed in everything you do.

    Lord, you’re the one and only, the great and glorious God!

14 Your display of wonders, miracles, and power

    makes the nations acknowledge you.

15 By your glory-bursts you’ve rescued us over and over.

    Just ask the sons of Jacob or

    the sons of Joseph, and they will tell you!

    And all of us, your beloved ones, know that it’s true!

Pause in his presence

16 When the many waters of the Red Sea took one look at you,

    they were afraid and ran away to hide—

    trembling to its depths!

17 Storm clouds filled with water high in the skies;

    cloudbursts and thunderclaps announced your approach.

    Lightning-flashes lit up the landscape.

18 Rolling whirlwinds exploded with sonic booms of thunder,

    rumbling as the skies shouted out your story

    with light and sound and wind.

    Everything on earth shook and trembled as you drew near.

19 Your steps formed a highway through the seas

    with footprints on a pathway no one even knew was there.

20 You led your people forward by your loving hand,

    blessed by the leadership of Moses and Aaron. (Psalm 77 TPT)

Freedom

Today is Veteran's Day, usually a day which goes by with a quick internal recognition of the price generations have paid for these United States -- and a grumble about the Post Office or Bank being closed for the day. But for several days I've been thinking about freedom - both cultural/societal as a U.S. citizen and that freedom we gain from Christ. I will save my strong concerns about our freedom as US citizens for another blog. Instead, I will, too, thank God for the men, women, and families who have fought, served, and persevered in order to maintain these United States.

But, because my citizenship on earth is relatively temporary and I have a permanent citizenship as part of Jesus' family, my thoughts and prayers head in that direction. Jesus said, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36 NIV) My first freedom - and therefore my first allegiance - must be to Christ. Tommy Walker said it this way (and I agree):, "My allegiance and devotion, my heart's desire and all emotion go to serve the Man who died upon that tree"*. After all, "the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." (2 Cor. 3:17 NIV) So, Spirit, grant me your freedom.


As we know, though, there are still many who live without freedom, especially spiritual freedom. And we are called, at least in part, to proclaim that freedom to those in bondage:

"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners..." (Isa. 61:1 NIV)


You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature ; rather, serve one another in love. (Gal. 5:13 NIV)


Maker, Father, Savior, Redeemer, Restorer, Rebuilder, Rewarder,Free-er:

All praise to you, Lord God for the beauty of your Creation and we, your Created.

With thanks we remember our freedom from death and sin. Thank you for the gift of grace.

Spirit of the Lord, be present and give us our spiritual freedom.
May we preach the good news to the poor in spirit.
May we help to bind up the brokenhearted and proclaim freedom for the captives and release for the prisoners.
May we serve each other in love.
May all our allegiance and devotion go to serve Christ, in whose name we pray.

Amen.




*("Only A God Like You," (c) 2000 Integrity's Praise! Music).

"Sheeple" and Leadership

In the last few days I've been thinking a lot about leadership.  Our church is in the process of searching for our next pastoral leader and Sunday we had a conversation with the district leader about that position.  The church is at a point in her history and growth where good leadership continues to be critical.  There are currently incredibly talented people in lay and staff leadership positions, and our next pastor will need to be a compliment to and crucial element of that leadership. 

(Painting a picture with a wide brush and a grain of salt now:)  Our nation seems to have a lot of "leaders" who are strictly out to further their own or party's agenda.  Our society seems to discourage godly leadership within the home.  People in our culture seem to be led like sheep ("sheeple") by entertainment, sports, or political celebrities.  Thoughtful people pine for times when thoughtful, careful, leaders looked at the best thinking around them and how to apply it to current situations.  And while I recognize that in every generation there are leaders and "sheeple," somehow it seems there are a lot more sheeple than quality leaders right now.  

This weekend I read Peggy Noonan's column in the Wall Street Journal.  Most of it was a response to the criticisms of Sarah Palin.  But the last few paragraphs I believe are profound and important for thinking citizens and church folk to consider. (You can read the whole article at: 

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124716984620819351.html)  

I won't reprint the whole thing here, but the last paragraphs I believe apply both to the Church and to our nation.

The era we face, that is soon upon us, will require a great deal from our leaders. They had better be sturdy. They will have to be gifted. There will be many who cannot, and should not, make the cut. Now is the time to look for those who can. And so the Republican Party [or any church following Jesus!] should get serious, as serious as the age, because that is what a grown-up, responsible party [church/pastor] —a party [church/pastor] that deserves to lead—would do.

It's not a time to be frivolous, or to feel the temptation of resentment, or the temptation of thinking next year will be more or less like last year, and the assumptions of our childhoods will more or less reign in our future. It won't be that way.

We are going to need the best.

We are going to need the best -- both for our nation and our church.  So we pray...

God, 

 We love you, O LORD, our strength.

 The LORD is our rock, our fortress and our deliverer; 

our God is our rock, in whom we take refuge.   (Ps.181:2a NIV, alt.)

 Turn your ear to us, come quickly to our rescue; 
       be our rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save us.

Since you are our rock and our fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide us.  (Ps.31:2-3 NIV, alt.)

O LORD, hear our prayer, listen to our cry for mercy; 
       in your faithfulness and righteousness come to our relief.

Let the morning bring us word of your unfailing love, 
       for we have put our trust in you. 
       Show us the way we should go, 
       for to you we lift up our souls.

Rescue us from our enemies, O LORD, 
       for we hide ourselves in you.

Teach us to do your will, 
       for you are our God; 
       may your good Spirit 
       lead us on level ground.  (Ps. 143:1, 8-10 NIV alt.)

We need leaders who are tuned in to you, 

both for our church and for our nation.  

We need men and women who seek first your kingdom and righteousness 

and want to serve you in their roles.  

Prepare our next pastor and upcoming/future civic leaders 

for the leadership roles you have for them.

Show your church and your people the ones you 

have anointed for leadership.

Give your leaders the fortitude and patience of David 

as he waited for your timing to become the leader 

God had anointed him to be. 

Give your leaders the courage and faith 

of Joshua and Caleb, to see Your Promised Land and 

speak your truth to the people.

Give your leaders the joy of Abraham and Sarah 

as they watched Isaac grow, knowing your promises are "yes and amen."

Give your leaders the focus and vision for ministry 

the apostles and early church had so we are effective in our mission and ministry.

Give your leaders a desire to be genuinely humble 

and allow you to raise us up to exalted places.

Guide our feet into the paths of peace 

for your righteousness and for the glory of your name.

Amen

Peace be with you,

JV